Can anyone tell me what modifications are necessary to make an Encore go from shooting centerfire cartridges to shooting rimfire? Or do you have to buy an entirely new frame?

I believe the bore has been dropped on the Encores to accommodate rimfire cartridges. I've got Contenders and like the G2's it's just a switch to make them rimfire. So if you buy a rimfire barrel for your Encore it shouldn't take any sort of conversion.

There are two ways to shoot a rimfire from the Encore platform. The first rimfire barrels were on center and you needed to change the breach block that held the firing pin. Stratton Custom makes and sells them. Easy to change with one small screw. Here is the link to his web-site.

Stratton Custon rimfire conversion

Later on TC actually offered barrels that were off set so the centerfire pin would hit the rim.

I have seen custom barrels made both ways. So figure out which you have or are going to get and go from there. I have 3 rinfire barrels for my Encore and they are all custom made with an offset.

Thanks guys, that's the kind of info I need to help me make a decision about which direction to go.

You can pick up the rimfire kits from a number places online. I have a 17hmr that has an offset chamber from Match Grade Machine. I talked with the guy that runs the shop. He came from Virgin Valley guns real nice guy. I moved not that long after getting it so I've not had time to shoot it so I can not tell you how it shoots but from what I've read on the MGM barrels all have shot great and from talking with the guy from MGM if I have problems with the barrel it will be fixed or replaced.

Yup The boys from MGM are the old Virgin Valley barrel makers. Kerry Stratton runs MGM.

Steve Stratton of Stratton Custom is thire uncle I belive. They work together closly but from differenjt shop as far as I know.

If someone knows diferent please correct me.

I have bought a bunch of hanger bars, a few scope bases, and I have also had Steve drill and tap a few abrrels for me. Great service and good turn around time.

the Strattons have built several barrels for me, not only as VVCG but as MGM as well. Everyone of of them is amazing accurate but my .204 is really somethin special. Never bought a rimfire barrel.