New G2 or old style contender pistol.

[Oldshooter]

Shopping for a contender pistol in 44 mag. Looking at the website , it says that old style and new G2 stuff dont interchange. Any thoughts or suggestions on which to go with?  Also, thinking of what barrel length. Leaning towards 12 " Suggestions?

[luckydawg13]

go wit the 14"barrel they say that you can switch the barrels on G1 and G2 that you cant switch the stocks i like my G1 but if i was to buy right now i think i would go new

[Czech_too]

From the Thompson Center site -
"G2 Contender® Compatibility with Old-Style Contenders
The G2 Contender frame will accept all Contender barrels and their corresponding forends (except Herrett forend). The G2 frame will not accept old-style grips because of the change in grip angle. Blued or stainless barrels are readily interchangeable."

[Win 1917]

I don't have a G2 but if the gun is going to mostly be used for hunting then I would probably go with a G2 simply because of the ability to recock the hammer without having to open the action first like on the original.

[luckydawg13]

I don't have a G2 but if the gun is going to mostly be used for hunting then I would probably go with a G2 simply because of the ability to recock the hammer without having to open the action first like on the original.

yep

[Oldshooter]

NEXT DUMB QUESTION- Can you put a rifle stock on a new G2 and a rifle barrel? Just in case I wanna do so in the future.

[DEACONLLB]

If the stock set is for G2 you can put rifle barrels as well as muzzleloader barrels on the frame but ATF says that once you make a pistol into a rifle you are not to go back, That is the law and there is lots of info on contender forum on the subject, but again who knows what you do, but that is the law.

Deaconllb

[Oldshooter]

Hmmmmmmmmmm Thats interesting! I'll have to check that out! If i do it in the Dark in my shop with no one looking do I have to report myself? 

Thanks for the info guys, this contender stuff is all new to me! But I'm getting the envie, (french for want) for a 44 mag and a 357 max! Ya hooo whoopieee!

[Dezynco]

Can't go wrong either way, both have their finnicks.  The new G2 is a little more "user friendly", but the trigger needs some work.  The G2 is a bit stronger than the old Contender, so you can get away with a few cartridges that might be too much for the old Contender (ie, 30-40 Krag, 444 Marlin, 7.62x39)

If it were me, I'd go ahead and get a G2. Some of the old barrels may have to be persuaded to fit the G2 frame and function properly, but it's not hard to do.  Also, the old Contender frames in good condition will cost you as much as a G2.

You are not "supposed" to convert a pistol into a carbine, or convert a rifle into a pistol.  If you do it, don't wave it around because according to the law, you are not "supposed" to do this and could be in big trouble for doing this if you were to draw the attention of the BATFE.  I figgure that you'll need to be doing something really stooopid (and have your converted Contender with you at the same time) to get caught, but now you have been warned.

[hunterspistol]

     Old style Contenders, I have some.  I shoot silhouette so, I like the adjustable trigger.  It just means I can lighten the trigger for target shooting.
     
    The G2 I'd like to get, just to have one.  There are gunsmiths that can drop trigger pull down to 2.5 pounds now.  That's not bad for hunting, but my old pistols have much touchier triggers. 

      Vintage isn't old, it's seriously classic.

[Oldshooter]

I'm still contemplating.................. the anticipation is a lotta fun too