The Auto Ordnance Semi Thomposons

[Blackcloud6]

Over the years I've looked at Auto Ordnances semi-auto Thompson. I don't have a M1 in my military collection because the real deal is just too much coin. I'm in MI and we can't own SBRs (but can own the full auto, go figure). So I may have to settle on one of the 16 in barrel Thompsons. So how are these guns? They seem very well made, but they are expensive.

 

[Lashlarue]

Worst gun I've ever owned , also the most expensive.I bought mine before Kahr bought the company, but I had to order broken parts and there were many from gunparts.com at my own expense. Example, four broken firing pins in less than 100 rounds. both recoil springs, enough to make the gun a nightmare to own. I happily took a $200 loss just to get get rid of it.

 

[GarandOwner]

I owned one of the Auto Ordnance ones since Kahr took over the company. Mine was alot of fun, fairly accurate too for being a pistol caliber carbine. I sold mine because I didn't take it out as much as I use to when I got into reloading for my M1 Garand and 1903A3. So I passed it along since I do not believe in "safe queens" I never had a problem with mine except for that it HATED hollow points, Ball ammo worked good and the only jams were from shooting dirty Winchester ammo. As for price, expect around $700-$800

 

[nwilliams]

I had one for a short while but decided to sell it off recently and buy a Sig 556 instead.

I had the A1 Deluxe model not the M1 and it came with the 50rd drum, 30rd stick, foam fitted hard case and the violin case all as one package for just under $1300. So you can get really good deals on these guns if you know where to look.

As far as reliability goes I put hundreds of round through the gun and it went bang every time. I even put several hundred rounds of the Wolf .45 through it and it even ate that fine. I heard rumors that it would be picky on ammo but honestly it ate whatever I fed it. As a plinking gun it is a lot of fun, fairly accurate considering how the sights are and it has no kick whatsoever due to how heavy it is.

You hear stories all over the forums about how unreliable they are, but really if you talk to people who have actual experience with them you'll find most reviews are quite positive. Like I said I put hundreds upon hundreds of rounds through mine with all sorts of ammo and it always cycled fine. I may buy another down the road and if I do I'll get the M1 version.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've had the Kahr Thompson for five years.
I haven't had any trouble with it, but like GarandOwner's, mine doesn't feed anything well except round nose bullets.
I paid $825 for it but the price at the gun shows is about a thousand now.

I made a sight mount that fits the original rear sight screws so I can use a Red Dot sight.

The gun is fun to shoot.

 

[mwl6240]

I like mine! Only about 100 rounds through it though. No issues, very fun to shoot.

 

[Blackcloud6]

Thanks guys. This is one I may put in my great deal category. Keep my eye out for the good deal, and buy it then. Don't need to rush out and get one.

 

[Zach S]

I have two AO 1927s. They run flawlessly, with almost all the ammo I've tried. Hi-Shoks, hydra shoks, gold dots, golden sabers, etc, they eat it all like candy. It doesnt like Blazer though. I cant remember what it did with blazer, I just remember it didnt like them. Runs great on blazer brass though, as well as any other decent 230gr brass cased FMJ. I dont use the drum very often, mainly for photos. I think the only time I've had a malfunction was with the drum.

Due to the weight, it doesnt have a lot of recoil. But the high bore axis makes the recoil weird, there's no kick but there's muzzle rise. The stock feels too long, and the VFG is akward, especially with a drum. Being a low-pressure subsonic round, they're amazingly quiet.

Absolutely no use for them whatsoever, other than the fact that they're fun to shoot and get all kinds of "ooos and ahhhs" at the range. I like 'em.

As for waiting for a good deal, I dont know if that will ever happen. I've seen four thompsons, three 1927s and one M1. I own two of those 1927s.

 

[navajo]

Thompson

Mine is a West Hurley. Came with a broken extractor which was a real PITA to remove. Probably why the previous owner sold it.
Dosen't like hollow points. Ergonomics suck. Accurate but shoots low and left. Not much recoil or noise.

Loads of fun to shoot. Zero malfunctions with ball ammo.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Due to the weight, it doesnt have a lot of recoil. But the high bore axis makes the recoil weird, there's no kick but there's muzzle rise. The stock feels too long, and the VFG is akward, especially with a drum. Being a low-pressure subsonic round, they're amazingly quiet.

Absolutely no use for them whatsoever, other than the fact that they're fun to shoot and get all kinds of "ooos and ahhhs" at the range. I like 'em.

+1
Only reason I have mine is it was to good of deal to pass up. It sure is fun to shoot!

 

[lite-box]

I have had a Khar M1 Thompson for awhile. runs great with 0 function problems.

Make your own or buy an extended bolt handle from Khar/GunParts, real pain to cock with short knob.

Loc-tite and stake the rear sight screws.

 

[no_problem]

I have an Auto-Ordnance Semi-Auto Thompson for about three years now..I have not shot it yet. It's just too purty.

As far as weight, it is a P-I-G PIG! But it starts conversations and people really do a double take when they see one

 

[yokel]

Traded in my Thompson 1927A1 last year for a Beretta CX4 45ACP.

The Kahr elicited buyer's remorse for me due to it's burdensome weight, incompatibility with unmodified GI stick magazines, and questionable overall fit and finish.