Very interesting bit about the magazine trip at 15:31. Had no idea the bolt stayed open on a Thompson only when you used the box magazines. One less step on not needing to cock the bolt back must have been useful in combat.
The Thompson was ahead of its own time. It's superior to literally all other SMGs of the era, but hey, simps are gonna simps, and the grass somehow is greener on the enemies' side.
They realized the over-complicated Bliss locking system didn't do much, which resulted in the simplified M1 and M1A1 Thompson blowback-only variants being produced after 1943. Production time was cut in have, and cost for each gun went from $210 to $70.
@@kovona Prior to this video, I was only familiar with the M1A1 variant - the "Slam Fire" model. I was very surprised to learn how its predecessor was constructed and operated!
They didn't have the technology we have nowadays. Today, a CNC machine operation isn't that expensive, 7075 aluminum is cheaper than heavy steel, and thus, if a Thompson was to be mass-produced today, it would probably be as cheap as an M4 carbine.
My father a WW2 combat veteran fought thru Belgium and Germany in 44 and 45, and apparently much of their fighting was house to house in small villages. They would breach a basement in the first house and sweep the buildings attached and work their way down the street going thru basement walls . Anyway he said thompsons were a favorite in that close combat, BUT he said he rarely saw a thompson with a stock attached, as the GIs would cut, break off or remove the stock so it could be swung quickly to either side in close quarters
John Thompson a genius. As good as Browning. To think that 102 years ago he mastered the gas pressures, metallurgy, timings, ballistics, to make this work.
In what world is he in the same league as browning? The metalurgy and understanding of pressures was not new in any way. People had been making guns for centuries at that point. The blish lock he used is also more or less based on a misunderstanding of materials science, proving you dont actually have to understand all that much to make a gun work if you allow for some to blow up while you tweak it.
Onyx - No kidding ! When I was in the Army I had the opportunity to fire a Thompson. My normal weapons were the M-14, or the M-60 machine gun in the field. I was surprised by the weight of the Thompson (heavy) for as small as it was. Not only that it felt solid, more than a bunch of parts put together. This was done at the FBI range under their HQ in Washington, which they had allowed us to use for our .45 qualification (back then machine gunners carried .45's too). The armorer brought out a rolling cart full of various weapons and some ammo, and we had a blast trying them out. My favorite was the Thompson. The BAR kicked ass too. It was definitely one of the funnest days I spent in the Army.
The "trip" is the single most ingenious feature of any open-bolt submachine gun, no fumbling with the charging handle every time you change magazines! This is a considerable advantage over designs like the MP5 which must be charged every single time the magazine runs dry.
All submachineguns and present day service rifles involves the recoil spring,drive spring,or buffer derives its power from the rear to the front.Some systems like the M1 Garand,M1 Carbine,and M14 Rifle uses the spring on the front.It is still used today as the most efficient means of recycling the energy of recoil and gas of the firearm to cycle properly.
Anyone know the name of the Lieutenant who appears in this video. Seems he is in just about every Army gun video made during that time. Would be interesting to find out what he did during the war.
So when did they figure out that the blish principle wasn’t actually a thing and that this was basically a delayed blowback gun helped by mechanical disadvantage of the “locking” lug working at a significant angle?
Like what you see? Your DVD purchases at our store make this channel possible. www.zenosflightshop.com Get this film & five more on our "Mastering the Thompson Submachine Gun" DVD bit.ly/OEg9DZ We need your support! Zeno
it seems that there is a conical angle in the chamber where the cartridge bursts, and it seems that the Anglo from the middle to the end is beginning to end, am I right?
Light is not the right word for a the Thompson. 4.8 KG (unloaded). That's heavier than a full-wood standard issue M1 Garand and a Milled RPK-74. But I guess that since this has a lot to do with morale, propaganda was an important tool back then just as much as it is today.
On the flip side, that extra weight reduces felt recoil substantially. Watch how little that shooter moves when the gun is fired. In full auto, it helps reduce muzzle climb thus keeping the gun on target. There is an advantage there.
