Hey all-

I have always wanted a Tommy gun. I see the new offerings from Auto Ordnance (Kahr?) and am wondering how they stack up. Is the quality decent enough for a reliable range toy?

Also, I see a bunch of different models, including "lightweight" with aluminum receivers! I don't doubt that aluminum can stand up to the abuse but it seems like a weird choice for a version of the "Chicago Typewriter".

What say you? Who has bought/shot a new example?

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by RNshooter:
Also, I see a bunch of different models, including "lightweight" with aluminum receivers! I don't doubt that aluminum can stand up to the abuse but it seems like a weird choice for a version of the "Chicago Typewriter".

I haven't shot one, so I can't help you there, but I will say that while aluminum receivers certainly aren't traditional, I can see the appeal. By modern standards, Tommy guns are absurdly heavy, it's a .45 sub gun that weighs as much as a .308 AR-10.

I bought an Auto Ordnance a few months ago as a gift to an old friend.
I bought a deluxe version with a fancy walnut stock and "normal" lenght barrel, with a drum and stick magazine.
He really enjoys shooting it and so does every body he is shooting near, they all welcome his invitation to shoot it along with there kids that are shooting with them.
Never a problem with function.

RNshooter,

The Tommy Gun is my favorite gun of all time. About 3 years ago I bought one of the Auto Ordnance/Kahr Tommy Guns (1927A1 version.)

It was used but in excellent condition when I got it. I fired it one time and hated it for 2 reasons.

1. The firing pin fell out of the bolt (IIRC the bolt had broken) and I had to buy a new bolt and it was around $125.

2. The gun was HEAVY. Around 12# empty. With a fully loaded mag it was around 14#.

I sold it at a gunshow after putting the new bolt in it. Luckily I only lost about $200 on the deal.

I still love the Tommy Gun but will never buy one again; at least the newer version from AO/Kahr.

I've sold about 30 of them in the past 4 years,

had 0 returned or sent back for repairs,

most were the 1927A1 with drum and stick, a few were the M1 model,

they are heavy
fit and finish was generally good, but I did have to tighten the stock screws on a few,

since they are closed bolt, and did not have a bolt hold open, it took some finesse to insert a drum mag ,


only complaint I heard from customers is that spares (mags, drums accessories etc) are expensive if you order thru Auto Ord

AO's Thompsons, as well as their M1 Carbines, are known for their hit-or-miss quality/reliability.

Look very cool.

Heavy as foook.

Pass, just splurge at Battlefield Vegas to shoot the real thing!!!

RNshooter,

Drop me an email if you like, a bit too much in details to go into here.

If you do decide to purchase one
(a) get a new one. don't buy used unless you can abide by the next three lines.
(b) understand that they only have a one year warranty and it only covers the original purchaser.
(c) if you have an issue after the warranty do not expect any factory assistance.
(d) replacement parts like firing pin,extractor,bolt can be spotty. at times you will wait for them.

They are fun to shoot and attract a lot of attention.

When # 2 son was in bagdad he got the urge for one and I found a used one for him
Heavy as hell,with the drum.not bad with the sticks.Semi was a let down .Was beautiful compared to clunker I had shot in the Navy

They are super heavy for a semi-auto. I've shot full auto ones and you don't notice the weight because it helps keep the barrel from rising too much. However, a semi auto version I would pass on personally as they're too heavy (especially with a full drum!) and not enjoyable to shoot too long. Although could see the aluminum receiver version intriguing.

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
By modern standards, Tommy guns are absurdly heavy, it's a .45 sub gun that weighs as much as a .308 AR-10.

This was my reaction when I held one.

Ooof was it heavy. Keep in mind this is coming from a guy who likes using an 11lb rifle for 3-gun. I am not an 'ultralight or bust' guy.


Probably nice if you are ripping through a drum on full auto.

Semi-auto? Pass. Get a CMMG Banshee AR in 45 ACP.


Unless you just really dig the look of the Tommy Gun and don't care how awkward it is to shoot.

The version I handled felt REALLY unbalanced.

I have a M1 version I bought new about 5 years ago. I have about 1,000 rounds through her. Maybe a hundred rounds were factory ball the ref my reloads consisting of lead and plated bullets. The only problem I have had is making sure you pull the charging handle back far enough to chamber a round. Otherwise has ran like a champ.

It is a heavy girl to be sure and long in the stock. I have shorter arms w/ a barrel chest I just wish the stock was about 1 inch shorter. Have always thought about get an original barrel and SBR’ing it.

Good luck in your decision.

I'm with the guy who said rent a full auto in Vegas. I've done it, as it was a bucket list item for me, and it was a blast.

To own one though, not so much. I'd rather let it collect dust on their shelf when I'm not shooting it.

I had one.Firing pin broke 2x under warranty. Sold it and never looked back. Pass on it.

Every kid who grew up in the '60s watching Combat, Twelve O'Clock High, and Rat Patrol on TV wanted a Thompson machine gun (and an MP40). I'm no different. About 15 years ago I stumbled on an Auto Ordnance 1928 Thompson. I was only interested in shooting, not collecting classic Tommy guns. This cheapo AOC '28 Thompson fit the bill nicely. As was pointed out above, the quality of AOC weapons was so-so. Over time I replaced most of the internals with WWII produced Thompson parts. The end result is very nice and reliable weapon.

The weapon itself is very heavy especially when you add the weight of a loaded 50 round drum. But it is accurate, very controllable, and reliable.







All the work performed on it was done by Paul Krogh of Diamond K in Delta, Colorado. Paul's workmanship is well known in the Thompson community. I asked Paul to stamp his marking on my '28 to document his work so there would no question on who worked on it.







The funnest thing I did was to have Paul fit a BDM .22lr Thompson conversion kit. The ROF of the .22lr conversion is very slow, around 600 rpm. It is 100% reliable and runs very clean. That's one of the benefits of an open bolt gun. I can shoot over 2000 rounds of .22lr ammo before anything needs to be cleaned. It is truly a blast to shoot a full auto .22lr '28 Thompson.

How neat, I didn't know there was such a thing.
I have shot a M16 .22 LR and it was fun when it ran but would seldom complete a magazine dump.

I know a guy who had a 10/22 full auto suppressed. That is a cute little thing.

All this Tommy gun talk makes me think of Albert Finney in the movie "Miller's Crossing".

The "Danny Boy" Tommy gun scene is a classic...

Bruce,

Curious, what way did you decide to go?

Mine is fun to shoot when it runs. Works best with the HEAVY drum magazines. I haven't broken a firing pin yet but I sure wish my rear sight hadn't fallen off. I'm going to have to get it TIG welded on.

Fun gun but mediocre quality.........dj

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:
Bruce,

Curious, what way did you decide to go?

I've been wondering the same thing as well. He started this thread on Jan 22, but hasn't been back to post since