bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Weren't the Thompson's famed for reliability and effectiveness close range? And from what I've read, a lot of combat in Vietnam was close right?
Yes, but the Thompson was heavy thing
Weren't the Thompson's famed for reliability and effectiveness close range? And from what I've read, a lot of combat in Vietnam was close right?
My cousin used a Thompson in Vietnam. I remember him talking about it, but I don't know how he acquired it. I will have to ask him.
Weren't the Thompson's famed for reliability and effectiveness close range? And from what I've read, a lot of combat in Vietnam was close right?
Being .45 ACP, how did that fair in comparison to the .30 Carbine in close range power/effectiveness?Thompsons worked well and were effective. They served the function of a relatively light, portable, full auto weapon. Valuable in WW2 and Korea. They were first replaced by the cheaper M3 greasegun. The M14 was supposed to replace subguns. It didn't work well in that role. Just about everyone had a M16 by the late 60s. It fulfilled the light, portable, full auto role. It was lighter and so was the ammo which is more effective.
He also preferred AK-47s over M16s, but didn't like carrying them because of their somewhat distinctive report. Seems some guys would take "sounds shots" when they heard an AK being fired.
Being .45 ACP, how did that fair in comparison to the .30 Carbine in close range power/effectiveness?
But impossible to forget.That was a lifetime ago.
Weren't the Thompson's famed for reliability and effectiveness close range? And from what I've read, a lot of combat in Vietnam was close right?
A family friend did three combat tours and loved Thompsons, both for their actual effectiveness and the psychological effect they had on Vietnamese soldiers of all stripes. He liked the terminal ballistics of the round, and he claims no Thompson ever jammed on him. He also preferred AK-47s over M16s, but didn't like carrying them because of their somewhat distinctive report. Seems some guys would take "sounds shots" when they heard an AK being fired.
Lake City ammo plant made several runs of 7.62x39 loaded to M43 spec in boxer primed cases for use by the South Vietnamese. They did arm some ARVN units and civil defense group force units with captured AKs.
Wonder if any is still in Vietnamese ware houses?
-kBob
Carrying AKS after 1967 wasn't a good idea. That's when a program was implemented where SOG guys would slip some booby trapped rounds into enemy weapon caches. The 7.62x39 rounds had enough explosive packed in them in place of powder to drive the bolt into the firer's skull. They also boobytrapped heavy machine gun and mortar ammo. The program was intended to have NVA and VC lose confidence in the ammo supplied them by the Chinese. Forged documents in Chinese were also planted saying that "only a small percentage" of Chinese ammo exploded.
This is true ! It was done way out in the boonies near border areas or actually across them. It was only down for about a year or so , I think Hanoi complained to the Democrats
Hello THR, I was wondering if anyone had any information on the use of the .45 Cal Thompson SMG in Vietnam! It's effectiveness in CQB, stopping power, reliability etc.
I knew Thompsons were used in Vietnam, but was just curious if any Vietnam Veterans here used them, or saw any being carried and/or used!
Also, if anybody else has any relatives,
friends, etc they know that used/carried a Thompson in any Theater of Conflict, that information would be great too!
Thank you very much!
- Ruggz1515
One of the guys in my unit who flew as an observer in a LOH had a Thompson. As said you had to trade for them, our military certainly didn't stock them.
I wanted one about 10 years ago but after handling it I decided to pass. It is not a balanced gun and the civilian model has a longer barrel. The gunstore owner told me to get the stamp and buy a real Thompson, said I'd be happier.