by SI Staff - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Offering its first-ever semi-automatic rifle is Thompson/Center Arms , and the new gun is its T/CR22 rimfire rifle, built as a general-purpose, .22 LR plinking tool that is compatible with a range of aftermarket options and provides enhanced features for hunters, first-time shooters and other enthusiasts.“Thompson/Center has a long, storied history of innovation in firearms, from muzzleloaders to bolt-action rifles," said Danielle Sanville, brand manager of Thompson/Center Arms. 'When we decided it was time to develop our next rimfire rifle, we wanted to be sure to continue that trend. The new T/CR22 rifle incorporates upgraded features right out of the box – from its enhanced materials, to its ergonomics, to its compatability with aftermarket components. We’ve taken the opportunity to contemporize a classic through advancements in design, and we are confident that our customers will appreciate the features in the new T/CR22 rifle.”Which classic are they bringing into the 21st century? A few clues lie in the design of the rifle. Rimfire aficionados might notice that the overall profile of the rifle looks similar to another popular semi-automatic rimfire on the market, and they'd be right. The receiver is built with the same footprint as the popular Ruger 10/22, enabling the all-new T/CR22 to fit into any aftermarket stock fit for Ruger's rimfire.The similarities don't end there, though. All aftermarket barrels designed to fit the Ruger 10/22 will also slot right into the T/CR22's receiver. Additionally, all Ruger 10/22 magazines will also work in the Thompson/Center gun. However, one key difference in the T/CR22 is that the T/C gun ships with a factory 10-round mag with last-round bolt hold-open. The use of any Ruger magazines in the T/CR22 will disable this bolt-hold benefit.Each Thompson/Center T/CR22 ships with a Magpul composite stock with an olive-drab green finish. The 17-inch, button-rifled barrel, machined with a 1:15-inch twist rate, is threaded at the muzzle to enable the use of rimfire suppressors and other muzzle accessories. At the top of the receiver, machined from 6061 aluminum, consumers will find an integrated Picatinny optics rail. The rifle comes equipped with a green fiber-optic front sight and an adjustable peep sight at the rear. Other features include a stainless-steel bolt, oversized bolt handle, push-button safety and M-Lok attachment points located on the fore-end. The stock also features sling-swivel studs molded into the ergonomic design.The suggested retail price on the Thompson/Center T/CR22 rifle is $399.