AJ Ordnance Thomas 45

Developed by Frank S. Thomas in the early 1970s, Alexander James Ordnance produced the Thomas 45 for just a year, between 1977 and 1978. Designed as a small, large calibre pistol the Thomas used a delayed blowback action to slow the recoil of the slide. Thomas used a pair of slide-locking levers that were engaged by a paddle in the grip, which appears to be, but isn’t, a grip safety. Thomas’ patent explains the system The pistol may be compact it is not light, weighing 32oz (0.9kg). While its relatively small size for a .45 ACP was attractive, the pistol was snappy due to its chambering and a poor trigger and the grip actuated delay mechanism made the pistol uncomfortable to shoot. Sources suggest that AJ Ordnance produced less than 1,000 Thomas 45s before production ended.