M1 Thompson
The Thompson submachine gun is one of the most iconic firearms in American history — the “Tommy Gun” that armed Prohibition-era law enforcement, accompanied U.S. troops from the trenches of WWI through the beaches of Normandy, and became the defining image of both organized crime and the Greatest Generation. Today, Auto-Ordnance (a division of Kahr Arms and the original Thompson manufacturer) produces semi-automatic reproductions in .45 ACP: the M1 carbine, the 1927A-1 Deluxe with the distinctive drum magazine, and registered SBR variants with the original 10.5-inch barrel length.
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A Brief History of the Thompson
General John T. Thompson designed the Thompson Autorifle in 1918, and Auto-Ordnance Corporation began commercial production in 1921 as the Thompson Model 1921. The U.S. military adopted the Thompson in 1938, and wartime production by both Auto-Ordnance and Savage Arms delivered over 1.5 million Thompsons to Allied forces through WWII. The simplified M1 and M1A1 variants replaced the original Model 1928’s actuator and compensator with a simpler blowback action and fixed barrel for faster, cheaper manufacturing. After the war, the Thompson was gradually replaced by the M3 “Grease Gun” and later the M16, but its legend was already cemented.
Auto-Ordnance 1927A-1 Deluxe: The Classic Tommy Gun
The 1927A-1 Deluxe is the Thompson model most people picture — a semi-automatic carbine with a 16.5-inch finned barrel (with Cutts compensator on some models), walnut furniture, and compatibility with both the iconic 50-round and 100-round drum magazines as well as 20-round and 30-round stick magazines. The Deluxe ships with both a drum and stick magazine. It’s a semi-automatic-only reproduction of the Model 1928 — fires one round per trigger pull, classified as a standard rifle.
Auto-Ordnance M1 Thompson: The WWII Military Configuration
The M1 Thompson reproduces the simplified WWII military variant — no finned barrel, no compensator, no drum magazine compatibility, just a clean 16.5-inch barrel with a walnut military stock and 30-round stick magazine. The M1 is the historically accurate WWII configuration and the simpler, lighter option. The M1 Tanker variant adds an OD Green Cerakote finish and ships with both 20-round and 30-round magazines.
Thompson SBR: 10.5-Inch Barrel Short-Barreled Rifle
For buyers who want the original short-barrel Thompson profile, Auto-Ordnance offers registered SBR (Short-Barreled Rifle) variants with a 10.5-inch barrel and detachable walnut buttstock. These require NFA registration and transfer via ATF Form 4. The SBR is the closest current-production configuration to the original military Thompson.
Thompson .45 ACP: The Right Caliber
All Thompson models fire .45 ACP — the same cartridge the Thompson was designed around in 1918. The .45 ACP’s subsonic velocity and heavy bullet make the Thompson a natural platform for suppressed shooting, and the semi-auto action runs reliably with the full range of .45 ACP ammunition from 185-grain target loads through 230-grain ball and defensive hollow points. See our .45 ACP ammunition page for current inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Auto-Ordnance Thompson fully automatic?
No — all current-production Auto-Ordnance Thompsons are semi-automatic only (one round per trigger pull). Original fully automatic Thompsons are NFA-registered transferable machine guns costing $30,000+.
Can the 1927A-1 use drum magazines?
Yes — the 1927A-1 Deluxe is compatible with 50-round and 100-round drum magazines. The M1 model uses stick magazines only.
What’s the difference between the 1927A-1 and the M1?
The 1927A-1 has a finned barrel, compensator, and drum magazine compatibility (Model 1928 style). The M1 has a plain barrel, no compensator, and stick magazines only (WWII military style).
Who makes the Thompson today?
Auto-Ordnance, a division of Kahr Arms, is the original manufacturer and the only current producer of Thompson semi-automatic reproductions.
Is the Thompson good for home defense?
It fires .45 ACP reliably and holds 20–30 rounds in a carbine-length platform. It’s not a modern tactical design, but it’s a functional .45 ACP carbine. Most Thompson buyers are collectors, recreational shooters, and history enthusiasts.
See Also: Auto-Ordnance • .45 ACP Ammo • Pistol-Caliber Carbines • Collector Guns • Old West Guns