I have read some discussion regarding the law concerning the TC Encore and/or Contender. I am preparing to purchase one or the other, (haven't decided yet), and I want to know the legality of said firearms. I want to be able to use the frame for both pistole and carbine applications. I have been told by an FFL dealer to buy the rifle configuration first, to save money on the stock, but is this the "smart" legal thing to do?

Should I buy the frame in the pistol configuration so that the gun can be converted legally to a carbine, or does it really matter? Does it really matter and is there a legal issue to be considered when purchasing the frame?

Thanks

i think that a firearm that was sold as a rifle cannot be converted to a pistol, but a pistol can be converted to a rifle, and back to pistol, as long as the buttstock is not used with the pistol barrel. i have to agree that you are on the right track about buying the pistol first, then the parts for conversion.

monty

i think that a firearm that was sold as a rifle cannot be converted to a pistol, but a pistol can be converted to a rifle, and back to pistol, as long as the buttstock is not used with the pistol barrel. i have to agree that you are on the right track about buying the pistol first, then the parts for conversion.

monty

Thanks for the reply Monte.
After posting, I decided to do a search of the threads on the site. Probably should have done this before posting......but didn't. From what I read from past posters is this:
Buy pistol........can have any length of barrel and good to go all around.
Buy rifle........must have minimum of 16" barrel and overall length of 26".
You can turn a pistol into a carbine, but you cannot "legally" turn a carbine into a pistol, according to Federal Law. There are some State's laws that prohibit this, but as far as BATF is concerned, pistol to rifle is legal.

So what have I learned? Buy the pistol barrel and frame to start in case there is ever a registration in the future so that the frame can be used either way. (On this matter, my question is; I thought that there was no records kept on firearm purchases by BATF?......at least in VA). Anyway if the gun is purchased in this manner, pistol then converted, you are safe and legal in all cases.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

You're on the right track - a very fine technicality regarding the T/C system. The feds took them to court some years back trying to say it was an illegal combination. Courts backed T/C and they're still in business.

If you have to register the purchase (through a dealer and not private sale), it would probably be best to obtain the short barreled handgun configuration to begin with. As you say, carbine barrels can always be added in addition to more handgun barrels.

As an afterthought - you could always install a carbine barrel and shoot it like a handgun - there's no restriction on the length of a handgun barrel!! :D

I have both. I bought them both under "pistol" rules. I don't know if that is required under Washington State rules or if the dealer was just being smart. I bought the Contender to be "the pistol" and the Encore to be "the rifle". I bought the Encore as a frame only and it came with a pistol grip, but I threw it away and only have rifle stiocks for it (it is a piece of junk anyway), along with only rifle barrels. All of my barrels for the Contender are 14" or less, and I don't have a rifle stock for it. I therefore cannot assemble a firearm in an illegal configuration, with the parts I have.

But logic and law have nothing in common. Given that handgun rules are more stringent than rifle rules, I would suggest buying either as a handgun.

I also recommend choosing wisely as to the intended purpose. My .223 and 7-30 barrels for the Contender work fine, but have a huge muzzle blast and terrible velocity compared to full length rifle barrels. Rifle cartriges in pistol length barrels are just a waste of powder, IMHO.

Fellow Posters,

Thanks for the comments. I believe I have the info I need to make an informed decision. I will be looking for frame only or pistol configuration as my purchase.