Too expensive for law enforcement but cost no obstacle for a bootlegger/enforcer. The Lincoln jeep had a humidor and a drinks cabinet for the cost of two of these. The liberty ship men could have cranked them out at 1/10 cost and 100 times faster. What a waste of effort unless you have co-respondent shoes and a fedora. Makes you THE man.
@@markroe9529 Oh no, trigger discipline and muzzle courtesy was still super high those days. Remember when Gunny Haney tossed a chunk of coral at the derp butter bar in Eugene Sledge's account of his time in the Pacific theater? It's just these guys are actors and don't know shit about guns. You think these are real GIs?
Important to note that the later M1A1 thompson doesn't have the hammer like that, instead it has a fixed firing pin on the bolt face. It also doesn't have the blish lock
XD they also explain the stupid blish lock. Dont beliefe them! Different metals do not stick together under high pressure. That is physicalli impossible. They were just plain stupid and put an unnessesary thing in a blow back gun.
The frames are nearly identical, some small differences in exterior shape. The M1/M1A1 does not have a blish lock. Otherwise they operate in the same manner
@@markroe9529 the M1 still has an internal hammer and spring-loaded firing pin, which is less prone to breakage under higher round count than the M1A1, and if did break, would be easier to replace and less wasting than replacing the whole bolt body assembly.
The M1A1 is complete garbage compared to the M1928A1. This is what the Thompson should always look like. Not that trash US Ordinance forced upon AO and Savage
It depends on your purpose. The m1a1 is much more easy to make, cheaper, and for practical purposes works just as well. So, the m1a1 is better if your purpose is to get as many into the hands of people as possible. The m1928a1 is much more elegant and has fancier features. So if your goal is to have it look nice and shoot smooth/ accurate as possible then it's the better pick.
@@wesleyroberts7119 No, the M1A1 is even dumber in that the firing pin is simply machined into the bolt face. The M1 still has a hammer and spring-loaded firing pin, at least, which you can replace with less wastage, and even then, under heavy firing schedule, is less likely to break.
Very interesting bit about the magazine trip at 15:31. Had no idea the bolt stayed open on a Thompson only when you used the box magazines. One less step on not needing to cock the bolt back must have been useful in combat.
The Thompson was ahead of its own time. It's superior to literally all other SMGs of the era, but hey, simps are gonna simps, and the grass somehow is greener on the enemies' side.
The Tommy gun is a brilliant design, but the StG 44 was light years ahead of its time imo.
What a simple but yet complicated weapon. I can see why these things were pricey to manufacture. Cool video.
They realized the over-complicated Bliss locking system didn't do much, which resulted in the simplified M1 and M1A1 Thompson blowback-only variants being produced after 1943. Production time was cut in have, and cost for each gun went from $210 to $70.
@@kovona Blish
@@kovona Prior to this video, I was only familiar with the M1A1 variant - the "Slam Fire" model. I was very surprised to learn how its predecessor was constructed and operated!
@@kovona Actually they got the price down to $ 45/unit late in the war. Still not cheap compared to stamped metal SMG's, but reasonable.
They didn't have the technology we have nowadays. Today, a CNC machine operation isn't that expensive, 7075 aluminum is cheaper than heavy steel, and thus, if a Thompson was to be mass-produced today, it would probably be as cheap as an M4 carbine.
"A reliable friend in a tough spot". That's what we all need.
My father a WW2 combat veteran fought thru Belgium and Germany in 44 and 45, and apparently much of their fighting was house to house in small villages. They would breach a basement in the first house and sweep the buildings attached and work their way down the street going thru basement walls . Anyway he said thompsons were a favorite in that close combat, BUT he said he rarely saw a thompson with a stock attached, as the GIs would cut, break off or remove the stock so it could be swung quickly to either side in close quarters
These films are fascinating. Thank you Zeno Warbirds!
I'm just fascinated by gun mechanisms
You know when it starts with that same 1940s orchestra its gonna be good.
John Thompson a genius. As good as Browning. To think that 102 years ago he mastered the gas pressures, metallurgy, timings, ballistics, to make this work.
In what world is he in the same league as browning? The metalurgy and understanding of pressures was not new in any way. People had been making guns for centuries at that point. The blish lock he used is also more or less based on a misunderstanding of materials science, proving you dont actually have to understand all that much to make a gun work if you allow for some to blow up while you tweak it.
