Cybergun Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1928 "Chicago Typewriter" AEG

The Real M1928 Thompson Submachine Gun

The real M1928 Thompson was developed from the earlier M1918, M1919 and M1921 Thompson SMGs, which were designed to break the deadlock of WWI trench warfare. While the Thompson arrived too late to be involved in the war, it was known as the "Trench Broom" in its early life as a nod to its intended role.

The M1928 added a rate reducer for more controllable full-auto fire and the "Cutts" compensator to reduce muzzle rise based on feedback from the M1921. The result was an expensive but very effective submachine gun, famously sold for $225 in 1928 (approximately $4395 in 2026) and used by both Federal and Local Law Enforcement, the US Postal Inspection Service and Prohibition-era Gangsters, for whom it was known as their signature weapon.

In World War II, the M1928 was most famously used by British Tommies, initially with the 50-round drum magazine but later with 20-round stick magazines due to complaints of poor reliability, a difficult loading process and "battle rattle" with the drum. Otherwise, the Thompson was appreciated for the massive increase in firepower it granted compared to Lee Enfield rifles, particularly at close range.

Platform Details

Starting at the front, we have the iconic "Cutts" compensator, providing the recognisable front-end look of the Chicago Typewriter. The Cutts comp was an advanced design for its day, providing significant recoil reduction under full-auto fire. The compensator is pinned to the front sight block, just like the real thing, though this means you'll need an improvised solution to use a tracer unit or suppressor.

The front sight is a straight blade-style design, just like the real M1928. It is fixed in place and non-adjustable, though the wide range of adjustment present on the Lyman-style rear sight means you'll get a perfect zero and an authentic sight picture, a big part of the retro Thompson experience.

The barrel follows to the rear, a perfect replica of the real M1928 barrel with its tapered profile and cooling fins/ribs along its length. The fins/ribs help dissipate heat and provide many of the benefits of a heavy profile barrel while minimising front-end weight, a common feature on machineguns of the era but rare to find on an SMG.

The ribbed barrel is a big part of the Chicago Typewriter look, as is the front foregrip, providing the highly functional "Gangster grip" which helps control muzzle rise during full-auto fire. The foregrip is made from gorgeous real wood, with a deep and varied grain for an authentic experience, both in the hands and in terms of aesthetics.

The receiver of the Thompson, like the barrel, is constructed from alloy with a matt dark grey finish applied, which is a touch lighter than flat black, mimicking the real Thompson finish perfectly. The mock ejection port is located on the right side of the SMG, and at the front, you will notice the rotary HOP-up dial protruding.

The HOP-up allows you to vary the amount of backspin applied to your BBs, seeking the flattest trajectory with your chosen ammo weight. We recommend 0.25g BBs as they're great for both indoor and outdoor environments.

Centrally positioned on the top of the receiver, we have the charging handle, which is constructed from alloy and mounted directly to the mock bolt carrier. The charging handle doesn't function, but can be pulled back for a satisfying metal-on-metal "clank". The top-mounted charging handle features a cutout to provide a clean sight picture, but was replaced with a side-mounted handle in the later, simplified M1A1 Thompson.

The rear sight is a perfect match for the advanced and complex "Lyman" rear sight of the real M1928. The sight features an open notch which functions as a close-range "battle sight", and a flip-up aperture sight mounted on a ladder-style base for longer-range engagement. The sight is adjustable for windage using the dial on the right side when the ladder is flipped up, and elevation is adjustable by holding down the spring-loaded latch and sliding the aperture up and down.

Just behind the charging handle track, we can see some of the absolutely gorgeous engraved trademarks of the Thompson, reading “ AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A”. These markings are discreetly and precisely engraved, a nice step up from other Thompson AEGs, which often lack realistic markings.

The fire controls of the Thompson are all present on the left side, ideally placed for a right-handed shooter. The ergonomic aspects of these controls are interesting to say the least, but like AK fans, Thompson fans will make do with things being a bit more complex than an M4, as this is an important part of what makes the Thompson experience unique!

The fire selector is a dual selector setup, and the front selector controls the fire mode, with a 180-degree turn between “SINGLE” and “FULL AUTO”. The rear selector is the safety, and when rotated to face the rear, the trigger is locked. The selector positions are all marked with engraved markings.

The magazine release is also on the left side, taking the form of a paddle-style release with a textured contact surface to make it easier to use in wet weather. This mag release needs to be pushed upwards to release the magazine, and we advise you do this when you insert the magazine as well to minimise potential damage to the finish of the magazine.

The magazine needs to be indexed with the groove on the front of the trigger guard before inserting, which will guide the magazine nicely into the magwell and keep it straight for perfect feeding. This design also helps prevent wobble, resulting in a nice, firm magazine fit.

The stock, pistol grip and handguard are made from flawlessly finished real wood, with a deep and varied wood grain and an authentic feel in the hands. The grip is a wide design with a built-in finger ridge, perfectly mimicking the real steel Thompson grip.

The stock of the Thompson follows the same format as the real thing, dropping down to allow space for a clear sight picture. The length of pull is rather long compared to most modern SMG designs, but once you have it shouldered, everything feels natural, and the sights are easily visible.

The battery compartment is inside the butt plate, accessible with the screws holding it onto the stock removed. Inside, you'll find a Deans battery connector. We recommend a 7.4V 1500mAh LiPo, and you have plenty of space to use either block, stick or crane/nunchuck configuration batteries.

Internals

Inside, the Cybergun Thompson is based on the original Tokyo Marui Thompson design, great news for those who love upgrading. The alloy version 6 gearbox features 18:1 ratio steel gears running on super-smooth 9mm ball bearing bushings, driven by a standard short-shaft AEG motor.

Also inside is an in-line MOSFET, enhancing electrical efficiency and preventing trigger lockups during rapid semi-automatic fire. The inner barrel and HOP-up bucking are also standard TM AEG spec, meaning upgrade options are practically limitless!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Officially licensed by Auto-Ordnance Co. - Gorgeous, deep-engraved trademarks
• Real wood furniture - Superbly finished, maximum authenticity
• "Cutts" Compensator - The iconic muzzle device of the Chicago Typewriter
• Ribbed outer barrel - A perfect match for the real M1928 cooling ribs
• M1928 Vertical Foregrip - Real wood construction, iconic "Tommy Gun" look
• Two-position safety switch - Provides safe and fire options
• Two-position fire selector switch - Semi-auto and full auto fire modes
• Paddle-style mag release - On the left side, push upwards to drop the mag
• "Lyman"-style Aperture rear sight - A perfect match for the advanced M1928 sights
• Finger-ridged pistol grip - The classic Thompson design, real wood construction
• Fixed real wood stock - Authentic looks and feel, substantially sized battery compartment
• Rear-wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1500mAh LiPo
• Version 6 gearbox:
  • Alloy shell
  • 18:1 Ratio steel gears
  • 9mm Ball bearing bushings
  • In-line MOSFET
  • Short-shaft motor
• Compatible with King Arms Thompson AEG magazines:
  • 60rnd Polymer Low-cap
  • 60rnd Polymer Low-cap; 5 Pack
  • 450rnd Drum Magazine

Package Includes

• Cybergun Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1928 "Chicago Typewriter" AEG
  • 450rnd Wheel-wound Drum Magazine