M1 Thompson: Savage Simplifies the SMG

[@LesGibby]

I am approaching 60 years old....when I about 8 years old my father had one of those Shop Smith wood working machines......He made me an all wood Thompson....Many years later I purchased a 1928 Semi Auto Thompson.......I have half a dozen pictures of my father shooting the Thompson with a grin that you could not erase

[@Ava-uq5dh]

Oh that's wonderful. Thank you for sharing. It seems this gun has a certain captivating quality! I've found Ian's comment sections, as well as The Chieftain/Nicholas Moran (a former tanker turned historian) often bring out some lovely memories and stories from commenters and I always have such a nice time reading them. My (now 60 year old as well) father was given a Lee Enfield to fire as part of the Scouts (or a similar organisation, I'll have to ask him) when he was 8 and nowadays he's frankly shocked he was allowed to! He couldn't lift it much at all, and almost fell over from the recoil even considering its mass. A funny, though hair raising tale. His father, who encouraged him into it never talked much of the war, nor the Korean war of which he also fought in as a medic, as due to his faith he would not fire upon another man in anger. After his passing we found an enormous NATO flag with all signatory nations stitched onto it, and where he'd been stationed as well as on leave marked, as well as large scrapbooks full of photographs from pre-war going all the way through until the early-mid 50s, detailing our English newspapers about Hitler coming to power, war brewing, and what he could find while overseas in France, Belgium, Germany, and small periods on leave whilst in Korea. Fascinating man with a quiet interest in contemporary events turned modern history that I miss dearly. Sorry for the run on text, few probably want to read such things! But I thought the talk of our forefathers fit.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

RIP GREATEST Me Too! "I Miss You!" Ya'll Y"ALL!!

[@jeffrogge8597]

I guess it's been almost 25 hrs since I ran across a brand new replica Thompson M1A1 for $750 in a gunstore downstate. Still kills me that I couldn't buy it; but two small kids and a mortgage came first

[@kirkmooneyham]

When I was a kid, I actually made myself a Thompson out of wood. It was the "GI version" like the M1A1, of course. I also made a 1911 to go with it. The Thompson got messed up later on, but I still have my 1911, even has a small nail for a front sight. Very cool story you related, thanks for sharing.

[@AndyDrake-FOOKYT]

I've got a shop Smith from my grandfather...super cool. It's literally everything...just a steep learning curve and a lot of jig building.

[@jackmoorehead2036]

I got to use one in Vietnam, it was a real A1, some one just showed up with 2 of them and 12 Magazines one day. He needed some Penicillin for the "Love Flu" and didn't want it on his Medical Records. So being the wise Corpsman I treated him for the prescribed amount of time and got the guns and gear. The Unit Armorer gave them a once over and they became very popular for patrols. They were still serving the Marines when my tour ended in 70.

[@AdamBorseti]

That's a really good story, thanks for sharing! 👍🏻

[@cbroz7492]

Medics and supply folks usually got over thusly..plenty of "trade bait"...

[@minerran]

I purchased a new one from Auto-Ordnance a few years ago and was immediately impressed with how heavy it is - without a loaded mag! I would not want to carry that brick along with 10 mags of 45acp around all day in the jungle heat. Much respect to those who did that.

[@lllordllloyd]

Wow, probably ex-French.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

A good gun is a good gun, what can I say.

[@andrewrife6253]

Us: "we simplified the Thompson at great expense" The British about to invent the sten: "haha, toob"

[@genghiskhan6809]

US later in 1943 after inventing the M3 grease gun: hehe toob.

[@MDzmitry]

The toob brotherhood The brothertoob?

[@Tojoblindeye]

​ Fifteen bucks of freedom

[@sharonrigs7999]

Soviets on PPS.....Da

[@sharonrigs7999]

The ANZACs were also in the toob cult with the incredible Owen. Arguably, the best WW2 SMG. They were vastly preferred over the F1 in Vietnam.

[@raxit1337]

I know this channel was originally for obscure weapons, but I really enjoy the episodes on much more common weapons too.

[@ICECAPPEDSKY]

Sometimes it’s also common knowledge guns made by a very rare manufacturer. The channel has been around forever and never fails to educate and entertain

[@TheBlinkMIDF]

Definitely, especially the M14 episode. I found that very informative with regards to how it was received in real life after having seen it games my whole life.

[@qw3rty629]

ill never forget the comment on an older thompson video "Welcome back to forgotten weapons" "This is one of the most iconic submachine guns"

[@TehIdiotOne]

@@ICECAPPEDSKY Also at some point you're going to run out of "Forgotten" or "Rare" weapons, so you kinda have to go to less obscure ones.

