Is the tommy gun any good at all?

Question

im talking about the thompson sub machine gun...well, the 1928 model to be exact. i know there were later models like the M1A1, but im talking about M1928 with the 100 round drum magazine. is this gun powerful, since it uses .45 ACP? how is the accuracy on semi-auto? does it shoot as far as normal SMG's today?

also, is there any way to modify a tommy gun to make it smaller, because it is pretty big for a sub machine gun.

Answer 1

I had a 1928 full-auto Thompson for about nine years. Bought it for $1800 in 1988, and sold it for what I had into it in 1997.

No doubt about it, the Thompson is a heavy gun. With the 50 round drum loaded it was about 14-15 pounds. The good news is that with all that weigh, recoil wasn't bad at all.

Unlike a previous poster, I was never able to get good accuracy from it in semi-auto mode. In full-auto mode I could empty the drum and keep all the shots on a shotgun patterning target at 50 feet.

I didn't shoot it more than a few times a year because of the cost of ammo (I once went through $250 in ammo in 45 minutes). Prices on full-auto's weren't going anywhere, so I decided to sell it to buy another gun. Now I can never afford to buy another one.

If you have the $$$, it's a great gun to own, shoot and show off to your friends. A real classic.

Answer 2

I had one reconfigured to 357 mag, its a blast !!

Answer 3

I met the Tommy gun while attending my Firearms Instructor school. I got to handle and shoot a 1928A2 Chicago typewriter. Full auto rolled nice but I was very impressed with the semi auto. I drew a face on my target at 25 yards. Then drew a hat on the next target over. It is a bulky firearm.

Shoot as far as a 9mm?  I don't know for sure but I bet the 9 flies a bit further.

Make it smaller? With minor redesign and stampings for the receiver you probably could but would it last as long? is the question.

Answer 4

iv used the M1928 and its a great gun, its pretty heavy tho so you get kinda tired while standing, because its so heavy you get hardly any recoil it has the recoil of a 22.

Answer 5

Auto Ordnance sells a 10.5 inch barrel replica that is semi-auto only

http://www.tommygun.com/new_ta5.html

They also sell the clasic "Tommy"

http://www.tommygun.com/new_ta5.html

I have the 1927A1 Deluxe.

It's a blast to shoot

I dont like the drum as it is hard change out.

The sticks are better IMHO

As for accuracy, I can shoot 4 inch groups at 75 yards with the iron sights. Have not tried to reach out farther than that.

It is a great spray and pray defense rifle.

That is why I bought mine.

It is heavy when loaded so the recoil is real light.

They make it in 9mm and 45. mine is in 45.

In retrospect I might have bought the 9mm but I dont have any other 9mm's

Answer 6

The 45.acp has superior stopping power, especially from a longer barrel. Any modern semi-auto version will prove an unstoppable tool in dangerous situations. I'm ex-military BTW so put any fears of newbie-speak to rest.

Answer 7

come on ed a .357 magnum tommy? that must be a weird one, if it would actually shoot anything, do you know how big a .357 round is?

Since Kahr Arms bout Auto Ordnance they made some improvements. They made the slide lever easier to grab, and there is now a button for a REMOVABLE STOCK, so you can make it smaller. And it comes in this cool violin case. I tried shooting with the 100round mag and found that it is harder to load and it is not as reliable as the bar mag, hey they still hold 30rds so it is not too bad