Semi-Auto Thompson

[baffomet]

As we get closer to year-end I was going through a list of items that I wanted to get. I was thinking of potentially getting a semi-auto Thompson but wanted to get some feedback from anyone who has either shot or has one. I was surprised how reasonable the prices were.

Ideally, the original would be awesome to own but that's not going to happen due laws and money.

I did a search and unfortunately there wasn't a lot of threads.

[FeuerFrei]

CGN Google search
enter "auto ordnance thompson" search term and wah la!

If you cannot find your answers feel free to post back and I'll do my best to answer.
I have had a (cali neutered/featureless) semi auto M1A for more than a few years now.

[baffomet]

Awesome! Thanks for the resource!

[T6pilot]

I've had 2 with the ca. Bullet button they are a pain to load
Did I say the steel version is also heavy
Fun to shoot though

[Enfield47]

CGN Google search
enter "auto ordnance thompson" search term and wah la!

That's a cool search feature I never knew existed before.

[ironhorse1]

My son owns one an he says it is quite an attention getter at the range.

He did have some feeding issues from one side of the magazine.

It was fixed by lowering the feed ramp and now it works perfectly.

He found another owner who was having the same feeding issue so this may be a common problem.

I hope to get to Idaho next year so I can give it a try. It looks like a lot of fun.

irh

[onelonehorseman]

My son owns one an he says it is quite an attention getter at the range.

He did have some feeding issues from one side of the magazine.

It was fixed by lowering the feed ramp and now it works perfectly.

He found another owner who was having the same feeding issue so this may be a common problem.

I hope to get to Idaho next year so I can give it a try. It looks like a lot of fun.

irh

I've read that feeding issues are not uncommon with these.

They do look cool, but the long barrel kind of kills the whole look for me just a bit.

[kendog4570]

IMO they are like a combo mill/lathe shopsmith thing. Not a good sub gun, not a good semi auto carbine. A little bit of each, not enough of either. The semi's are NOWHERE near as smooth as an original 1928 or M1 Thompson.

[rdfact]

Forgotten Weapons recently did a video on a prototype Thompson chambered in .30 carbine. It was rejected because it was too heavy.

When the US military released a request for what would become the M1 Carbine in 1940, the Auto-Ordnance Corporation offered up a Thompson submachine gun simply rechambered for the new .30 Carbine cartridge. This entailed a new magazine, a receiver modified for the longer magazine, and a new barrel and bolt face - but the other Thompson parts could remain unchanged form the standard .45 ACP models. This made the submission a pretty cheap and easy effort for Auto-Ordnance...which is a good thing, considering that it was almost assured to be rejected.

The stipulations for the new carbine included a weigh requirement of 5 pounds, and the Thompson weighed more than double that (in both .45ACP and .30 Carbine forms). Only a few were made, and the one submitted for military testing was rejected outright on the basis of weight. This example is serial number 1, and resides at the Cody Firearms Museum.

[Capybara]

I have a feeling they end up like having an Uzi in California. Neutered sub guns are always a bad idea. They are heavy, bulky, ergonomically challenged and relatively expensive. I have not had the Thompson, but had an Uzi carbine, had aways dreamed of owning one. Shot it once, sold it. If I lived in a free state and could afford a F/A Thompson or Uzi, that would be super cool but with all of the dumb 16" barrel, bullet button/featureless restrictions we have to put up with here, waste of money IMHO, but it's your money and people buy semi-useless things every day.

[FeuerFrei]

To be clear; the Thompson (in semi-auto) is not a very practical rifle and has it's draw backs.
Weight. Self evident when you grab one up that has a topped off 30 rd mag.
Sights. The ladder sight is good and the "L" rear sight not so much. Both are serviceable.
Trigger. Something akin to a battery powered cordless drill.
Original mags. Need to be modded to stay locked in. Not a biggie.

*The rifle is pretty damn accurate for a 45acp rifle. You'll be surprised once you get it hitting 12"x12" steel plates at 100 yds.
*Pleasing hang time between recoil and the impact on the plate.
*No recoil because of the weight.
*People do get a kick out of these things and always seem surprised by the weight.

In short, if your Garand and 1911 pistol are bored then get a Thompson to keep them company and shoot them. All of them.
IMO nobody buys one of these for practical reasons. It's as close as you're gonna get in CA as an example of a WW2 classic. That's my story anyway.

[2761377]

CGN Google search
enter "auto ordnance thompson" search term and wah la!

If you cannot find your answers feel free to post back and I'll do my best to answer.
I have had a (cali neutered/featureless) semi auto M1A for more than a few years now.

[K001]

Baffomet,

I recently purchased the AO 1927 A1 Deluxe form GunBroker w/M1 & A1 stocks as well as 10/50 drum, 1 10/30 stick mag and violin case for $1250.

I had to send the seller a bullet button I had previously but all went smooth.
Contact the sellers on GB and they may work with you as well.

FYI - The drum mags are a PIA to use with the CA bullet button due to tight fit.

Best ~

[CAL.BAR]

I have a feeling they end up like having an Uzi in California. Neutered sub guns are always a bad idea. They are heavy, bulky, ergonomically challenged and relatively expensive. I have not had the Thompson, but had an Uzi carbine, had aways dreamed of owning one. Shot it once, sold it. If I lived in a free state and could afford a F/A Thompson or Uzi, that would be super cool but with all of the dumb 16" barrel, bullet button/featureless restrictions we have to put up with here, waste of money IMHO, but it's your money and people buy semi-useless things every day.

Yeah, but there isn't ANY gun (rifle/carbine) out there that ISN'T better with a F/A option. If THAT were your governing criteria, you shouldn't own ANY guns in CA b/c you can't get them FA. I have a registered Thompson and enjoy shooting it from time to time - makes a great historical piece. I love my registered Uzi as well. Very accurate at close to moderate ranges and again, great to shoot. Yes, BOTH would be MUCH better FA, but even in "free" states FA versions of those guns are $20,000 + so.... semi is a great option.

[FeuerFrei]

Mine was sold/transferred to me in CA without the pistol grip attached.
I made my own "fin grip" for it for use in CA.

Sent using 2 cans and a long string.