Thompson/Center Strike and Impact Muzzleloaders—SHOT Show 2017

in Authors, Clay Martin, SHOT Show 2017

To learn more, visit https://www.tcarms.com.

To purchase a Thompson/Center Impact on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Center%20Impact.

To purchase to a Thompson/Center Strike on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Center%20Strike.

Overview

Thompson/Center has long been synonymous with muzzle loading firearms. Last month at a Smith and Wesson event, we got to go hands-on with all the new options from Thompson/Center. In fact, I pulled the trigger on my first ever muzzleloader at that event. At SHOT Show 2017, we got chance to spend some more time with them and get the latest scoop. Some of the big stories this year are the Strike, the Impact, and the T/C color scheme updates.

Thompson/Center Strike and Impact Muzzleloaders—SHOT Show 2017

The Impact is a great price-point muzzleloader from Thompson/Center with pricing that starts at $263.

Impact

The Impact is Thompson/Center’s budget line, for lack of a better term. Let’s call it a gateway drug to muzzleloading. It will do everything you need, at a value price, and has spacers in the stock to adjust the fit to youth shooters. It comes in three finish options, including a Realtree Hardwoods/Weather Shield camouflage pattern for hunters of every stripe.

Thompson/Center Strike and Impact Muzzleloaders—SHOT Show 2017

The Impact is offered in a range of finishes and stock types.

Specs

  • Chambering: .50 caliber
  • Barrel: 26 inch
  • OA Length: 41.5 inches
  • Grips: composite
  • Sights: adjustable fiber optic
  • Action: muzzleloader
  • Finish: Weather Shield or Blued
  • MSRP: $263
Thompson/Center Strike and Impact Muzzleloaders—SHOT Show 2017

The Strike has pricing that starts at $499 and offers a lot of bang for the buck.

Strike

The Strike is the newest muzzleloader. This model is actually striker fired, with the striker manually set by the user. This allows you to carry the gun loaded, or you can decock the striker if the chance to shoot is lost. Also new on this model is the Adapt breech system, which puts the threads on the outside of the barrel. This should make cleaning a lot easier. I am new to muzzleloaders, but apparently you actually have to clean these things.

Thompson/Center Strike and Impact Muzzleloaders—SHOT Show 2017

The Strike is striker-fired and can be decocked with the tang-mounted button.

Specs

  • Chambering: .50 caliber
  • Barrel: 24 inch
  • OA Length: 41 inches
  • Grips: Walnut or polymer
  • Sights: adjustable fiber optic, scope base also included
  • Action: muzzleloader
  • Finish: Armornite
  • MSRP: $499

Impression

The color scheme updates are a needed change as well. I appreciate heritage, but the new black and red looks great. Same products as before, and every Thompson/Center product in history is still supported, but new packaging. Retailers are really going to appreciate this change, and hopefully it helps attract new shooters to help keep muzzleloading relevant and popular.

Thompson/Center Strike and Impact Muzzleloaders—SHOT Show 2017

The author had a chance to take a look at the new muzzleloaders at Thompson/Center at this year’s SHOT Show.

Price & Availability

Both the Impact and the Strike are reasonably priced, with starting MSRPs of (respectively) of $263 and $499. They are available now and are ready for the hunting fields. Pick out which one works best for you and put in your order.

To learn more, visit https://www.tcarms.com.

To purchase a Thompson/Center Impact on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Center%20Impact.

To purchase to a Thompson/Center Strike on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Center%20Strike.

About the author: Clay Martin is a former Marine and Green Beret, retiring out of 3rd Special Forces Group. He is a multi-decade and -service sniper, as well as 3-Gun competitor and Master ranked shooter in USPSA Production. In addition to writing about guns, he is the author of “Last Son of The War God,” a novel about shooting people that deserve it. You can also follow him on twitter, @offthe_res or his website, Off-The-Reservation.com

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