Tommy gun schoolin

[smokey]

I've read up a little on them, but figure you'all would make the learning proces quicker. I've got a ranger buddy over in 'stan now. He was over in iraq for a little enjoying the garden of eden(between the tigris and euphrates), came back here, had a kid with his wife, and was sent back over around 3 months ago. We had a 1st birthday party for his kid yesterday. So what's this got to do with a thompson?

His wife promised him a thompson when he gets home safe in december(she's a keeper). His dad wanted me to poke around and figure out which one to get and where to get it from.

Knowing that backstory, who's got some information to help me in researching this for them? I'd like to know which version(t1, t5, t150d...it gets slightly confusing) is the most kickass and other things I should know that i don't know to ask about yet. I've fired a buddy's thompson before and understand that the drums are a pain in the ass, and the sticks are easier and generally more reliable, but my buddy wants a drum(he'll have some sticks too). He isn't a md resident so mag capacity isn't an issue, he and his wife live in a free state.

okay, whatchu got?

 

[K31]

His wife promised him a thompson when he gets home safe in december

Are you sure "a Thompson" isn't a euphemism for something? I mean it might be awkward if you asked if you could be there when she "gives him his Thompson".

 

[Inigoes]

Get the 1927 pistol with an attachable/detachable stock (T1B).

I have a TM1 (M1 thompson only works with stick mags), it's okay.

If your friend is going all out, the detachable stock is the cat's meow

http://www.impactguns.com/thompson-...able-stock-45-semi-auto-t1b-602686211109.aspx

 

[byf43]

Don't have a Thompson, but, I've been in love with them since I was a kid!!!!!!! (As well as the gorgeous B.A.R.!!!!!!!)


1927
1927A1
1928
M1


Heck, I'd take any of 'em!!!!!!!

 

[j8064]

You might give Dan at Gun Connection a call. He was able to track down a T150D for me within 24 hours.

 

[smores]

Machinegun or divorce. :

 

[engineerbrian]

Seeing how he is a Ranger, only an M1A1 will do!

http://www.2ndrangerbattalion.org/weaponry.html

That said, when he returns he will be required to SBR it and get rid of the lame 16" barrel

 

[Topher]

Two things I found...
If you want to use the drum mags you can NOT get the M1
Also... If you get a Thompson with a 16" barrel it is an OK gun... kinda heavy and just OK... But....
When you SBR that puppy it becomes a NEW gun. When ever she gets the Thompson also get a short barrel and the necessary paper work.

SBR'd Thompson are far better than the kind with the full barrel. Balance is different, feel is different, it is just more fun and easier to shoot... IMO.

Chris

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

The M1A1's will not take drums- there are no slots milled on the reciever. Those are also side bolts.

My experience, is that the stick mags suck. They feed unreliable. The cartridge has the tendency to feed sideways up the ramp, since its a double stack mag. The drums work fine - and depending on how old the drum is, there were some fitting issues on the older versions. Kahr has made some changes on the drums to resolve that issue (new version drum) My 50 round drums fit and worked with no issues. You need to make sure you wind them up enough so that the clock sping does not run out of tension - or you will have a feed issue then.

They also make a 10 round drum, and 50 round drum, and a 100 drum. All of the current drums are supposed to work in most old Full Auto Thompsons.

A common but easily fixed issue, is the rear sight screws like to loosen up from the bolt slapping with authority in the reciever. All you need to do is remove the screws, degrease the screw holes, and screws, and apply blue loctite.


The T1 is the 1927A1 Deluxe (rifle carbine) with a steel reciever. Has Cutts Compensator on the muzzle.
The T1B is the 1927A1 Deluxe rifle carbine with a quick push button detachable stock. Has Cutts Compensator on the muzzle

The T5 is the lesser priced aluminum reciever 1927A1 - but is lighter in weight. Has Cutts Compensator on the muzzle

The TM1 is the M1A1 with the side bolt (military style) and will not take drum mags. Has no Cutts Comp, and does not use the flip up Lyman type rear sight.

The TM1c is the M1A1 with aluminum reciever - lighter weight.

The T1-C is the 1927A1 Commando. Has a horizantal foregrip (similar to the M1A1) but with black wood, and parkerized reciever. This one will take drum or stick mags. Has Cutts Compensator on the muzzle as well.

There are package models - that are the same as above but are shipped with stick & drum mags of various capacites.

