Pistol to Rifle Costs

[charles p]

I have an early Contender.  I am considering a rifle barrel, forend, and stock so that I can use it as a rifle.  Probably go with 7-30W, the same as my handgun.  I bought my Contender after shoulder surgery.  Ortho doc said I could not shoot a rifle or shotgun that year.  Learned to shoot the Contender left handed (from sandbags in a ground box stand).  I do not hunt with the handgun anymore so I thought of changing it to a rifle.

What sort of price range am I looking at for the conversion?

[woodchukhntr]

Well, you will need a barrel, buttstock and forend.  If you need/want to scope it, add a mount, rings and scope.  If you are not scoping it, make sure that your barrel has sights.

I'd look at Ed's Contenders site (http://www.edstc.com/index.html), he has everything you'll need, including used barrels when available.  Also, everything you'll need is available in the Contender Classified forum sooner or later.

I've got 2 Contender Carbines now, one using my pistol frame, and the other a G2 rifle frame.  I have .17 HMR, .22 Hornet and .30-30 barrels.  Both have walnut stocks, but I have an Encore with the Rynite stocks.  I prefer the looks of the walnut over the plastic, but both work well.  Remember when ordering: G2 frame buttstocks and earlier frame buttstocks are not interchangable.

These prices are from Ed's:
23" .223 new barrel - $225
Contender Carbine Walnut Stock and Forend - $140
Contender Carbine Rynite Stock and Forend - $79
Leupold Contender base & rings - $38

Just add the scope of your choice, and go!

[skb2706]

Depends alot on your taste in accessories. I am building a carbine for a friend from a older Contender and this is what I have in it.

.204 Ruger SS bull barrel from Eds     $245 plus shipping
Fore end and Butt stock from Gunstocks Inc. (very nice unfinished walnut) $170
Stratton one piece Weaver style base $52
Leupold rings $26
Leupold VX II 4 x 12 AO $425

I have alot of time in the stock finishing but it is turning out most excellent.
If you were looking to build one on the cheap, you may find a used barrel (in 7-30 they can be found pretty easy). An aluminum Weaver base is like $12 (I have one I'd sell ya cheap). Rynite stock set is less than $100 and scope and rings can be whatever you decide from $50 to $1000 and beyond.