New Hampshire-based Thompson/Center has had a bit of a roller-coaster history, full of ups and downs. In 1967, the company debuted it’s break-barrel, single shot Contender handgun, which had a modest following, but it was in the late 90’s, when the company launched the beefier T/C Encore, that things really started to take off. This updated, switch-barrel handgun was capable of handling hotter, modern centerfire cartridges, and the hunting world took notice. The offerings kept coming, including more handguns, rifles, muzzleloaders and even shotguns, and for a while, Thompson Center was on top of the world. But in order to stay there, you’ve got to have an owner willing to do what it takes to keep you there, and the sale of the company to Smith and Wesson in 2007 marked the beginning of a fall from grace. Weather it was lack of foresight, poor management, or simply a lack of effort, for whatever reason T/C withered with the new ownership, and eventually, S&W shuttered the once proud company in 2021. But that wasn’t the end. A man named Greg Ritz, who was actually the very owner who sold the company to S&W, wasn’t about to give up on his old friend and repurchased T/C in 2024, intent on bringing new life to the old switch barrel that had built up quite a following over the years. On this episode of #SundayGunday, we’re taking a look at the first T/C’s that Greg has re-introduced to the market: The T/C Encore Pro Hunter, and with Rit’z passion firmly behind it, the platform is even better than ever.
The T/C Encore ProHunter is a stainless steel, break-action, interchangeable barrel, single-shot rifle. And yes, it can still be fitted with any number of barrels, from centerfire to muzzleloader. It has a 26-inch heavy fluted barrel on the centerfires with a muzzle threaded to add a brake or silencer. These guns have hammer forged 5R rifling, and honed chambers precision cut on modern CNC machinery. The external hammer has a rotating spur so it can be used easily with a scope, right or left side.
Its synthetic Flex Tech stock is fitted with a LimbSaver recoil pad, combined with the ProHunter compression arches to flex and absorb recoil. Grippy rubber inserts have been placed in critical areas as well as on the comb, allowing for a firm hold no matter the chambering.
The trigger and sear are nitrite coated to help with a smoother trigger pull, smooth and it breaks right around 3 pounds. The firing pin and bushing are also nitrite coated for smooth operation and ease of cleaning. That’s especially appreciated when using a muzzle loader barrel.
It’s action is easy to open by simply pulling on the extension under the trigger guard, and it’s been fitted with a spring-loaded extractor to pull spent cartridges out so they’re easy to grasp. Mounted on top is an optics-ready Picatinny rail, so mounting hardware will be easy to find.
As for available components, the new Thompson Center already has a long list of available barrels for the Encore Pro Hunter platform, from hot new chamberings like the .22 ARC and 350 Legend, to the old-faithful favorites like the .35 Whelen and .45-70 Govt. There’s even rimfires coming soon, along with muzzleloader and shotgun barrels.
Thompson Center is back. And let’s hope this versatile firearm company sticks around for the long haul. To learn more on the latest firearms from Thompson Center, visit TCarms.com; and of course while you're here at American Hunter, click the join button to become an NRA member and help us preserve your right to own firearms, old and new.
