The Thompson submachine gun is one of the most iconic American guns ever produced. The box magazine was quickly attached and detached, and was removed downward, making clearing jams easier. The plain Thompson (without the attachment) was designated No. I will shop Denix again! And because no permanent changes are made to the host 10/22, it can be easily reconverted to its original configuration. Only one prototype was made in .351 WSL using a standard 20" barrel which had a ROF of 1000rpm. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The "Thompson Commando" is a semi-automatic replica of the M1928A1. The Thompson submachine gun needs no introduction to most firearm enthusiasts. C $6.70. Examples were made in both 9mm and .45 ACP, but it was the .45 version that the US military . Stemple 76/45 + Russian Lend-Lease Thompson Kit = STG-M1A Even the well-made semi-automatic version by Auto Ordnance/Kahr Arms is illegal in some states, not to mention the cost of filling a 20-round stick magazine with .45 ACP ammunition. Police say they will try and work out how four machine guns came to be buried at Lake Hume. 13 in 1995. $299.99. The wood does not come off and appears to be glued on, so you can't take it off and refinish it. Plus, Thompsons were extremely expensive for the time. By late 1917, the limits of the Blish Lock were discovered (which is essentially an extreme manifestation of static friction), and, rather than the firearm working as a locked breech, the weapon was instead designed to function as a friction-delayed blowback action. Indeed, the Thompson became so widely known in that era that it is commonly (but erroneously) believed to be the first submachine gun. The United Defense M42, sometimes known as the Marlin for the company that did the actual manufacturing, was an American submachine gun used during World War II. This scaled-down rimfire weighs half of those, which makes it more endearing to shoot. In contrast, the "XX" twenty-round box magazine was light and compact. Will this be the Army's new submachine gun? Thompson M1 - Original manufacturer of the world famous "Tommy Gun" The M1921 was famous throughout its career with police and criminals and in motion pictures. ), The staff of Savage Arms looked for ways to simplify the M1928A1, and produced a prototype in February 1942, which was tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground in March 1942. Most of the ones you're going to see in the U.S. are modified clones designed to fire on a closed bolt to meet U.S. law, such as the Polish-made. The internal design is completely different to operate from the closed bolt and the carbine has a barrel length of 16.5in (420mm) (versus open bolt operation and barrel length of 10.5in (270mm) for the fully automatic versions). The Ruger 10/22 Takedown: Worlds Best Survival Gun? The Yugoslav Army received 34,000 M1A1 Thompsons during the 1950s as part of a US Military Aid to Yugoslavia Agreement. This was one of the major complaints about the weapon by U.S. Army personnel to whom it was issued. In the European theater, the gun was widely utilized in British and Canadian commando units, as well as in the U.S. Army paratrooper and Ranger battalions, where it was issued more frequently than in line infantry units because of its high rate of fire and its stopping power, which made it very effective in the kinds of close combat these special operations troops were expected to undertake. According to a recent Federal Emergency Management Agency report, fewer people are "prepping" today compared to previous years. However, in spite of The Squad Leaders appearance, mechanically it is still a 10/22. The Thompson had to be cocked, bolt retracted, ready to fire, in order to attach the drum magazine. It was available to civilians, but, because of the weapon's high price, initially saw poor sales. It featured an aluminum receiver to reduce weight. With the start of World War II, major contracts from several countries saved the manufacturer from bankruptcy. [51] Thompsons were also given to the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy. [28] Thompson intended for the weapon to provide a high volume of automatic, man-portable fire for use in trench warfarea role for which the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) had been determined ill-suited. It is now effectively impossible for a firearm of this type to be legally possessed by a member of the general public, except in certified deactivated condition or where specifically manufactured as a semi-automatic in caliber .22LR. [25] Thompsons had also been widely used throughout China, where several Chinese warlords and their military factions running various parts of the fragmented country made purchases of the weapon, and subsequently produced many local copies. First issued in 1943, the M1 uses a simple blowback operation, with the charging handle moved to the side. COMPANY NEWS. It is officially known as the "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine, Model of 1927A1." cyclic rate of fire and handling qualities. 