[@thesenate1844]

Often forgotten facts about well known weapons

[@Dolphinvet]

The rear sight is actually riveted in place, not spot welded. I own an M1 Thompson. It's a nice firing weapon. I actually have 3 bolts for my gun. The one shown here is the "shiny" bolt, and I have a shiny bolt, a blue bolt, and an M1A1 fixed firing pin bolt. I usually run it with the blue bolt and the hammer system which it came with when I bought it. I keep a couple spare barrels too just in case something tragic happens, and a lot of spare parts. Never needed them though. My dad carried an M1 Thompson in WWII. I have pictures of that, it's cool history.

[@scottcallahan3470]

Thank you for clarification of the rear sight mounting. It is also my understanding that the cross bolt reinforcement of the stock was an A1 feature. Scott

[@Dolphinvet]

@@scottcallahan3470 I believe that's correct on the cross bolt. My Thompson was a GI smuggle back. It was amnesty registered in '64 and someone put a 1928 bbl on it with Cutts compensator and the entire weapon was chromed. I had it rebuilt with the correct M1 bbl, stripped and put back into dark blue instead of a parkerized finish. My original lower had a cross bolt. No idea why someone would have thought a bright chrome finish on an M1 Thompson would look cool. The trigger and selector switches had been gold plated. Very strange to see on a military gun.

[@recoilrob324]

@@Dolphinvet Back in the day....shiny was thought of as an improvement....hence the chrome Lugers, P38's and such that we used to see. You've got to admit that producing a chromed Thompson out of the case at the range would draw some attention...both good and bad.

[@ThorneWorthington]

generally speaking, "shiny" thompson parts are just nickel steel

[@ThorneWorthington]

@@Dolphinvet the stock cross bolt was introduced in mid-1943 on the M1A1 model.

[@denisonsmock5456]

Praise Ian for including SMG in the title. Otherwise I would have thought he was talking about the M1 rifle, or M1 Carbine, or M1 helmet, or the M1 bayonet, or iconic the M1 latex condom.

[@Kataquan]

And the ever lovable M1 Flamethrower

[@SnoopReddogg]

Very disappointed there was zero helmet content...

[@bigpoppa1234]

And the rocket launcher.

[@WindHaze10]

Lets not forget the venerable M1 howitzer of 240mm

[@aljole683]

So the word “Thompson” didn’t clue you in….?

[@zlorrrrrf]

My grandfather (Beds & Herts Regiment) joined up in 1939 and was issued a Thompson. His only confirmed kill with it was as the pointman, creeping along a wooded road in France. A battered and bruised lone German officer stumbled out of the bushes and rapidly fired off his sidearm at point blank range. He somehow missed my grandad and his men, and the Thompson dropped him. Grandad said he emptied his entire mag into the German, then puked his guts out immediately while getting a pat on the back from his guys.

[@pinokio6149]

Takve stvari se ne pricaju...Deda unuku,ili otac sinu...Moj otac je ratovao u Hrvatskoj 1992 godine.Ja sam ratovao 1999 godine na Kosovu...Otac mi je pricao o ratu...ali nikad mi nije rekao ubio sam coveka..ili slicno tome!Ja sam bio na Kosovu 1999 godine,na granici sa Albanijom.9 dana su nas napadali Albanci uz podrsku NATO-a...Instruktora iz USA,Engleske,Nemacke.Od nas 60 vojnika,poginulo je 34.Albanci su prestali sa napadom posle 9 dana,Nisu mogli da zauzmu objekat koji smo cuvali.Njih je poginulo oko 400 vojnika...Ja sam imao 17 gelera u telu kad su me operisali...Od glave do pete sam bio pokidan...Imam dva sina,Nikad,ali nikad im ne bih rekao,da ja sam ubio...5 vojnika..10..15...To je po meni nenormalno?Mozda je to kod vas normalno da se hvalite,ali kod nas to niko neradi.Naravno ima budala,koji kada popiju malo vise pricaju price da su..bili kao Rambo...ali takve ljude svi normalni izbegavaju.Rat je nesto najgore sto covek moze da vidi!Pakao,pa rat.Pozdrav iz Srbije❤

[@johngergen4871]

At the end of WW 2, 1946-1947. Train car loads of the Thompsons were sent to an Army Base in Barstow California to be destroyed. They had already some damage to them, but where still in one piece. The train cars were not locked or guarded in route. My cousin were teenagers living in Barstow during this time and by accident discovered the loads of Thompsons sitting in open cars on the tracks unguarded and not secured. My cousins and friends took several of the Thompsons and built complete workable machineguns. I guess there was ammo also for the taking. They told me they fired them at jackrabbits and had a great time until their father, a California Highway Patrol Officer, took them away .

