On DEADLIEST WARRIOR this week they had MAFIA versus YAKUZA. The Mafia gangsters got to use the famous Thompson submachine gun, otherwise know as the "Tommy Gun" and the "Chicago Typewriter".
If you ever get the urge to shoot one, go to THE GUN STORE in Las Vegas. They have one and offer it as a rental. I got to shoot it there a few years ago and it was a hoot. The fee gets you the gun, a target, hearing protection, 50 rounds of ammo, range use and a little instruction.
The rangemaster brought out a military M1 Thompson for me to try. The rangemaster lubed the bolt well with BREAKFREE and then let me have at it. Solid, heavy gun. Shoots the .45 ACP cartridge, a handgun round. Firing in bursts, you get some muzzle climb, but overall it's an accurate weapon. And a seriously fun gun to shoot. Shooting at about 15 yards I managed to keep most of my rounds on paper in a long vertical string.
As to the Yakuza's STEN submachine gun, I've never shot one of those. Can't recall whether I saw one at THE GUN STORE. Still and all, I'd choose the Thompson's quality construction and more powerful .45 cartridge over the STEN cheaper construction and smaller caliber [9mm] cartridge.
- Hei Lung
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