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Though Glock often gets credit for being the world's first polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol, the H&K VP70, which shares those attributes, actually debuted a full 13 years beforehand. A select-fire, high-capacity oddity, the H&K VP70 utilized design principles that were far ahead of its time. For more on this groundbreaking pistol, check out this "I Have this Old Gun" segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.
In 2024, former owner Gregg Ritz purchased Thompson/Center Arms. Now the company has introduced a modern take on its classic Contender/Encore concept: the ENCORE PROHunter.
While it's certainly a saturated marketplace these days, the AR-15 has never been more popular with American firearm enthusiasts, and many manufacturers are continuing to feed the need with new options loaded with new features.