Very educational. I’m taking mine out to the workbench and rewatching this now. Very cool, very informative
1:51 "Simple and light"... there ya go... Sarcasm 1943 style...
Onyx - No kidding ! When I was in the Army I had the opportunity to fire a Thompson. My normal weapons were the M-14, or the M-60 machine gun in the field. I was surprised by the weight of the Thompson (heavy) for as small as it was. Not only that it felt solid, more than a bunch of parts put together. This was done at the FBI range under their HQ in Washington, which they had allowed us to use for our .45 qualification (back then machine gunners carried .45's too). The armorer brought out a rolling cart full of various weapons and some ammo, and we had a blast trying them out. My favorite was the Thompson. The BAR kicked ass too. It was definitely one of the funnest days I spent in the Army.
The "trip" is the single most ingenious feature of any open-bolt submachine gun, no fumbling with the charging handle every time you change magazines! This is a considerable advantage over designs like the MP5 which must be charged every single time the magazine runs dry.
Sam Percy It offers no safety at all.
Thats why was so costly and was replaced by M3 submachine gun. By the way... spectacular video. Thanks 4 share
That's not true the M3 didn't replace it
All submachineguns and present day service rifles involves the recoil spring,drive spring,or buffer derives its power from the rear to the front.Some systems like the M1 Garand,M1 Carbine,and M14 Rifle uses the spring on the front.It is still used today as the most efficient means of recycling the energy of recoil and gas of the firearm to cycle properly.
It’s a dream of mine to own one. My great grandfather carried one, and I’ve been infatuated with them ever since I’ve seen one.
inevitable tragedy make a non auto look alike only way to get on
Anyone know the name of the Lieutenant who appears in this video. Seems he is in just about every Army gun video made during that time. Would be interesting to find out what he did during the war.
So when did they figure out that the blish principle wasn’t actually a thing and that this was basically a delayed blowback gun helped by mechanical disadvantage of the “locking” lug working at a significant angle?
brilliant well done
Like what you see? Your DVD purchases at our store make this channel possible.
www.zenosflightshop.com Get this film & five more on our "Mastering the Thompson Submachine Gun" DVD bit.ly/OEg9DZ
We need your support! Zeno
it seems that there is a conical angle in the chamber where the cartridge bursts, and it seems that the Anglo from the middle to the end is beginning to end, am I right?
Awesome!
Its thoroughly impressive how much Blish fooled everyone into thinking his locking system did anything at all.
there is some video that explains about this, the angle of the chamber?
Light is not the right word for a the Thompson. 4.8 KG (unloaded). That's heavier than a full-wood standard issue M1 Garand and a Milled RPK-74.
But I guess that since this has a lot to do with morale, propaganda was an important tool back then just as much as it is today.
HecklerRommel I mean it's lighter than a .50 cal or a BAR
Eric Sales I won't argue that, but I do believe it's an older design. I think
Heckler tfbtv
Lite power- pistol caliber 45 APC. Remember that the 30 Caliber MG.was also called lite. Witch ment it could be carried by hand.
On the flip side, that extra weight reduces felt recoil substantially. Watch how little that shooter moves when the gun is fired. In full auto, it helps reduce muzzle climb thus keeping the gun on target. There is an advantage there.
WOW! WOW!!
Would it be all right if I used parts of this video in a sereis I'm making?
awesome
Can someone explain 9:13 please?
Does the top of the magazine act as the ejector?
no there is a ejector that is screwed into the left side of the receiver over the mag slightly behind
The ejector is in the side of the receiver. It is not shown in the diagram. That mark shows where it is.
Too expensive for law enforcement but cost no obstacle for a bootlegger/enforcer. The Lincoln jeep had a humidor and a drinks cabinet for the cost of two of these. The liberty ship men could have cranked them out at 1/10 cost and 100 times faster. What a waste of effort unless you have co-respondent shoes and a fedora. Makes you THE man.
It seems strange that bronze was strong enough for the locking lug.
Yeah! I was surprised at how they used a property of dissimilar metals there.
