 It was popular as a point-defense weapon for countering ambush by Nicaraguan guerrillas, and led to the organization of four-man fire teams with as much firepower as a nine-man rifle squad.The major complaints against the Thompson were its weight, inaccuracy at ranges over , and the lack of penetrating power of the .45 ACP pistol cartridge.Some of the first batches of Thompsons were bought in America by agents of the Irish Republic, notably Harry Boland.