Hey guys. I'm lookin to make a purchase in the not so distant future. Been leaning towards the revolver cause I have been told they hold up a lot better than the encores. Is this really true? I know the Encore has much more versatility,
and that is something I REALLY like, but is it a gun for the long term -- are there any problems with it mechanicaly?

Thanks!

Encores are very well built although every one in a while, a semi-lemon may pop up. Same can be said for a revolver. The encore is probably the most versatile handgun platform there is....but as far as which one should get, well that's personal preference.

I have a Contender my brother-in-law purchased back in 1976. Sometimes it will not unlock after firing 410 buckshot. One e-mail to TC replied "lifetime warranty send it to us". The most accurate handgun I have ever shot. One big problem deciding which barrel to use. I like my revolvers for multiple shots.

They are as different as night and day. The Encore is a stout shooting platform that offers multiple barrel interchangability, but is very heavy and bulky, with a fat grip and long reach to the trigger. If you are thinking along those lines I would take the G-2 over the Encore any day even though it can't shoot as high pressure chamberings as the Encore.

The revolver is the perfect intermediate (0-150 yard) distance hunting platform, IMO. They can be had in everything from mild to wild. You have quick follow-up shot(s). Grips are available for varying hand sizes. A revolver is relatively compact, although the Smith X-Frames get a bit bulky, and can be carried on the belt out of the way. Some models have incorporated scope mounting that allows quick attachment and removal of optics without losing iron sights.

My SRH in .480 Ruger is my go-to gun these days, although my Bisley 45LC is not far away. I still carry a Contender in a shoulder rig on occasion, or a Striker or XP on a single point sling, but there is always a wheelgun on my belt.

There is no shortage of "endurance" in Encores & they are extremely versatile.
That said, sad fact is I'm a revolver guy. I've had Encores & Contenders galore (and an XP & Wichita), & they all served me well. But I didn't love them. Liked them, but didn't love them.
I love revolvers. They make me tingley all over. My current favorites for the woods are me 8&3/8 model 29 (Had an Ultradot) which is being replaced as #1 gun by my 7.5" SRH in 480 that wears an Ultradot (off of the 29) for hunting, & a 4.5" 41mag Blackhawk for just a hiking/bowhunting backup gun.
Just a matter of personal preference, but I'm a revolver guy...

The revolver and the encore are both rugged platforms and if loaded correctly will out last the owner.

As far as comparing them thats like comparing apples to bananas. Both fruit but thats the end of it. Both can be customized to what you want to hunt and to fit your hand.

What do you want to hunt and how far will the average shots be?

Like the rest of the Guys said, It's a personal preference. I am a fan of the T/C's... you can take a Trophy animal with the right size caliber and bullet just about as far as your ability. They will hold up over time if taken care of just as the revolvers will also. Shooting a revolver you do have the advantage of quick follower up shots, but in the real world of hunting and field conditions, a single shot will make you take the best shot for a quick kill on the first shot.
With that said, its a personal perference on which one you can shoot the best and most comfortable at the game animals and distant you plan to hunt.

Enjoy the world of Handgun Hunting!

I have had An Encore in 30-06 since 1996 (if I remember correctly)and never had a problem with it.. Also as previously mentioned. They have a lifetime warranty. I love mine!

Did I mention I LOVE REVOLVERS???

Save your pennies and get both. I agree with s4s4u, the revolver for short range and the Encore for long range.

Go with what feels good in your hand and you cant go wrong. I like my encore but it will never feel better than my wheel gun in hand. If you want to take anything with sharp teeth, claws or a nasty attitude then Id go with a revolver for the follow up shots. you will feel better knowing that their there. Buy both and don't feel guilty

I shot Contenders back in the 80's and loved them. They were more accurate than some rifles Ive owned. I now shoot only revolvers. I like to hunt and shoot close. I just like the way a revolver looks and feels. If you want to shoot a long ways get the TC. there aint very many wheelguns that compete with the accuracy at greater distances. I handgun hunt for the challenge, I guess that is why I choose a revolver. My SRH .44 serves double duty as a home defense gun in the off season too!

I have contenders, encores, and revolvers and all of them are set up for different things. Personally I'd look at what your looking to get out of the project. An Encore for thick woods and close range... may not be what your needing same in the reverse.

As stated... get both

Have you shot both?

I was shocked Tig's answer wasn't... "BUY BOTH AND TELL US WHICH ONE YOU LIKE BETTER!"

You don't know how close I was to typing that.

I don't want to be a smart aleck all the time. Hehehehehe

What cartridges are you looking at and what distances are you hoping to get?

Only, 'both'? What about 'falling blocks' or 'bolt actions'?

