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

Gotw Hk Vp9cc 1
Gotw Hk Vp9cc 1

Gun of the Week: H&K VP9CC

Hot on the heels of its CC9 micro-compact, Heckler & Koch introduced a micro companion to its popular VP9 lineup that includes some noteworthy features.

A Raven at 50: Five Days at Gunsite Academy

In Gunsite Academy's 50th year, NRA Director Jerry Kraus made his inaugural visit to the famed training institute and left a Raven.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 9, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Competition Shooting vs. Combat Training

It's an undeniable fact that competition and combat solve different problems. Mistaking one for the other or rejecting either one is a mistake.

The Truth About DGUs Gun-Control Groups Don’t Want You to Know

Last August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage again posted defensive-gun-use data—essentially, estimates of how many times per year armed citizens in America use guns to defend themselves or others. 

Watchtower Defense Opens New Texas Headquarters

Watchtower Defense—which has acquired the assets of Watchtower Firearms—officially opened its new headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tomball, Texas.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.