POTD: Thompson M1A1 Submachine Gun in Full-Auto
Today the photographer really nailed it! We’re looking at a Thompson M1A1 submachine gun as Special Forces students assigned to the U. S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School take a class in the open air. It looks like the student above wears a 1st Marine Division patch.
This happened in Fort Bragg, North Carolina last month, and I would expect this to be one of the most popular classes of the year.
Have you ever fired a Thompson on full-auto? Luckily I have, and I think I got the scar from the burn mark as I touched the barrel by mistake.
The Soldiers were trainined to employ, maintain and engage targets with select U.S. and foreign pistols, rifles, shotguns, submachine and machine guns, grenade launchers and mortars and in the utilization of observed fire procedures.
All photos by U.S. Army, photo by K. Kassens.
As you can see there are a few other interesting firearms in the background, and we will be returning to them in future POTDs.
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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Ok, even I've seen enough movies to know that's NOT how you shoot a thompson. Dual wield hip shots FTW
I shot one at an FBI employees dinner at a range near Newport News, VA. We also shot the MP5, Thompson, and a number of of other assault weapons, pistols, and revolvers. You think you know about weapons until you realize you don't. I too was struck by how solid and heavy the M1A1 felt (especially after shooting the MP5). The FBI guy kept me from falling over after a ten-round burst. Pretty fun.