G2 vs. Encore

[desmark6]

What is the difference between these 2 models? I am looking at both trying to decide which one I should invest in to start shooting long range (100-150 yards) to see how I do. Eventually, if I get good enough, I would like it to become my primary hunting handgun.

I want the ability to shoot big boomers all the way down to the little guys.

[hybridatsun350]

The G2 (Contender) frame is only strong enough for certain cartridges. By that, I mean the frame can only handle so much pressure. I think it's something like 40,000psi. TC created the Encore because the hotter cartridges like .308, .30-06, and .375 H&H would just be too much for the Contender frame. The Encore frame can pretty much handle anything you can throw at it.

[desmark6]

sweet, encore wins!!!!!!!!! thx

[Army]

Actually, it's the backthrust that determines Contender strength. Backthrust is the relation to cartridge head surface area and chamber pressure. .223 and .308 have near identical chamber pressures, but case head surface area is greater in the .308, which means more rearward thrust is transfered by the .308.

The barrel can handle the over-all pressure, but the recoil shield/breechface limits how much rear thrust pressure can be contained. Which is why you can fire .45-70 (large bullet, but low actual chamber pressure and rear thrust), but not .308 (smaller bullet, but much higher chamber pressure and triple the rear thrust) from Contender and G2's.

Encore has been substantially beefed up at the recoil shield/breechface to handle the much greater backthrust of .308 and up cartridges. This also required an altered barrel lock-up dimensions, disallowing the swapping of Encore barrels with the others.

[22popnsplat]

Actually, it's the backthrust that determines Contender strength. Backthrust is the relation to cartridge head surface area and chamber pressure. .223 and .308 have near identical chamber pressures, but case head surface area is greater in the .308, which means more rearward thrust is transfered by the .308.

The barrel can handle the over-all pressure, but the recoil shield/breechface limits how much rear thrust pressure can be contained. Which is why you can fire .45-70 (large bullet, but low actual chamber pressure and rear thrust), but not .308 (smaller bullet, but much higher chamber pressure and triple the rear thrust) from Contender and G2's.

Encore has been substantially beefed up at the recoil shield/breechface to handle the much greater backthrust of .308 and up cartridges. This also required an altered barrel lock-up dimensions, disallowing the swapping of Encore barrels with the others.

Army explained the pressure very well

I would like to add a little from my experiances , I own a encore and 3 of the standard contender frames (made before the g-2 came out) . the encore as stated is the strongest , the original contender can be tuned to have the best trigger .
The contender is able to handle cartridges with power beyond what most shooters can shoot well . When you get to the level of the 35 remington,445 supermag and 45-70 the recoil becomes memorable . One day at the range there were two guys there with Encore pistol in 338 winchester mag and 12 rounds of ammo and were looking for help to get them all shot . The 7-30 waters is a good hunting cartridge and at a level that most shooters can learn to shoot well enough .
I have around 20 pistol barrels for my contender and have many that will shoot as well as or better than many rifles . The factory barrels can kinda be a hit or miss as far as a good barrel and some have very long throats while others may be perfect, I ave a .223 with a very long throat that has shot 1/2 moa 5 shot groups at 200 Meters.
Watch the video, this is supposed to be a 600 nitro

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8843601737447921926#

[hybridatsun350]

Actually, it's the backthrust that determines Contender strength. Backthrust is the relation to cartridge head surface area and chamber pressure. .223 and .308 have near identical chamber pressures, but case head surface area is greater in the .308, which means more rearward thrust is transfered by the .308.

The barrel can handle the over-all pressure, but the recoil shield/breechface limits how much rear thrust pressure can be contained. Which is why you can fire .45-70 (large bullet, but low actual chamber pressure and rear thrust), but not .308 (smaller bullet, but much higher chamber pressure and triple the rear thrust) from Contender and G2's.

Encore has been substantially beefed up at the recoil shield/breechface to handle the much greater backthrust of .308 and up cartridges. This also required an altered barrel lock-up dimensions, disallowing the swapping of Encore barrels with the others.

I thought about explaining that aspect of it, but couldn't have done it as well as you just did. I figured I'd just give the simplified answer because I knew that would come out right!

I've wanted a Contender for a long time so I've been doing a little research. I just haven't gotten around to actually getting one yet.

[desmark6]

WOW, you guys supplied a lot of good info and one very funny video!!!! I think the Encore sounds like the best bet, don't ever plan on shooting any superlarge calibers through it but was thinking a 460 S+W barrel would be pretty sweet, along with a few others!

Now if I can just find one for trade somewhere!!

[sqroot3]

i have always the TC handguns were super cool, and before reading these informative posts i, too, was confused about the G2 and the encore.

who routinely stocks TC encore handguns? i browsed ableammo and impactguns and neither has any on its website.