[@2011Kestrel]

I’ve had a thing for the M1 Thompson ever since I saw Clint Eastwood carrying one around in Kelly’s Heroes. I first saw the movie when I was a kid, and 40+ years later the film (and gun) is still one of my favs.

[@henryrodgers1752]

Back when a few remnant dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, I was a Patrolman on the Las Cruces (NM) P.D. The Chief signed a letter stating that we would be allowed to carry special weapons on duty. Because it would be a duty weapon, the $200 transfer fee was waived and I bought a cosmoline-packed M1A1 Thompson for the princely sum of $85. Soon after, I went to work for El Paso P.D. That Thompson and I were first through the door on many drug raids and arrest warrant executions in the next 30+ years, during my career. Absolutely reliable.

[@THEfamouspolka]

"Executions...." I see what you did there

[@craigthescott5074]

Awesome i was a street cop for 33 years we had a bunch of 1928 Colts Thompson’s in our armory but they slowly were sold off when they became valuable. I bought a WW2 1928 Bridgeport Thompson when I retired. Unfortunately i never actually got to carry it as a Cop.

[@clay1883]

You should have paid the $200 tax and you'd still have it.

[@craigthescott5074]

@@clay1883 most gun guys in the 1980’s had no idea the class three market would take off like it has in the last 40 years. I just got addicted to class three weapons so I bought over a dozen. They were still much more expensive than the equivalent in semi. Most people thought I was crazy back then. I just sold one gun I bought for $1200 for $42,000!!!

[@markw6096]

I definitely understand. In the 1980’s I wanted to purchase several full auto uzis, but the local sheriff had to sign off on the paperwork and that was not happening.

[@interestingoldthings4889]

I think Savage is one of the unsung heroes of WW2 production. They made a million Lee Enfields between 1941 and 1944.

[@tiiiimmmmmm]

When Fuddblasters did their episode on the Thompson and mentioned the Savage simplified version was the best one, I had to look through your old archive of Thompson videos for more info. Thanks for this video.

[@Blitzkrieg_Wolf]

FINALLY, someone posting some well rounded information on the Thompson instead of just sh*tposts about how "bad" it was... it was a product of its time and got the job done with flying colors.

[@-kilian-]

The stamped / engraved markings on the side of the Thompson are so iconic

[@rymanjones3]

according to my dad, this was my great-grandfathers favorite gun in ww2, he fought on Okinawa. Pretty crazy how if he didnt make it back i wouldn't be typing this comment right now

[@goforbroke4428]

You owe your life to the Thompson submachine gun.

[@benn454]

@@goforbroke4428 Just like Brandon Herrera owes his life to the M3 Grease Gun.

[@rymanjones3]

@@goforbroke4428 thats what i was thinking, its pretty crazy. I heard a story that he was on patrol or something like that, and he spotted a machine gun nest and saw that they saw him, and thinking quickly he acted like he didn’t see them and waved behind him and said “cmon boys!” and kept going tricking them into waiting for the men to come behind him that weren’t there. He then snuck up above them and rolled a grenade into the position. Pretty awesome. He also had marksman badges and stuff and some purple hearts, one he earned in close quarters knife combat where he got his hand sliced open. I think he also carried a flamethrower at one point which is pretty crazy considering what the japs did if they caught someone with one. He brought back tons of pictures, two rifles, an officers sword + binos w/ case + revolver, and a katana that a family had given him as a gift I suppose while he dined with them. Pretty crazy stuff. We’ve got one of the rifles, its an early war Type 99 Arisaka with all matching serial numbers, anti aircraft sight ladder, and the dust cover all intact. I don’t even know how he managed to do it lol.

[@1SilverDollar]

800 rounds per minute saved your family line.

[@mfreund15448]

The Atom Bomb saved many family lineages.

[@Argument_Causer]

“Part sinner part saint.” “The Thompson truly was the gun that made the Twenties roar.” -*Ahoy*

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

I read the book by that title.

[@kurtarnold4050]

It was also called the Chicago typewriter

[@fruitloopz311]

I REMEMBER AHOY

[@Maximus6G]

It's kind of funny. It went from being intended for military use, only to become a gun known for being used by gangsters, and then it got picked back up by the military again. It really went full circle.

