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Thompson M1A1Model: Thompson Submachine Gun
The Thompson is one of the most recognizable firearms in the world with an indelible history. It first appeared on the scene in 1921 (though designing began in 1917); while it was designed as a military weapon, the M1921 is a very high quality weapon with polished bluing, fine walnut furniture, and a high price similar to fine sporting weapons. The Thompson was available to civilians (occurring before major gun control laws were enacted) at a high price of $200, half the price of a Ford automobile. These early versions had a rate of fire of 1200 rpm, though later models reduced it to as low as 600. The M1927 was a semi-automatic version for civilians, though the easy conversion to full auto means it's classified as a machine gun. The M1928 was the first to be widely used in the military, with weight added to the actuator to slow the rate of fire and generally lower focus on design quality. Soon after new military requests created the 1928A1 with a straight foregrip in place of the pistol grip and provisions for a sling. The M1 was a true "military" weapon with a non-ribbed barrel, no provisions to load the drum magazines, a fixed sight, simple blowback operating, no Cutts compensator, and the charging handle moved to the side. The M1A1 (pictured above) simplified the firing pin design and added "ears" around the rear sight to protect it from being bent when dropped or knocked.

Along with these old military weapons, the 1927A1, A3, and A5 are all new semi-automatic copies of the Thompson that cannot be easily converted to machine guns. The A3 is most unique in that it is chambered for .22, while the A5 is legally a pistol and has the original short barrel with no stock. The A1 is essentially a 1928 in semi-auto with a longer barrel to make it legally a carbine. All can be made with various parts choices into semi-auto replicas of the M1 and M1A1 models.



Specifications:
Weight:
 10.8lb (4.9kg) (M1928A1)
10.6lb (4.8kg) (M1A1)
Length:
 33.5in (851mm) (M1928A1)
32in (813mm) (M1A1/M1)
Barrel Length:
 10.5in (267mm)
12in (305mm) with Cutts Compensator
16.5 in (419 mm) legal rifle barrel
Cartridge:
 .45 ACP
.22LR (1927A3)
Action:
 Blowback, Blish Lock
Blowback (M1, M1A1)
Muzzle Velocity:
 285m/s (935ft/s)
Effective Range:
 50 m (55 yd)
Feed System:
 Detachable box magazine. 10 drum (made for 1994 AWB), 20, 30, 50 drum, 75 drum, 100 drum
Sights:
 Front blade, rear flip-up (M1921-1928) or fixed aperture (M1, M1A1)
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Where to find

The newer semi-automatic models are surprisingly common in reputable shops, though a new cost of $1000 or higher makes them strictly show pieces for their actual usefulness.

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Complexity

The Thompson had a reputation for high quality and ruggedness that it carried throughout World War II, despite the high price. The biggest problems are the weight, which can be up to 12 pounds loaded, and the difficulty of loading the drums into the gun, which requires a special "third hand" tool inserted into a slot behind the magazine well.
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Controls
  • Safety: Located on the left side of the receiver. Push left for FIRE, right for SAFE.
  • Magazine release: Located behind the trigger on the left side.
  • Cocking handle: Located on top of the receiver (1921-1928) or on the right side of the receiver (M1, M1A1).

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Loading

Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
  1. Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Rotate the safety to the right to activate it.
  3. Take a loaded magazine and push it up into the magazine well until it clicks.
  4. Pull the cocking handle back and let it snap forward.
Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.

    Cannot be done.

Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.

    1. Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
    2. Take a loaded magazine and push it up into the magazine well until it clicks.
    Loading A Drum: The procedure for loading a drum magazine into any model that takes it.

    1. Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
    2. Rotate the safety to the right to activate it.
    3. Insert the third hand up into the keyway in the front of the trigger guard until it snaps into place.
    4. Pull the cocking knob back and push the third hand up to lock it back.
    5. Insert the drum by sliding it in from the left side and pushing it up until it clicks.

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    Unloading

    How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
    1. Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
    2. Rotate the safety to the right to activate it.
    3. Push the magazine release and pull the magazine out of the gun.
    4. Pull the cocking handle back and check the chamber for ammunition. Release it and let it snap forward.
    5. Deactivate the safety.
    6. Pull the trigger.

    Unloading a drum

    1. Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
    2. Rotate the safety to the right to activate it.
    3. Ensuring that the third hand is still in the keyway, lock the bolt back as described in "Loading A Drum" step 3.
    4. Push the magazine release and pull the drum down until it is free from the magazine well, then slide it out to the left.
    5. Pull the cocking handle back and check the chamber for ammunition. Release it and let it snap forward.
    6. Deactivate the safety.
    7. Pull the trigger.

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    Field Stripping

    How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
    1. Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
    2. Unload the weapon as described above.
    3. Flip the gun upside-down and using a screwdriver press the frame release button at the bottom-rear of the frame. Slide the lower section of the frame back until it stops.
    4. Insert your screwdriver under the upper receiver and push the frame release button again and pull it out. Note: The button has a tendency to fall or launch out of the receiver after being pressed.
    Reverse to reassemble.



    chitoryu12
    chitoryu12     		Latest page update: made by chitoryu12 , May 18 2011, 8:19 PM EDT (about this update About This Update chitoryu12 Edited by chitoryu12

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    Keyword tags: .45 1927 1928 ACP auto ordnance carbine firearm gun longarm M1 M1A1 submachine gun Thompson tommy tommy gun weapon
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