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The Thompson M1A1 was issued to scouts, non-commissioned officers (corporal, sergeant, and higher ranking), officers, and patrol leaders. The gun was widely utilized in British and Canadian Commando units, where it was issued more frequently to in-line infantry units because of its high rate of fire and stopping power, which made it very effective in the kinds of close combat these special operations troops were expected to undertake. The Thompson loosed off the hefty 230-grain, .45 ACP round, almost fully twice the mass of the 9mm Parabellum bullets (123 or 124 grains) used by the enemy. And at about 650 rpm, the M1A1 was a fearsome opponent.