Untangling The Contender Barrel Fit Delima.

[Louisb]

I think this would be easier to solve if TC was still the owner, because they seemed to believe in great customer service.

 

New owners . . . not sure that level of service is on their agenda

[Sidewinder]

I have an original Contender that I bought sometime around 1975.  I wrote to TC and asked the same question.  Customer service told me the G2 and Encore barrels will NOT fit and function properly on an old style frame.

Patotn, did they happen to mention if the old barrels would fit and function on the newer G2 and Encore?

[Westwindmike]

Contender barrels will not fit an Encore. Apples and oranges.

 

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=110

 

Basic Differences

• Frame Sizes: Encore is bigger than G2 or Contender,
• Barrel diameters where they seat in the frame: Contender/G2 13/16," Encore 1" so they do not interchange, thus,
• Scope Bases: Encores have the larger radius on the bottom,
• Internal mechanism: Contender has a hammer block, Encore and G2 sears lock the hammer at half cock,
• Trigger Mechanisms: Two different types of Contender trigger groups both of which are removeable while Encore and G2 trigger mechanisms are not removeable,
• Firing Pins: Encore is center fire only, Contender and G2 have a selector on the hammer to fire either centerfire or rimfire,
• Hinge Pin Hole Diameters: Encore is 7/16" (.4375"), and Contender and G2 are 3/8" (.375"),
• Internal Frame Mechanism Springs: No Springs in the Contender frame interchange with Encores & G2s,
• Forend Screws: Contenders & G2s use No. 10x32, and Encores use No. 8x40 screws,
• Hammer Extensions: Two different sizes for Contenders--vintage with the selector lever on top of the hammer is the same size as on Encore and G2,
• Dry Firing: Encores and G2s should not be dry fired unless the firing pin bushing is removed and the fall of the hammer cushioned while Contenders can be dry fired continuously with no harm at all to the frame SO LONG AS THE HAMMER IS NOT COCKED (Dry firing simply releases the striker in the trigger group and gives the full effect of the trigger pull, independent of the hammer being cocked. Opening and closing the barrel resets the striker),
• Forend Screw Hole Spacing: Hole spacings for handgun barrels is different carbine hole spacings in both Contender/G2 barrels and Encore barrels.
• Grips/Buttstocks: Contenders, G2s, and Encores all take different grips, buttstocks, and forends.

  Edited April 1, 2014 by Westwindmike

[Sidewinder]

 

Contender barrels will not fit an Encore. Apples and oranges.

 

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=110

 

Basic Differences

• Frame Sizes: Encore is bigger than G2 or Contender,
• Barrel diameters where they seat in the frame: Contender/G2 13/16," Encore 1" so they do not interchange, thus,
• Scope Bases: Encores have the larger radius on the bottom,
• Internal mechanism: Contender has a hammer block, Encore and G2 sears lock the hammer at half cock,
• Trigger Mechanisms: Two different types of Contender trigger groups both of which are removeable while Encore and G2 trigger mechanisms are not removeable,
• Firing Pins: Encore is center fire only, Contender and G2 have a selector on the hammer to fire either centerfire or rimfire,
• Hinge Pin Hole Diameters: Encore is 7/16" (.4375"), and Contender and G2 are 3/8" (.375"),
• Internal Frame Mechanism Springs: No Springs in the Contender frame interchange with Encores & G2s,
• Forend Screws: Contenders & G2s use No. 10x32, and Encores use No. 8x40 screws,
• Hammer Extensions: Two different sizes for Contenders--vintage with the selector lever on top of the hammer is the same size as on Encore and G2,
• Dry Firing: Encores and G2s should not be dry fired unless the firing pin bushing is removed and the fall of the hammer cushioned while Contenders can be dry fired continuously with no harm at all to the frame SO LONG AS THE HAMMER IS NOT COCKED (Dry firing simply releases the striker in the trigger group and gives the full effect of the trigger pull, independent of the hammer being cocked. Opening and closing the barrel resets the striker),
• Forend Screw Hole Spacing: Hole spacings for handgun barrels is different carbine hole spacings in both Contender/G2 barrels and Encore barrels.
• Grips/Buttstocks: Contenders, G2s, and Encores all take different grips, buttstocks, and forends.

 

 

Thanks Westwindmike, this is good information to know, and seems to cover all of the mysteries of the Contender, G2, and Encore.