Have not owned a Thompson, but have ordered in a fair number for customers and have handled and fired them. They are fine for just about any hunt. I have never had a complaint from anyone who's purchased one. I always worried about the hinge loosening up, especially with hot, hi-power cartridges, but again, I have heard no complaints. On most expensive single shot rifles, that are not bolt rifles, the action is some sort of falling block mechanism that is much stronger then is any hinge.