When Auto-Ordnance, the company best known for the Tommy Gun, revealed the Thompson TAO50 at SHOT Show earlier this year, it definitely got people talking. Now, this cool 50 BMG bolt-action is officially on the market.
What Makes the TAO50 Different
Probably, the most unique thing about the looks of the rifle is the left-side bolt placement. It might seem weird at first, but this setup makes a lot of sense for right-handed shooters. You can keep your dominant hand on the grip and your eye on the target while you cycle the action with your support hand. The bolt itself runs on roller bearings, which makes it really smooth to operate.
Also, Auto-Ordnance claims the TAO50 is the lightest recoiling 50 BMG bolt gun out there, all thanks to their massive muzzle brake – and from what we’ve seen in testing videos, it actually lives up to that claim.
The rifle ships in a wheeled hard case, which you’ll definitely need given its size. There’s also a folding stock version with an integrated monopod if you need something slightly more compact for transport (this version weighs 2 pounds more, though).
Design and Specs
Weighing 25.5 lbs and stretching over 5 feet long, the Thompson TAO50 is built around a 29″ precision barrel. Besides the .50 BMG, a .416 Barrett option is also available for those interested.
The rifle uses premium components; it comes fully decked out with a Magpul PRS Gen 3 stock, a Magpul MOE+ grip, a Timney AR-style trigger, and an Accu-Tac bipod.
Auto-Ordnance is offering the Thompson 50BMG in two finishes – standard Rugged Black ($8,699 MSRP) and FDE ($8,799 MSRP).
- Barrel: 29″ with 1:15 twist rate, threaded 1″-14, high efficiency muzzle brake pre-installed
- Caliber: .50 BMG, .416 Barrett
- Weight: 25.5 lbs (fixed stock), 27.5 lbs (folding stock)
- Overall length: 61 inches
- Magazine: Uses Barrett M107A1 10-round mags
- Furniture: Magpul PRS Gen 3 stock, MOE+ grip, Timney AR trigger
- Bipod: Accu-Tac included
Recoil Tests
Recoil management was a big focus for Auto-Ordnance. Kentucky Ballistics put this to the test in their video, comparing the TAO50 to a Barrett M82A1 using the same ammo. Placed between the shoulder and the stock, their “energy generation gauge” (an egg) broke when firing the Barrett but survived the TAO50. It’s still a 50 BMG gun, so it’s got quite a kick, but it seems that the muzzle device does its job well.
The rifle is threaded 1″-14, so you can mount suppressors from companies like Elite Iron or HUXWRX, but AO specifically warns against using a Barrett M107 brake or suppressor, as they aren’t rated for bolt-action rifles.
Price and Competition
The TAO50 seems to be a high-quality, well-thought-out rifle with premium components and some innovative features, particularly the roller-bearing bolt and recoil-reducing muzzle brake. The left-side bolt is a practical choice for this type of rifle, even if it feels a bit different at first. The question is whether buyers will be willing to shell out nearly $9k for Auto-Ordnance’s first foray into the .50 cal world, especially with potentially cheaper options on the horizon. Still, for a shooter looking for a top-tier, ready-to-go package, the TAO50 is a very interesting new contender.
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