CAW Thompson M1A1

Lots of MGC Thompsons going for a steal on Yahoo at the moment, all want the new one perhaps?

Just found this site and loving it so far !

So, been looking on Ebay and the like for some
time and while prices are DEFINITELY coming down
does anyone have any new news on the M1A1's ?

Seems like EVERYONE is unloading their old Thompson's
so I hope that means good things for those of us looking
for one !

I'd like to say Welcome, too! Stick around, you'll like it here!

I'll second what Cerwyn said. I really love the Hudson, MGC and CAW Thompson models. I've never owned the Tanaka, CMC, or any other version.

I have also seen what appears to be more of the Hudson M1A1's for sale than I have ever seen. I attribute this to the release of the CAW version. If you want a CAW, it might not look good for finding one as they seem to be sold out everywhere. John?

I too would love to see a comprehensive review of the CAW Thompson and I know we've got the members to do it! Some awesome reviews in the past........ hint....hint........

THANKS guys, this is such a cool little site and GLAD I found it !

I'm a bit of a WWII buff so I've been looking high and low
for a good M1A1 for some time... They were always UP in the
$ 1,000 range so unfortunately too rich for my middle class blood..

And, yes, while the 1921 model are popping up EVERYWHERE I'm
still fixed on getting an M1A1 so I'm hopeful more GOOD news will
keep pouring out so I can add one to my collection sometime in the future !

Until we can get one of our members to do a proper review, I'll share some of my initial observations.
Receiver markings - the new CAW is amazing.  Thompson markings v. Hudson markings.  It is truly amazing in this respect.  Looks fantastic to see the correct markings everywhere!

rear site attachment - this may be a non-issue to most, but I like that CAW attaches the rear sight from the bottom, giving a more realistic look from the top of the receiver as opposed to the visible phillips screw heads on the newer production Hudson's.  The older Hudson's had a riveted look, which is probably more correct than even the new CAW.

Receiver finish - blued v parkerized look - receiver and sight.  The new CAW has a more gray finish as opposed to black or blued like the newer Hudson's.  I like them both!  I do think it appears CAW rushed the final product a bit as there are some blems in the receivers that could've been taken care of with a little more time in the finishing process.

Mags - the CAW mags are more of a parkerized look than the blued finish of the Hudson mags.  Again, I like them both!  Some variation in the production processes seems to occasionally require some adjustment of the catch hole and/or the feed lips.  On a positive note, it does appear that the new CAW mags are a bit stronger in material, which should mean more consistency and less fiddling once set and using larger mag loads.

Ejector design - the CAW design is beefier and may mark cart rims more.  Since it is larger in diameter inside the receiver, Hudson bolts will not work in the CAW.  I have not tried vice versa yet.

Detonator design - of course, it is a more typical CP-BLK design over the late Hudson versions that were designed to use with their special cartridge inners.

Chamber retention - no pin or notch visible through front of upper receiver on the new CAW -    

Woodwork - the woodwork is absolutely stunning!  Beautiful on the new CAW.

Cartridge use - The new CAW can apparently use a number of available cartridges.  I have not tried the MGC cartridge, but I have used the dedicated CAW and CTEC aluminum rounds.  There is a bit of adjustment to do possibly, but they both cycle very, very well once set.  The aluminum cartridges are VERY LIGHT and cause increased recoil.

Black bolt on the CAW v aluminum colored on Hudson - much better in black!

The CAW bolt is very heavy bolt v alloy used in the Hudson's

CAW has a beefier fire mode selector switch - but still I don't like to switch modes often due to the inherent wear created by rotating the zinc part against the steel selector plate spring.  I have seen these break in the past and with no spares available, I'm not going to chance it!

I noticed it appears that CAW stamped a slight deformation in their receiver slides (inside, not visible from the outside) to make them fit tighter initially.  This effect lessens quite a bit after a bit of use.

So which one do you choose?  Hudson or CAW M1A1?  I choose both!!!!!!!!!  

Ljerr2 wrote " If you want a CAW, it might not look good for finding one as they seem to be sold out everywhere. John?"

Had 5 of these in and they went out straight away...they do seem to be sold out everywhere now
They are very nice, I suspect next time price will be a lot higher as CAW have said themselves..

