Varmntmstrs,
Thanks - that's what I've been looking for. The shops here in town say they can't, but I've had a hunch that they really mean "won't". I'll give them a call. (Where 'bouts do you live?)
BTW, I did write to TC. Good luck understanding it. I understand the difficulty they face in maeking me understand it though.

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Dear Sir:
At this time I doubt if we will be selling Contender and Encore pistols in California after Jan.1, 2001. We are examining the current rules and regulations that California has prepared. Just when or if we will make pistols available for testing cannot be determined at this time.
The information listed below is in response to your letter checking on the legality of switching Encore components between rifle and pistol or vice versa.
Thompson/Center Arms Co. went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to establish the lawfulness of the Contender pistol and carbine (including the carbine kit), and won. The Supreme Court opinion also establishes the legality of the Encore system, which has similar interchangeable parts.
With these systems, a receiver may be assembled either with a pistol grip and pistol barrel, or with a shoulder stock and rifle barrel (minimum length 16 inches). A barrel under 16 inches in length must never be assembled onto the receiver when the shoulder stock is attached. Within that parameter, the consumer may use the parts to make a pistol or carbine, and may change the configuration at will.
In 1988, Thompson/Center Arms filed suit against the United States alleging that the pistol and carbine kit as used above do not constitute a rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches in length, a weapon made from a rifle with overall length less than 26 inches, or a restricted “firearm” as otherwise defined in the National Firearms Act. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the US Supreme Court agreed with Thompson/Center Arms. Their opinions are cited as United States v. Thompson/Center Arms Co., 504 U.S 505 (1992), affirming 924 F.2d 1041 (Fed. Cir. 1991).
Thus, the sale, possession, and use of the Contender or Encore pistol and carbine as described above are fully in accord with federal law. The use of these products in all of the States is likewise lawful, except that certain restrictions may apply in California.
Very Truly Yours,
Tim Pancurak
PO Box 5002
Rochester, NH 03866-5002
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steve@1cox.com
Did I think that outloud?