ccsteele Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 HelloMy name is Charles and I am new to this board and would appreciate any help, as I have a 1980 West Hurley, as this is my first Machine Gun and I need any helpful information that would keep me informed what to look for keeping from damaging this Thompson . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorcar Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Welcome Charles, Use the "search" function here to find volumes of information about the WH guns. You can actually spend days reading the threads on what is right...and wrong with the Hurleys, and how to correct them for many happy years of ownership. Pictures and details of any Thompson are always welcome here, it helps fill in the story of when, where, and how these machines got to be what they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Welcome to the Thompson forum ccsteele. As stated by Motorcar, there is a ton of information about Auto-Ordnance West Hurley Thompson guns on this forum. The first question most would ask is the model of your West Hurley. If a Model of 1928, I would suggest you inspect the buffer pilot and see if it has a manufacturer mark on the flange, normally an "S" mark. If no letter mark, do not fire your gun until you replace this unmarked WH buffer pilot with a GI buffer pilot. I would also suggest you obtain one of the modern polyurethane buffer discs to replace what is probably a very old and hard buffer disc. Board member PK. makes one of the best. If you have a WH M1 model, the above is not applicable to you. You should also consider joining The American Thompson Association (TATA) and/or the Thompson Collector's Association (TCA). The members and Show & Shoots of both organizations will provide a wealth of information and contacts for a new Thompson owner. The Show and Shoots for both organizations are held in Ohio. If you live close-by, you will definitely want to attend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccsteele Posted February 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Just wanted to say thank you for the information and it is a 1928 and I will check both the buffer tube and the buffer disc.It is in my class 3 dealers safe waiting on paperwork. The good part he has a indoor range and I can fire it there.Going next week and will check the buffer tube and buffer disc.Thank Y’all very much.Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1930sRust Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Pictures, please! R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Iannamico Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Tom's West Hurley owners must read article in Small Arms Review magazine! https://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=224 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wv1928 Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Welcome to the board Charles. You will become a well informed owner soon. you will find most all of the information you will need here. Most all the experts are members of this board. Enjoy ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vettom Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 A number of WHers live here. Welcome there is a lot of info here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dillinger Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 Welcome from England Charles.Loads of info and interesting reading on here.Get a feel for it and get the most out of it.If you love Thompsons you're in the right place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full auto 45 Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 1928 WH owner here. 587A. Make sure all parts are changed out to military parts. WH buffer pilots are two piece and will separate and can cause injury or jam the gun. Do the search and learn all about the WH guns. Get good parts in your WH and it will shoot excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccsteele Posted February 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2020 Report back on the buffer pilot .Checked the buffer pilot when I when back to the range yesterday and sure enough it had the two piece buffer pilot in it as y’all had said to look out for, changed it out with a GI surplus marked with a (S) on it .Once again just wanted to thank y’all again .Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted February 27, 2020 Report Share Posted February 27, 2020 Can you post a couple photos of the two piece pilot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted February 27, 2020 Report Share Posted February 27, 2020 ccsteele,Glad to hear the advice from this forum was helpful. I would strongly suggest you also obtain one of the modern polyurethane buffer discs from Board member PK - see FAQ above for his e-mail address. I believe the price including shipping is under $10. This will offer the maximum protection to the back of the receiver. The next parts to check are the actuator (again, look for a manufacturer mark, i.e., S, R, AOC or a square S usually on the left side) and the fire control levers. If the fire control levers are the GI late pin type, you are good in this area. If the levers are the cast West Hurley paddle type, these too probably need to be changed. Anything with a purplish color on your Westy is most likely a cast AOC West Hurley part. Again, if you live within driving distance to Ohio, consider joining TATA and/or the TCA and attending the Show & Shoot event. The Hill Family All Thompson Show & Shoot for TATA members is first this year on Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st. If you like Thompsons, it is an event you will never forget! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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