“Roland aimed his Thompson gun,” Warren Zevon sang, “he didn’t say a word.” Geddit? Roland didn’t say a word because he was Roland the Headless Thompson gunner (video below). Anyway, I’m in no danger of losing my head over Kahr/Auto-Ordnance’s 20-round, 9mm repro Tommy Gun. For one thing, it’s a semi-automatic. For another, it’s expensive: $1,364. And lastly, tiger-striped Desert Eagle fans (the gun is striped, not you), it’s not gold-plated! Which you can get for $3,275, but only in .45. Such a deal! Press release . . .

Greeley, PA – History was made in 1915 when John T. Thompson introduced the first portable hand-held automatic weapon commonly referred to as the “Tommy Gun”, also coined the “Chicago Typewriter”. It has always been manufactured in .45 ACP, and now, Kahr Firearms Group is proud to introduce the Deluxe model Thompson in 9mm. This is the first time in over 100 years that the Thompson has been manufactured in the smaller caliber.

The Thompson 9mm model T5-9L20 features all the classic details that John Thompson so meticulously put into the original. The frame and receiver are machined from a solid billet of aluminum and the buttstock, grip and vertical fore grip are all made from American Walnut.

The 9mm is offered with one 20-round stick. The finned barrel measures 16.5 inches and 18 inches with the compensator. Overall length is 41 inches. It features a front blade sight and an open rear adjustable. The MSRP is $1364.

“Fans of the Thompson product line have been asking about a 9mm for a number of years,” stated Frank Harris, VP Sales and Marketing. “We took our time to make sure that we got it perfect before we introduced it to the market. We really think that this 9mm Thompson is going to be a hit with shooting enthusiasts across the globe.”

For more information, visit www.auto-ordnance.com

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35 COMMENTS

  1. Because any gun in .45 ACP would be a better gun in 9MM. Butthurt and crying because I told the truth begins directly below ↓↓↓

  2. I like it. Kind of off topic but I always thought these reproduction models should have used 1911 mags.

  3. Nothing like a reproduction in the wrong caliber using proprietary magazines that aren’t available surplus to drive the price down! Who doesn’t want an almost four foot, ten pound “handy” carbine in 9mm?

    Hard pass.

    • When I was picking up a pistol at a LGS, the guy in front of me was picking up his thompson he ordered. He handed it to me, that damn thing is HEAVY. Nice looking and well built but with how much it weighs, I doubt it would be much fun to shoot.

      • My grandfather (Pacific vet) said, “We stopped carrying the BAR, because the guy with the BAR got shot first. And no one wanted to carry the Thompson, too heavy.”. He was at Leyte, Okinawa and part of the occupation of Japan FWIW. He told us that when we were watching “Al Capone’s Vault” with Geraldo Rivera back in the 80s. He seldom talked about the war, so I remembered.

  8. If they build it someone will buy it. On the B side though. over a grand for a novelty, heavy, range toy with proprietary mags? No thanks.

  9. .45 ACP to 9mm? Thats as sacrilegious as a breast reduction. How about you bump that baby up to 10mm or .50AE instead? 😉

  10. A friend just bought a non firing repo Tommy Gun to go with his 1929 Model A Ford at car shows.
    A even it is 9lbs. Too heavy for such a lightweight caliber 9mm or 45.
    But.
    I still want one.

  11. There’s nothing desirable about an historic full auto American gun emasculated and chambered in a Euro caliber.

  12. I recall seeing a .22LR Thompson at a local shop many years ago. Yup, I said .22 and it was made with an aluminum receiver like this one so it was roughly half the weight of a .45 but still cooler than frozen sh!t. As it was, I passed on it in favor of the M1 Carbine I had gone in their to buy in the first place. Sure it was twice what I had in my pocket had the time but I’m sure they would have taken a hold deposit for me to scrounge up the rest…. another missed opportunity. If that .22 had made it home with me I would have had to trade my rabbit hunting camo in for rabbit hunting pinstripes.

  13. I’m not to happy with Kahr right now besides the leaked info that customers didn’t know about hence protect themselves (I’m in that bracket) I had a warranty repair on my cw380 with high miles the 3 problems 1. My trigger pin walked (glue fixed no biggie) 2. My slide rail broke a piece where the disassembly notch was 3. The slide broke a piece in the striker well around where it was milled for the extractor had light strikes even after said piece was removed . So they replaced the frame and didn’t mention the slide and when I told them the slide was useless to me they said it’s fine it happens no biggie and wouldn’t replace it! So now I have my ccw piece I can’t trust and a bad taste in my mouth I was even gonna buy a ct9 but looks like Gaston is getting my money! And btw that Thompson is awesome if it was in 10mm I understand a cheaper round for a range toy but if you have that money what does it matter I would love to take a hog with it in 10mm with my cast TC rounds but noooo not today junior!

