Thompson 22 Classic

The History of Thompson/Center Arms

Not to be confused with the makers of the famous Thompson gun (originally made by the Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company), the Thompson/Center Arms is an American producer of firearms, established by K.W. Thompson and Warren Center in 1965. Initially, they focused on manufacturing single-shot firearms with interchangeable barrels. This led to the introduction of a unique single-shot pistol in the late 1960s which later became known as the Contender. The production facilities were set up in 1965 with the first large orders leaving the factory in 1967.

The Contender allowed for switching between different calibers only by changing the barrel, which was a good selling point at the time, even compared to some of the popular bolt-action rifles. It offered great precision for a break-action pistol and was powerful enough for different hunting scenarios. Over the following decade, they also presented the second generation of Contender, named the G2, and the Encore model which used a different trigger mechanism and featured a bulkier, more rugged design.

In the early 1970s, the company first introduced their Hawken-style black powder muzzle-loading rifle which was followed by several different muzzleloader models such as Cherokee, Seneca, Cougar, Hawken, New Englander and many others. For some time, TC Arms also made 2 muzzleloading pistols, but the fire that demolished the factory in the 1990s made it impossible to continue production. The company did, however, also produce some bolt-action rifles such as the Venture and Compass, available in various configurations.

In the 1990s, Thompson/Center Arms faced a legal issue regarding a rifle conversion kit for the pistols they sold. The AFT claimed that the kit could be used to create an illegal DIY firearm, however, The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of T/C Arms, stating that the company would not be held responsible for how people might misuse the kit.

In 2007, T/C Arms Co. was obtained by the Smith & Wesson company and the production was moved to Springfield. In 2021, S&W announced their plans to sell the T/C Arms brand, fully ceasing the production of firearms. However, as of 2023, a definitive buyer is yet to be determined. The company continues to list various models on their T/C Arms USA website, likely selling off the remaining inventory.

Thompson/Center Arms 22 Classic Rifle Review

In addition to the single-shot firearms the T/C was most famous for, the company also introduced some bolt action rifles and even a semi-automatic small caliber rifle called 22 Classic. The model was first introduced in 2001 at Shot Show and was primarily designed as a hunting/sporting firearm. The Classic's stock is made from high-quality American walnut and has a raised section for the cheek and a square front end. Some newer models are equipped with a rubber recoil pad at the end of the stock while others only feature a plastic plate due to the relatively soft recoil from the .22 LR cartridge the rifle is chambered for.

The steel bolt is guided by the top part of the firing system with a coiled spring and guide rod helping it move back to the starting position. The T/C Classic has an all-steel magazine with a plastic base. It can hold up to five rounds and sits neatly within the stock. It is released by pulling a small latch, shaped like a trigger, located at the front of the trigger guard.

The firing control unit consists of a hammer driven by a large spring. This assembly features a safety mechanism that blocks both the hammer and trigger. Additionally, there's a system activated by the magazine which keeps the bolt open when needed, and an ejection component. The trigger system, made as a single piece, has three main parts: the actual trigger, a part that keeps the hammer ready until the trigger is activated, and another that connects with the hammer until the trigger is let go, serving as a disconnector.

The safety lever has a piece at the top that stops the hammer when it's on. There's also a part below it, which, when moved forward, prevents the trigger from being pulled. The safety status is indicated by a red and green dot on the right side of the stock. Additionally, there's an option to secure the gun further using a small lock that can be attached to the back of the trigger guard, locking the safety in the "safe" position.

The 22 Classic models come with drilled and tapped holes on top of the receiver and are thus ready to accept scope mounts.

T/C 22 Classic, chambered for .22 LR

Figure 1: T/C 22 Classic, chambered for .22 LR (Source: https://www.guns.com/firearms/rifles/semi-auto/thompson-center-22-classic-22-lr-semi-auto-5-rounds-22-barrel-used?p=87364&soldout=1)

T/C 22 Classic Calibers

The rifle can be chambered for the following calibers:

.22 LR

The receivers of the T/C 22 Classic rifle come with four drilled and tapped holes which can be used for scope mounting purposes. There are two holes on the front and two on the rear mounting surface. However, most of the rifles come equipped with Weaver bases from the factory.

