Forgotten 60s Thompson Copy | Volunteer Arms Commando Mk III Range Test

Hey, it’s Matt with Midwest Guns and Gear, and today we’re taking a look at a quirky 1960s/70s Thompson copycat rifle: the Volunteer Arms Commando Mk III.

Back in the day, you couldn’t just buy a semi-auto Thompson — only full-auto models existed, and they weren’t easy to get thanks to the ATF and gun control laws. Volunteer Arms stepped in with the “Commando” line, giving shooters an affordable rifle that looked like the famous Tommy Gun, but wasn’t quite the real thing.

👉 In this video, I’ll cover:

The history of the Volunteer Commando series

How it compares to the Auto-Ordnance Thompson

Design quirks like cast lowers, plastic grips, and magazine differences

A range test with both the Commando Mk III and the real Thompson

While these rifles were cheap back then, prices today have crept up to where they don’t make much sense compared to actual Thompsons. Still, they’re a fascinating piece of firearm history — fun to shoot, odd to collect, and full of 1970s gun culture charm.

If you enjoy retro firearms, forgotten weapons, and range reviews, make sure to like 👍, comment 💬, and subscribe 🔔 to Midwest Guns and Gear!

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