Home Defense | Thompson 1927A-1 vs AR15

[Choctaw]

Wait...WHAT?? He was shooting guns in your school auditorium? What was the backstop, just popping them off into a wall?

Nope. The FFA boys built a backstop.

 

[Charlie98]

The selection of PCCs in .45 is very poor.

Which is a crying shame. There is a gimmer of hope, now that Ruger is making Marlins... that they see the value of their 9mm PCC, and they will either make a .45ACP version of the PCC, or resuscitate the Marlin Camp Carbine in .45ACP (with requisite improvements to the Marlin design.)

OP, if you really want to shoot it... shoot it. You really can't answer your question until you determine your Thompson is reliable, and something you can shoot well enough for what you intend. The Thompson is a specialty gun, you would likely not loose much resale value if you ran a box or 5 through it, in all seriousness. As far as your question, a Thompson would not be my first pick for home defense... but neither is an AR.

I realize my comments make me out a hypocrite. Very little is actually gained with the .45ACP out of a longer barrel, for the weight and bulk of a .45 rifle/carbine, you are probably just as well served with a 1911 and an extra magazine.

I liked the full-auto Thompson... but it WAS a handful!

 

[Nasty Canasta]

One of the best mods for Thompson semi auto is the reduced pull spring kit from Howell-I highly recommend the install & makes the gun much more friendly to shoot & improved reliability in my, rather rough Kahr made lightweight model.
https://www.howellarms.com/worldwar2/reduced-pull-spring-kit-for-semiautomatic-thompson
It took me many hours of tuning & working to get my 1927 A1 model reliable rather than dealing with what I heard was questionable CS & I like to tinker. Stick mag could not be inserted, drum malfunctioned every 5th round, FTF's & FTE every few rounds from both magazines, etc.
I went through everything along with refinishing the furniture & it's a reliable range gun now-would be way down on my list of what I'd grab for home defense. Now if the zombies are coming down the street & the Mrs already grabbed the AR's I'd think a 50 round drum of 45 JHP would be a good street sweeper & a 10 lb club when you're empty.

 

[Mullo98]

Thompsons are cool guns no doubt, can be a pretty useful sub gun even in today's world. But there's better options out there. ARs are lighter, easier to modify and use than than a gun designed nearly a 100 years ago or so.

I'm not saying it's a bad choice, use it if you gotta. But from "tactical " standing, ARs are better. Now if you do use it, you'll need a zoot suit and a lucky strike at the ready for the full effect.

 

[cfullgraf]

My Auto Ordinance Thompson TM-1 is reliable but it gives new definition to heavy. I don't have the velocity numbers near at hand but it really did not boost the velocity much of the 45 ACP round vs a handgun. Mine is reliable but the TM-1 only uses stick magazines. Between the weight and the velocity, I relegate my Thompson to range fun.

I feel a supersonic 300 Blackout AR-15 carbine would make a dandy home defense rifle. Heavier bullets than than the 223 Rem and the rainbow trajectory of 300 Blackout reduces the chance of down range damages.

 

[tactikel]

1927 a terrible choice for HD. 40% heavier than an AR, harder to swing in close quarters, unless you have drum magazines less capacity than a 30 rounder. 5.56 provides 60% more ME. All parts and ammo easier to find for an AR. If used in a SD situation it is gone for good, lose a $600 carbine or a $1200 one?
ARs have add “ons” such as: laser sights, lights, suppressors, sbr options. 1927 zero.
If you want a .45 acp for HD get a Glock.

 

[bullseye308]

Realistically if you just plan to shoot it some and use it for home defense, run a couple hundred rounds through it and see how it goes. If it runs good, you are fine. Clean it, oil it, load it, and stand it up next to the bed. Odds are great you will never need it and if you do it will only take less than 5 rounds. Not many guns won’t serve the purpose. It doesn’t need an aimpoint, light, laser, sling, bipod, night vision or anything. Keep a light with it and call it good. Put the 1911 next to it just in case or for the wife to use.