I agree with the above comments. I have contenders, encores & revolvers. Started my handgun hunting with contenders. They are very accurate, efficient, durable, and can provide additional range over revolver cartridges. However, I became somewhat bored with them because of their efficiency & range. I have progressed to using revolvers most of the time. Much bigger challenge for me in using them.

However, I recommend that a "new" handgun hunter starts with a single shot. I have seen the unsatisfactory results of a "new" handgunner trying to master a revolver under field conditions and excitement of the hunt. The single shots are much more forgiving.

Good luck.

I consider myself somewhat "seasoned" with many types of handguns and STILL go to the single shots b/c I don't feel 100% with bigger bore wheelguns. Though every game animal I've aimed at with a wheelgun was DRT when the hammer fell, I still don't feel 100% with them.

a revolver was my first gun purchase. i learned to shoot with a revolver. i don't see it as a "progression" myself, but only as a relatively short range tool. i "progressed" to single shots BECAUSE of their accuracy, power, additional range, and the ability to reload/shoot many calibers for whatever my wants/needs be at the time.
which i choose would be determined solely by where/what/when....n how far most of my available shots will be. i seldom pack the revolver because areas i hunt allow shots of ranges beyond it's capability. if i hunt an area that is restricted by brush etc....i'd have no problem using it.

now dan.......i'm sure YOU can be 100% at revolver ranges.

As stated before it really depends on what, where and how you hunt. I don't think you can go wrong with a quality single shot to start out with though. I too started with a Contender and keep one with me in my truck almost every day. One can become proficient very quickly with a single shot. Now I have a couple Contenders, an Encore, the requisite barrel addiction for both and a several revolvers and I hunt with them all throughout the year. A revolver is a blast to hunt with and will give one a great feeling of accomplishment once you become proficient with it; however, the learning curve was greater for me. What ever you decide on though you will have to practice MUCH MORE to become proficient with a handgun, weather it is a scoped Encore in a belted magnum or an open sighted Ruger single six. And speaking of practice, a 22LR in either format is a great way to get started handgunning!

My personal issues with revolver hunting (and again...this is ME) is the limitations for field rests. When resting against a tree w/ a SSP, I like the place the barrel forearm on my left hand braced against the tree and rest the grip against the inside of my left arm. Try that with a revolver and you will get some serious gas cuts across the fingers!!

I brought my .500 S&W revolver on my bison hunt as my primary weapon and took along my Encore .375-06 JDJ as a back-up. It was a back-up first and foremost just in case I could not get close enough. I had faith that my revolver would function well mechanically. When the fellow with the first shot took his bison with a .300 ultra mag at 260 yards I began to think that perhaps I had best take out the Encore. I have faith in that weapon out to 400 yards. I can attach a bipod to it if need be. My revolver was limited to a tripod. As luck would have it I did get my revolver shot. It was at 110 yards but it was well within my .500 capabilities. I really did not want to use the single shot. I personally got more satisfation from using the revolver. My guide was impressed that's for sure.

Recoil

Recoil,

one of these days - or years - I will purchase a S&W PC 10" .500 S&W revolver. It's only a matter of time and money (and Swedish gun legislation). What is your max distance with it?

I found that when I shot my T/C with a bipod mounted to the gun my POI changed from when it was without. I no longer use bipods. I find separate rests the better way to go, YMMV.

My max distance is pretty much dependent upon how steady my rest is. I felt pretty steady with my hold on that bison. Accuracy is a limiting factor of course. The .500 will certainly hold to a 6" group off of the bench at 200 yards. Soooooo....I reckon if I felt my hold was steady I'd go to 200 yards. It still has lots of punch with that 440 grain bullet. It makes a BIG hole. Lastly a lot depends upon what I am shooting. It penetrated almost completely through that bison at 110 yards stopping at the hide at the far side. He was big and tough.

Recoil

Thanks. I would probably be uncomfortable shooting such a gun with a handgun scope beyond 200 yards anyway. But I confine my current long-barrelled .44mag to about 100m, or around 110 yards, so it would be nice to have something up to twice that distance. And the .500 is a great caliber...

Rod

You are on the money I found about a 2" POI delta with and without the Bipod.

In my mind if you are going to use a bipod leave it on the gun once it is zeroed. Shoot it up or down there is no differance.

Take it off and you have a problem

As you can tell, a lot of it falls on personal preference and what your hunting style is... Pick one, shoot it a LOT, and never look back. When you can afford the other one look at it as well.

hunt with what you enjoy! we can all justify what we hunt with and why. i like revolvers and thats what i see in my minds eye when handgun hunting in said, but i still say hunt with what gives you joy.