Auto-Ordnance Thompson Lightweight Deluxe 45 ACP 16.5″ — Superb Carbine

Description

The Auto-Ordnance Thompson Lightweight Deluxe is the answer to the one complaint everybody has about a Thompson: the weight. The 1927A-1C uses an aluminium alloy receiver in place of the steel one, which takes several pounds off a carbine that otherwise runs around thirteen. Everything else stays: the 16.5 inch finned barrel, the Cutts compensator, the vertical foregrip and the American walnut furniture.

What the Lightweight Changes

A standard 1927A-1 is a magnificent thing to shoot and a tiring thing to hold up. The Auto-Ordnance Thompson Lightweight Deluxe addresses that directly by machining the receiver from aluminium alloy rather than steel. The result handles far better offhand, carries without complaint, and still looks exactly like a Thompson from any distance at all.

There is a trade, and it is worth stating: less mass means more felt recoil. A steel Thompson absorbs 45 ACP so completely that the sight picture barely moves; the lightweight lets a little of it through. It is still a mild-shooting carbine by any normal standard — 45 ACP is a low-pressure cartridge and this is still a heavy gun compared with a modern carbine — but the difference is noticeable if you have shot both.

Specifications

• Model: Auto-Ordnance Thompson 1927A-1C Lightweight Deluxe, T5
• Caliber: 45 ACP
• Barrel: 16.5 in, finned
• Action: semi-automatic
• Capacity: 20+1, stick magazine supplied
• Receiver: aluminium alloy
• Finish: blued
• Stock and grips: American walnut
• Foregrip: vertical
• Muzzle: Cutts compensator
• Sights: adjustable
• Handedness: right hand

A note on magazines. The Lightweight takes the same stick magazines and the same drums as the steel Thompsons, so nothing in the accessory ecosystem changes. Fitting a 50 or 100 round drum will, however, give back a good deal of the weight the aluminium receiver saved — if you bought this version specifically for the handling, the sticks are the ones to shoot.

Why it is worth considering

• Aluminium alloy receiver, several pounds lighter than the steel version
• Full Deluxe treatment: finned barrel, Cutts compensator, vertical foregrip
• American walnut stock and grips
• Semi-automatic and Title I, requiring no NFA paperwork
• Adjustable sights
• Takes the same sticks and drums as every other Thompson

Who it suits

The Auto-Ordnance Thompson Lightweight Deluxe suits the buyer who wants a Thompson they will actually shoot rather than admire. If you have handled a steel one and thought it magnificent but heavy, this is the version to buy. Collectors after the most authentic article should note the aluminium receiver is a modern departure, and the steel Deluxe is the closer reproduction.

Ammunition, Handling and Transfer

The Auto-Ordnance Thompson Lightweight runs standard 45 ACP, and 230 grain round nose full metal jacket is what the pattern was designed around. The feed geometry comes from a gun built for ball ammunition, so hollow points are worth testing before you rely on them, and lead round nose is best left out of a barrel you would rather not scrub.

Shooting it is the point of buying this version. The balance sits forward of the trigger as it does on every Thompson, but at this weight you can hold it up long enough to enjoy the fact. Most shooters find it the easiest of the range to run standing, and it is still steady enough on a bench to shoot respectable groups. Manufacturer information is published by Auto-Ordnance. Compare it with the steel Deluxe with the 100-round drum and the plain Commando, or browse our full Auto-Ordnance range and the rifle catalog.

All firearm orders ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer, and MAG5 Firearms will coordinate the paperwork with the dealer of your choice.