For more information on the origin and history of the Thomspon see the M1921/M1928/M1928A1 page.

The M1 Thompson is the last production version of the Thompson series. Many machining shortcuts have been taken to reduce the production time and cost. Gone are finned barrels, bronze locks, breech oilers, adjustable rear sights, detachable stocks, and drum magazines. This gun is very popular because of its reliability and use throughout WWII, Korea and Vietnam, its exposure in war movies, the "revival" of interest in World War II and because parts and parts sets are still inexpensive.The M1 and M1A1 guns are indentical in every way except that the earlier M1 bolt has a separate spring-loaded, hammer-struck firing pin, while the M1A1 has a fixed firing pin machined into the face of the bolt. The receivers for the two models are identical and even have the same ordnance drawing number.

• Machined from 4130 aircraft quality steel (higher quality and strength than originally used)
• 100% machined exterior, all surfaces and contours are fully machined
• Accepts original M1 or M1A1 Thompson parts
• Threaded for barrel and slotted for grip mount
• Fully machined ejection port, magazine well and feed ramp
• trigger frame rails machined
• ejector hole drilled and threaded
• Buffer pilot and frame latch hole drilled and reamed
• Cocking handle slot machined
• Rear sight mounting holes spotted
• Drawings included
• Price $275.00
• add $30.00 for Military Blue or $20.00 for Parkerized
  Finish
• Original type engraving (correct size and font) $50.00
• add freight and insurance

It is not legal to finish this receiver into a machine gun without the proper license. You can make a non-firearm (DEWAT, blank gun). You do not need to be a licensed manufacturer to make a legal type (semi-auto, single shot) fireram for your own use as long as it is not for resale. Many people use this receiver to make a semi-auto using existing semi-auto spare parts as this receiver, being made from 4130 aircraft quality steel is much stronger and tougher than the semi-auto receivers currently available. Contact ATF for guidelines on the manufacture of legal semi-autos rifles or blank firing devices.