Thompson Encore

[Caster]

Who all gets into the Thompson Center/Encore/Contender around here? I've been having trouble lately with anything larger than a .223 in a rifle, and even then, my AR's are doing it to. Shooting more than 15-20 times from my .308 or from my AR does something to my vision. I haven't been able to completely define it; but it's screwy

I'm not a very big handgun guy, but it looks like I'm heading that way. None of my current handguns bother me after shooting. I have been thinking about getting into a Thompson. Buy one and then I can mail order a "New Gun" anytime. I don't know what caliber to start with. Maybe a rimfire. .22 Magnum would be cool. I know .45 Colt is a must for me...or maybe a casull or even a .460 barrel and shoot Colt in it. BUT, [don't ask for an explanation] I would REALLY like to have one in .218 Bee.

All of them are different, but how well do you [current owners] like what you have? Do you find they are very accurate? Discuss please.

I'm seriously considering trying this. My maximum range is 100 yards and outside of "for the fun of it" I'll likely never be faced with needing to take a shot any longer. The worse my eyes get, the more I shoot most everything at 50 yards.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Caster

[R_Bert]

I have two Thompson Encore frames, including a pistol set up in .308 Winchester. I love them.

AS for the vision, having gone through a retinal detachment, you need to see a vision specialist ASAP. After it happens is too late.

What you describe sounds like you are transitioning from gel to liquid, and when you see the "swishes", it is not really a good thing.

if you see *ANY* new "spots" or other "trash" call the doctor (or their emergency line) IMMMEDIATELY.

Hope you have better luck than I did. Mine was a "successful" repair and I lost 50% of the vision in my right eye,

B.

Edited May 28, 2012 by R_Bert

[Caster]

I have two Thompson Encore frames, including a pistol set up in .308 Winchester. I love them.

AS for the vision, having gone through a retinal detachment, you need to see a vision specialist ASAP. After it happens is too late.

What you describe sounds like you are transitioning from gel to liquid, and when you see the "swishes", it is not really a good thing.

if you see *ANY* new "spots" or other "trash" call the doctor (or their emergency line) IMMMEDIATELY.

Hope you have better luck than I did. Mine was a "successful" repair and I lost 50% of the vision in my right eye,

B.

My eyes get a little hazy, I'm guessing from the pressure changes. That concussive wave from heavier calibers seem to do it. I can bang out with my .223 bolt rifle or my low pressure cast loads all day. Likewise, I can shoot my 45 colt all day. Even heavy loads. I'm thinking about looking into some prescription goggles or some kind of glasses that encapsulate my eyes.

I learned not too long ago that 99.9% of optometrists are either quacks, half educated or just plain don't care. It costs me a lot more, but I go to a Vanderbilt clinic to see an ophthalmologist. They take the necessary time [on my dime ] to be thorough. What good is money if I can't see. I'd gladly choose death over blindness. ANY DAY. Started a new thread about it. www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/48531-my-lousy-rapidly-aging-eyes/

Back on topic. .308 would be too much, actually that would be counterproductive. Just out of curiosity, how does it group at 100 yards? I just looked at one on the web chambered in .300 BLK. That would be sweet. Especially subsonic. That would have to pretty sweet on the ears and eyes too.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Caster

[Caster]

My eyes get a little hazy, I'm guessing from the pressure changes. That concussive wave from heavier calibers seem to do it. I can bang out with my .223 bolt rifle or my low pressure cast loads all day. Likewise, I can shoot my 45 colt all day. Even heavy loads. I'm thinking about looking into some prescription goggles or some kind of glasses that encapsulate my eyes.

I learned not too long ago that 99.9% of optometrists are either quacks, half educated or just plain don't care. It costs me a lot more, but I go to a Vanderbilt clinic to see an ophthalmologist. They take the necessary time [on my dime ] to be thorough. What good is money if I can't see. I'd gladly choose death over blindness. ANY DAY. Started a new thread about it. www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/48531-my-lousy-rapidly-aging-eyes/

Back on topic. .308 would be too much, actually that would be counterproductive. Just out of curiosity, how does it group at 100 yards? I just looked at one on the web chambered in .300 BLK. That would be sweet. Especially subsonic. That would have to pretty sweet on the ears and eyes too.

Somebody gave me a -1 for that? Really? I wasn't even being my normal smart azz self? Hmph, thas cool

[R_Bert]

Somebody gave me a -1 for that? Really? I wasn't even being my normal smart azz self? Hmph, thas cool

I added one and put it back

With a decent shooter (not me), the .308 pistol (15" Pro-Hunter) is easily MOA. For me it is easily MODeer or MOCoyote,

The recoil is actually not as bad as my .44 mag Super Redhawk on full-house rounds.

I had repeated (6-8) conversations with my surgeon about shooting. His main concern was cheek-weld on the rifle. I was shooting pistols six months earlier than the rifles.