T/C 22 Classic, chambered for .22 LR

Figure 2: T/C 22 Classic, chambered for .22 LR (Source: https://www.guns.com/firearms/rifles/semi-auto/thompson-center-22-classic-22-lr-semi-auto-5-rounds-22-barrel-used?p=87364&soldout=1)

T/C 22 Classic

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

To meet interchangeability conditions, two-piece mounts must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the exact dimensions of the T/C 22 Classic mounting surface thus we are unable to provide you with a list of interchangeable scope mounts. Should you happen to own this rifle and would be willing to share with us more information regarding interchangeability, we kindly ask you to contact us at info@optics-trade.eu

Thank you for your help!

Best Scope Mounts for T/C 22 Classic

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for T/C 22 Classic

If you are looking to add an optic to your Thomson Center 22 Classic rifle, you might consider checking out this pivot mounting system manufactured by the German company EAW. The mount is fully repeatable and made of high-quality steel and comes with a 30-year warranty.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu

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EAW pivot mount, 30 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

As low as $429.00

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EAW Magnum pivot mount, 34 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

As low as $459.00

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EAW XS pivot mount, 34 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

As low as $539.00

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EAW Magnum pivot mount, 36 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

As low as $469.00

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EAW XS pivot mount, 36 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

As low as $549.00

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EAW Magnum pivot mount, 30 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

As low as $459.00

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EAW XS pivot mount, 30 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

As low as $509.00

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Pivot mounts are a special kind of repeatable mounts that are especially popular in Europe and mainly produced by European manufacturers. Most notable among them are German Companies like EAW (Ernst Apel Wurzburg), Recknagel, Henneberger and MAK. These Companies were also among the first to produce mounts of this type. Non German companies like Rusan are also following this trend.

Main benefits of pivot mounts, or swing mounts as they are sometimes called are:

100% repeatability,
very quick and easy detaching and reattaching,
extremely durable; most mounts of this kind are tested on 10000 or more reattachments,
size and weight; light and small, elegant.

There are also some minor weaknesses that such mounts posses and they are: they are usually more expensive than other types of mounts, the installation on the rifle should be done by a skilled gunsmith and most of these mounts are higher than 14 mm.

A distinct feature of pivot/swing mounts is the way the scope attaches to the rifle. The front foot of the mount on the scope is inserted in the front base under a 90 degrees angle to the barrel. Then the entire scope is pivoted around the front base until it is locked into position by the rear base.

Pivot mounts of all types enable windage correction on the rear base at the time of the mounts installation. There are three main types of pivot mounts which are distinguished by the type of the rear base:

EAW style rear base: produced by EAW and Rusan,
Dovetail rail base: produced by Recknagel, Henneberger, MAK and others.
Leupold type rear base

Different Types of Pivot Mounts

Thompson 22 Classic

The History of Thompson/Center Arms

Thompson/Center Arms 22 Classic Rifle Review

T/C 22 Classic Calibers

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

Best Scope Mounts for T/C 22 Classic

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for T/C 22 Classic

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

EAW pivot mount, 30 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

EAW Magnum pivot mount, 34 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

EAW XS pivot mount, 34 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

EAW Magnum pivot mount, 36 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

EAW XS pivot mount, 36 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

EAW Magnum pivot mount, 30 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

EAW XS pivot mount, 30 mm, Thompson 22 Classic

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Thompson 22 Classic

The History of Thompson/Center Arms

Thompson/Center Arms 22 Classic Rifle Review

T/C 22 Classic Calibers

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With T/C 22 Classic

Best Scope Mounts for T/C 22 Classic

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for T/C 22 Classic

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

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