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Thompson submachine gun
Photo: Hmaag · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Thompsonsubmachinegun

Machine Pistols · United States · 1938
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Thompsonsubmachinegun

Thompson submachine gun
Thompson submachine gun Photo: Hmaag · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
60
Full-Auto Control
50
Magazine Capacity
40
Concealability
70
Accuracy
45
Reliability
55
Ergonomics
50
Rate of Fire
65
Versatility
60
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin United States
CategoryMachine Pistols
EraInterwar Period
In service1938–1945
Operators46 countries
Quantity1,750,000
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
55
Machine Pistols MASS Rating
10/22
Interwar Period
98/217
All-Time
Machine Pistols · 10 axes scored
Firepower
60
Full-Auto Control
50
Magazine Capacity
40
Concealability
70
Accuracy
45
Reliability
55
Ergonomics
50
Rate of Fire
65
Versatility
60
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the machine pistols category.
01 / Overview
Thompson submachine gun
Production
1938–1945
Quantity
1,750,000
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MACHINE PISTOLS · INTERWAR PERIOD
10
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
68
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
55
machine pistols category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the machine pistols category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1921
  • Service Entry Year1921
  • DesignerJohn T. Thompson
  • Weight (Empty)4.9 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)7.3 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation10MOD.10
  • Action TypeBlowback
  • Fire Modesselective fire
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
  • Magazine Capacity20
  • Drum / Belt Capacity50
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire700
  • Practical Rate of Fire100
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typecross-bolt
◇Ballistics8MOD.8
  • Muzzle Velocity280 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy560
  • Effective Range (point)50 m
  • Effective Range (area)100 m
  • Maximum Range1,500 m
  • Sighting Range100 m
  • Penetration100 mm
  • Accuracy10
◆Barrel & Sights8MOD.8
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production1,750,000
  • Production Start1921
  • Production End1945
  • Variants10
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
  • Width50 mm
  • Height200 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1898First deployment: Banana Wars
  2. 1938Production started
  3. 1945Production ended
88
years in service
7
years in production
1,750,000
units produced
46
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A type of firearm action where the breech is not locked and the cartridge case expands to seal the breech, using case expansion and pressure to retain gases.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Machine Pistols entry →