Auto Ordnance 1927 A1 Tommy gun
- Thread starter husker
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What do you expect out of a .45acp rifle?
I had one of the Auto Ordnance 1927's and while it was fun to play with but it did shoot well, however the sights sucked, the stock was an odd length and it is very heavy.
I would go with something else like the Beretta CX4 carbine in .45 acp even one of the Masterpiece Arms defender carbines. Another option is one of the Mech-tech carbine conversions for the glock or 1911.
I had one of the Auto Ordnance 1927's and while it was fun to play with but it did shoot well, however the sights sucked, the stock was an odd length and it is very heavy.
I would go with something else like the Beretta CX4 carbine in .45 acp even one of the Masterpiece Arms defender carbines. Another option is one of the Mech-tech carbine conversions for the glock or 1911.
I have a Thompson 1927A-1"Commando". Its a blast to shoot and hold. It is not a target gun for sure. The sights are poor and its a heavy beast to hold up to the shoulder for a long time. But fire from the hip its a blast and a very hungry weapon three 30 round clips you can burn up in under 2 minutes.
Once you get used to the sights they work OK. Once you get used to the weight you get over it. But things you should know, pulling the bolt back it VERY stiff. All of your friends will want to try it out, make sure they bring bullets or you'll go broke feeding it. If you don't reload this might be the gun that pushes you in that direction. The new magazines are not the same as the older ones. The locking pin hole is moved by about 1/8 of an inch. You can make the old ones work by elongating the locking pin hole. If you buy it new you will have to clean it first or it will jam. You will want to use hot 45's soft round just don't have the energy to cycle the action properly.
Things that I'm still not used to, when you pull it out at the range you will see eyes looking in your direction. Playing cowboy with it shooting from the hip walking the rounds on to the target.
Overall it is a BLAST to shoot and I'm not planning on selling anytime soon! Hope that this information helps you with your decision.
Once you get used to the sights they work OK. Once you get used to the weight you get over it. But things you should know, pulling the bolt back it VERY stiff. All of your friends will want to try it out, make sure they bring bullets or you'll go broke feeding it. If you don't reload this might be the gun that pushes you in that direction. The new magazines are not the same as the older ones. The locking pin hole is moved by about 1/8 of an inch. You can make the old ones work by elongating the locking pin hole. If you buy it new you will have to clean it first or it will jam. You will want to use hot 45's soft round just don't have the energy to cycle the action properly.
Things that I'm still not used to, when you pull it out at the range you will see eyes looking in your direction. Playing cowboy with it shooting from the hip walking the rounds on to the target.
Overall it is a BLAST to shoot and I'm not planning on selling anytime soon! Hope that this information helps you with your decision.
Zach S
Member
Short Barreled Rifle...
My thompson is a hoot. Yeah, its heavy, the stock feels weird, sights suck, etc, but its still fun. Accurate too, once you get used to the sights.
I dont shoot mine often - its so much fun last time I had it out I used up about $250 in ammo...
My thompson is a hoot. Yeah, its heavy, the stock feels weird, sights suck, etc, but its still fun. Accurate too, once you get used to the sights.
I dont shoot mine often - its so much fun last time I had it out I used up about $250 in ammo...
Carl N. Brown
Member
The Marlin Camp 45 is probably more practical.
I have a TM1 semi-auto carbine made when Auto-Ordnance was still owned by Numrich Arms of West Hurley, NY. The TM1 is (obviously) modeled on the M1 Thompson of WWII.
sights and accuracy
The sights have an aperature for 50 to 100 yards with a notch cut in the top of the loop for 200 yards. The notch is offset to the left, but on target for the 200 yard mark. My nonadjustable aperature is about 5 to 6 " to the right at 100 yards. Groups with Walmart White Box Winchester .45 were 8" and with Walmart Federal were 4.5" at 100 yards. At 25 to 50 yards my sister and I were hitting plastic softballs pretty easily.
cocking the gun
The cocking handle accomodates one finger and the recoil springs are heavy, so yes, cocking the Thompson is a problem. I put black dymo labeling tape around the mouth of a spendt .45 case, press fit it in the hollow cocking handle, and sealed it in with enamel, for a two finger extension. Sounds bubba-fied but I have grown to accept it.
weight
The all steel version is 11 pounds, same as the original. It is heavy. A M1 Garand .30-06 will weigh 9.5 to 10 pounds depending on density of wood in the stock. A M1 carbine is 5.5 to 6 pounds. Did I mention the Thompson is heavy? Over 12 lbs with a full 30 shot mag.