Are they Good ? YES YES YES

ljerr2 wrote:

Until we can get one of our members to do a proper review, I'll share some of my initial observations.

So which one do you choose?  Hudson or CAW M1A1?  I choose both!!!!!!!!!  

I am halfway finished its comming

PS i do agree - its a beauty

Got another question I've been wondering on, if I missed this apologies as I can't find out for " certain ".. The NEWER versions of the M1A1's coming out, are they ALL metal or a combination of metal and ABS ? Same aplies to the old HUDSON'S, all metal ?

I'm assuming { and HOPING } the Receiver and Grip-frame are metal but was curious ?

I know for some time I looked at some nice AIRSOFTS as I got more then a LITTLE
annoyed where they advertise them as FULL METAL but almost ALL of them have an ABS GRIP-FRAME ? Never figured out HOW htey get away advertising them like that ?

Yes, that is one of the reasons they are so popular - they are all metal. Not steel, but they are all metal! Both the Hudson and CAW are all metal Thompsons.

Another curious question, and again SORRY if I missed it..

Can someone say what the PRODUCTION numbers are for these
guns a year ? I'm getting the nothing BARELY that many are
made a year ? I cannot believe they are by HAND as they would
have to cost MUCH higher. But if their made in China I'm wondering why
there's no " FLOODED " market ?

Now I'm even more curious, do they employ a "waiting list " kind of arrangement
where they are spoken for ahead of time. Or, is there LITERALLY only
one Distributor and that's it for the year ?

Seems like they could do MORE money and BUSINESS if they expanded....

Ok, sadly, this might be the DUMBEST question yet as after doing
some more reading I'm stumped ?

I live in the U.S., so I have been looking to get a old Hudson
M1A1 imported possibly ? After doing more reading, do I HAVE
to have some kind of " LICENSE " of some sort to Import
one ? I keep reading about how these are used as PROP GUNS
and what not and while not " ILLEGAL " in the U.S. you can't just
ORDER one like a DVD from the UK ...

Any input ?

All metal mate

Hi, it's seems that many CAW M1A1 owners and those looking to purchase same may be running out of comments regarding CAW's latest offering. One of the forum members prepared an excellent, detailed review of this new model gun. While visually stunning, in my humble opinion, in the mechanical sense, the new CAW M1A1 just may be a step backward. Unless buyers were fortunate enough to obtain a fair number of the recommended brass cartridges, there isn't going to be much fun in attempting to empty the provided 30 round mag.

Initially, using MGC carts, I experienced jamming-not a single cart fired! Switching to Hudson carts, I had equally poor results-they simply didn't work. Finally, 30 of the CAW recommended carts were used with marginally better results. First time around, I experienced five jams. In the last test "firing" of this model gun (still remaining in the full auto mode as in all preceding tests) there were only four jams.

I have two Hudson M1A1's, the earlier release does have its problems but; the later/newer offering appears to behave itself when being used.

My MGC Thompson's while lacking the blowback bolt locking feature when the last cart leaves the mag as well as the use of a hex bolt and two machine screws in attaching the upper and lower receivers, still hit and eject the carts every time. Not bad for such a historically inaccurate model!

With the bolt already a bit scuffed, perhaps its time to locate some aluminum carts. On the good news side of the street, the CAW easily accepts auto-ord 20 and 30 round stick mags (spares never hurt) but; without some modification to the upper portion of these affordable new condition mags they remain quite useless.

After watching the CAW M1A1 you tube videos, I find myself wondering if that particular model gun might be offered for sale.

I was most fortunate in being able to procure two CAW Thompson's. The cardboard boxes use are well constructed and the bold, simple graphics on the box are eye catching. Again, the new CAW M1A1 is indeed a sight to behold. Unfortunately, despite a very nice if somewhat odd looking finish (applied to the non-primered metal surfaces), and the nicely done furniture, this rather elegant looking model gun is a bit of a disappointment when one is simply trying to bang off some cartridges.

The bolt does lock open when the last cart leaves the clip. Hopefully, some spare parts might be made available. Try to avoid leaving grease or oil marks on the painted (flat) surfaces. Like all zinc model guns, the more realistic features invite disaster! Handle anything that moves with care. Thanks, Chris Rush