Thompson with 30 round clip
Thompson SMG with drum magazine and pistol grip.
The M1921 Thompson submachine gun, or more commonly, the Tommy Gun, is an American-made submachine gun often associated with Prohibition-era gangsters. It was the Long-Range weapon of the Mafia and the Mid-Range weapon of Al Capone.
Description
- Weight: 10.8 lbs
- Barrel: 10.5 inches
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Action: Blowback
- Rate of Fire: 1,000 rpm
- Muzzle velocity: 920 ft/s
- Effective range: 165 yards
- Feed system:
- 20-30 Round Stick Magazine
- 50-100 Round Drum Magazine
Uses
The Tommy Gun was originally developed by General John T. Thompson to create a semi-automatic rifle to replace the bolt-action rifles then in use. Although not immediately embraced by the military, it found favor with gangsters at the time for its ergonomics, compactness, large .45 ACP cartridge, and high volume of automatic fire. It gained this popularity because it was legal to own during the early 1900s, and John Thompson wanted to sell his guns to the public as WWI ended and the military wasn't interested in massproducing it. Later models of the Tommy Gun were eventually adopted by the US military and saw action in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Captured models were also used by the Viet Cong, and it was also used in the 1960's and 70's by the Irish Republican Army. It is one of the oldest guns still being used by some millitaries today, though has been replaced by the assault rifles in most countries (as assault rifles have larger calibers and range).
Test
In Yakuza vs Mafia
The Tommy Gun and Sten were both tested against single and multiple targets (in a simulated bar). The Tommy Gun was given the edge due to its stronger caliber, faster rate of fire, and larger magazine.
In Jesse James vs Al Capone
Al Capone's Thompson sub-machine gun and Jesse James' Colt Revolvers were tested on three targets. It expended 50 rounds and shot all three targets in six seconds with two kill shots and a mortal liver wound. The Thompson were also tested in a 1929 Hudson Super 6 simulating the vehicles his time. The Thompson shot three of the five targets, two kill shots and a mortal liver wound. The edge was given to the Thompson due to its ability to put more rounds into its targets.
Trivia
- The Tommy Gun got the highest number of kills for a single weapon in both of the episodes it got featured. It scored 499 kills in the Mafia vs. Yakuza episode and 338 kills in the Jesse James vs. Al Capone episode.