"...Everybody in the U.S. knows them..." And elsewhere. Owning a Thompson SMG is the dream of any shooter who grew up watching Vic Morrow on 'Combat'. Any 'Chopper' would do, but our idiot government up here created 2nd class citizens in 1978. No more new FA permits up here. 'Grandfathered' existing owners. I know a guy who has an unfired, since the factory, 1928. Same guy has a BAR that was made for the civilian market in the 1920's. Friggin' thing has a beautiful burly walnut stock(what you'd see on the most expensive custom hunting rifle) and the old style, rich, S&W bluing on the steel. Even the mags. It's blue, not black. It's a work of art.
However, W.W. II Thompsons came in several flavours. You need to decide how much money you want to spend, think 5 figures, and live in a State that allows FA. You should re-read the C&R rules too. You have written records you must keep for any firearm you buy with it too. If I'm not confused again.
Flyboy73, doesn't it suck when the real world wrecks your recreation. Call the guy who invited you and ask. In the old days, you could have just gone to the Second Chance Shoot and shot them all. M2 BMG's, Choppers, MP5's, Reisings, M-16K's, Vickers MG's. Ah, the old days are gone forever. Sad. So it is.