Thompson/Center Adds Pistols, Shotguns, New Muzzleloader Option

Thompson/Center is back in business constructing looking firearms in Rochester, New Hampshire, they usually’re rising their enterprise once more. From their preliminary providing of deer-hunting rifles and rifled shotgun barrels, they’re now bringing out up to date shotguns for turkey season, they’re reintroducing their pistol platform they usually’re introducing an all-new muzzleloader possibility.

Bringing again shotguns

Together with its quick-swap rifle barrels for its single-shot platform (no gunsmith required!), Thompson/Center in its prime years additionally offered shotgun barrels that match the identical frames. Final yr, it had rifled shotgun barrels simply in time for deer season; now, it’s providing smoothbore barrels for the Encore Turkey Shotgun. They name it “a devoted, purpose-built platform designed for maneuverability, stability, and tight-pattern efficiency in demanding spring circumstances.”

The T/C web site doesn’t have any photographs of the brand new shotguns but, however it does record 12 gauge, 20 gauge, .410 and .410/.45 Lengthy Colt barrels that may match onto current Encore frames. All these shotguns are chambered for 3-inch cartridges, and include a blued barrel that’s 24 inches lengthy. The barrel chambered for both .410 shotshells or .45 Lengthy Colt cartridges is just 15 inches lengthy. All these barrels include a turkey choke, and are priced at $450 for 2026.

Pistol-packin’ hunters

For hunters on the lookout for a brand-new Thompson/Heart pistol, you’re in luck; they’ve simply introduced again their pistol frames. The ProHunter pistol makes use of the identical motion because the Encore rifle; you purchase a body for $530 after which add no matter barrel or barrels you need, since these will quick-swap with no gunsmith wanted for becoming a unique caliber. You’ll find an inventory of what calibers are at present out there here. For 2026, they’re priced at $410 apiece.

The forend and grip are rubber for consolation and management, with CNC-machined stainless body. At present, all of the barrels provided are 15 inches lengthy, and in addition manufactured from stainless-steel, with fluting to scale back weight.

Superior muzzleloading

Thompson/Heart’s earlier muzzleloaders had been all constructed to load from the entrance, as was the usual for lots of of years. Now, additionally they provide the Encore ProHunter in a .50-caliber mannequin with FireStick propellant know-how.

FireStick muzzleloaders load the bullet from the enterprise finish of the barrel, however their propellant is loaded into the breech, coming self-contained in a type of plastic cartridge. They aren’t authorized in each state’s muzzleloader season, so examine the foundations before you purchase one.

This model of the Encore ProHunter has a 28-inch barrel, with 1:24 twist and blued end with fluting to scale back weight. If you wish to purchase simply the barrel alone, that can value you $555.

See extra particulars on Thompson/Heart’s up to date product lineup at their web site here

Zac K.

Zac Kurylyk hunts and fishes to feed his household within the northeast. His work has been in Outside Canada and different journey and outside publications.