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The Tommy Gun - Automatic Stardom
Am Shooting Journal ^ | 6/15/2017 | R Reed

Posted on 06/15/2017 6:21:16 AM PDT by w1n1

Few firearms have earned the mystique that the Thompson submachine gun has enjoyed for nearly a century. The long association that the "Tommy Gun" has had with gangsters, G-men and G.I.s has made it a movie star, a prized collectible, and an American icon.

The gun’s genesis dates back to World War I when retired General John T. Thompson sought to develop a lightweight, fast-firing rifle that U.S. troops could use as a “trench broom” to break the stalemate of trench warfare.

Thompson believed recoil or gas operated weapons were too heavy and complicated for this role and sought a new method of operation. He formed the Auto-Ordnance Company (AOC), found financial backing, and hired engineers to help develop this weapon.

Thompson seized upon the concept of the Blish Lock, developed by John Bell Blish (a career U.S. naval officer and inventor), as the key element for the design. Read the rest of the Tommy gun story here.


TOPICS: History; Hobbies; Military/Veterans; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: banglist; tommygun
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1 posted on 06/15/2017 6:21:16 AM PDT by w1n1
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To: w1n1

Are there any semi-auto look-a-likes?..............


2 posted on 06/15/2017 6:29:16 AM PDT by Red Badger (Unless you eat The Bread of Life, you are toast!.......................)
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To: Red Badger

Last I’ve seen Auto Ordnance is selling
them.


3 posted on 06/15/2017 6:38:44 AM PDT by Big Red Badger (UNSCANABLE in an IDIOCRACY!)
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To: w1n1

“Daddy would have gotten us Uzis.”


4 posted on 06/15/2017 6:38:56 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

+1.

L


5 posted on 06/15/2017 6:41:19 AM PDT by Lurker (America burned the witch.)
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To: Big Red Badger

Correct. Auto ord is owned by Kahr these days, I believe


6 posted on 06/15/2017 6:43:59 AM PDT by QualityMan (The Adults are back in town)
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To: Red Badger
Yes, but the newer semi-autos have 16” barrels as opposed to the 10” barrels on the full autos.
7 posted on 06/15/2017 6:50:51 AM PDT by MRadtke (Light a candle or curse the darkness?)
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To: MRadtke

10” barrels on the full autos.

Experienced a little muzzle climb, did they?


8 posted on 06/15/2017 7:03:58 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: w1n1

Damn fine weapon.


9 posted on 06/15/2017 7:14:53 AM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: Big Red Badger

Cabela’s had one for $1600 - came with a violin case. That thing was heavy even without a loaded drum.


10 posted on 06/15/2017 7:15:34 AM PDT by SkyDancer (You know they invented wheelbarrows to teach FAA inspectors to walk on their hind legs.)
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To: w1n1

Me want.


11 posted on 06/15/2017 7:26:03 AM PDT by Fresh Wind (Hillary: Go to jail. Go directly to jail. Do not pass GO. Do not collect 2 billion dollars.)
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To: w1n1

I hear a guy from Norway liked those. Roland, I think.


12 posted on 06/15/2017 7:38:41 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Take Covfefe Ree Zig!)
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To: w1n1

I hear a guy from Norway liked those. Roland, I think.


13 posted on 06/15/2017 7:38:41 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Take Covfefe Ree Zig!)
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To: Larry Lucido

Talkin’ about the man...


14 posted on 06/15/2017 7:54:54 AM PDT by IncPen (Progressivism is in perpetual need of an enemy against which to refresh its outrage.)
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To: w1n1
"..The gun’s genesis dates back to World War I when retired General John T. Thompson sought to develop a lightweight, fast-firing rifle.."

Lightweight my foot! They're schweet gun porn, as long as ya don't hafta tote or feed it. Whot a boat anchor! d:^)

15 posted on 06/15/2017 8:03:14 AM PDT by CopperTop (Outside the wire it's just us chickens. Dig?)
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To: Larry Lucido

That son of a bitch, Van Owen.


16 posted on 06/15/2017 8:11:20 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: SkyDancer

I fired a fully automatic Thompson at a Dallas gun range in May. It was quite heavy, and it gets real hot quick. A fun day for sure.


17 posted on 06/15/2017 8:36:50 AM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: w1n1
 photo general_eisenhower_winston_churchil_1640664071_zpsnaeygwls.jpg

Well the caption said "Tommy Gun" but I see it is really Eisenhower, Churchill, and Bradley firing M1 Carbines.

18 posted on 06/15/2017 8:43:03 AM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: yarddog
 photo index_zpsbvjzluaz.jpgOK, one more try.
19 posted on 06/15/2017 8:45:13 AM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: Nailbiter

I thought this post was about Jim Thompson.

Good story, in any case.

20 posted on 06/15/2017 8:55:59 AM PDT by IncPen (Progressivism is in perpetual need of an enemy against which to refresh its outrage.)
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