Fudd Friday: Thompson/Center's Return - Why Classics Keep Coming Back

Welcome to Fudd Friday, where we look at firearms, ammunition, accessories, etc that might seem outdated but refuse to die. This week we are talking about how Thompson/Center Arms is back from the dead and what it says about what shooters actually want versus what the industry thinks they should want.

Thompson Center on TFB:

• Thompson/Center Arms Is Back
• Video: Gregg Ritz Explores Thompson/Center's History Ahead Of Reboot
• Smith & Wesson Plans to Sell Thompson/Center Arms Brand
• Thompson/Center Buys Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Company
• Thompson Center Encore .600 Nitro Express

The Quick Version of T/C's Death and Resurrection

Smith & Wesson bought Thompson/Center in 2006 for $102 million. T/C brought barrel manufacturing expertise and dominated the muzzleloader and single-shot markets. Production moved from Rochester, New Hampshire to Springfield, Massachusetts in 2010. Then S&W closed the brand in 2020 to "focus on core products" - A translation of that could be that T/C wasn't profitable enough for a publicly traded company answering to investors every quarter.

The brand sat dead for over four years. In April 2024, Gregg Ritz bought it back. Ritz was T/C's original owner who sold to S&W in the first place. He also acquired Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Company as part of bringing T/C back. Production moved back to Rochester with plans to ship guns by fall 2024.

What You Can Actually Buy

This is where reality gets messy. Mid-2024 the plan was Encore barrels in October, frames in November. As of late October 2025, their website shows the Encore ProHunter and Triumph muzzleloader, but finding them at retailers is tough.

The Encore ProHunter is the same break-action, interchangeable barrel platform T/C built their reputation on. One frame, swap barrels between centerfire rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun. They're advertising 29 calibers including straight-wall cartridges like .350 Legend, .360 Buckhammer, and .450 Bushmaster for restricted hunting zones.

Why This Platform Still Makes Sense

Thompson/Center is peak traditional hunting culture. Single-shot pistols you swap between .22 LR and .45-70. Muzzleloaders that look like they belong in a deer camp. The whole "one gun, multiple barrels" concept that appealed to hunters who wanted versatility without buying five different firearms.

The Encore platform solves real problems for specific hunters. In states with straight-wall cartridge restrictions or pistol-only zones, an Encore frame with a .350 Legend barrel does the job. Muzzleloader season? Swap to the inline barrel. Turkey hunt? Add the 20-gauge barrel. It's practical if you hunt in multiple seasons with different regulations.

The math works. An Encore costs around $950. Extra barrels run $300-$600. Compare that to buying a separate muzzleloader, slug gun, and straight-wall rifle. You're saving money and saving space.

The Customer Base Nobody Talks About

What caught my attention is how many existing T/C owners were waiting for parts and service. There are over one million Encore frames out there, from what I have read. People who bought these guns kept them. When S&W shut down production, those owners couldn't get barrels or parts. Ritz's first move was supporting existing owners; new parts and Encore barrels fit frames going back to 1965.

That's a built-in customer base. You don't need to convince them to buy into the platform. They already own the frame. They just need barrels in new calibers or replacements for worn parts.

What It Means

Thompson/Center's return isn't about nostalgia or collectors. It's about a specific type of hunter who values versatility and American manufacturing over the latest tactical features. These guns aren't competing with AR pistols or modern precision rifles. They serve hunters who need to navigate complex state regulations and want one reliable platform for multiple jobs.

The fact that a company this traditional can get bought back and restarted successfully says something about the firearms market. Not everything needs to be modular, high-capacity, and rail-equipped. Sometimes a break-action single-shot with interchangeable barrels is exactly what you need.

If you need a versatile hunting platform that handles rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun duties with barrel swaps, T/C is back. Watch for when they actually hit shelves. Whether that's peak fudd or practical problem-solving depends on your hunting situation.