The only replica version of the Thompson, originally produced by Auto Ordnance of West Hurley, NY for the civilian collector’s market were made from 1974 to 1999. This new production model was then listed as the model 1927-A1. While at first glance the new semi-automatic rifles appeared to look the same, the internals were almost completely reversed by running in a closed bolt configuration minus the selector switch. This version would become known as the M1A1.ĭue to federal regulations, civilians were unable to purchase full-auto versions by 1936 and only semi-auto rifles were allowed. Later versions would see the rifle reconfigured to no longer chamber the drum magazines as well as have the top charging handle relocated to the left side. Through those years, there were slight design changes such as a straight forearm rather than vertical foregrip and the primary use of only the 20 round stick mags. military to serve throughout WWII and continue to remain in service until 1971. In 1938, the “Tommy Gun” got the call to duty by the U.S. The M1921 was literally a battle weapon looking for a war to fight. The Thompson soon earned street names such as the “Tommy Gun,” “Chicago Typewriter,” “Annihilator” and the “Chicago Piano.”
While it may have arrived on the scene too late to see action in World War I, the Thompson would show its battle-ready technology roaring through the 1920s. With an original retail price of $200, anyone from government agencies to farmers could mail order a brand new M1921 direct to their home. Due to the ease of carrying stick magazines, military and law enforcement favored the stick mags while mobsters preferred not to reload as much and often chose high volume of fire over convenience of carry. With this turn of events, attention was turned to civilian and law enforcement sales in the U.S.Ĭustomers had two options for feeding the new Thompson, a 50-round drum for $5 or a 20 round stick magazine for $3. Unfortunately for Thompson and his wonderful invention, the war ended before the M1921 could make its mark. This new submachine gun could sustain rates of fire from 600 – 725 rounds per minute in a potential wall of lead heading down range to the enemy. 45 ACP, Thompson’s gun would operate from an open bolt with a friction-delayed blowback action based off a patented Blish locking system. Unlike the large rifle caliber chamberings of existing battle rifles incorporating complex gas systems, the M1921 was designed as a pistol caliber submachine gun. military service and more effectively combat the German machine pistols. The goal was to replace the aging bolt rifles of the U.S. Army needed a more compact rifle with a higher volume of fire. Operating in the tight confines of hundreds of miles of trenches, the U.S. This new rifle was originally meant to be the answer to the trench warfare of World War I. Thompson, the rifle was created under the Auto Ordnance Company banner as the M1921.
This week, we look at the modern civilian-legal Thompson 1927-A1 from Auto Ordnance to find out more about its legendary roots and why it is still popular today.
Beloved by gangster and G-man alike, this firearm shaped a nation in turmoil before heading to war to help save the world. No firearm was ever a truer icon of an era more than the Thompson. Crime reigned supreme to the signature rhythmic typewriter sounds of what would become a hallmark of the times, the Thompson machine gun echoing in the streets.
AUTO ORDNANCE TOMMY GUN FULL
People still dressed up to go to dinner, Jazz music was in full bloom over the air waves and secret passwords had to be uttered through a back-alley door to gain entrance to the local speak easy. In those days, it seemed all the criminals had nicknames like Baby-face, Bugsy and Machine Gun to go along with their deadly comic book-like antics. Imagine what is must have been like to walk the streets of a big city like Chicago during the Roaring Twenties with Prohibition still in full swing.
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