  14. They obviously don’t know their own history. Thompsons were made in 9mm in the 20s for export. Not sure ( at work and books are at home) if they were dealer examples to get the Europeans interested or were actual limited production. And the Marines tested some in a hotter .45 cartridge as well.

  15. I know they are suppose to be cool and all, but I would rather have my Sub2000, especially if I had to pay for it, or worse yet carry it any distance at all!

  16. Winston Churchhill considered adopting a 9mm version which at that time were not being made ( only .45acp) and wound up getting the 45 version for his troops.they served along side the sten. yes they did offer a 22 version like in the 70s or 80s. I do like the 9mm version and hope higher cap mags will be offered. I am curious how many will fit in the 50rd drum for the 45, or even the 100 rd drum. of course I won’t be able to own one, because in my state we are “safe”. but that is because I live in one of the United Soviet States of America.

  17. Once I had the pleasure of renting a vintage Thompson with stick magazines, a Cutts compensator, and a giggle switch. Purred like a very loud kitten. Easy to paint short bursts on the target, and surprisingly accurate at short range when switched to semi-auto.

  18. Had the pleasure of shooting and carrying one (in the trunk)….lots of fun to shoot. That weight makes it very controllable in full auto.

  20. I’m holding out for a gold plated .9mm version. Thousands of shots per magazine. And for a drum, like a zillion…..

    Reloading mags might take a while, though…..

  21. I hate the firing position of the Thompson. It’s uncomfortable, heavy, and has a heavy bolt.
    The only neat thing I likes was you could see gold streaks from the hand loads going down range.
    My friend sold his after the novelty wore off.
    I can’t imagine what full auto is like.

  22. I’m a little surprised you don’t see any manufacturers offering binary trigger ‘premium versions’ from the factory… must be a lawsuit thing? You’d think if the standard model is $1364 that you could offer a binary trigger version for $2,000 and make some easy money.

    Hopefully we’ll get a binary pack for the CZ Scorpion Evo3 someday…

  23. Gentlemen,
    I’ve been entertained by all these comments, even from people who have obviously never fired a real full auto 9mm Thompson and probably never will. I’ve had my registered TSMG for 50 years. Decades ago, I set it up for quick change barrels and sights. I have 8 barrels in 3 calibers, 5 bolts, numerous original and repro 50-rd drums, 30 and 20-rd sticks, and adapted 9mm Uzi, Sten, Suomi 50 and 70-rd mags, and about 5 types of .22 stick and drum mags. It’s like a quick firing Tinker Toy set. So I have a fair idea of what works, and how well. I assure you that anybody who condemns the 9mm Thompson has his head screwed on backwards. Set up for 9mm, it is totally controllable in full auto and semi, and super accurate on both settings. Friends who I let shoot it are quite surprised, as all they have heard is rubbish from “experts” who aren’t. It is heavy and just sits there, chugging along, fast or slow, depending upon how you wind custom main springs for it, lube it, and how heavy the mag springs are. Compensators (I have 4, 2 by Cutts and 2 which I designed and built) look neat but are mostly unnecessary. It is a do-anything gun that just works, and works, and works.

    So just smile, the next time you read on-line 9mm Thompson criticisms from writers who are probably young and inexperienced, except with a keyboard in daddy’s basement. The 9mm Thompson is, well, wonderful. I love mine. It’s totally superior to .45, which I also enjoy shooting, although the gun is way over weight in any caliber. I’m glad Kahr is now making a 9mm semi. Those of you who have one can dream and be assured that, with that other position on the selector switch, it’s even greater, and still rock steady. And it reliably digests both hot and weak ammo, unless something is really wrong about how you loaded those rounds.

    My only advice would be that if you have a choice when buying, go for a steel receiver, to minimize feed ramp and bolt channel wear. But this is not a major issue. And making your own lead bullets cuts down on ammo cost and barrel wear, although cleaning out a compensator adds a bit to the work load.

    So have fun with yours and stay safe.

    I rest my case.

    Phil

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