I could not decipher the original post, there is some confusing wording.
I think the OP got a Nikon pistol grip, and a cable release with the standard small tip (?), and an adapter to allow it to screw over the larger diameter outer thread on the Nikon F2. This thread is found on the Nikon F, F2, some Leicas, some Rollei TLRs, some Japanese TLRs. And it doesn't work because the adapter is too long or the release throw is too short. Part of what is confusing me is that the OP said "correct cable to connect to the release," but if it doesn't work, it's not the correct cable.
Nikon sold an AR-2 which is a cable release that natively has the larger thread without an adapter. I don't know if there was an official Nikon adapter or Nikon part number for it. They are sometimes called "Leica cable adapters" or "Leica nipples" and used to be easy to find, but last time I looked they were more expensive or PITA to get.