Skylerbone
Member
I recently purchased Thompson Center's Compass rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and finally took a bit of time to get acquainted. These are initial impressions bearing in mind I've had a hectic schedule with just one short range session.
For starters the price sealed the deal, $180 for the opportunity to try out a brand new rifle and caliber? Rarely am I so lucky. The stock is standard fare black composite, ugly, flexible, but good purchase. The free floating might need a touch of help as the barrel sits just slightly to one side while still passing the dollar bill test. Pillars seemed to keep the action firmly attached without any movement and. The recoil pad was more than adequate.
To the naked eye the bore looks normal enough other than the 5R rifling. The end is threaded with a protective cap. The bolt is a bit sloppy while cycling but smooth after adding a bit of grease to the lugs with solid lock up. Feeding was hitch free and extraction positive. The 3-position safety was stiff enough that actuating it from the fire position would skip the safe/unload detent. Flushing the bolt using CLP then working the lever a few minutes sorted it out nicely.
The trigger is adjustable for pull weight and over travel but honestly I'm not loving it. Once set correctly travel is minimal but pull weight is sacrificed and a pound heavy for my Bush League taste and it fails at being crisp.
Range day: I confess I was rushed for time, four unproven rifles to test and two hours to try getting everything on paper all while giving pointers to the girlfriend on technique. Temp was mid-30s, with light rain and occasional wind gusts to 10mph.
The rifle came with pre-installed Weaver bases which I used with Vortex Viper Med. rings topped with a Minox ZV-3 3-9 x 40mm. Ammo was Hornady American Whitetail 129gr. InterLock, 2820 fps advertised.
On to the pictures, sorry they're iPhone quality.
Looking at shorter rings.
While the bolt has a tactical look it is fairly average in diameter.
Flush fit 5-round magazine.
The barrel sits slightly off center in the channel.
Kept pulling shots every time I got excited about the first two but I could see the potential accuracy in stock form.
Given the opportunity to do things over I'd buy two. With rebates available through New Years I may well pick up a second and add more magnification. For a fun to shoot well rounded rifle I think the price is hard to beat. Won't light the fires of the benchrest crowd given its limitations but I like it.
For starters the price sealed the deal, $180 for the opportunity to try out a brand new rifle and caliber? Rarely am I so lucky. The stock is standard fare black composite, ugly, flexible, but good purchase. The free floating might need a touch of help as the barrel sits just slightly to one side while still passing the dollar bill test. Pillars seemed to keep the action firmly attached without any movement and. The recoil pad was more than adequate.
To the naked eye the bore looks normal enough other than the 5R rifling. The end is threaded with a protective cap. The bolt is a bit sloppy while cycling but smooth after adding a bit of grease to the lugs with solid lock up. Feeding was hitch free and extraction positive. The 3-position safety was stiff enough that actuating it from the fire position would skip the safe/unload detent. Flushing the bolt using CLP then working the lever a few minutes sorted it out nicely.
The trigger is adjustable for pull weight and over travel but honestly I'm not loving it. Once set correctly travel is minimal but pull weight is sacrificed and a pound heavy for my Bush League taste and it fails at being crisp.
Range day: I confess I was rushed for time, four unproven rifles to test and two hours to try getting everything on paper all while giving pointers to the girlfriend on technique. Temp was mid-30s, with light rain and occasional wind gusts to 10mph.
The rifle came with pre-installed Weaver bases which I used with Vortex Viper Med. rings topped with a Minox ZV-3 3-9 x 40mm. Ammo was Hornady American Whitetail 129gr. InterLock, 2820 fps advertised.
On to the pictures, sorry they're iPhone quality.
Looking at shorter rings.
While the bolt has a tactical look it is fairly average in diameter.
Flush fit 5-round magazine.
The barrel sits slightly off center in the channel.
Kept pulling shots every time I got excited about the first two but I could see the potential accuracy in stock form.
Given the opportunity to do things over I'd buy two. With rebates available through New Years I may well pick up a second and add more magnification. For a fun to shoot well rounded rifle I think the price is hard to beat. Won't light the fires of the benchrest crowd given its limitations but I like it.