Difference between revisions of "Thompson Light Rifle"

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== Design ==
 
== Design ==
  
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The weapon was largely based on their tried and true [[Thompson submachine gun|submachine gun]] (M1921/27 variants) chambered in [[.45 ACP]], however the Thompson Light Rifle is instead chambered in [[.30 Carbine]]. It apparently worked well, but was too complex and costly to make, as well as too heavy to fit the U.S. military's requirements for a new "light rifle".
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The weapon was directly based on their tried and true [[Thompson submachine gun]] (M1921/27 variants) originally chambered in [[.45 ACP]], however the Thompson Light Rifle is instead chambered in [[.30 Carbine]] as was required for the light rifle trials. It apparently worked well, but was too complex and costly to make, as well as too heavy to fit the U.S. military's requirements for their new "light rifle" concept.
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The only major differences from the Light Rifle and SMG was the barrel shroud which housed a quick barrel change device similar to the [[MG42]] and pressed steel components to ease production and reduce weight. The in-line stock reduced barrel climb improving accuracy. The Thompson Light Rifle was more reliable and accurate than the [[M1 Carbine]] that was adopted and also came with the capability of select fire, which made it close to the likes of the [[StG-44]].
 
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Auto-Ordnance also submitted two other models not based on the Thompson SMG for tests in the .30 Carbine competitions in May and June, 1941. Their first Light Rifle was a more conventional rifle with recoil-operated locked-breech action and weighed about 5.5 pounds. The modified version tested September, 1941 was semi-auto only, had 80 parts, and was found difficult to disassemble and reassemble.<ref>Larry Ruth, ''M1 Carbine: Design, Development & Production'', Gun Room Press, 1979, {{ISBN|0-88227-020-6}}, pp. 20, 21.</ref>
 
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== Specifications ==
 
== Specifications ==
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[[Ian McCallum]] of [[Forgotten Weapons]] gives a quick overview of the Thompson Light Rifle in the YouTube video below.
 
[[Ian McCallum]] of [[Forgotten Weapons]] gives a quick overview of the Thompson Light Rifle in the YouTube video below.
  
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<youtube>watch?v=lW-IjtiVthc</youtube>
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<youtube>https://youtu.be/lW-IjtiVthc</youtube>
  
 
[[Category: Prototype Firearms]]
 
[[Category: Prototype Firearms]]

Revision as of 23:17, 24 November 2020

The Thompson Light Rifle was an attempt by Auto-Ordnance Company to manufacture a US Light Rifle Trials for the United States Armed Forces.


Design

The weapon was directly based on their tried and true Thompson submachine gun (M1921/27 variants) originally chambered in .45 ACP, however the Thompson Light Rifle is instead chambered in .30 Carbine as was required for the light rifle trials. It apparently worked well, but was too complex and costly to make, as well as too heavy to fit the U.S. military's requirements for their new "light rifle" concept.

Specifications

Cartridge: .30 Carbine

Action: Delayed Blowback

Fire Rate: 600-1200 RPM

Capacity: 20 or 30 round box magazines.


Similar Designs & Confusions..?

The Hyde M1944 was a very similar design by George Hyde, which was based on the M1921/27 Thompson, and is also chambered in .30 Carbine. It also featured a quick change barrel system which seems to have been directly copied from the German MG 42, as well as select-fire capability. It appears that this model is (incorrectly?) labeled as the "Thompson Light Rifle", but in actuality, it appears to be a copy of a Thompson, but one that was not directly designed / produced by Auto-Ordnance. More info is definitely needed to clear up the confusion.

See Also

Video / Overview

Ian McCallum of Forgotten Weapons gives a quick overview of the Thompson Light Rifle in the YouTube video below.

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