Auto-Ordnance Thompson T5P: the lightweight Tommy Gun
Auto-Ordnance introduces the Thompson T5P semi-automatic carbine, a civilian version of the legendary "Tommy Gun" featuring an aluminum receiver and polymer furniture to reduce weight
Auto-Ordnance Thompson T5P: the lightweight Tommy Gun
Officially launched on the US market at the 2025 edition of NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits, in late April, the Thompson T5P .45 ACP semi-automatic rifle is the most recent entry in the line of civilian-grade clones of the legendary "Tommy Gun" manufactured by Auto-Ordnance – a Kahr Firearms Group brand also active in the manufacturing of 1911-A1 type pistols and M1 carbines.
Auto-Ordnance Thompson T5P .45 ACP semi-automatic rifle – left side
The T5P is part of the T5 line that Auto-Ordnance Corp. has been manufacturing for a while: those are civilian versions of the legendary "Tommy Gun" built around an aluminum receiver in lieu of a classic blued steel receiver, thus reducing both weight and overall costs for a gun that has always been known to be not just heavy to carry, but also expensive to manufacture and thus selling at a high price.
The new Thompson T5P carbine goes one step further replacing the original stock, pistol grip and vertical foregrip – whose original design remains however unchanged – with a full set of wood grain polymer furniture, as visually attractive as the original walnut but far more resilient. The aluminum receiver and polymer furniture allow the T5P to shave about 5 lbs (2,2 kg) off the overall weight compared to its most direct steel-and-walnut counterpart.
Auto-Ordnance Thompson T5P .45 ACP semi-automatic rifle – right side
Otherwise, the Thompson T5P semi-automatic rifle is an almost verbatim replica of the famous Auto-Ordnance 1927-A1 sub-machine gun. Being a civilian firearm, it fires from a closed bolt but retains the original controls configuration, shape, and position.
The 419 mm / 16.5" barrel features a classic set of cooling fins and comes issued with a pinned Cutts compensator, which also integrates the front sight and brings the barrel length to 18.5" (46,99 cm). The rear sight is a fixed "Battle" sight.
Standing at 1041 mm / 41" in overall length, the Auto-Ordnance Thompson T5P semi-automatic carbine comes issued from factory with a single 20-rounds stick magazine, and can be obtained on request with an additional 50-rounds or 100-rounds drum magazine for those who want a gun more reminiscent of the "Roaring Twenties", the Great Depression, the Prohibition, and the classic noir tales of gangsters and G-Men.
Depending on the type of magazine inserted, the overall weight of the Thompson T5P semi-automatic carbine will range between 3,6 kg (8.05 lbs) all the way up to 5,7 kg (11.4 lbs). MSRP on the US market starts at 1,558$, going up to 1,970$ for the models issued with an additional 50-rounds drum magazine and 2,140$ for those issued with an additional 100-rounds drum magazine.
For further information, including local availability and pricing, visit the official Auto-Ordnance website or consult the authorized Auto-Ordnance distributor for your Country.