It’s a home defense gun, how many of us have them lying around collecting dust as the only time they ever get used is at the range? As long as they work at the range they will work at home. It’s not like you are expecting to go to war in your bedroom and fire 500+ rounds through it dodging mortars and tracer fire.

 

[P5 Guy]

Review: CMMG MkG Guard .45 ACP Pistol Caliber Carbine | An Official Journal Of The NRA (shootingillustrated.com)

45ACP AR15?

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Personally, I would want something a bit easier to carry and use. But it's certainly a functional weapon for defense.

If I had one, I think I'd consider mounting a GoPro on it just to capture the look on the home invader's face when he realized the bore he was staring at belonged to a frickin' "Tommy Gun"!

It may only be semi-auto, but I'm sure the look on his face won't matter!

 

[citizenconn]

The old man's still and artist with a Thompson....

 

[Balrog]

If you are ok with a AR pistol with brace, you should look at the CMMG Banshee in 45 ACP. It is a lot lighter, and takes Glock mags. Also a lot easier to mount optics or a light if you want to.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

The one benefit to the Thompson is that should you encounter an intruder you will have the distinction of being the most cinematic self defense shooter in the country. This is especially true if you happen to be smoking a cigar and are wearing a robe over your skivvies when the intruder comes in. Very imagistic, very cool gun.....

 

[dogtown tom]

Personally, I would want something a bit easier to carry and use. But it's certainly a functional weapon for defense.

If I had one, I think I'd consider mounting a GoPro on it just to capture the look on the home invader's face when he realized the bore he was staring at belonged to a frickin' "Tommy Gun"!

It may only be semi-auto, but I'm sure the look on his face won't matter!

I'll bet you a box of Shipley's donuts that 99% of those under age 30 have no clue what a "Tommy Gun" is, much less have the ability during a moment of panic to discern the caliber of the firearm pointed at their chest. Undoubtedly the look would be the same if it was a 9mm pistol a .410 shotgun or .22 Ruger Bearcat.



The "that big .45cal barrel will make a bad guy think twice" theory is a silly myth. It belongs in the Joe Biden Library of Firearm Nonsense:
-"You don't need an AR-15. It's harder to aim, it's harder to use, and in fact, you don't need 30 rounds to protect yourself. Buy a shotgun. Buy a shotgun."
-"Well, you know, my shotgun will do better for you than your AR-15, because you want to keep someone away from your house, just fire the shotgun through the door."
-"I said, 'Jill, if there's ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony here, walk out and put that double-barrel shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house,'"

 

[4v50 Gary]

AR. Shorter, lighter, handier. More female or kid friendly (you may not be home when it goes down and they will)

 

[Double_J]

I have handled both and will say an AR-15 is the way I would go. Thompsons are HEAVY for what you get, not ergonomic, have temperamental magazines and don't do well with accessories like lights or holographic sights. Then there is the cost of the gun, in normal times you can build two or three AR pattern rifles / pistols for the cost of one Thompson pattern gun.

 

[ZenRooster]

Personally (and keep in mind that I'm the typical non-tactical imbecile who derives most of his military combat knowledge from TV and movies), I view the Tommy Gun as a sort of stationary position firearm as in the sense that I'd handle it while "locking the bedroom door, backing up into the far corner, aiming at the closed door, and waiting for the police to arrive and clear the house." However, in the original post, I suggested the Tommy Gun in a collapse of society situation (either brief or permanent). In that case, there may be no police to help me. Regardless, I don't picture myself trudging thru the backwoods with a Tommy Gun slung over my shoulder in a Red Dawn (80s original) scenario. In fact, I'd likely still be holed up in my (or another, farther out of the city) home and simply trying to defend what little plot of land I may be on at the time.