B.

[Caster]

I added one and put it back

With a decent shooter (not me), the .308 pistol (15" Pro-Hunter) is easily MOA. For me it is easily MODeer or MOCoyote,

The recoil is actually not as bad as my .44 mag Super Redhawk on full-house rounds.

I had repeated (6-8) conversations with my surgeon about shooting. His main concern was cheek-weld on the rifle. I was shooting pistols six months earlier than the rifles.

B.

Thanks.

I'm very close to taking up pistols and setting my rifles to the back burner. Despite being a single shot, I can't think of a more versatile and accurate handgun. I've always wanted a Remington XP100 in .221 fireball, but the Thompson lets me buy several calibers for one gun. They look very nice to me too. I've seen some exotic custom wood sets that will knock your hat in the creek.

[R_Bert]

Yeah, no one makes better wood for anything than the Thompsons.

I am thinking you will want adjustable Hinge Pins (at least I think I do for my rifle frame at least).

Edited May 28, 2012 by R_Bert

[Caster]

I'm guessing that controls the barrel tension thereby keeping the headspace proper and the fit tight? Good to know.

Do you have any rimfire barrels? I was wondering how hard the firing pin was to change out for that.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Caster

[R_Bert]

I'm guessing that controls the barrel tension thereby keeping the headspace proper and the fit tight? Good to know.

Do you have any rimfire barrels? I was wondering how hard the firing pin was to change out for that.

Correct.

As for rimfires, I have not tried any in the Encore. Here is the Bulberry adapter & instructions - http://www.bullberry.com/rimfire.html

Edited May 28, 2012 by R_Bert

[Caster]

I appreciate the links. These things a serious cult following.

[RWF]

i have shot the older model many years ago, in 223 it was very accurate, but at the same time the smallest mistake on your part really throws the shot.the wife has shot a borrowed one from another shooter at a NRA style silhoute match with a 30 cal wildcat round using a rifle scope on the pistol. it was odd looking to watch her shoot but she did quite well as i remember.

i have pistol hunted deer for around 15 years, with a red hawk the 44mag always gets a pass through. i do really believe if i was good enough shot that a 100+ with it on a deer would still pass thru. i just shake to much.

[onemancoyote]

I collect T/C pistols. For the rimfires and anything up to, but not including the .308, consider the older Contender or the newest version, the G2. You can select between rimfire and centerfire directly on the hammer and do not need a conversion as you do for the Encore. They are also lighter. The biggest you can get would be a 45/70 or 375 JDJ in the Contender/G2. Factory Contender barrels give good accuracy and there are a few companies still making custom barrels for these guns. I own 8 or 9 complete guns so far. Any questions just ask.

[Westwindmike]

I have 2 Contenders and 4 barrels. .223 Super 14, .44Mag 10", 45Colt/410 in 10" and my favorite, 7-30 Waters in Super 14.

I shoot cast out of the Waters and it seems to really like them. The .223 had way too much blast for my taste with full power loads, so I now load them to Hornet velocities with Blue Dot and they are mild and accurate. The .44 loaded with 240gr SWC and Unique is a fun one to shoot at 200 yards. The one I shoot least is the 45/410. As much as I like the 45 Colt, the chamber is so long to accommodate the 410, the slug has to jump an inch or more just to get to the rifling.

I hope you get a Contender/Encore. They are fun and addictive!

[onemancoyote]

I've got a 10" 223rem. It's a flamethrower. lol

[Caster]

I have 2 Contenders and 4 barrels. .223 Super 14, .44Mag 10", 45Colt/410 in 10" and my favorite, 7-30 Waters in Super 14.

I shoot cast out of the Waters and it seems to really like them. The .223 had way too much blast for my taste with full power loads, so I now load them to Hornet velocities with Blue Dot and they are mild and accurate. The .44 loaded with 240gr SWC and Unique is a fun one to shoot at 200 yards. The one I shoot least is the 45/410. As much as I like the 45 Colt, the chamber is so long to accommodate the 410, the slug has to jump an inch or more just to get to the rifling.

I hope you get a Contender/Encore. They are fun and addictive!

Mike, you need to cast a really long 45/70 boolit around 500g or so, size it back to .452-.454 depending on the barrel. It would be like super short sharps.

[onemancoyote]

Mike, I've heard of people using 460 or 9.3x74r brass, loaded down to 45 colt pressures, in order to bring the bullet closer to the rifling with good results.

[Caster]

Mike, I've heard of people using 460 or 9.3x74r brass, loaded down to 45 colt pressures, in order to bring the bullet closer to the rifling with good results.

That would be an exercise in restraint. Big case, lots of room.............

[Westwindmike]

They call it the .450 Mongo. I've been tempted to try it. I already use .444 Marlin cases in it for my 410 loads. I just never came up with any loads that I felt comfortable with to try.