Auto Ordnance Thompson M1 semi-auto

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grislyatoms

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I have lusted after a M1 Thompson since I was a kid.

Anybody know anything about the Auto Ordnance semi-auto M1's? I have looked at them on and off for awhile, I don't know how much longer I can resist.

Any thoughts?
 
10.5 inch would be NFA, right? I'll probably go with the 16". I'll google it, but I was hoping someone here has one and could tell me if they are worth the money. Thanks.

BTW, I was born and raised in VB. Haven't been back in years.
 
i know they turn me on every time i go into the store and they where much heavier than i expected(intranet says 13lbs). also, if you havnt checked, the mandatory 50 round drum is an extra $290. you also have to get the violin case, which is only $140. near as i could tell, the sights where useless, as if that matters.

did i mention it turns me on every time i go into the store?
 
"10.5 inch would be NFA, right?"

Yep. You'd have to jump through the hoops and get a $200 tax stamp from the ATF before you could buy it.

"BTW, I was born and raised in VB. Haven't been back in years."

Cool. What high school did you go to?
 
I’ve got a Semi-M1 that I inherited from my uncle this year.

Pros:

Well Made
Fun as heck to shoot
Mine was “free”

Cons:

Weighs a ton
Goes through ammo pretty quick
Sights are pretty primitive
Trigger is awful
Weighs a ton

Mine seems to be balanced pretty well and whacking my steel gongs at 50 meters is a breeze even with the trigger and sights. It had some reliability issues, so it’s out at Tommy Gunner’s getting a tune up right now. I suppose it could be used as a HD type gun, but there are really much better choices available today.

You’ve just got to keep in mind that it’s a “sort of a copy” of a historic weapon and you get the negatives that go with the nostalgia. From what I’ve read the semi design deviates quite a bit from the full auto to insure it could never be converted.

Chuck
 
"From what I’ve read the semi design deviates quite a bit from the full auto to insure it could never be converted."

Yeah. The full auto Thompson fires from an open bolt while the semi auto fires from a closed bolt. A closed bolt design is a lot harder to convert to full auto.
 
m1

1+ on what chuck r. said

got one nib over gunbroker couple months ago for $840.00- easy transaction after dealing with kahr/auto ordinance for 5 months without shipment- production delays.

tried to get alloy receiver- couldn't get one, so yes it's heavy; also large- I got a walnut shortened aftermarket buttstock for $10.00 + shipping which is easier for my 14 year old to handle. buttstocks swap easily.

m1's wont take drum magazines- military gave up on drums during wwII. if you want drum get 1928/finned barrel version


new 10 in barrel avalable for $193 + installation, which I intend in future for historical accuracy.

surplus stick magazines won't work without modification, and new kahr units go for $50 each- I intend to get more eventually.

I wouldnt want it as my only gun, but as a milsurp type collection, it is classic
 
I bought one several years back and love it.mine will take the 50 rd drum but haven't bought one yet..ouch.
better be a hand loader as you can go through a bunch of ammo no problem.
the good part is I cast and reload for the 45 acp.
fav load
200 gr swc sized .452
4.5 grs bullseye
win brass
win lp primer

so my combo
colt series 70 and a thompson
pete
tommy006.gif
 
AH-1


When I learned that my Uncle had left me some guns (The Thompson, a 1920 Commercial Luger, a 1st Generation SAA, a Spanish .32 and a 1911A1) I hoped that when I got there the Thompson would be a 1928!

I don’t care if the barrel is 16” long, those fins and that top cocking handle just look cool.

I glad to see that yours handles the 200 SWCs, that’s one of the issues I’m having worked on. It digests the 230 plated fine, but gags on anything else. It would be nice to use the same reloads in my 1911s and the M1

Chuck
 
I bought one last year, shot it a short time (maybe 100 rounds) It was completely reliable for all of that (WWB) but I had a Form 1 in for it, and when that came back I sent it off to a Thompson expert smith in Colorado where it's being re-done with a short barrel, modifying the mag catch to use surplus mags, WWII appropriate wood furniture installed, etc.

We will see how it works when it returns.... whenever that is I don't know.
 
A guy at our Gun Club brings his full auto Tommygun to the range nearly every month. Bring your own 45 ball ammo and have a ball is his motto. I've shot it many times. Amazing fun for the cost of ammo! Our Rangemaster is very safety conscience and we follow the rules.

I squeeze and release the trigger and 3 rounds are headed to the target in an instant. The Tommy was loved by Marines in the Pacific Theater of WW2. A superior jungle weapon. Last organized use was in Nam. Most of the inventory was cut up and destroyed during the Clinton Administration.
TR
 
chuck
mine has fed everything so far.I even look one 30 rd mag and mixed up hp fmj and my cast bullets and it went right through no problem.
at the range I put up a silhouette target at 100 meters and had a blast.the guys on the line were..ya right...until I cut it in half.**lots of clicks on the rear sight** and just walked them in.
one of the most fun guns I have ever had:) .
pete
 
God I'd love one of those. To my eye the 16 inch finned barrel looks great, and I've wanted one since forever.

Too bad California won't let me have one. :mad:
 
How Ironic

My grandparents used to be able to order the full-auto version right through the Sears catalog, and have it drop-shipped to their front doorstep. How, and when did the Constitution ever change? Or did people simply become sheeple? Don't get me wrong, it is a nice firearm. But...

Doc2005
 
AH-1 (Pete),

Mine’s an older Auto Ordinance gun, so while it’s out with “the Tommy Gunner” I’m having it upgraded to the new style bolt and FP. I’ve got to admit, for the short time I had it before I sent it out it was a hoot. It was having problems with 200 SWCs and some HB. I’ve got two stick mags that came with it. Rather than mutilate more, I might have the mag catch replaced so I can use surplus mags.

Sometimes the guys from work get together out at my place with the M1carbines and M4s for fun. We setup CQB scenarios and shoot bowling pins. Bunch or retired Army guys playing around. I’m looking forward to trying out the M1, I think the 13lbs is going to slow me down some.....

Luckily, I reload .45ACP on my Dillon, I don’t want to think how much it would cost to feed the thing with commercial ammo.

Chuck
 
:) :) :) hey I am one of those retired army guys must be in the blood :) .

mine is one of the first that khar did.paid $800.00 otd
I do all my reloading on a rcbs single stage.got time.. retired 2 years ago.
pete
 
Pete,

Small world! I retired effective 1JAN05. Just made sure I caught the 05 raise.

Took a couple of months terminal, then moved back into my old office, turned the desk 180 degrees, and started my new life as a “defense contractor”. As a matter of fact, I’m catching a plane to the ROK for an exercise in the morning. Man, I hate that place.

Problem is, I don’t have time, so the Dillon and large quantities of brass is the only way I get by. I’ve still got my original Rockchucker though; I’ve had it 31 years.

Chuck
 
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