[@wesleymiles8756]

Beware the “I needs my money, see?” To “Buy war bonds” pipeline

[@angusmillerable]

"I need my money to buy war bonds."

[@tomaspabon2484]

​@@angusmillerablePatriotic Gangster shakes down small businesses to buy war bonds, read all about it

[@AtlasJotun]

I had completely forgotten about the oiler pads on old-school Tommy-guns! With their relatively long and illustrious career, it's easy to forget they're interwar guns. The simplified iteration is still so massively intensive in terms of requisite tooling and machine-hours, Savage's optimistic projection of 125k/mo. production boggles the mind.

[@csabaszabo6859]

the Thompson might be the only gun that have a bad guy and good guy variant.

[@gibbypeen5826]

I feel like i only see the silver berettas used by bad guys in movies lol

[@lenb307]

I'd been looking for a good Thompson to buy for my collection for awhile and seeing this video that Ian did sold me on this one. Ian always does a great job of presenting not only the history of a firearm, but also the technical details and he does a great job of making it very enjoyable and interesting to watch. I'm excited to have been the winning bidder on this gun in the recent auction, and can't wait to get it in hand! Not only does it have a great history, it also has the provenance of actually being shown and disassembled by Ian!

[@billchessell8213]

Nice catch!

[@geraldmaybebaby1585]

I love the naked engineering of the selector switches. To me, they actually look beautiful. The minimum for function is marvellous.

[@boxmanharris1115]

Cool. My M1A1 started life as an M1. It then had an A1 crudely stamped on it when it was converted to M1A1

[@Giraffe-zx9my]

Finally someone pointed out the flaw in a safety that can only be engaged AFTER cocking the weapon. I am not a safety nut, but every AR owner I've asked defends this design choice and refuses to acknowledge that it is inherently less safe.

[@Qingeaton]

Years ago, I saw a set of a Thompson and a 1911 that were made to be sold as a package. I remember it being $1000. The day after the show, I was wondering if I should have bought that set. Now, I wish I would have.

[@Tunechi_Lee]

You mean like 50 years ago?

[@rodgersmith1573]

@@Tunechi_Lee 50 bucks says he's referring to a semi-auto 16" barrel Auto Ordnance, which is what makes the most sense. You're thinking he's referring to an open bolt MG? Highly unlikely. Even 50 years ago.

[@gagekieffer772]

​@@rodgersmith1573 I mean you could still register machine guns back 50 years ago in the 1970's. It could have been a surplus Thompson that got into the civilian sector.

[@zippymufo9765]

​@@gagekieffer772Even in the 70's a thousand dollars was ridiculously low for a full auto Thompson.

[@tomgarrett9232]

I think everyone here has done that…

[@BBB_bbb_BBB]

These are always my favorite videos where you get to see the evolution of the same gun throughout its different revisions. I always like seeing how they simplify parts along the the way.

[@johnemmert9012]

I have seen period photos of M1928A1s with the L shape rear sight, no fins on the barrel, and no cuts compensator, or some combination of those features. It just goes to show how Savage and Auto Ordnance were trying to ease production difficulties.

[@Vin_San]

"Savage's Engineer" sound pretty based on a CV!

[@chubbycatfish4573]

I was wondering about the differences between the M1 and M1A1 just yesterday. Great timing!

[@AdamKorz]

Ahh my uncle Billy carried on in Saipan. He said they were coveted because they could shot through brush decently due to the fat 230grain 45acp. He was stationed as a mortarman in Iceland at the start of the War. Of of few Marines that had a theater badge from both sides. His name was William Authur Ryan from South Boston. He then served in Korea with the Army. He was the toughest SOB I have ever met

[@seibertsmiths]

Shoot through the brush? What rounds did the .45acp have a leg up on in terms of that spurious data point? Sounds like the very beginning of some fudd lore.

[@donwyoming1936]

The 45 is not renowned for being able to shoot through anything. Big, fat, slow bullet tends to get hung up pretty easily. When it comes to shooting through brush, we've found the faster the rifling twist, the better the bullet resists twigs & limbs. So, the 30-06 was probably the most effective in the jungle for several reasons.

[@tls29]

You guys, he's passing on what his believe uncle, one of the greatest generation, told him. There are lots of things that military men believed that weren't necessarily true (just look at .30 Carbine) but give him a break. Respect and appreciation to the uncle.

[@seibertsmiths]

@@tls29 we can respect his actions while pointing out what he said to his family members and ultimately what that family member is now spreading.. doesn't make any sense

[@dwaynesimons-d2c]

@@seibertsmiths Found "that guy".

