Volunteer Enterprises Commando Mark III 45 ACP Carbine Tommy Gun

[Major 2]

I haven't seen much written on these manufactured from 1969 through 1976.

One popped up at my FFL the other day and a pard of mine jumped , perhaps a bit prematurely, and bought it.
When he called to tell me after the fact about it ,thought he had or was talking about an Auto-Ordnance and he got killer price.
As he described it , I became puzzled....

I don't recall these Volunteer Enterprises pieces....and look them up on line , I'm Hmmmmm 

So has anyone, owned , shot or otherwise have an opinion , Have they been approved ?

[St. George]

I was called upon to get a couple of them working many years back for a dealer friend who'd taken them in, when he acquired a small collection.

They re-defined the term 'cheaply-made' for me, and I'm exceptionally familiar with actual 'bullet hoses' like the M3/M3A1 'Greasegun' , the various 'Stens, and the 'PPSH 'Burp Guns' - all tough, serviceable weapons with long service lives.

I found that the metal was easily battered by firing, and that there seemed to be no consistency with regard to reliability - regardless of ammunition used or springs - it shot 'well-enough', but sporadically, making it something to look at, and pass on - which was the intent.

I dressed off the peening and hardened some areas, and got them to function - touched up the crackle paint, and they went on their merry way.

A harsh assessment, I know - but an equivalency would be trying to make a Titan into a Match Pistol.

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

Thanks, Robert

Pretty much what I had read, sadly I was not with my rather impulsive friend....

I was when I saved him from jumping on a Taurus Lighting , 8-9 months ago..... BTW it still there

[St. George]

Damn those shiny objects, anyway...

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

Yeah..... a little disappointed in my FFL though, we are good friends (the trio of us ) I would have though hoped he might have offered the cons  

Still wonder if the gun is approved ? 

Uses actual M3A1 Magazines

[St. George]

Yeah - back then, those were so cheap you wouldn't believe it.

Today...

As to the FFL - he 'knew' precisely what it was and wasn't - he had his mark in the sights...

Scouts Out!

[Bat 2919]

The Volunteer Enterprises Commando's all pass the 10 Ft. test, they look like a period gun from 10 feet away;) 

They are being used with varying degrees of success around the country in AZSA matches as we speak (ER, Type)  I know one guy here locally who bought one in 9 MM for his wife.  He has sent it to the gunsmith twice that he'll admit to.

[Grizzle Bear]

I traded for one years ago, and it was a pretty good deal for me, anyway.

That said, yes, it is cheaply built, and ugly as a toad.

It was used, of course, and someone had done some work on it to make it function.  Which it does, I have never had a jam or any sort of malfunction.

However, they had opened up the chamber, and now the brass comes out lookin' sorta like a little barrel.  As in beer barrel.  The other thing, which I guess I shouldn't really call a problem, is that the ejected cases are thrown some 30 or more feet to the right.  So, if you are a reloader, as I am, not only is the brass getting worked really hard, but it's damn near impossible to find.

The sights are less than rudimentary, the trigger pull is awful.

But it does go bang every time you pull the trigger, plus you can sorta "bump-fire" it if you hold it just a little off your shoulder, obtaining a nearly full auto rate of fire.

Not one of my favorite guns, but I wouldn't sell it, neither!

Grizzle Bear

[Major 2]

Since the Bear , revisited this thread....

I'll report on my friend's gun,...  he has yet to shoot it    there for,  so far its been flawless in at least operation  
Someone said Toad ugly.... yep !

Makes a Chiappa Rhino look like a Movie star

[Silver Creek Slim]

A little late to the party, but I am here.
Last year, I picked up a Mark V from the local "toy store". It uses Tommy gun mags. I found out that it functions best with a well lubed bolt. Yesterday, I picked up a Mark III from the same local "toy store". Each has two mags. I just successfully function tested the Mark III with both mags.
Micah and I will be shooting Tommy Guns in two weeks at the Ripon club.

[Major 2]

I saw it the other tread where you got another....

I think it priceless " your shared time with your grandson "   

[MOSQUITO JACK]

I had to reply no choise . There was a guy selling one on Gun broker a while back who had the whole history. The important things are there are 2 versions one with metal frame w/crinkle paint. This one take modified Thompson mags. The other version has a plastic frame and takes grease gun mags. The Thompson mags are full auto mags with the tab the bolt catch removed. A friend owns one and this mag set up worked. It was never reliable but ok for plinking.

[Lord Eoin MacKenzie]

i had a new Commando arms MK 3 with the crinkle painted cast aluminum lower that took Grease gun mags. 1974.  worked OK.