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[57], The Thompson also found service with the KNIL and the Netherlands Marine Corps during their attempt to retake their former colony of Indonesia. Our M1 Thompson model is a .45 caliber semi-automatic replica of the most famous American submachine gun of World War II. In World War 2 the Tommy Gun as it was often known, was popular with soldiers as a relatively compact automatic weapon with a hard hitting .45 round. "[15], The Thompson was also used by U.S. and overseas law enforcement and police forces, most prominently by the FBI. The main difference between the M1 and M1A1 was the bolt. in Weimar Germany ISBN 0889353565, 9780889353565, This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 09:24. Historic 'gangster' submachine guns found buried at Lake Hume The Thompson (with one Type XX 20 round "stick" magazine) had been priced at $200 in 1921 (roughly equivalent to $3,038 in 2021). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The wood is a weird color and not well contoured. By the spring of 1942, cost-reduction design changes had brought this down to $70. .45, M1A1, could be produced in half the time of the M1928A1, and at a much lower cost. M1s were issued with the 30-round box magazine and would accept the earlier 20-round box, but would not accept the drum magazine. The famous Thompson Submachine Gun was designed by John Thompson in 1918 making its mark in popular imagination in use with both Gangsters and Law Enforcers during the Prohibition era. Add to Cart. The 1928 variant can be disassembled easily by first detaching the stock, then sliding off the lower receiver and then simply removing the internal parts, cleaning them, and then putting it back together. The first test of the Thompson in Ireland was performed by Irish Republican Army unit commander Tom Barry, of the West Cork Brigade, in the presence of IRA leader Michael Collins. | [41] The Thompson has been referred to by one researcher as the "gun that made the twenties roar". The 1928 Thompson would be the last small arm adopted by the U.S. Army that used a year designation in the official nomenclature. The magazine was either a circular drum that held 50 or 100 rounds or a box that held 20 or 30 rounds. RIA: Thompson T2 Submachine Gun Prototype - Forgotten Weapons The M1 bolt had a floating firing pin and hammer, the bolt of the M1A1 had the firing pin machined to the face of the bolt, eliminating unnecessary parts. The Auto-Ordnance replica of the Thompson M1 and M1A1 is known as the TM1, and may be found marked "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine, Caliber .45M1". Bannan, James F. and Hill, Tracie L. (1989). It should come as no small comfort for any patriotic American to know that the countrys firearm industry is vibrant and productive, still faithfully serving the needs of armed citizens, law-enforcement officers and military personneljust as it has for more than two centuries. A Look Back at the Thompson Submachine Gun The bandits violently opposed any attempts to build roads near their territory.[45]. The slots adjoining the magazine well allowing the use of a drum magazine were removed. Since rimfire ammunition varies greatly in pressures and velocities, building a gun that effectively cycles a range of ammunition deserves credit be given to engineering, especially when having to work another firearm's appearance and ergonomics. Brochures, Custom Product Flyers and Manuals, 11.5 lbs. With huge numbers of guns available in army ordnance arsenals, the Thompson remained classed as Limited Standard or Substitute Standard long after the standardization of the M3/M3A1. .45, M1. The 20-round Type XX magazines had their peep-holes welded shut to keep sand out and the 50-round Type L drums were discontinued. Still, not only did some U.S. soldiers have use of them in Vietnam, they encountered them as well. However, the weight of the ammunition and difficulties in supply eventually led to its replacement in Australian Army units in 1943 by Australian-made submachine guns, the Owen and Austen. Robert "Bo" Ramsour II. Reloading an empty drum with cartridges was a difficult and involved process in which the 50 rounds would be inserted and then the magazine wound up until a minimum of 9 to 11 loud "clicks" were heard before seating the magazine into the weapon. Military Police were fond of it, as were paratroopers, who "borrowed" Thompsons from members of mortar squads for use on patrols behind enemy lines. [47] (The concept of welding two box magazines face-to-face was also carried over to the M42 submachine gun. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with Thompson Sub-Machine Gun 4x6 #1014. The Annihilator, serial no. Best 9mm AR Build Ever: New Frontier Armory's C-5 AR Uses MP5 Magazines. Although the Model 1927 was semi-automatic only, it was easily converted to fully automatic by installing a full-auto Model 1921 fire control group (internal parts). [52] The U.S. Marines also used the Thompson as a limited-issue weapon, especially during their later island assaults. In the early 2000s a bunch of Thompson parts kits came into the US, WW2 vintage lend-lease guns sent to Russia. It fired the more powerful .45 RemingtonThompson cartridge which fired a heavier 250gr (0.57oz; 16g) bullet at muzzle velocities of about 1,450ft/s (440m/s) and energy about 1,170ftlb (1,590J), with greater range than the .45 ACP. Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. The Squad Leaders buttstock, pistol grip and fore-end are American walnut. [40], The Thompson achieved early notoriety in the hands of Prohibition and Great Depression-era gangsters and the lawmen who pursued them. The Australian government destroyed most of their Thompson machine carbines in the 1960s. Most Model 1927s owned by police have been converted back to full-auto. Approximately 1.75 million of all variants, 20 or 30 round box magazine, 50 or 100 round, 10.8lb (4.9kg) empty (Thompson M1928A1), 33.7in (860mm) (M1928A1 with compensator). [70], The Model 1921 (M1921) was the first major production model. The Sten and the M3 are so much better choices, and the MP40 is awesome. In wartime, it helped carry soldiers. The Best of both worlds: After nearly 4 years of waiting, Dan Wesson's DWX is here. In 1940, Commonwealth troops in Egypt and North Africa were issued commercial model Lend-Lease Colt- and Savage-manufactured M1928s. Build your custom Tommy Gun. (TM1) / 8 lbs. The Auto-Ordnance Corporation was founded in America in 1916 with the intention of developing a variety of weapons; they may well have done so, but only one has survived, the Thompson sub-machine gun.Named for General John T. Thompson, the company's design director, the first models were built-in prototype form in 1919.The first production models appeared in 1921 and from then on manufacture . The weapons had very high cyclic rates up to 1,500rpm. I think Gen. Thompson would approve. Opens in a new window or tab. However, their relatively low rate of fire and their overall size (typically more than 5 feet [150 cm] long with bayonet attached) made them unsuitable for the close-quarters combat seen in the trenches of the Western Front. See our article on the site about how to age them well. In February 1944, the M1A1 reached a low price of $45 each, including accessories and spare parts, although the difference in price between the M1 and M1A1 was only $0.06. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. The submachine gun is not grandfathered like in the U.S., only the owner. In Burma and India, British forces largely replaced the Thompson with the Sten gun. MAJOR STATISTICS OF THE WARTIME THOMPSON SMG, Rate of Fire: 700 - 800 rounds per minute, Feed System: 20 round stick mag, 30 round stick mag, 50 /100 round drum mag. Thompson submachine gun for Sale - International Military Antiques Changes included a horizontal forend, in place of the distinctive vertical foregrip ("pistol grip"), and a provision for a military sling. Do Pistols Benefit From Popular Aftermarket Modifications? By the end of the war, the M1A1 was replaced with the even lower-cost M3 (commonly called the "Grease Gun"). [49] The gun was prized by those lucky enough to get one and proved itself in the close street fighting that was encountered frequently during the invasion of France. How to Choose the Best Scope Reticle for Your Application, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol. Thompson sub-machine gun > WW2 Weapons Models used in the Pacific by Australian troops had their sling swivels remounted on the left side to allow it to be fired more easily while prone. [46], Two alternatives to the "L" 50-round drum and "XX" 20-round box magazines were tested December 6, 1941, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The gun, in a government approved semiautomatic conversion or clone, can legally be owned by hunters and sport shooters. The frame and receiver are milled from solid steel or aluminum, the wood is genuine American walnut, and the overall finish is a blued steel or black anodized aluminum. Omissions? It was made famous by gangsters during the Prohibition era of the 1920s and 1930s, and its $200 price tag was also the reason for the $200 tax stamp required under the National Firearms Act of 1934. MP5 Submachine Gun: Clones and Short Barreled Rifles. Where to Buy a Thompson Submachine Gun Replica 1. [65] Compared to more modern submachine guns, the Thompson is quite heavy, weighing roughly the same as the contemporary M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle, and requires a lot of cleaning. Like a lot of shooters, Ive always wanted to own a Tommy gun. Some experimental calibers aside from the standard .45 ACP (11.4x23mm) were the .22LR, .32 ACP, .38 ACP, and 9mm.[35]. A gun dealer says the weapons may have been discarded by the military sometime in the 1960s. Thanks guys. Late production M1 stocks were fitted with reinforcing bolts and washers to prevent splitting of the stock where it attached to the receiver. [32] The concept had already been developed by German troops using their own Bergmann MP 18 (the world's first submachine gun) in concert with their Sturmtruppen tactics.[33]. This categorization also legally allows it to have 1921 or 1928 style foregrip equipped, unlike other "pistol style" Thompson variants, without an AOW (Any Other Weapon) Tax Stamp.