[@jtplays7411]

I had a Lee Enfield No. 4 made by Savage, it was in good shape and quite well made. The coolest part was it was marked as U.S. property.

[@paulwillard5924]

I have fired two M1A1’s, I love handling them. Still wish I could lay hands on a 28A1, though…

[@wadewilson524]

It is amazing how quickly they got things approved and done!

[@TC-re7nv]

Never enough thompson info/videos, will watch every single time Ian Salute from VA!

[@gutfinski]

In the 1960’s, surplus dealers were selling these for only $59.50 each. Pretty cheap until you have to ante up $200.00 for the Tax Stamp!

[@tanfosbery1153]

$200 even then seems pretty good value to be able to own a full auto Thompson

[@BeltFedToys]

​@@tanfosbery1153 it was and still is theft by the government. Up until the 1930's anyone could mail order a Thompson then in 1986 they stopped all civilian machine gun manufacturing.

[@jakespeed6515]

Just told my wife who asked what I’m watching - The Bob Ross of Machine guns!

[@sethwallace4878]

That is hilarious dude…I never thought about it like that 😂🤙

[@blackcountryme]

But the "Fluffy little clouds" are flak bursts

[@dude126]

Can't get enough of the Thompson.

[@JunkyardBashSteve]

The M1 Thompson was made with my personal every day mantra in mind "Good enough is good enough"

[@vuogg8505]

Nice, i just re watched some of the old Thompson videos... Ian bless me with another one

[@johnpogany2444]

My Dad who was in WW2 in the pacific he told he picked up a Thompson out of the mud and noticed it read “Made in Bridgeport Connecticut” it was our home town or city it was one of the very few things he told me about the war

[@ChrisSmith-lo2kp]

my brother-in-law was a Huey Cobra pilot in the very early 70s and he won a WW2 era Thompson in a poker game - they were valued because the 45 ACP round was relatively low velocity, so jungle vegetation wouldn't deflect the round (unlike a M16) and it had immediate stopping power

[@bobjones5674]

10:10 PSA: The back corners of the lower receiver on the m1, the m1a1, and the modern Khar arms reproductions are extremely sharp. So if you have one and its sticky to take a part, be very careful with where and how you're applying the additionally force needed. I know this because I wasn't and have a two inch long quarter inch wide scar on my wrist from one.

[@springertube]

Although the wood forends are probably interchangeable (one would hope), when the switch was made from the 1928A1 to the M1 / M1 A1, they cheapified the piece... blockier and more square. No longer as radiused and contoured. Another sign of obviously just trying to crank them out. The 1928A1 was much more a piece of machined craftsmanship --but with a price tag to match.

[@KRRabbit1]

Excellent, thank you sir. I do hope you get the chance to review the West Hurley Thompsons. They get some grief, but they are an additional chapter to the Thompson story.

[@cameron5802]

Would love for you to get a chance to visit Savage Arms here in Westfield. They have a beautiful museum and reference room in their headquarters that houses models of their weapons from the inception of the business, to today. Not to mention, seeing a full fledged barrel to stock assemblage of a weapon is rare for manufacturers nowadays, but Savage is proud in that most weapons they sell are completely built up from start.

[@simonerubino52]

Not being new to firearms, but being new to the enter workings of a Tommy gun. So to speak, man, this was an awesome video, thank you.

[@jeffreyyucel9373]

I always enjoy watching your videos Ian. Your wealth of gun knowledge is impressive to say the least. I always learn something new with the every one you produce and that, my friend has real value. Big fan of Auto Ordinance... my buddy has a 1928 and I have the 1911A1 just like the GI’s got issued in WW2. Had 4 Colts before this pistol and I have to say only one of the Colt 1911’s was as good as my Auto Ordinance pistol is and I wish I had never traded that one. It was the new 1991A1 Colt started making in the early nineties and it was an excellent shooting pistol. Keep up the good work brother!

[@paulo5501]

A friend of mine, here in Brazil, has in his collection an original M1, bought at an army auction and with the original configuration, with the hammer.

[@jaxwest6703]

Thanks Ian for a great review of this version of the Thompson as well as the others. Although I have some excellent firearms in my collection my 1928 Thompson is the favorite.

[@dcspooky6903]

Fantastic review of an iconic weapon! thank you very much Ian......greatly appreciated.

