Army ROTC guy using a Thompson last weekend

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Except you have 'ROTC' members that did 5,7,12+ years as enlisted, and got out on "Green To Gold"

Now you go tell that cadet with Sergeant First Class chevrons still indented on his sleeve, 5 combat tours and many advanced military schools that he ain't hard enough to be best ranger...
 
Indeed. A couple of the best officers I served with came out of ROTC. At least one West Pointer wasn't worth the powder to.....well, you get the picture. There are good and bad everywhere.
 
JColdIron said:
Shouldn't there be a charging knob on the top of the receiver? Is that an airsoft or replica?
Click to expand...

The early Thompsons, the 1921 & 1928 versions, had the charging knob on top. The 1928s were used in WW2, by us and also by the Brits. In 1942 when weapons manufacturing really began to ramp up, it began to become necessary to simplify Thompson production and cut costs. The results were the M1 and the later M1A1 versions which simplified the bolt by eliminating the Blish delayblowback, and also by moving the charging handle to the side of the receiver. Other changes included eliminating the cooling fins on the barrel, elimination of the Cutts Compensator, a simplified rear sight and different buttstock.
The photo the OP linked to shows an M1A1 version, which I suppose could be an airsoft version of the gun.
Interestingly I've seen an Airsoft version which purports to be a "gangster" version which has the vertical foregrip, a drum magazine, a Cutts, but maintains the incorrect M1 receiver. Obviously the company making it is cutting costs by maintaining the same receiver for both versions even though it is not historically correct.
 
Last time I seen a Thompson used for serious work was in 1959 when a LEO dispatched a tourist slapping black bear in Yosemite Park. One short burst and one very dead bear.
 
My 1928 is guaranteed to leave a smile on your face after a 50 round drum dump. It's one of my favorites to shoot.
 
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When I was in ROTC years ago, we had rubber M-16A1s. Live weapons were limited to 22 rifles for training on ranges only. I would hazard a guess the pictured firearm is a non firing replica.
 
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