The TA5 is the pistol version of the Thompson. All pistol version are aluminum recievers.

Kahr does offer an SBR version of both the 1927A1,fixed and detachable stock and the M1A1 style - but they are $600 more in cost -not including the federal tax stamp. Those models must be ordered direct from Kahr/Thompson. The smarter way if you want an SBR version - is to buy the longer legal barrel version, and buy the replacement barrel that Kahr offers on their parts page. The barrel are about $200. You will need to have a gunsmith swap the barrel - but its an easy barrel to replace. It works out cheaper to go that route - should he decide he wants an SBR.

There are also kits to turn a fixed stock into a detachable. I find firing from the hip with the rear stock between your arm, and body is easy to handle, and comfy -if you want to hip shoot it.

 

[smokey]

Thanks guys. That's a lot of very valuable information(esp DCR).

 

[HT4]

Machinegun or divorce. :

They are both worth every penny!

 

[Indiana Jones]

Please SBR it

 

[ericoak]

SMGs all the way

 

[hairba111]

My experience with Thompsons was with the Navy, M1A1s. Thirty round "stick" mags worked the best, drums always screwed up. They look awesome but in my opinion too heavy and unreliable. Taping two sticks together is an alternative also.

 

[honda53s]

Eric, Did the MAC get you into more trouble? LOL...Badass thompson!

 

[ericoak]

Nope my friends or his wifes can't remember they each have one.

Very badass, and a blast to shoot.

 

[engineerbrian]

The M1A1's will not take drums- there are no slots milled on the reciever. Those are also side bolts.

My experience, is that the stick mags suck. They feed unreliable. The cartridge has the tendency to feed sideways up the ramp, since its a double stack mag. The drums work fine - and depending on how old the drum is, there were some fitting issues on the older versions. Kahr has made some changes on the drums to resolve that issue (new version drum) My 50 round drums fit and worked with no issues. You need to make sure you wind them up enough so that the clock sping does not run out of tension - or you will have a feed issue then.

They also make a 10 round drum, and 50 round drum, and a 100 drum. All of the current drums are supposed to work in most old Full Auto Thompsons.

A common but easily fixed issue, is the rear sight screws like to loosen up from the bolt slapping with authority in the reciever. All you need to do is remove the screws, degrease the screw holes, and screws, and apply blue loctite.


The T1 is the 1927A1 Deluxe (rifle carbine) with a steel reciever. Has Cutts Compensator on the muzzle.
The T1B is the 1927A1 Deluxe rifle carbine with a quick push button detachable stock. Has Cutts Compensator on the muzzle

The T5 is the lesser priced aluminum reciever 1927A1 - but is lighter in weight. Has Cutts Compensator on the muzzle

The TM1 is the M1A1 with the side bolt (military style) and will not take drum mags. Has no Cutts Comp, and does not use the flip up Lyman type rear sight.

The TM1c is the M1A1 with aluminum reciever - lighter weight.

The T1-C is the 1927A1 Commando. Has a horizantal foregrip (similar to the M1A1) but with black wood, and parkerized reciever. This one will take drum or stick mags. Has Cutts Compensator on the muzzle as well.

There are package models - that are the same as above but are shipped with stick & drum mags of various capacites.

The TA5 is the pistol version of the Thompson. All pistol version are aluminum recievers.

Kahr does offer an SBR version of both the 1927A1,fixed and detachable stock and the M1A1 style - but they are $600 more in cost -not including the federal tax stamp. Those models must be ordered direct from Kahr/Thompson. The smarter way if you want an SBR version - is to buy the longer legal barrel version, and buy the replacement barrel that Kahr offers on their parts page. The barrel are about $200. You will need to have a gunsmith swap the barrel - but its an easy barrel to replace. It works out cheaper to go that route - should he decide he wants an SBR.

There are also kits to turn a fixed stock into a detachable. I find firing from the hip with the rear stock between your arm, and body is easy to handle, and comfy -if you want to hip shoot it.

Good point. I've been down that road too.

The last time I took my Tommy out I found a screw laying on the bench and didnt think much of it....until my sight damn near fell off

 

[smokey]

SMGs all the way

ughhhhhh luckkyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I got to shoot my buddy's, but it was semi.

 

[hvymax]

My next 10-22 will get the Thompson conversion. Seems like a lot of fun for under $500.

 

[ericoak]

Did someone say .22LR? My friend just got a .22lr kit for his tommy gun. It is so sweet!