Hardened fiber optic connectors having a splice connector assembly are disclosed. The splice connector assembly is attached to an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable by way of a stub optical fiber, thereby connectorizing the hardened connector. In one embodiment, the hardened connector includes an inner housing having a first shell and a second shell for securing a tensile element of the cable and securing the splice connector assembly. Further assembly of the hardened connector has a portion of the inner housing fitting into a shroud of the hardened connector. The first shell comprises first and second alignment fingers that allow the mating the hardened connector with a complimentary device. The first shell can have any suitable alignment portion for mating with a complementary device. The hardened connector may also include features for fiber buckling, sealing, cable strain relief or a pre-assembly of components for ease of installation.