Thompson Center unveiled 4 NEW rifles to usher in the New Year of 2020 with the introduction of the Compass Utility, Compass Compact II, Compass II, and Venture II bolt-action rifles. Lane Tobiassen, President of Smith & Wesson, had these words to share about all of the new rifles they are unveiling for 2020 which we will definitely get our hands on more at SHOT Show in a few weeks:

For decades, Thompson/Center has been known for its innovative firearm designs and legendary accuracy.  New for 2020, T/C builds upon that legacy with an update and expansion of its bolt action rifle product line.  A key feature within the update is the new T/C Generation II trigger system.  Taking cues from the long range shooting world, the Generation II trigger has been designed to improve in-field accuracy, building confidence to make the shots that count.  These new rifle introductions usher in a new era for Thompson/Center as we offer a firearm of great value at a variety of price points to meet the demands of today’s consumer.

All of these rifles are improved or 2nd Generation offerings of models they have previously given us before (except for the Compass Utility which is completely Brand New) so we should be loosely familiar with them. We will walk through and take a look at all of them to see what is different, what is the same, and what kind of price-points we are looking at for all of them. 

Thompson center compass utility

The T/C Compass Utility looks to position itself as Thompson Center’s new economy rifle for the masses. They are touting it as the do-all, no-frills rifle…built to perform a job! A lot of us shooters and hunters love our firearms and equally enjoy the sport of hunting, but cannot always break the bank in purchasing our gear. That is where the T/C Compass Utility will hopefully find a home in a thick bolt-action market. The short and concise list of specifications can be read below as presented by Thompson Center:

• Calibers: .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, .243 WIN, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg
• 21.625″ Barrel w/ 5R Rifling & 1 MOA Accuracy Guarantee
• Scoped Combos Available w/ Boresighted T/C® 3-9x40mm Optic
• MSRP Starting at $359 (Non-Scoped Rifle)

Thompson Center Compass Utility w/ 3-9x40mm T/C Optic (Factory Scoped Package)

At this time, Thompson Center is offering the Compass Utility in 6 different cartridges, in scoped and non-scoped packages for shooters to choose from. They do not state the suggested price for the factory scoped packages yet, but just your bare Compass Utility rifle will run you $359 at full MSRP. As implied by T/C and its specs listed above, this is a no-frills rifle meant to get people shooting at a more affordable price-point.

Thompson center compass ii

The Thompson Center Compass II will boast the same reliable performance of its original predecessor like all of these newly unveiled rifles. The T/C Compass II rifle now has their Generation II trigger system that should break at a crisp 3 – 4 Lbs in pull. The Compass II is a feature-rich rifle that is packed with value for firearm enthusiasts to take it from the range to the fields to the mountains, any pursuit, at any budget. The complete specifications for the Compass II and Compass II Compact can be read below as presented by Thompson Center:

• NEW T/C Generation II Trigger System provides Crisp, Light 3-4 Lbs Trigger
• Calibers: .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag
• 21.625″ Threaded Barrel (24″ Threaded Barrel for .300 Win Mag & 7mm Rem Mag)
• 5R Rifling & 1 MOA Accuracy Guarantee (NO 5R Rifling in .300 Win Mag & 7mm Rem Mag)
• Scoped Combos Available w/ Bore-Sighted Crimson Trace 3-9x40mm Optic
• MSRP Starting at $405 (Non-Scoped Rifle)

Thompson Center Compass II Compact w/ 3-9x40mm Crimson Trace Bore-Sighted Optic (Factory Scoped Package)

The New Thompson Center Compass II is also available in a Compact version which varies slightly in features and size. The T/C Compass II Compact features a 16.5” barrel with an interchangeable, extended butt pad for length of pull adjustments from 12.5” to 13.375”. This should allow for a broad range of hunters and shooters with different thicknesses of clothing and statures to use this bolt-action rifle. The MSRP of both the Compass II and Compass II Compact is benchmarked at $405 (non-scoped rifle). You can also get Factory Scoped Packages of the 8 different cartridges offered, but there is no MSRP set for those at this time.

Thompson center venture ii

The Thompson Center Venture has always been T/C’s flagship bolt-action hunting rifle, and now with the Venture II, it incorporates the Thompson Center Generation II trigger system. The T/C Venture II rifle employs a corrosion-resistant Weather Shield® coating to help shrug off the harshest weather that Mother Nature can throw at it. The rest of the specifications, pricing, and cartridges offered can be read below as presented by Thompson Center:

• NEW T/C Generation II Trigger System provides Crisp, Light 3-4 Lbs Trigger
• Calibers: .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, 350 Legend
• 22″ Threaded Barrel: .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 350 Legend
• 24″ Threaded Barrel: .270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, .30-06 Sprg, .300 Win Mag
• Hogue Grip Panels provide a Sure Grip in all Weather Conditions
• Weather Shield Exterior Metal Coating for Enhanced Corrosion Resistance
• 5R Rifling & 1 MOA Accuracy Guarantee
• MSRP Starting at $525

Thompson Center Venture II

The Thompson Center Venture II is offered in 9 popular cartridges including the newer 350 Legend which is a straight-wall round more widely accepted across the United States for hunting. Unlike the other 3 new models from T/C, the Venture II does not come in any factory scoped packages; it will be just a bare rifle and optics will be left up to the end user to decide.

Thompson Center has upgraded and introduced quite a few rifles rolling into 2020 with their Compass II, Compass II Compact, Venture II, and Compass Utility. Between all 4 of these new bolt-action rifles, which one would you like to shoot and potentially own first? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback and interaction on our articles.