The good ol’ U.S. of A. has a well-documented love affair with "go big or go home." And when it comes to long-range shooting, Auto-Ordnance—a name usually associated with the gangster-chic Tommy Gun—has clearly been paying attention. After catching every civilian shooter's eye at SHOT Show, their highly anticipated Thompson TAO50 .50 BMG bolt-action rifle has finally made the jump from trade-floor window dressing to commercially available, honest-to-goodness thunder-maker. For those who believe a rifle should command as much respect as a muscle car, this behemoth is your ticket.

This is not the svelte, dainty piece you bring to the local deer lease. The TAO50 announces its intentions with a physical presence that's more mountain than firearm. Tipping the scales at a not-insignificant 25.5 pounds and stretching out just a hair over five feet long, this rifle demands a serious commitment—and likely a chiropractor. The substantial mass isn't just for show, though. It’s a necessary countermeasure, a physics-based shock absorber designed to wrangle the prodigious recoil of the .50 BMG cartridge and keep the whole operation stable enough for precision work at postal-code distances.

This beastly build features a 29-inch barrel, a significant length designed to squeeze every last foot-per-second of velocity out of the big fifty. More speed means a flatter trajectory and better downrange performance, which is exactly what a long-range enthusiast is paying for. The barrel is threaded at 1:14 for muzzle devices, and features a 1:15 twist rate, an optimization that suggests Auto-Ordnance did their homework on stabilizing those massive half-inch projectiles downrange. It’s the kind of attention to detail that separates a cannon from a precision cannon.

Auto-Ordnance didn't just bolt a barrel onto a receiver and call it a day; they turned to the high-end aftermarket catalog for the essentials. The stock is a battle-proven Magpul PRS Gen 3 adjustable precision stock, giving shooters the kind of stability and customization necessary to make that perfect shot from a supported position. Pairing this with a Magpul MOE+ grip ensures the rifle feels as ergonomic as a 25-pound steel tube can feel, providing enhanced control when it’s time to settle in behind the glass.

The design for a precision rifle continues inside the action with the inclusion of a Timney AR-style trigger. Timney is one of the most trusted names in the business and dropping one of their tried-and-true triggers into the TAO50 platform speaks volumes about Auto-Ordnance's aim for consistent, clean shot breaks. When you’re spending good money on a long-range setup, you don't want a gritty, unpredictable trigger messing up your one chance to hit a distant steel target the size of a frisbee.

Adding to the "ready-to-rock" nature of the package, Auto-Ordnance throws in an Accu-Tac bipod as standard equipment. This isn't some flimsy accessory; Accu-Tac bipods are a respected name in the precision shooting world, providing robust and reliable front-end support. It's a smart inclusion that means customers don't have to immediately drop another few hundred bucks on a key accessory just to stabilize their new purchase. The company clearly intended for this to be a comprehensive, out-of-the-box system.

For those concerned about managing the immense power of the .50 BMG—it’s a valid concern, you don't want to accidentally dislocate a shoulder—the company promises an "unparalleled comfort, control, and ease of shooting." Whether this is marketing hyperbole or legitimate engineering prowess remains to be seen in the hands of the public, but the combination of the 25.5-pound weight and premium furniture is certainly a solid start to making the experience as pleasant as possible. Additionally, a full-length Picatinny rail ensures you’ve got plenty of real estate for any optic from a simple scope to the latest digital night vision setup.

In a nod to platform compatibility—and maybe saving a few bucks—the TAO50 uses the exact same 10-round magazine design as the Barrett M107A1. This is good news for anyone who already owns a Barrett or just appreciates the convenience of utilizing proven, common magazine technology. However, there is a critical safety caveat: Auto-Ordnance explicitly warns that you should not use Barrett M107 muzzle brakes or suppressors on the TAO50. Those accessories are engineered for semi-automatic gas systems and bolting them onto a purely bolt-action rifle could create a very bad day. Read the manual, folks.

The TAO50 enters the premium market with an MSRP starting at $8,699 for the basic Rugged Black finish, with the slightly pricier FDE (Flat Dark Earth) option commanding $8,799. While that price tag would buy a decent used pickup truck, the inclusion of the Magpul stock, Timney trigger, and Accu-Tac bipod—accessories that would easily add over a thousand dollars if purchased separately—helps justify the number for the serious long-range enthusiast. And since a five-foot, 25-pound rifle isn't going to fit in a standard guitar case, each TAO50 ships with its own custom wheeled hard case, adding a final touch of practicality to the comprehensive package.

The culmination of the development and the buzz of the trade show floor is finally here: the Thompson TAO50 is officially available for purchase through authorized dealers. It represents Auto-Ordnance's bold and ambitious step into the precision long-range arena. They haven't just dipped a toe in the water; they've cannonballed with a full-fledged shooting system that combines their manufacturing heritage with top-tier components. Now, the American civilian market finally gets to find out just how far a Thompson can really shoot. Ready to punch holes in targets you can barely see?