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Posted: 1/16/2013 9:23:12 PM EDT
| I've always wanted a Thompson and this seems as close as I'll ever get. Looking at the M1927 version for plinking and general fun. Anyone have any experience with them? I've heard the older AO ones were hit and miss but was wondering about the current ones. |
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Even leaving aside the fact the "Thompson" is made by Auto-Ordinance (with their lousy reputation for quality in whatever they produce), it is still a heavy as hell pistol-caliber rifle of little accuracy or durability or enjoyment. Their advertising stresses the fact this is the continuation of the submachine gun of the 1920s and 30s, but if you've ever handled a real Thompson you'd quickly become disillusioned with this modern POS with its pot metal parts and long barrel.
This product seems geared to people who need attention paid to them at shooting ranges. You would do far better with something, almost anything else because the firearm you're getting ready to spend a fair amount of money on and in your imagination is evocative of another era is in reality disappointingly cheap, modern, impractical and stupid. |
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I have one. Was kinda a spur of the moment purchase because I always wanted a real Thompson. It was fun for a while but as a pistol it is very hard to aim properly and very heavy with a loaded drum. If you want to SBR it then you may have something. I bought an original stock but never filled out a form or designed any way to attach it. I was considering selling it now. But since I have more 45 ACP than I do 223 it's being shot a little more right now.
It is a lot of fun to bump fire and is done easily with the amount of movement because of the heavy bolt. The drum gets attention but the stick mags are easier to deal with. |
| I have always been fascinated with the M1 Thompson (the WWII military version that is stick mag only). Even so, nothing about the AO version does anything for me. Perhaps as an SBR, but even then, it isn't that appealing. The only Thompson I want is one that I can rip off a burst from, stitching a pumpkin of something similar. Too bad I will never have $20k+ to spend on one. I'd just have to make due with the poor man's version, the M10/45. I'd love to make due with a M3A1 Grease Gun, but those are less common and often more expensive when it comes to transferables. |
| I used to build em at AO back in 81 and they were fairly trouble free. The biggest returns problem was point of sights were way off. If you could biuld a 1928 with original detachable stock with the 10" barrel and a 1927 A1 light alloy lower with the M1 side bolt upper..... now there you would have a desirable 45! of course the 3 way selector puts it over the top. In the current factory semi configuration, they are a not anything I would want. |
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I had one of the Kahr made versions.
Plus side: Fun as heck. Very little recoil. Accurate enough for 50yd work. Really beyond the cartridge further out than that. Mine ran 100% after going thru about twenty or so 30rd USGI stick mag to find seven or eight that worked. Never had a drum mag so can not comment on them. Minus side: HEAVY as hell! 13+pounds fully loaded! Trigger sucks ass. Huge length of pull. You'll get used to it though. Use only good old 230gr RNFMJ loaded to factory and you'll be happy. Lead or HP not so much. Firing cast lead causes lead to build up inside the muzzle break/flash hider. The M1 version without the flash hider would be fine. Ammo cost. 
Drum mags are insane expensive. The quality of my gun was very good. Very pretty walnut wood. Blue was nice. Only trouble I had was the rear sight kept working loose. Some blue LockTite solved that issue. Accuracy was so-so. Mine shot 4inch groups at 50yds. The trigger and large sights didn't help. Break down is easy once you learn how. Always got lots of slobbers on it at the range. One hell of an awesome Home Defense weapon. 
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Quoted:
Thanks for the insight so far, I forgot to mention I would be making it an SBR down the road. I know there is better but I have a lot of practical guns, looking for something more fun in the pistol caliber carbine category, any suggestions? You might consider a Thureon defense carbine if you already have a Glock. I have a Colt 6450 9mm and a Marlin Camp Carbine (also in 9mm). The Camp Carbine is surprisingly accurate. The trigger is mushy but that is the nature of the beast. They take S&W 59 magazines. The controls of the 6450 are the same as the rest of the AR family, so I use that for indoor range use and for hosing close range steel plates. I also have a M1 Thompson, but it is an NFA toy that dates back to WWII. I have a .22lr conversion kit for it on order so that should allow me to shoot it a lot more than I have over the years. Ironically I have a good bit of .45ACP in hand but very little .22lr and you can't get bulk .22lr for love or money these days.
If you have an urge for a Thompson go to a range that rents NFA weapons. The Thompson is a classic design, but it is also a real relic. It isn't an MP5 by any stretch. That said, I love the lines of the Thompson. Try a Thompson in full auto- you never know. It might (possibly) not be your cup of tea. |
| I'll be the guy that says if it's purely wanted for historical reasons, go and buy one, as long as you know what you're getting into. I've handled one before. It can not be stressed enough how heavy they are, especially with a loaded drum. If you want a Thompson though and don't foresee hitting the lotto anytime soon, it's kind of your only option. |
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