I have two Encore frames with two pistol barrels, two rifle barrels, a black powder barrel and the 12ga turkey barrel and don't ever see myself going back to anything else. The Encore shoulder stock does look kind of different with its almost verticle pistol grip, but it shoulders well and fits me likea glove. As for what the Encore costs, usually a blue frame with one barrel will run you around $500 with the Stainless running about 50 buck higher. Extra barrels will vary in cost. The cheapest of them are the basic 24 inch rifle barrel, with them running around $225 for blue and around $250 in stainless. Shotgun and BP barrels run a little more. BTW, you mentioned you wanted a 17HMR for it, but that round is a rimfire cartridge and the Encore is centerfire only. But, there is a adapter kit you can get for the Encore to shoot rimfire cartridges if you wish. As I guess you can figure, I love how the Encore shoots, feels and the versatility of all the barrels you can get for it. T/C makes around 80 different calibers/gauges for the Encore and if you want to go with a custom shop, the amount of calibers are almost unlimited. Another T/C you may want to take a look at is the new G2 Contender. All of the barrels you mentioned can be used on the G2 frame(its capable of switching from centerfire to rimfire). This is the guy to see if you want a T/C barrel. I've done quite a bit of business with him and have been very satisfied with his services and its hard to beat his prices. www.edstc.com Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Carter