The Thompson 1927A-1 Deluxe Carbine is the semi-automatic civilian version of the classic Thompson submachine gun, chambered in .45 ACP. At 13 lbs with an 18-inch barrel and a 50-round drum magazine, it is a heavy, long gun, closer to a range toy than a practical carbine, and that's fine. The hard-chrome plated barrel resists wear and corrosion. Sights are a blade front and adjustable rear. Walnut furniture. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Thompson 
• Model: 1927A-1 Deluxe Carbine 
• UPC: 602686214131 
• Action: Semi-Automatic 
• Caliber: .45 ACP 
• Barrel Length: 18 inches 
• Capacity: 50 rounds 
• Weight: 13 lbs 
• Finish: Walnut 
   

Features 

The 50-round drum is the signature feature and the reason most people buy this gun. Running .45 ACP through 50 rounds without reloading is genuinely fun at the range. The hard-chrome barrel is a practical upgrade over blued steel for longevity. Controls are straightforward. The 13 lb weight means recoil in .45 ACP is mild, but the gun is not something you'll carry far. It appeals to collectors and history enthusiasts as much as to shooters.

The 1927A-1 gets bought by two groups: people who want to shoot it and people who want to own it. Both tend to be satisfied.

Shooters like the low recoil (the weight absorbs most of it), the novelty of running a 50-round drum through a gun that looks like a movie prop, and the general quality of the build. Accuracy at range is reasonable and the .45 ACP round does what it does.

The criticisms are predictable: 13 lbs is heavy and gets tiring, .45 ACP is more expensive than 9mm or .223, and the drum mag is slow to load compared to box magazines. A few buyers also mention that in some states there are legal complications around magazine capacity that affect the drum.

It is not a practical firearm by modern standards, no one buys this over an AR-15 or a modern pistol-caliber carbine for utility reasons. People buy it because it is the Thompson. That history and the look are the product, and on those terms it delivers.