I am very seriously considering getting either the G2 or Encore in a 30-30 or .44 mag with a 14" barrel. I'll be hitting the gun show next weekend to see if I can pick one up.

Sorry guys but the OP was not inquiring about the legality of sbr's nor exchanging of rifle to pistol. Rather the benefits or other of the Contender's shorter length rifle stock or lighter than Encore along with caliber choices?

Thank you for clarifying any concerns some may have had though

Consider the multi caliber choices of a single shot gun

You've hit the nail on the head there, making it obvious why the kit was removed from the market. - It was a serious violation of federal law, just waiting to happen. Judging by some of the attitudes that we see just in this one forum topic, it should be obvious how the kit would lead many shooters to make uninformed assumptions - that could lead them straight to the pokey.

Don't agree? - OK, where are the other kits on the market? Who offers a Rifle/Pistol kit today? Where do I buy the T/C kit? Can you point to ONE example of a rifle/pistol kit that is currently available?

If not, then you might ask yourself, "Gee, I wonder why?"

Here's why:

T/C belatedly saw the writing on the wall when they realized that marketing the kit was a lawsuit magnet.

The world being as it is, there will always be stupid people who will insist upon doing stupid things. There is a sizable percentage of the shooting community who would take the existence of a kit as a plain indication that federal gun laws that they do not agree with no longer apply. - With predictable results.

They get caught, they get into trouble - and then they or their family sues the company that marketed the kit.

There's an old saying that covers this issue very well: "Wish on one hand, and crap on the other... See which one fills up the fastest."

Thompson-Center wanted to stay in business - so they dropped the kit like the legal hot potato that it was. - Most likely after a lawsuit or two, but it may be that they wised up before that had to happen.

That question was covered very well by Tactical Cowboy, kmon1 and others, early in the discussion.

Did they post in vain?

If those are the only calibers you're interested in, I'd suggest the Contender. If you want to go with a larger rifle cartridge later on, get the Encore.