Alright, I have to give in and start getting a single shot together! A buddy of mine stopped by last week and showed me a new Encore rifle that he got. For the first time handling a TC, I was sold!! I have been tossing around the idea of starting a pistol of course. I love my S&W, but I am hunting some areas that have a bit more range. I liked the Encore but the stock seemed to be on the bulky side. Are the pistol grips the same?

If I decide to start this, which would be better the Contender or the G2? I have a ton of 30-30 brass that I have kept for a few years. Which could help me decide on a caliber to start out with. 200-225 yards will probably be the maximum for this. Let me know what you guys think. Of course with limited funds in mind, I may have to start out a little at a time. I am not to worried about recoil

wow....they are both superb. you might find a used old model, complete with 30-30 barrel attached with some searching....n with a lil luck, even a scope for a complete package.

if i could have ANY firearm for general uses....i'd choose a stainless G2 with a nice custom barrel and topped with a 3x12 burris ler scope mounted in 3 leupold vertical split rings on a weaver base.

Try Ed's he may have a used 30-30 barrel and maybe even a frame. If you buy new I would spend the extra and get a 30-30 AI 14" for sure. If you go MGM they may throw in a 6 hole base for free. That will save you a bit on the rings and base as well as make a very nice rig. I like the old stlye easy open frames best but the G2 is nice too. If you go G2 you may want to order it from someone that can do the trigger before you get it. I like the grip angle on my G2 better. Be sure and get what you want I find myself going budget sometime and always wind up with what I wanted orignaly in the end.

If you've got a bunch of 30-30 brass, and reload, and want to shoot 200 yards, I'd suggest the 30-30 AI, and in an original Contender frame. The G-2 is also nice but I have a soft spot for the original. The Encore IS big in the handle on the pistol as well. I have small to midsize hands and can't get a proper grip on it. Whatever you decide, be prepared - it is only the beginning.

Hunlee is one that have an shoot old style Contender frame but it have excelent trigger pull!!!!!!Hunlee wood guess it break at one pound and this is very good for Hunlee!!!!!!When the X hit the target Hunlee hit the trigger!!!!!!Friend to hunlee have new style G2 an Hunlee handle an shoot this aswell!!!!!!Trigger work was done and trigger is good,,,,HUnlee like!!!!!!

hunlee

I owned my G2 first and really love its features, Second I bought a older sytle Contender that was not a easy open.Didn't even know easy open was a feature that was later added at that time. But did not enjoy how tough it was to open sometimes, so I did not keep it. But owning the G 2 first that was what I measured against.
I have held the Encores in pistol (and rifle) it seems alot heavier and bulkier then either contender.
If you are planning to stay mostly in the contenders range of calibers and in a pistol. The contender would serve you well.

Hard to beat the original in my book, but my buddie has a g-2 and it works well.

Lars

I appreciate the info, I will have to hunt around and see what pops up. Sometimes the deciding factor is from what comes around. I dig the 44 but I don't like the feeling of not being able to shoot something because it is too far for what you got in your hand! I am sure this will be a fun never ending project!

I have to agree!

well....they did it with the G2....although sadly minus the cool etchings....n that has no function

The original Contender was always my dream gun. In the early '80s, I used to stare at the Contender ads in the magazines like a kid looking at a toy catalog. I think thats a big part of my preference for them.

i have both the contender and encore and like both but i just
cant like the g2 and i dont know why. bemay it just me.
larry

that IS perplexing larry....the G2 is just a "mini" version of the encore.

i got all 3 types....n dearly love em all

i have never really looked at the g2 maybe i will i know its
a mini encore so i may have to do some looking and that would
give a reason to buy another gun

larry