[@jacqueschouette7474]

I fired a Thompson SMG once, but I don't know if it was an M1 or and M1A1. What I do know is that it was so old and used that when the rounds came out of the barrel, they were already starting to tumble, so instead of nice, round bullet holes in the target, you had silhouettes of the rounds going thru the target sideways. I was also surprised at how much the Thompson didn't kick. I have a 1911 and was expecting a good kick in automatic, but the weight of the Thompson really damped the kick of the 45 round.

[@gregwright392]

Combination of Sgt Rock, Audie Murphy and Vic Morris made the Thompson on my dreams. Had the Mattel green camo model as a child in the 60's. Finally achieved my bucket list and have a 1928A1!

[@Dan-hs6rt]

Maybe, hopefully, you meant to say "Vic Morrow"?

[@thomasconnolly7452]

Very informative. A Thompson is the one bucket list purchase I have yet to make.

[@mikeblair2594]

I love this channel. It combines my two great loves, history and firearms engineering. It can't get any better than that. Life is good!

[@PajamaPantsStudios]

Cool to finally see the one pattern of m1 we couldn’t get those years ago. I remember watching that series a few times!

[@louisrichards3702]

in 1940 in north Africa the 20 round mags had their count holes welded up, to try and keep the sand out to increase the reliability,, and at some point, the 30 rounders stopped having the count holes punched into the mag body. to keep out sand, dirt mud ,etc ...and probably to lower the cost.too.

[@kapower06]

Having a m1928a1 myself, they shoot nice and controllable with cutts compensator. Would be interested to see the difference without. I also know the cyclic rate changes with each variation.

[@TheWizardOfGore89]

Love it! The fact the military used this big ass hunck of metal is amazing.

[@DavidBenner-cy4zl]

The 45 Thompson or the Remington 12 gauge were the two main weapons dear old dad used in his guerilla warfare unit of native troops from 1950 through the mid-1970's. East Asia, the Philippines, Korea, Communist China, Indo China, later becoming Laos, South America, and other places. Left over from WWII, he was always old school. Side arms were 45 Autos or 357 Colts. I did find an occasional "agent" gun of smaller caliber and size hidden away in the house. Dad was a most dangerous man yet 100% safe to be with. You'll find mom and dad together in the Arlington National Cemetery, surrounded by his buddies.

[@WrittenbytheVictorUK]

Incredible story Sir!

[@DavidBenner-cy4zl]

@WrittenbytheVictorUK Dad worked all over the world. Mostly in Laos. Almost 20 years with the Hmong, on and off.

[@WrittenbytheVictorUK]

@@DavidBenner-cy4zl Amazing! Click on my name and send me some details if you'd like, happy to add his story!

[@tltc191]

Savage Arms in Utica, NY. My hometown for the win!

[@causewaykayak]

We have an Utica in North Wales, UK . Wonder if there's a historic link ??

[@tltc191]

@@causewaykayak I was always told it was named after the Utica of the Carthage Empire. Neighboring cities to Utica, NY include Rome, Amsterdam and Syracuse. Some of the adjacent smaller villages include Paris and Poland.

[@causewaykayak]

Thanks for the information. I see Utica hosts North American Festival of Wales from time to time. A lot of places in N Wales have middle eastern place names. Its from a time when Religious Revival was married to political protest. I guess it was a way if asserting independence of allegiances. Place names are very interesting . Thanks again for the trouble you took to reply

[@herbertliedel7019]

Several years ago on a trip to Front Sight Range in Nevada had a choice of firing an M16, Uzi, or Thompson. Ran 3 mags through the Thompson. Fun time.

[@markjmaxwell9819]

So many changes and none to the overall detriment of the weapon extremely interesting stuff Ian. Great job Savage and a testament to mechanical engineering and gun design done properly. Even though the basic SMG blowback design was well understood by that point in time. 😎🇦🇺👍

[@andrewrife6253]

Legend has it that the Thompson program was the last time the us government cared about indiscriminate spending and wasting taxpayer money.

[@jeffrogge8597]

😂😅😂😅😂😅😂😅😂

[@wyattpeterson6286]

I believe that.

[@loetzcollector466]

NASA has entered the chat

[@bebo4807]

And you actually give a fuck about taxpayer money? You have no idea about how most of taxes are spent. And this coming from someone who spends half his money on crap Chinese shit from Walmart.

[@alexsis1778]

As Ian said, the reduced cost was just a nice side effect. They really just wanted more guns which is generally the goal of wartime simplifications.

[@kot0472]

Now I just see there was a gap between M1928A1 and M1A1 in Thompson's playlist.