@@grantmartin1852 This is the M1928A1, I believe the M1 and M1A1 thompson did away with the blish lock since it didn't really do much
Bronze; about 90% copper and About 10% tin; Brass; about 90% copper and about 10% zinc.
In the first minute... The finger inside trigger guard.
its completely unloaded and for demonstration purposes, chill out an unloaded gun can't shoot.
It was also the way things were in that time period. Finger off the trigger wasn't a rule then.
Mark Roe especially when you're neighbor's a commie you gotta be ready at all times
@@markroe9529 Oh no, trigger discipline and muzzle courtesy was still super high those days. Remember when Gunny Haney tossed a chunk of coral at the derp butter bar in Eugene Sledge's account of his time in the Pacific theater?
It's just these guys are actors and don't know shit about guns. You think these are real GIs?
Bronze does not stick to steel!
Captain John H Miller approves of this video.
Al Capone approves of this video!
A very space age looking weapon even for it's time. Looks like a ray gun.
It does have that "Buck Rogers" feel doesn't it?
🥰
i would love to have one. or two.
Sweet
"The gun is simple, light flexible"
LIAR
This is why they came up with the M-3
No soldier wants to hear "HEAVY, HARD AND DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND"
Light...yeah it's fukin 4.5kg unless mag
this makes me want to skeletonize one of these
Never owned a Thompson, so I found it unique how the hammer works.
Important to note that the later M1A1 thompson doesn't have the hammer like that, instead it has a fixed firing pin on the bolt face. It also doesn't have the blish lock
To think this was the bloodiest war in history
Linda armas
Why in the heck would I ever need to know this
sterling, sten, M3, Thompson. smart people...
Now wheres my Apple pie and hotdog with curly fries and milkshake float?
I wanted to see the animation go full auto.
XD they also explain the stupid blish lock. Dont beliefe them! Different metals do not stick together under high pressure. That is physicalli impossible. They were just plain stupid and put an unnessesary thing in a blow back gun.
That part made stop quite a while. Maybe I didn't understand. I even turned on the caption. I was really confused by this nonsense.
The ole Chicago typewriter
Anyone know if the m1a1 functions the same way?
The frames are nearly identical, some small differences in exterior shape. The M1/M1A1 does not have a blish lock. Otherwise they operate in the same manner
@@markroe9529 the M1 still has an internal hammer and spring-loaded firing pin, which is less prone to breakage under higher round count than the M1A1, and if did break, would be easier to replace and less wasting than replacing the whole bolt body assembly.
@@seijiroukikuoka5975 I know it does.
M1A1 doesn't have the blish lock and cant accept the drum mag either, main thing is the M1A1 has a fixed firing pin though
I so badly want to build wooden replica of this gun but I need measurements and on top of that i need them in milimeters.
I've made three full auto rubber band thompsons, which are almost exactly like the real one. You don't really need measurements.
simple.... ok....... light... ha!....
with a 50 rd drum this gun doesn't move...you could even write your name with it!
@@frankpienkosky5688 I'm reading everyone saying it but by the time was not in comparison with other submachine guns?
ดีๆๆ
Het eerste wetenschappelijke beroep is militair
Sir this my "pibirate,,gun thonson",
Mr.Al Cqpone.#1929.
👍🔫🇺🇸😀🆒
this thing is way to complicated. no wonder it was so expensive to produce.
first i think that is toy comersial 💀
The M1A1 is complete garbage compared to the M1928A1. This is what the Thompson should always look like. Not that trash US Ordinance forced upon AO and Savage
It depends on your purpose. The m1a1 is much more easy to make, cheaper, and for practical purposes works just as well. So, the m1a1 is better if your purpose is to get as many into the hands of people as possible. The m1928a1 is much more elegant and has fancier features. So if your goal is to have it look nice and shoot smooth/ accurate as possible then it's the better pick.
@@wesleyroberts7119 No, the M1A1 is even dumber in that the firing pin is simply machined into the bolt face. The M1 still has a hammer and spring-loaded firing pin, at least, which you can replace with less wastage, and even then, under heavy firing schedule, is less likely to break.