Can first generation contenders be retrofitted or altered in any way that makes them easier to open?

yes.

TC used to provide that service. The question is whether S&W still does. The work consisted of drilling a hole through the receiver and installing a pin that worked as a pivot, thereby giving extra leverage.

Is called the "Easy open modification." I think Bullberry can do the trick.

S&W won't, I asked them a while back; the TC custom shop is no more.

I'll have to check out Bullberry.

I'm not really sure why S&W even wanted TC. They were not competition and all they did was shut down the interesting side, ie, the Custom Shop.

Jack