[@stanallen1072]

Wow, you finally found one. Thanks for showing it to us!

[@guernseygoodness]

Great video! Another difference between the 1928 models and the M1/M1 A1 models is the pistol grip. notice how the M1 pistol grip base has a dog leg Cut to it. The 1928 does not and I am speculating the reason for the upgrade is the 28 style grip can be torqued fore and aft which could possibly break the Threaded retaining bolt that fastens it to the lower receiver. As Ian noted, it is rare to find an M1 Thompson that has not been re-stamped M1A1, since those models of Thompson’s were an issued submachine gun well after World War II so most all of them were Arsenal rebuilt at one time or another. The gun that Ian has appears to have been re-finished at some point. It’s my understanding that from the factory, the barrels would be blued and everything attached to it would have the Du-lite black finish.

[@dudleyjackson2560]

M1 soldier, M1 jeep, m1 rations, M1 uniform shirt….. M1 fighter plane,M1 latrine . Not at all confusing there uncle Sam!?!

[@cosaqueexiste9647]

"Hey give me the submachine gun, we have to go around in the car"

[@janwacawik7432]

Gotta be that dude and point out that aircraft didn't use the M designation.

[@BlackCat-tc2tv]

“We’re under attack! Throw on your M1, grab your M1, and jump in the M1!” “What about my M1!?” “Sure, bring that too!”

[@1nfamyX]

I smelled it when you said that word 💀

[@todorkolev7565]

if you need a model name to tell the difference between a latrine and a Jeep...

[@danhollifield]

If you can find one, look up the Volunteer Firearms reproductions of these. Semi-auto only, patterned halfway between the 1928 and the M1, but with a really funky mag-well. They were all made by some guys my Dad worked with at Oak Ridge in the early '60s, in their garage machine shop. Nice variant, not a lot were made, but still quite functional. --Dan

[@Lankythepyro]

Great video, thanks Ian and everyone at Forgotten Weapons. It seems the bolt change between the M1 and M1A1 was significant in simplifying manufacture but didn't really affect the performance of the gun in literally any way (except *possibly* making it slightly safer), while maintaining full parts compatibility. With that in mind it's a little surprising to me that any effort was made to convert the M1s to A1s; I imagine the only reason to do so would be to replace a damaged bolt. Is there something I'm missing here? Is it literally the case that conversion to A1 mostly only occurred when the bolt needed replacing?

[@parrotraiser6541]

There's a US Army training film on YT showing an elaborate procedure for zeroing the sights on a Thompson. How often did the sights on a sub-machine gun ever get used?

[@Dan-hs6rt]

Im just wondering, out of ignorance, how you zero the sights, as i didnt see any adjustable front sight. Maybe filing it down to raise the point of impact... Having a fixt rear, spot welded, or rivetted, would only help if you needed to file the notch deeper, or bend it laterally. Maybe this subject was overlookt for comment by our Grand Master Ian. What say ye, sir? How could zeroing the sights be accomplished, for the enlightenment of the ignorant. I really believe this to be an academic question, as any sub gun delivering up to 30 rounds of .45 ACP, 230 +/- grain ball ammo, in seconds, even pointed in the general direction of a threat, would undoubtedly make people who were attentative enuf, to drop out of sight. Those not attentative enuf, would merely drop... A wonderful weapon to behold, especially if you be holding it...

[@Dan-hs6rt]

Will be working to find the referenced "sighting-in" video. I really want to know, never to old to learn something new. Don't hate on me, im kinda new at this you tube stuf.

[@parrotraiser6541]

"Zeno's marksmanship Thompson" should find it.

[@desperado8605]

Still want the Chicago typewriter. That series on the other 3 was my favorite set of videos you've done

[@larshenrik8900]

Ian I must correct you on your note about the Hk416, the safety cannot be engaged if the trigger has been pulled, it can only be engaged if the hammer is cocked.

[@starlingcz]

I have here Thompson M1 with number in range 117XX made by Savage and it has not cover for rear sights. Safe and semi auto controls are like from M1928.

[@weswolever7477]

Reaches under the table and comes out with my holy grail of guns

[@AsbestosMuffins]

it is funny how complicated even the simplified Thompson is for being just an open bolt simple blowback gun

[@josephgrimminck6855]

These things were so expensive even by / especially by olde time monies. Great review sir o7

[@Waterlooplein1]

I know Vic Marrow from "Combat" had one.

[@johndilday1846]

This version is the one my father carried for a while in WW2 before it was replaced by the M3 Grease gun. My dad said he was very unhappy with having to trade in the Thompson for the M3.

