Smith & Wesson has sold Thompson/Center Arms, the U.S. manufacturer of products catering to hunters, shooters and outdoor enthusiasts since 1967, to former owner Greg Ritz, according to reports.
Ritz, a seasoned media and manufacturing entrepreneur, is also the host of the “Hunt Maser” series on the Outdoor Channel.
“Thompson/Center Arms holds a special place in the hearts of hunters and shooters worldwide, and we are committed to honoring the past while driving inventiveness and growth,” Ritz in a press release announcing the purchase. “With the support of our dedicated team and loyal customers, I am confident that Thompson/Center Arms will continue to thrive in the years to come.”
In a video posted on the Thompson/Center website, Ritz called the purchase of the company a “new era for America’s master gunmaker.”
“Thompson/Center is back, once again family owned, and will continue to be made in the USA while restoring the core values of innovation, customer focus and the lifetime guarantee that has traditionally defined this brand,” he said. “Follow along as we relaunch this iconic company from the ground up.”
In fact, Ritz is adamant about the importance of manufacturing T/C products in the United States.
“Now more than ever it’s imperative we keep manufacturing at home,” he said. “From job creation to national pride, made here is our commitment. Follow along as we relaunch this iconic company from the ground up and reshape history.”
Smith & Wesson leaders said back in 2021, when the decision to sell T/C was announced, that the decision was part of the company’s broader strategic plan that will focus on its core S&W brands.
“Thompson/Center is a beloved hunting brand with a longstanding heritage, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition,” S&W President Mark P. Smith said at the time. “Thompson/Center Arms’ loyal consumers should rest assured that they will continue to receive the world-class firearms, accessories, and customer service support that the brand has been known for since its founding in 1965. We remain fully committed to the hunting and long-range shooting market, and with this divestiture we will be able to now focus on these categories under our iconic Smith & Wesson brand. Additionally, this will allow us to immediately redirect manufacturing capacity to increase overall production volumes, allowing us to gain additional market share while simultaneously increasing profitability.”
Historically, T/C has produced a wide range of firearms including bolt-action rifles, semi-auto rimfire rifles, muzzleloaders and T/C Encore rifles and pistols.
GOOD!
Agreed
I have a stainless Encore I’ve been hunting with for years. Never really had an intrest in mz hunting, but it was a deal. Bolted a Leupold mz special on top. Bought some Hornady ballistic tip lock and load 250 gr bullets and Pyrodex pellets and went to the range. It shot better 100 yard groups than some of my center fire rifles. Taken deer at 200 yards with it. You can not go wrong with one.
Gadsden Flag,
Over the past seven years I have had a difficult time getting my break-action single-shot rifles chambered in .44 Magnum to shoot consistently accurate. This last season I decided to switch to my muzzleloaders just a few days before white-tailed deer firearm season. It was the right call: my muzzleloaders shoot fantastic groups with the very same Hornady .45 caliber ballistic tip 250 grain bullets and Pyrodex pellets. My muzzleloaders enabled me to take two deer this year (one at 117 yards and the other at 85 yards) and fill my freezer.
For reference I am shooting modern inline CVA muzzleloaders and they do appear to be tack drivers. Shooting full .50 caliber bullets I get one-inch groups at 100 yards and shooting .45 caliber bullets in .50 caliber sabots I get two-inch groups at 100 yards. I have ZERO complaints and they are my go-to long guns unless I go “up north” where I can have shots out to 400 yards.
Them pistols that looked liked short barreled .410 shotgunms with a pistol grip sure was accurate. 7×30 Waters , wow, with a LER scope, yeah.
A few things –
I hope they bought it back for less than what they sold it for.
Did Smith ruin the quality under their ownership?
If so, it’s gonna be expensive fixing those quality fvck-ups…
Geoff, I thought about the quality issue also. My Encore is pre-S&W. All I can say is there have been absolutely no problems with mine. Over the years I’ve thought about putting together a kit. A spare barrel in .308, one in .223, .22 LR, (all scoped), and the 12 gauge shotgun barrel. All in a Pelican case. I guess I’ll have to do it a little at the time. If only the other deals wouldn’t keep coming along. Consternation!
My Thompson Center S&W 6.5 Creedmoor is a tack driver at 200 yards.
Literally no issues at all. My S&W .308 however was nothing but problems the first time I took it out. Failure to feed, failure to go into battery, stove piping, working now but glad I was at the range and not using for defence.
Defense Da Mit!
and what about the Contender? 🤠
Hey, Bill, long time no see!
I hope that they bring back the ICON rifle.
Neat will be a while before they will fit the budget but lot of potential fun to be had with the design.
Just as well. I don’t think S&W really had a strategic vision for where they wanted to take T/C. They free up some cash and T/C gets a fresh corporate parent.
Ditch the bolt gun. Make sure the single shots are perfect and cover every caliber for which Lee has dies.
Then build a modern pump rifle – rotary bolt, box mag, easy caliber swaps and a slamfire-capable.
When the Crimocrats try to ban it, you will sell a gazillion…
My S&W stock reacted positively. Overall, SWB has been a solid performer, up 38% over the last few years. By contrast, Vista up 18% over the same period.