IMO S&W bought out T/C to eventually shut it down. After all they were their competitors. T/C’s we’re cheaper and along with the interchangeable barrels their versatility was unmatched. If they sell T/C to someone else they have competition again.
S&W approached Greg Ritz (then owner of T/C) about making the proprietary R10 rifle barrels for a S&W contract they had for the US Military. I don't know the specifics and how it got to that point, but Greg sold the entire operation to S&W...and walked away a very rich man.
S&W got what it wanted, and within a couple years, shut down T/C manufactured products.
