Thompson Center production Stopped

Looking to sell the brand...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/financ...th-wesson-brands-inc-announces-203000270.html

Hope it turns out well for Thompson! Can't say that S&W have done a lot with the brand, but I haven't been watching real close. As a Contender fan I do hope that keeps going.

S&W was on a buying spree there for a while gobbling up anything they could. Then they rebranded to American Outdoors in 2016 to reflect the diverse offerings. Then the gun business was spun off in 2020 and went back to S&W, and now they're getting rid of various brands. It kind of makes you wonder what management is thinking.

Recently heard S&W was putting T/C up for sale. This is the first I've heard of production stopping. Sorry to hear it and I hope something positive develops so that T/C can keep operating.

Wonder if CZ will snap it up?

This strangely makes me want a T/C.

Lots of new barrel options that they could be doing with the Contender and Encore to bump up sales. As well as offering factory threaded barrels. I think there is room there to grow and make $$ if the right people buy them. I hope that happens!

T/C is a quality brand. Underrated in the bolt action centerfire community. Poor marketing I think. Someone needs to buy them, market them better, and offer some options for upgrades.

reddog81 said:

. . . It kind of makes you wonder what management is thinking.

Click to expand...

They're thinking exactly what all the other
management figures of these "investment
groups " that buy up businesses and don't
know anything about the business or the
customer base. They want to soak it for
the assets and go on to the next one.
They'll either do it surreptitiously if they
can, or they'll raid it outright and put the
padlocks on the door after the coffers
are dry.
I've seen it a bunch in several different
kinds of businesses and been a victim
of it myself.
The employees and the consumers are
always on the short end of the stick

Following the wonderful example of The Freedom Group perhaps?

T/C makes some great rifles. I quite like the much maligned Dimension. It was a great idea and it’s a fine rifle. My Venture, while nothing special, is a solid value for money rifle. While I am not a Contender owner, I know how happy and loyal those chaps are. I can’t really clearly see a buyer for T/C. They were a good portfolio expander for S&W but hard to see another outfit in need of a hunting focused rifle maker. Maybe SIG?

S&W on the other hand have an appalling history of moving outside their lane. The I-Bolt was possibly the least innovative stuff of marketing fabricated rubbish since Diet Come Vanilla flavor. And while I am pleased that S&W created the relationship with AKUS in Turkey that gave us the Elite Gold and opened our eyes to Dickinson, their whole abandoned “heirloom warranty” and cock-and-bull nonsense about “building a factory in Turkey” were so much more marketing driven malarkey. I see no reason to believe that S&W will do a better job of making rifles this time around.

Hartkopf said:

This strangely makes me want a T/C.

Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing.

I used to have a Contender with 3 octagon barrels, a .22, .357 and 30-30, I have regretted selling them.

I have never owned a T/C, but have shot them on numerous occasions. I am starting to wish I wouldn’t have kept putting off buying one or several. I think a perfect match up would be Ruger buying them from S&W. It would just seem fitting to me.

A G2 contender in 6.5 Grendel would be great for alternative season here in Mo where I hunt!

I’m hoping for Ruger to pick it up but I doubt they want it right now. They have enough fun at the moment dealing with the Marlin revamp and ramp up.

I think both of my frames are from the original TC company, barrels as well. I would have to look about one of the barrels though. I do think I want to have a S&W made TC product just for good measure.

Odd Job said:

Hopefully whoever buys it will start producing the R55 line again.

Click to expand...

YES, right after they bring back the youth hotshot 22 rifle.

I think Savage would be well placed to take it over. (Not saying that is even an option at this point but...) TC has something that would enable Savage to diversify in a logical fashion.

Not much product overlap. The TC semi auto 10/22 clone can be kept or left without consequence. The underrated and undermarketed Icon would not compete with Savages own bolt action lineup.

Plus they would add an entire product category that has a rabid cult following.

One Contender pistol with seven barrels, two carbines with three barrels and I'm pretty happy. Wish the carbine were easier to open but they shine in the accuracy department. I don't think I've been without one since the early 70s. Sad if the brand disappears. Have always had either a Hawken of Renegade since they came out.

WestKentucky said:

I’m hoping for Ruger to pick it up but I doubt they want it right now. They have enough fun at the moment dealing with the Marlin revamp and ramp up.

I think both of my frames are from the original TC company, barrels as well. I would have to look about one of the barrels though. I do think I want to have a S&W made TC product just for good measure.

Click to expand...

Not sure if possible/feasible, but a no1 with interchangeable barrels would be sweet.

Ranger99 said:

They're thinking exactly what all the other
management figures of these "investment
groups " that buy up businesses and don't
know anything about the business or the
customer base. They want to soak it for
the assets and go on to the next one.
They'll either do it surreptitiously if they
can, or they'll raid it outright and put the
padlocks on the door after the coffers
are dry.
I've seen it a bunch in several different
kinds of businesses and been a victim
of it myself.
The employees and the consumers are
always on the short end of the stick

Click to expand...

This is why I'm glad Ruger bought Marlin and not some investment firm

My two cents....

S&W realizes that while there is a place for TC firearms in the firearms world, it is not a priority of theirs at this time. At best, SS firearms are a niche product. Ruger can tell you this by how they produce their #1s. At a time when demand has increased twenty fold for handguns, both pistols and revolvers, the demand for SS platforms probably has stayed the same or may have decreased, because of ammo nonavailability. TC handguns, once the leader in hunting handguns, has taken a backseat lately to the modern hunting revolvers and pistols. New calibers, better ammo for old calibers and highly accurate dedicated hunting type platforms, makes for a big comeback for the nostalgic revolver in medium to large game hunting. I give S&W credit for trying to keep the brand alive by finding a reliable and responsible buyer, while understanding completely why they want to focus primarily on their own iconic platforms, for which there is more demand and more profit. Hopefully there is a buyer out there that will keep the brand alive and parts available, while giving fresh options for the platforms. Harley at one time made snowmobiles and golf carts, but realized that the money and their forte was motorcycles. I feel this is a fair comparison.

.....again, just my two cents.

I have a couple of the G1 frames in Armor Alloy finish. Great firearms and it is sad to see production cease.

I was always close to buying a T/C bolt gun, but always found a reason not to.

The Compass was always on a crazy rebate, and seemed to be a great seller... but was so heavy compared to other options.

I hope it finds a good home regardless, especially for the single shots.