The barrel on my encore tends to move a little back and forth left to right. Does anybody else have this problem? is it normal? Do i need to send it in to get fixed?

I don’t have that problem with mine but have heard of the pin creating a problem with accuracy because of the play as you mentioned. I would definitely give them a call or check with there web site. www.tcarms.com Good luck.....

I sent mine back twice to be fix!! the last time I got it back I sold it ( buyer beware)

If your Encore is new, I'd send it back to T/C. If not, go with an oversized hinge-pin and that should solve your problem. check out www.bellmtcs.com for one.

How does it shoot? That movement is no big deal normally but let the accuracy tallk to you. You can see that slop and it may bother some, whereas you can't see the slop thats in most bolt rifles that causes them to not shoot the best either. Rely on what the paper tells you.

I've got an Encore in black powder with play in it that will shoot 3 shot groups at 300 yards off bags that averages around 4-5 inches max. For blackpowder thats decent enough. But I am a competitive shooter and anal so I'll be tweaking the gun. Not only the pin, but the pin won't fix the side to side movement. That will need to be shimmed. It'll be a good winter project one year. In the meantime the gun has taken one muley at over 200 yards. And is capable to over 300 easily. What more do I need at the moment?

Jeff

This should solve the problem...

If you have side to side play I see no way an oversize pin can solve the problem. If its press fit it can keep some things from moving but it will not snug it up like shimming could and thats the only way to prevent flex which can be a big player in accuracy.

If the pin solves the problem then it would be an easier solution to knurl the pin and drive it back in.

I don’t think knurling the pin would be a good idea. It might eliminate the problem of movement but would be hard to take out. This would also take the advantage away of the Encores flexibility of changing barrels. The knurled pin would probably damage the holes and create more of a problem in the long run then solving the problem.

I've got knurled pins on trigger and hammer pins on some of my match AR15s. The Marine team armorer from Quantico WTB showed us how to do it. You only do it on one side. It scared me at first but it was done in 1994 and I've swapped triggers 3 times since then and its all still good in an ALUMINUM lower.

I really think the oversize pin is the better choice of course. But I fail to see how it'll do any real good.

And in the end-- the main question is not answered. Shoot it first. Then if it won't shoot, wont' shoot handloads etc.... worry about it. I was more concerned with the locking lugs contacting the side of the reciever on one side and had to relieve that first before anything else. You sure don't want that stress on one side only. Which is another reason that a pin only can't really solve the true problem, IMHO

Jeff

i would send it back!