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Post by sagittarius on Jan 23, 2009 11:42:15 GMT -5
The .45 barrel Encore thread inspired me to start this thread.  Actually, I had thought about doing this a few months ago but decided not to until now. Here are a couple pics of a prototype tactical Icon rifle Thompson Center published last spring. When I first saw the pics, I thought, "what an awesome foundation for a smokeless muzzleloader that rifle would be". It has the integral base, extra large bolt handle, adjustable trigger, strong 3 lug action, and ( Manners synthetic stock w/aluminum bedding block ). Can't confirm the stock maker; I read it elsewhere on another forum. Just curious, if Thompson built a muzzleloader version, would you guys be interested ? If I could convince their custom shop to build one for me, I sure would.    |
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Post by encoreguy on Jan 23, 2009 14:25:14 GMT -5
The only negative I see is that it is not a single shot action (for strength reasons). But I think you would have a hard time convincing them to build one for you. I would be game if the price was not too high. I was hoping that they were going to release that tactical Icon, but so far I see no evidence that they are yet, perhaps they will unveil it at the SHOT show.
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Post by dave d. on Jan 23, 2009 18:14:41 GMT -5
:)sag that would be one hellva muzzleloader.if i didn't build my 700's i would be interested.goodluck
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Post by sagittarius on Jan 23, 2009 23:24:05 GMT -5
Encoreguy, I agree about the single shot action. I would ask them about building a single shot for sure. Dave, I think I will contact them and get their thoughts just for the heck of it. Doesn't hurt to ask. Heck, the Bad Bull goes for 3,850.00 and it's not built nearly as well as this Icon Prototype, imo. I figure, Thompson could build one for the masses for much less than the Bad Bull if there was enough interest. I'll let you know what they say.  |
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Post by rossman40 on Jan 23, 2009 23:51:30 GMT -5
They showed it at the NRA show last year but people I asked didn't remember seeing it at the SHOT show last week. They were plugging a couple of other models. You would think with S&W heavily in the military/LE market they would have a sniper rifle platform to go with the pistols, ARs and handcuffs. I know they announced a factory recall on the I bolts and I read somewhere TC was in the red and was dragging down the S&W side which had a really good year.
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Post by jims on Jan 24, 2009 9:32:33 GMT -5
Rossman: I read that also and it greatly surprised me, I always thought TC had good products and was doing well.
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Post by encoreguy on Jan 24, 2009 10:53:03 GMT -5
Rossman: I read that also and it greatly surprised me, I always thought TC had good products and was doing well. I think it is due to their very agressive spending on marketing, especially TV. It has put them where they are as far as market share, but with the slower economy it might be catching up to them. Maybe they will have to give Jim Shockey a pay cut,. ;D I would do what he does for them for 1/2 cost, just to help out. |
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Post by DBinNY on Jan 24, 2009 12:21:17 GMT -5
For Thompson Center to produce a smokeless muzzle loader would require them eating a lot of crow having declared the use of smokeless powders in any muzzle loader as unsafe. It might also beg the question as to why would anybody settle for any of the models in there current line up that won't handle smokeless powder when they can safely have smokeless performance and the associated lower cost (for powder) and ease of maintenance. It would also mean admitting that Savage was right. I know none of this to be true, I'm just guessing.
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Post by jims on Jan 24, 2009 16:48:12 GMT -5
Crow is sometimes not a tastey bird to swallow.
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Post by olsmokey on Jan 24, 2009 17:27:58 GMT -5
Heck I'd do what Shockey does for free. Except put my name on his powder.
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Post by joe21a on Jan 24, 2009 17:46:05 GMT -5
It looks heavy and expensive.
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