All in all, I think I may trade my Tommy Gun for a nice, dependable Galil ACE Gen 2 in the 16" rifle configuration. It seems a bit more practical for most non-1920s gangster-related situations that I may encounter.

Thanks again for all of your excellent thoughts, everyone. Now I'm off to search Netflix for that oft-referenced Miller's Crossing film. (I've never seen it.)

Regards,
ZR

 

[Terry G]

This thread reminds me of the "Great" idea I had to tote a 9MM Suomi semi-automatic on my hikes. It came with a drum and three stick magazines. I loaded up the drum with I think 72 rounds and when I attached to the gun it felt like I was toting an M-60 machine gun again. It was recoilless and accurate at 100 yards but that weight! Never the less I loaded up a couple of the stick magazines and went on a trek. Once. Hauling that thing around was great for weight loss but wasn't worth it. I sold it at a Gun Show at a pretty good profit.

 

[gyp_c2]

Guggitaboutit.
Go with an AR...any flavor.

 

[DustyGmt]

I can't recall if this was a realistic moment or not... I remember watching miller's crossing and I remember this scene vividly and I'll have to watch the clip again, but didn't he expend something upwards of 200-300 rds through a single drum during this barrage of fire? Or did he stop to reload. I can't recall those bits.

I remember thinking g the old man had some moves, lol. Moving like a cat and jumping down onto the lawn.... pretty great movie...

 

[DustyGmt]

Yeah, an AR SBR or Pistol FTW..... I think the Tommy gun is an awesome piece of history and having one for the novelty of it would be awesome but in terms of practicality? An AR, especially a sub 16" AR would be better. Like this: 11.5"pistol

I remember going to a gun show when I was about 11 years old with my dad and uncle and I saw a Thompson, probably a Kahr or AO semi auto version and it was the first time I'd seen one I real life and for all intents and purposes, to me that was a Tommy Gun and it came in a package with drums and a guitar case or something, it was $600 or thereabouts and despite my best efforts, my dad wouldn't buy it and my uncle wouldn't either. I just could not understand that as a kid, you're here to buy guns, the coolest gun is right here for the taking and you don't want it? Lol. I get it now. It's just a novelty thing.....

 

[theotherwaldo]

I like my Suomi, but it's a range toy.
The 71 round drum is ridiculously heavy and the trigger is crazy heavy.
Still, with the stick mags it's pure fun on the range... .
I've got at least a dozen other weapons that I'd rather reach for than the Suomi, or even a Thompson.

 

[gotboostvr]

1927 a terrible choice for HD. 40% heavier than an AR, harder to swing in close quarters, unless you have drum magazines less capacity than a 30 rounder. 5.56 provides 60% more ME. All parts and ammo easier to find for an AR. If used in a SD situation it is gone for good, lose a $600 carbine or a $1200 one?
ARs have add “ons” such as: laser sights, lights, suppressors, sbr options. 1927 zero.
If you want a .45 acp for HD get a Glock.

Just a side note about suppressing a 1927, Griffin Armament makes a adaptor for their cans specifically for mounting on the 1927's compensator.

Just food for thought.

 

[ZenRooster]

Just a side note about suppressing a 1927, Griffin Armament makes a adaptor for their cans specifically for mounting on the 1927's compensator.

SERIOUSLY?!? Oooh, that may be a game-changer.

ZR

 

[czhen]

I have fired a .45 ACP indoors with no hearing protection. It’s loud but not painful. There is no way in hell I would ever want to have to fire an AR-15 indoors. Not with standard 5.56 or .223 ammo. No way. My hearing s jacked as it is.

If you want a rifle or carbine why not a .45 ACP PCC as @armedwalleye mentioned?

Aero Precision is coming with a 45 ACP anytime soon.

 

[mljdeckard]

The first time I picked one up, I was amazed at how heavy a 1927 is. I was like; "Why not just ask for a Garand?"

Just try to imagine holding one at the ready until the police arrive.

Even my Armscor VR-80 shotgun would be a better option.