The 50 BMG Tommy Gun ??? (Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG)

Published on February 3, 2025
Duration: 17:14

The Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG (TAO) is a custom bolt-action rifle mimicking a Thompson submachine gun in .50 BMG. It features a smooth roller-bearing bolt, a massive muzzle brake designed for minimal recoil, and surprisingly stops Level 4 body armor, though with lethal backface deformation. Ballistic testing shows A-MAX rounds offer more energy transfer than FMJ.

Quick Summary

The Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG (TAO) is a custom bolt-action rifle mimicking a Thompson submachine gun in .50 BMG. It features a smooth roller-bearing bolt, a large muzzle brake for recoil reduction, and notably stops Level 4 body armor, though with lethal backface deformation.

Chapters

  1. 00:53Introducing the TAO 50 BMG
  2. 01:24TAO 50 BMG Technical Specs
  3. 01:59Unique Bolt Design and Action
  4. 02:33Massive Muzzle Brake and Recoil Reduction
  5. 03:52Recoil Comparison: TAO vs. Barrett M82A1
  6. 04:52The 'E-G-G' Recoil Test
  7. 08:18Ballistic Gel Testing: FMJ vs. A-MAX
  8. 10:40Level 4 Body Armor Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG (TAO)?

The TAO 50 BMG is a custom-built, bolt-action rifle designed to resemble a Thompson submachine gun but chambered in the powerful .50 BMG caliber. It features a 29-inch barrel and weighs around 25 pounds.

How does the TAO 50 BMG compare in recoil to a Barrett M82A1?

During testing, the TAO 50 BMG appeared to have less felt recoil than a Barrett M82A1, even though the Barrett is semi-automatic. This was humorously demonstrated using an 'egg test'.

Can .50 BMG rounds penetrate Level 4 body armor?

Yes, Premier Body Armor Level 4 plates were tested and stopped both 750gr A-MAX and 660gr FMJ .50 BMG rounds. However, the backface deformation was significant enough to be lethal.

What are the key features of the TAO 50 BMG rifle?

Key features include its Thompson-like appearance, a smooth left-side bolt action with roller bearings, a large muzzle brake for recoil reduction, and the use of Barrett magazines. It's available in FDE or black.

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