Thompson Center lays off 66, furloughs 37 in NH

ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) Rifle-maker Thompson Center Arms, one of the largest employers in Rochester, N.H., laid off 66 workers this week and furloughed another 37.

Company owner Smith & Wesson said the layoffs were prompted by a drop in sales of the company's black powder hunting rifles.

The cuts accounted for almost 29 percent of Thompson Center Arms' work force, bringing the number of workers at the factory to roughly 250. That's almost half of what it was just under a year ago.

The company cut 80 jobs in September and 36 last March.

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Guess I should get some spare parts for my Encore while their available. Breech plug and o-rings.

I think TC priced themselves out of the market. They got real greedy with the Encore line of improvements. Just a few years ago, the Encore was priced around $550. Then came the prohunter and a heaftyprice increase ($750). Then came the Endeaver andyet another rediculous hike of close to $1000 retail.

Act stupid, get stupid. I think it was the A-H's at S&W that createdthis mess.

I am a big fan ofthe Contender line of handguns, butnot the Encore line. I feelsorry for thefolks thatgot those pinkslips!!!!!

Can't Blame S&W they've only had TC since 2007.