Thompson/Center Compass II: An Affordable, Versatile Bolt-Action Rifle

by
posted on November 4, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
no-6-bolt-action-the-thompson-center.jpg

The Thompson/Center Compass ranked No. 6 in popularity among bolt-action rifles sold through retailers on GunBroker.com last year. The composite-stocked firearm comes in a wide variety of chamberings, with configurations to suit nearly every taste at a budget-friendly MSRP.

Just because the price is right, though, that doesn’t mean they’re short on features. All Compass IIs, regardless of your preference come with a threaded barrel, 5R rifling with guaranteed minute-of-angle performance and they’re backed by the T/C lifetime warranty. The bolt is a three-lug design with a 60-degree bolt lift. Each have a flush fitting rotary magazine and three-position safety. Trigger pulls from the factory measure 3 to 4 pounds, and MSRP is $405.

There is also a Compass II Compact line as well as a family of Compass Utility family. MSRPs are $405 and $359, respectively. Throughout them all you can select models that come with a factory mounted Crimson Trace riflescope.

The number of chamberings available among the Utilities models explains another part of this rifle’s continuing popularity. You can get one in .223 Rem./5.56 NATO, .243 Win., .270 Win., .30-’06 Sprg., .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor. You can also select a combo pack that incudes the optic (price goes up, of course). All barrel lengths are 21.65 inches and the line features the Version I trigger, which is more suited for precision shooting.

Compass IIs are available in .223 Rem./5.56 NATO, .243 Win., .270 Win., .300 Win. Mag., .30-’06 Sprg., .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and 7 mm Rem. Mag. Barrel lengths vary from 21.65 inches to 24.

Diversity is similar on the Compact line, but they come with an extended buttpad spacer to add or remove 7/8 inch in the length of pull. Barrel length also drops to a more manageable for small frames 16.5 inches. It’s a great option for younger shooters.

Latest

1 9Th ID Urft River 2 45
1 9Th ID Urft River 2 45

U.S. Troops Using Captured Small Arms in World War II

American troops took a healthy interest in Axis small arms during World War II. Sometimes they were simply looking to collect a war trophy. On other occasions, GIs and Marines looked to use those firearms against their former owners.

Standing Guard | The Midterms and Freedom

Politics is something most of us only step into because we must. We’d rather smile in the warm autumn sun as we help a son or daughter, or grandson or granddaughter, break their first clay or plink steel with their first .22 rifle.

America’s Retaliation for the Lives Taken by Iraqi Sniper “Juba”

The killing of the Iraqi insurgent sniper known as "Juba" was a collective effort by thousands of Marines, culminating in one single shot.

Why This DOJ Opinion on Handgun Ownership Matters

The DOJ Office of Legal Counsel recently released an opinion concluding that the federal ban on licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to 18-20-year-old U.S. citizens is unconstitutional.

I Have This Old Gun: Czech vz.27

Following World War I, Czechoslovakia needed to equip its new army, and one of its priorities was to select a service sidearm, which ultimately became the vz.27.

Rimfire M1 Refined: The Chiappa Bushranger

Italian manufacturer Chiappa is not afraid to take an original design and give it a modern twist. New for 2026, the company is taking its rimfire M1 carbine design one step further with the Bushranger.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.