I have a TM1 semi-auto carbine made when Auto-Ordnance was still owned by Numrich Arms of West Hurley, NY. The TM1 is (obviously) modeled on the M1 Thompson of WWII.
sights and accuracy
The sights have an aperature for 50 to 100 yards with a notch cut in the top of the loop for 200 yards. The notch is offset to the left, but on target for the 200 yard mark. My nonadjustable aperature is about 5 to 6 " to the right at 100 yards. Groups with Walmart White Box Winchester .45 were 8" and with Walmart Federal were 4.5" at 100 yards. At 25 to 50 yards my sister and I were hitting plastic softballs pretty easily.
cocking the gun
The cocking handle accomodates one finger and the recoil springs are heavy, so yes, cocking the Thompson is a problem. I put black dymo labeling tape around the mouth of a spendt .45 case, press fit it in the hollow cocking handle, and sealed it in with enamel, for a two finger extension. Sounds bubba-fied but I have grown to accept it.
weight
The all steel version is 11 pounds, same as the original. It is heavy. A M1 Garand .30-06 will weigh 9.5 to 10 pounds depending on density of wood in the stock. A M1 carbine is 5.5 to 6 pounds. Did I mention the Thompson is heavy? Over 12 lbs with a full 30 shot mag.
dawico
Member
Avoid the aluminum frame Auto Ordinance Tommy gun. On mine, the rear sight fell off (and the screws stripped out), it wouldn't feed ball ammo correctly (the case mouth ate into the aluminum feed ramp), everything steel rusted, and in general it was junk. It is the worst gun I have ever bought, and it didn't hang around long.
unwise11
Member
buy a UMP45 or 40. those are hottt
W L Johnson
Member
Friend of mine bought one to the range and let me shoot it while he tried one of my AR's.
Let see....
the thing was heavy, way too heavy for a pistol round carbine, felt unbalanced, jammed, had lousy sights, and was a PITA to pull the bolt back, oh and did I say the thing was heavy. I then handed it back to him and he continued to shoot the Thompson. Shortly thereafter the rear sight fell off and hit the ground. All four screws were found later in the dirt. Fast forward about two months later we're both at the range again and this time the butt stock fell off, another hunt in the dirt for parts. I've got A Beretta CX4 that is far better quality and is in a different world as far as handling.
Oh... and somehow he's got it in his head that the Thompson is way more powerful than an AR.
Let see....
the thing was heavy, way too heavy for a pistol round carbine, felt unbalanced, jammed, had lousy sights, and was a PITA to pull the bolt back, oh and did I say the thing was heavy. I then handed it back to him and he continued to shoot the Thompson. Shortly thereafter the rear sight fell off and hit the ground. All four screws were found later in the dirt. Fast forward about two months later we're both at the range again and this time the butt stock fell off, another hunt in the dirt for parts. I've got A Beretta CX4 that is far better quality and is in a different world as far as handling.
Oh... and somehow he's got it in his head that the Thompson is way more powerful than an AR.
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Maverick223
Member
If they weren't heavy and/or unreliable (tends to be more problems with the Al. version), then I wouldn't mind one myself. That being the case, I looked elsewhere, and just before deciding on a UMP or CX4, I discovered the MSAR MCS and decided i'd wait a while. It is a AUG clone in pistol calibers and runs somewhere between the price of the aforementioned (MSRP is set at $850.00), but is yet to be introduced yet (supposed to be Dec. '10). While it certainly isn't for everyone, it looks to be a promising little carbine that affords light weight and a short OAL (things the Thompson aren't known for).
PAPACHUCK
Member
'nuff said.
I bought one, loved it, bragged about it, held it all the time, went to the shooting range and all it would do is jam. I didn't have one trip that it ran flawless. I was getting pretty frustrated and so I traded it for a nice AR and I haven't looked back.
Carl N. Brown
Member
I bought my AutoOrdnance used and went over all screws and lock-tited them and have not had any screwed-on parts falling off. Mine is an all steel model.
The magazine that came with it was a jam-o-matic. The catch hole was cut too high. I carefully cut a military surplus Thompson to fit more closely and had no problems. Back when military magazines were dirt cheap, I bought three twenties and three more thirties for it and cut them to fit the catch.
On the aluminum receiver: the military tried aluminum receivers experimentally in WWII and rejected the idea on durability grounds. Now, the AR folks will tell you there are different grades of aluminum, but the feed ramps on an AR are machined in the barrel extension, while the Thompson feed ramps are in the receiver.
Mine is an all steel model.The magazine that came with it was a jam-o-matic. The catch hole was cut too high. I carefully cut a military surplus Thompson to fit more closely and had no problems. Back when military magazines were dirt cheap, I bought three twenties and three more thirties for it and cut them to fit the catch.
On the aluminum receiver: the military tried aluminum receivers experimentally in WWII and rejected the idea on durability grounds. Now, the AR folks will tell you there are different grades of aluminum, but the feed ramps on an AR are machined in the barrel extension, while the Thompson feed ramps are in the receiver.
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