Thompson/Center Arms Celebrating 60th Anniversary

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posted on July 11, 2025
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LEDE Thompson Center

Thompson/Center Arms is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. Since 1965, T/C Arms has built a legacy rooted in the pioneering spirit of American hunters. From the iconic Contender and Encore platforms to the modern T/C Icon and Venture rifles, Thompson/Center has spent six decades empowering sportsmen and women with modular and precision-driven firearms.

“This milestone is more than just a celebration of 60 years; it’s a tribute to the hunters, shooters, and partners who have helped shape T/C’s legacy,” said Gregg Ritz, president & CEO of Thompson/Center Arms. “Our past fuels our passion for the future—and we’re just getting started.”

To commemorate its 60th anniversary, T/C Arms will unveil limited-edition anniversary apparel and collector memorabilia honoring the brand’s rich heritage. Celebrations will also include a historical social media campaign and giveaway collaborations with “One Good Shot,” the Journal of the Thompson/Center Association. All apparel on TCArms.com will be 20 percent off for July, and all purchases site-wide will receive a complimentary 60th-anniversary commemorative edition pin. 

Ritz and two other investors acquired the assets of Thompson/Center Arms from Smith & Wesson in 2024. Production was moved to Wabash, Ind., afterward, although the company’s headquarters and design team remain in Rochester, N.H., where the company was traditionally based.

Manufacturing began fast, thanks in part to one of the investors already operating four factories that produce parts for the aerospace, agriculture, defense and automotive industries. In April of this year the company announced the return of its Encore PROHunter rifle. “Our talented team is committed to the innovation, unrivaled quality, and lifetime warranty that have defined the iconic T/C brand for 60 years,” said Ritz at the time. “Hunters and shooters can expect to see the rebirth of the storied product lines such as the Encore platform, along with new designs that will redefine the shooting experience and remind gun owners why T/C Arms is 'America’s Master Gunmaker.'”

Smith & Wesson acquired Thompson/Center Arms in 2007, when Ritz was president and CEO of the company, for $102 million. In May 2021, however, the famed gunmaker announced Thompson/Center Arms was not an ideal match for its long-term business strategy.

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