Tommy Gun Goes Lightweight with the Auto-Ordnance TM1CP
Auto-Ordnance has announced the Thompson TM1CP, a lightweight take on the iconic M1 Thompson chambered in .45 ACP. Dubbed the Lightweight M1 Thompson, the new model carries the same recognizable silhouette that made the original "Tommy Gun" famous while shedding a significant amount of weight for the modern shooter.
The key changes involve swapping out the traditional steel receiver and wood furniture for a high-strength aluminum alloy receiver and simulated American walnut polymer furniture. Auto-Ordnance says this combination drops roughly five pounds from the gun's overall weight, which the company claims represents a 34.8% reduction compared to the standard steel-and-wood TM1 model.
The result is a 7.5-pound carbine that retains the period-correct aesthetic while offering less fatigue on long range days, if that is a thing with the M1? The lower materials cost also translates to a more accessible price point compared to the traditional variant.
The TM1CP has a 16.5-inch smooth barrel, 38 inches of overall length, and fixed sights consisting of a pinned front blade and a fixed battle rear. The carbine comes standard with one stick magazine and is offered in two configurations: the TM1CP with a 30-round stick, and the TM1CP10S with a 10-round stick for buyers in capacity-restricted jurisdictions.
Auto-Ordnance also notes that Thompson is prohibited in Connecticut, Maryland, and New York. I’m thinking, so the Chicago Typewriter would still be available there?
For collectors who want the Tommy Gun experience without hauling around a steel-framed safe queen at the range, the TM1CP makes a practical argument. Chambered in .45 ACP, it will still hit hard. The MSRP comes in at $1,246 and a one-year warranty is included.
Specs:
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Barrel: 16.5" smooth
- Overall length: 38"
- Weight: 7.5 lbs (without magazine)
- Receiver: Aluminum alloy
- Furniture: Walnut-grain polymer
- Sights: Pinned front blade, fixed battle rear
- Magazine: 30-round stick (TM1CP) or 10-round stick (TM1CP10S)
- Prohibited in CT, MD, NY
For more information, visit https://www.auto-ordnance.com/thompson-tm1cp/
Would you trade traditional wood and steel furniture for a lighter, more affordable Thompson, or does the classic construction matter too much to you?
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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I'm stumped. I have a 1993 Numrich made M1 Thompson carbine with an empty weight of 8.25 pounds, but the website claims they weigh over 11 pounds. It's possible my mind is playing tricks on me, but when I bought it I thought it was a lightweight model, though all the sources I can find online claim the 1927A1 was the only lightweight version offered back then.
How about a factory installed FRT?
Strang think here in Maryland is that you can legally own the Full Auto original but not a semi auto modern version! Only in a liberals mind does that make sense.
The least expensive model listed on their website is over $300 more than the price listed in the article.
Oh, how I do hate these things. No, they are not Thompsons. But here is the kicker: Because of the need to fire from a closed bolt, they had to move the magazine catch on the magazine for it to work. Problem? Every numb-nut with a certain semi auto .45 acp carbine and a dermal tool thinks it a great idea to mutilate historic Thompson mags to make them fit. Total crap. The ideal of adjusting where the catch was on the gun when they designed it never crossed their minds. Remember class, this is "Auto Ordinance 4.0". The first two, (1916-1937 and 1937-1953), were the real deal. West Hurley on is a no go at this station.
why a smoothbore barrel?
I have an M-1 factory SBR. Heavy as hell (12 pounds or so) but no recoil whatsoever (just don’t put your nose on the back of the receiver when you’re shooting it). But the thing also has a stock that’s too long (I cut it down about an inch). You also can’t get through a 30-round magazine without a malfunction or two. I modified a couple of USGI WW2 mags that worked marginally better. It was a waste of money at around $2K for the gun and the tax stamp! It spent nearly a YEAR in NFA jail (this was right after the ATF rolled out the “E-form 1s and 4’s” too, but STILL took 11 months to get the damn thing approved). Oh, and Auto Ordnance /Kahr only warrants these things for one year. So by the time I was able to get it to the range the first time, the warranty was out! It looks cool with my other WW2 weapons in my small collection but otherwise it was an EPIC WASTE OF $$$. In my opinion though, and Thompson with a 16-inch barrel looks effing retarded though. That’s the bottom line as to why I bought this cool looking, but completely unreliable POS!