New TSMG owner here! Loose pivot plate and other questions...

[MachineGunJohnnie]

I recently achieved a life long dream and recently took possession of a West Hurley TSMG. Its in about 90-95% condition. It has had less than a thousands rounds through it according to the owner previous to me. I have no reason to doubt his claim.

There is very little wear on any on the internal moving parts.

 

I did notice that it has M1 control levers in the lower frame which seems to be rather common among WH guns.

 

Now I notice there is some lateral play in the FIRE-SAFE lever. Meaning if I push on it from the left side, it will move slightly on the right hand side. There is some ride from the big pin on the right side. It moves up away from the frame, maybe 1/32" or so. There is no movement at all from the SEMI-FULL AUTO pin or place position, None whatsoever.

Is this normal? Should I replace the pivot plate? Is this normal?
I don't have any other Thompsons to compare it to so I thought to ask here. I'm looking for some paddle style 1928 levers to replace these with. I just wonder if its a pivot plate or selector lever issue or both. Assuming that it is not normal to begin with.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

 

[Motorcar]

. I'm looking for some paddle style 1928 levers to replace these with

 

Here is a source for the paddle style levers and new pivot plate;

 

http://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/Thompson-1928A1-c313.htm

 

Maybe a WH owner will chime in, my levers don't have end play.

[MachineGunJohnnie]

 

. I'm looking for some paddle style 1928 levers to replace these with

 

Here is a source for the paddle style levers and new pivot plate;

 

http://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/Thompson-1928A1-c313.htm

 

Maybe a WH owner will chime in, my levers don't have end play.

 

 

 

My gun seems to function just fine. It just bothers me there is play in that rear lever. Thanks for the link!

[Kilroy]

Welcome to the Thompson club

[reconbob]

The reason the pin on the safety is not in a straight horizontal position

is because the recess in the safety to interlock with the "V" on the long

leg of the pivot plate is machined in the wrong place so the safety rotates

a little too far before it clicks into the locked position. This happens sometimes

with WW2 pin style levers probably due to the "haste of wartime productions".

Most likely if you try a different safety it will lock correctly.

 

Bob