[@Spirit_Form]

Damn, this is such a good channel.

[@leafygreens7318]

Thank you Ian! Always fascinating and informative! Cheers, Petr

[@jugantic4021]

My father carried a Thompson while he was a corporal in Yugoslav navy.

[@catranger01]

Besides cost reduction technically reducing the number of parts increases the reliability.

[@D80pfb]

With the M1 being able to be put on safe with the bolt forward it also prevents the gun from chambering a round if dropped.

[@mwb3984]

Just when we all thought we knew something, here comes Ian! Good video, learned a lot, thank you once again. All of your content is Very Enjoyable mainly due to you integrating politics, economics and history all in one - giving us a good feel for why things happened as they did.

[@BullittHilts]

Definitely enjoyed the video!!

[@USApatriotLarry]

My uncle used the Thompson through his WW2 service life. 3rd Infantry division, company L, 15th infantry. N Africa through Germany/Austria.

[@that70sdude]

Wow, this is amazing. You would think that a gun in developement gets more tiny parts and more complex during the process, not otherwise but it is exactly like that. Going from complex and unnecessary to simple and robust. It blows my mind how simple the interiors of the m1a1 are.

[@zf9903]

Hey Ian, you should do a variety episode on the many BB guns throughout history! Would love to see some uncommon examples alongside the classics that were the first shooters of many.

[@stephend4909]

This is great, nice work. I always wondered about the "H piece" - the Blish lock. Although its omission did not affect performance it is intriguing engineering. As a dedicated Elbonian, I have a p mandatory penchant for excruciatingly unnecessary, ineffective engineering, especially when its ugly. Mate, I'm really looking forward to a proper coverage of the Reising submachinegun. Please deliver this as only you can, Ian. Reisings in Guadalcanal is what I wanna hear about. You go guy!

[@camicro99]

Per my late grandfather, in the Marine Corp, 1927, main land China in a letter back to family in the US, the Thompson submachine gun was a light 15 pounds that they carried on patrol.

[@762parabillim]

I picked up an original at the scene of a find of PIRA weapons in Londonderry in 1976, and passed it on to the relevant laboratory (DRC), but not before examining all of the internals out of curiosity. A very interesting gun, particularly the H! Far too heavy, though, I thought, for an assault weapon; strictly a spray and pray for a gangster.

[@storytimedavidcollins2897]

Thanks again Ian

[@clintwilde1048]

The biggest mystery in many firearms within this Blish device. The magic 'chamber pressure reduced to a safe level' before the gun cycles, as in the 1911 where the lugs disengage, when the 'chamber pressure drops to a safe level' and it cycles. I have asked around how that was ever determined, and about the best answer was they just fiddled with it until they got it right. But I would surely like to know if there really was an engineering way to figure that issue out, or did John Browning machine the lugs in the slide and the barrel and kept filing them down until the gun worked flawlessly.

[@ivanivanovic5586]

The old Clint Eastwood movie "Kelly's heroes" comes to mind, it used a lot of thompsons, I never knew most of them were the m1 pattern that had no ears to protect the rear irons, little me found it odd (was used to seeing the m1a1 pattern more, from games to movies series and docu), until imfdb came into picture. Speaking of m1 and m1a1, games often erroneously depict them as being able to accept the old drum mags. Would it be doable to cut the grooves for them onto the receiver(s) if you're really that desperate to use them together, without compromising on the structural integrity and operation of the gun in question?

[@TR4Ajim]

SgT Saunders introduced this gun to a lots of kids (like me) in the show COMBAT!

[@jimeditorial]

My father trained with both versions in WW2, and once told me that the early ones were heavy and jam-prone, and the later box magazine guns were appreciated for lightness, but the front pistol grip was missed. He told me that he was expected to use full auto only in a dire emergency, and then in three round bursts. He also said that fired as a carbine, it was surprisingly accurate and controllable. He was later issued a Sten and told me of slam fires, and several accidental discharges....troops would climb onto a vehicle, snag the charging handle on webbing or netting, then draw it back enough to fire the weapon. They were told that a Sten cost 2 pounds to manufacture....

[@mcqueenfanman]

Yep, I remember that series.

[@propdoctor21564]

Excellent video as always.

[@piranhaattack4836]

The Thompson is my all time favorite gun

[@GiesSpen]

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

[@petesheppard1709]

Ian also has a whole series on the Thompson SMGs in the Forgotten Weapons archive.

[@NefariousEnough]

Tremendous!! Thank you.