I have an old Contender. The kind with the old "crossbolt" safety, the little pin that hits the frame before the hammer when the safety is on and prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin.
I have a 14-inch 30-30 Akley Improved barrel, a 10-inch 357 with screw-in choke barrel(for the old T/C shot capsules), a ten-inch 45 Colt/410 barrel, and a new 10-inch 357 barrel (no screw-in choke). They are all a lot of fun.
I always wanted a "carbine conversion kit" for it, but I don't see them listed anywhere anymore.
Anyway, I'm thinking of getting handgun and carbine in the new G2 configuration. 1) will the G2 be offered as carbine and will it be interchangeable from handgun to carbine? 2)Will the G2 really be that much more potent than the old Contender chamberings? Maybe I should just try to find an old Contender carbine kit. I'm confused!
I was thinking of the G2 in 10-inch 44 mag or something! What do you guys think?

Also, I can't get a bullet to touch the rifling in my new 357, no matter how far out I seat it. I am working up heavy-bullet (180-200 grains) loads for it, and apparently will be able to seat the bullets to barely cover the lube grooves and crimp with a Lee factory crimp. Of course, this will leave extra powder capacity, so most published loads for 357 will be light? Kinda wildcatting (in a way) isn't it? Any appropriate data out there for such loads? I just ordered "Quick Load" program for my computer as a start. I figure I'll use "more" "slower" powder than "normal" 357 published loads?

HELP!!

I don't know about a carbine conversion "kit", but you can buy the stock, forearm, and an appropritate barrel from any of various suppliers including Ed's Contenders, E.A.Brown company, A.Lewis Enterprise etc. etc. The new G2 is already offered as a carbine and is convertible from pistol to carbine. So far the only chambering that has been offered for the G2 that was not offered for the original contender is a 45 cal muzzle loader barrel. As far as deciding to buy the old set up or a new G2 set up you can read about the minor differences on the TC Arms web site. Hope this helps.

bog,Yes the G2 is avavialble in a carbine form. The Contender carbine stocks are still avilable also, along with barrels.
Sounds a little above average on the 357 barrel from what I have heard.
As far as the G2 being more "potent". I don't have a clue where people came up with this. It is just a replacement, read, "lawyer proof" for the Contender.

Good luck on a 10" barrel, as they dropped them and went to 12" and 14" I believe.
Jeff

Thanks, I didn't know some of that stuff.

I figured I didn't need a "kit", but wasn't sure.

I'll have to think more about the G2 purchase.

My new 357 mag barrel, with leupold scope, shoots 158 grain loads so sweetly that I'm not sure why I'm trying the heavier bullets. Trying to make it a better deer killer, I guess.

bog
You don't have to hurry on your decision for the G2. I understand there is a pretty good backlog with T/C on those things. I would like to get one, may not be for a while though.
Rich Jake

mine only took about a month to come in after ordering it . it may have not been that long i lost track. i know i was surprised for it to come that soon.

I'd rechamber the thing to 357 max, that is the only cure for the 357 barrels with the forcing cone instead of a throat. I have one done by Bellm and it is aces.

regards,
Graycg

If the 158's shoot extremely well, i would look to the XTP or Gold Dot. I believe that both of those are available in a flat point as opposed to a hollow point.

Take a look in your barrel, if you see what appears to be a LONG section ahead of the chamber and before the rifling that is smooth, your have a "forcing cone". My 10" stainless barrel has a forcing cone and it still shoots very well.

I would also recommend the rechamber to 357max. I will recommend Mike Sirois of On Target Technologies (Click here). I had him rechamber a 14" 44 mag to 444 Marlin and the accuracy of this barrel is unbelieveable! The 357 Max is pretty impressive round. I have a 14" barrel for the competitor and do like it a lot.