The Thompson Sub-Machine Gun

Chicago Typewriter

 

This is what it looks like to peer down-range from behind a Thompson fully-automatic sub-machine gun. You can actually see a spent cartridge ejecting at the lower right-hand side of the picture, just above the major’s right elbow.

The Thompson is an extremely heavy weapon that’s capable of firing 600-900 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition per minute. And let me tell you, that’s fast. The experience of firing one of these babies is like no other. I took this photo and was peppered with gunpowder during each burst of gunfire, even from the distance where I stood, which was as you see it. I didn’t use the zoom.

We took this shot in a controlled situation while wearing full protective gear, and employing other safety precautions. I say this because I don’t recommend this method of photography. It’s not safe. Gee, the things we do for research.

The Thompson was extremely popular in the 1920s among both law enforcement and gangsters alike. The notorious John Dillinger and his gang amassed an arsenal of these “Chicago Typewriters.” The FBI and other agencies, such as the NYPD, also put Tommy Guns to use in their efforts to battle crime. In fact, the weapon became so popular in law enforcement circles it earned another nickname, The Anti-Bandit Gun.

Here’s a brief video of the Thompson, complete with a 100 round drum magazine, in action.

Imagine one of these in the wrong hands.

 

7 replies
  1. SZ
    SZ says:

    While I understand how fun this may be to target practice, this is some serious fire power. And yes, in the wrong hands is not good.

    Some of our mentally challenged people out there come from money and have access to thousands of dollars. Scary

  2. SZ
    SZ says:

    While I understand how fun this may be to target practice, this is some serious fire power. And yes, in the wrong hands is not good.

    Some of out mentally challenged people out there come from money and have access to thousands of dollars. Scary

  3. Pat Patterson
    Pat Patterson says:

    Any idea how expensive it would be to buy one and go through all the hastle of registering it? You’d have to purchase one first at probably $30,000 plus, get signatures from the local legal authority (police chief or highest local judge), pay the $200 federal tax and then wait 6-8 months to get it approved by the Feds. It would be neat to shoot though.

  4. GunDiva
    GunDiva says:

    I will probably get lynched on here for saying this: I so want to shoot one. Just one mag.

    Can’t imagine they would be super accurate, more spray and pray like most fully automatic guns. But boy, oh boy, is that on my bucket list.

Comments are closed.