Thompson/Center Arms ENCORE PROHunter Returns

Thompson/Center Arms (T/C Arms) announced the return of its ENCORE PROHunter in April 2025, signaling yet another step forward in rebuilding the well-known firearm firm.

"We are proud to have Thompson/Center return to its hometown manufacturing roots of Rochester, N.H., and thrive as family-owned once again," said Gregg Ritz, president and CEO of T/C Arms. "Our talented team is committed to the innovation, unrivaled quality, and lifetime warranty that have defined the iconic T/C brand for 60 years. Hunters and shooters can expect to see the rebirth of the storied product lines such as the ENCORE platform, along with new designs that will redefine the shooting experience and remind gun owners why T/C Arms is 'America’s Master Gunmaker.'"

Ritz, the former owner, president and CEO of T/C Arms, reacquired it from Smith & Wesson a year ago. His focus was squarely on maintaining the company’s popular interchangeable barrel/chambering system. “The barrels we make today will fit frames made in 1965, and the barrels made in 1965 will fit the frames we’re making today,” Ritz told American Rifleman barely a month after ink had dried on the purchase agreement.

The introduction of a complete T/C Arms ENCORE PROHunter—a single shot, break-open platform with the interchangeable barrel feature—is a big step for the company.

The first T/C Arms firearm was the single-shot Contender pistol. It was a popular choice for metallic silhouette shooters and the interchangeable barrels added versatility for other pursuits, including hunting. Between 1967, when it hit the market, and 2023, more than 400,000 sold.

Smith & Wesson purchased the company when Ritz was at the helm in 2007. Production was moved from New Hampshire to Massachusetts in 2010. By May 2021, it became apparent T/C Arms would no longer be part of the Smith & Wesson family of companies. That month, the company issued a press release announcing it was trying to divest itself of the brand as part of a long-term strategy to focus on core brands.