Thompson Contender/Encore

[fredhorace77]

If I purchase a Thompson Contender/Encore from a gun shop as a rifle and or muzzle loader. Can I legally convert that rifle into a Thompson Contender/Encore Pistol? And by converting it I mean, can I legally install a pistol barrel and pistol grip and shoot it. Than if I decide, convert it back to rifle?

Or is a rifle frame only allowed to be a rifle?

 

[waterfwlr]

If you put a pistol grip and barrel on it, it has to be registered as a handgun

 

[fredhorace77]

If you put a pistol grip and barrel on it, it has to be registered as a handgun

OK thank you for the reply. Let me ask this in reverse. Let's say I buy it as a pistol. Does the same hold true for converting it to a rifle?

Also, is there any readily noticeable difference on the frames, such as a number, that denotes a pistol frame from a rifle? For instances, if I purchase one used, how do I know what it truly is?

 

[bdale]

OK thank you for the reply. Let me ask this in reverse. Let's say I buy it as a pistol. Does the same hold true for converting it to a rifle?

Also, is there any readily noticeable difference on the frames, such as a number, that denotes a pistol frame from a rifle? For instances, if I purchase one used, how do I know what it truly is?

If you buy as a pistol you can convert to rifle with no problems but not the other way around. There are no difference in frames except the way the company designates it with serial number.

 

[fredhorace77]

If you buy as a pistol you can convert to rifle with no problems but not the other way around.

Thanks so much for the reply. Sounds like I need to buy it as a pistol. Because I would like the ability to change if I so desire.

 

[waterfwlr]

If you buy as a pistol you can convert to rifle with no problems but not the other way around. There are no difference in frames except the way the company designates it with serial number.

Correct.

 

[JRS]

You can legally convert the rifle to a pistol configuration by submitting an ATF Form 1 Application to make and Register a Firearm, and pay the applicable $200.00 tax.

 

[JohnHenry]

If I purchase a Thompson Contender/Encore from a gun shop as a rifle and or muzzle loader. Can I legally convert that rifle into a Thompson Contender/Encore Pistol? And by converting it I mean, can I legally install a pistol barrel and pistol grip and shoot it. Than if I decide, convert it back to rifle?

Or is a rifle frame only allowed to be a rifle?

I would suggest you contact Thompson Center ref. your question.

 

[Baddog0302]

OR, buy the frame separate from any barrel, IE: non designated , and do like 99.999 % of T/C owners do. If the bbl. is less than 16" you CANNOT legally use a rifle style stock on the frame.

 

[Baddog0302]

I would suggest you contact Thompson Center ref. your question.

If my memory is correct, T/C made an deal with ATF, T/C would stop making 410 / 45 Colt barrels with smooth bores , and there would be no restrictions on changing barrels.

 

[bsekf]

Check your State laws.

 

[Chief 101]

Thompson Center never made smoothebore in pistol. They did make 45 Colt with a detachable choke designed to break the shot packet and take spin off shot...they made and external version, then an internal version of same...Federal laws govern this, not state laws...its illegal to convert a rifle to a pistol, its legal to go from pistol to rifle...it would be logical to have a permit to do this but ATF isn't logical, I don't know...

 

[JRS]

Thompson Center never made smoothebore in pistol. They did make 45 Colt with a detachable choke designed to break the shot packet and take spin off shot...they made and external version, then an internal version of same...Federal laws govern this, not state laws...its illegal to convert a rifle to a pistol, its legal to go from pistol to rifle...it would be logical to have a permit to do this but ATF isn't logical, I don't know...

You can legally convert a rifle to a pistol configuration.

 

[1shot]

I may be missing the point here, but I think the operative word is "convert". You need to do it all or not at all. Ie. taking the receiver and putting a pistol barrel on it with a rifle stock is a no-no without filing for a SBR (short barreled rifle)
with the BATF and paying the $200.00 tax stamp. However, if you convert from a true rifle with a rifle length barrel and stock, or conversely a pistol length barrel with a pistol grip, there should be no legal issue.

Lloyd

 

[Greyfox]

Truly, this subject has been beat to death more times and on more internet forums than I can recall. The simple thing would be to buy a handgun configuration and be done with it. OTOH-just how badly would some government agency want a piece of you do go through all the necessary stuff to discover whether or not you bought the frame as a rifle or handgun? I have never seen any instance where this was done or heard of anyone prosecuted for it. Of course, some one will come up with it I suppose, whether real or imagined. My suggestion would be to find something else to worry about. God knows there is plenty.

Rick

 

[fredhorace77]

I can NOT believe this, and im not trying to throw fuel on the fire....but I personally called Thompson Center and even they could NOT answer this question. They guy that I spoke with from customer service claims that it varies state by state. He recommended that I contact my Attorney Generals office.

Why is this such a difficult topic to get answered? You would think the BATF would have this written out in black and white where it is EASY TO understand.

 

[fredhorace77]

Ok i just got off the phone with my local BATF office in Tulsa OK, he said there was a ruling that just came in recently concerning the Thompsons. He said if you go to the BATF website and search for ATF Ruling 2011-4 , im going to attempt to find this and see if I can make sense out of this.

 

[fredhorace77]

Here's what i gathered. It's ok to change back and forth as long as you don't purposely make a SBR.

https://search.usa.gov/search?query=2011-4&op=Search&affiliate=atf

 

[CJ6]

If I purchase a Thompson Contender/Encore from a gun shop as a rifle and or muzzle loader. Can I legally convert that rifle into a Thompson Contender/Encore Pistol? And by converting it I mean, can I legally install a pistol barrel and pistol grip and shoot it. Than if I decide, convert it back to rifle?

Or is a rifle frame only allowed to be a rifle?

The last T/C encore I purchased (as a rifle), I also purchased the pistol grip , forearm and 308 pistol barrel at the same time. FFL paperwork was for a pistol. This was at Cabelas some 10yrs back or more. I was told that because it could be interchanged the receiver was (on all T/C s) classed as a pistol.