70's Auto Ordnance

[Real1]

Hi All,

I had a West HurleyThompson in the 70's. I traded it and another gun for a military vehicle (M37). There were no progressive reloaders then for 45ACP, so I would spend all night loading rounds for a few minutes of fun the next day. The payback just wasn't there for me. I bought the enhanced spring kit...but that's about all I remember. I think I still have a receiver block somewhere I bought from Numrich Arms. The gun had the compensator and the finned barrel, verticle hand stock. I bought it from a guy in the Seabees and it came with a canvas bag and about 13, 50 round sticks (I think they were 50). Didn't have it long enough to really get attached, but I still think of it fondly to this day.

 

So....I have a couple of questions:

1) If I do decide to get another, would the ones made in the 70's by West Hurley be the best made from there?

 

2) I can't really get a fix on prices for specifically the run of 70's models?

 

3) Do even the 70's models need the hands of familiar gunsmith to perform flawlessly?

 

Thanks,

Kevin

Edited October 1, 2017 by Real1

[Sandman1957]

Welcome to the Forum. Are you talking about a Semi or Full Auto? (Assume semi). Recommend read the pinned section on West Hurleys in the reference section. that may give you a good jump start.

 

The stick mags were 20 round (XX) or 30 round (XXX). Look over the pinned references on the Thompson section and it has a section on West Hurleys. However, it is focused on Full Autos.

 

You'll find a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm.

Sandman1957

[Real1]

Thanks. No, looking for semi auto like I had. Yeah, I bet they were just 30 round stick mags, sorry for the confusion. I was probably confusing things with the drum. Been a long time and I'm old now...lol.

 

Kevin

Edited September 28, 2017 by Real1

[Macho Hambre]

Hi All,

I had a West HurleyThompson in the 70's. I traded it and another gun for a military vehicle (M37). There were no progressive reloaders then for 45ACP, so I would spend all night loading rounds for a few minutes of fun the next day. The payback just wasn't there for me. I bought the enhanced spring kit...but that's about all I remember. I think I still have a receiver block somewhere I bought from Numrich Arms. The gun had the compensator and the finned barrel, verticle hand stock. I bought it from a guy in the CB's and it came with a canvas bag and about 13, 50 round sticks (I think they were 50). Didn't have it long enough to really get attached, but I still think of it fondly to this day.

 

So....I have a couple of questions:

1) If I do decide to get another, would the ones made in the 70's by West Hurley be the best made from there?

 

2) I can't really get a fix on prices for specifically the run of 70's models?

 

3) Do even the 70's models need the hands of familiar gunsmith to perform flawlessly?

 

Thanks,

Kevin

I'm a relative Thompson Newb so I'm gonna pass on trying to answer your questions - though I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly who will give you solid answers. Looks like you have already made up your mind on going down that rabbit hole again - come on in, the water is warm...

 

Trying to advance up from just a Level 1 Thompson Newb, I've been plowing through the threads on this site trying to soak up as much of the collective wisdom here as possible. On one thread last year Forum member Dan 'Deerslayer' Block was trying to sell a vintage AO. West Hurley 1927 Thompson (maybe 1928?) - he was even offering to gussy it up into someones dream gun... Not sure if it ever sold or not (the thread doesn't indicate that it ever did), however you might check with Dan to see if still available. Best of luck hunting down your new Tommy!

 

http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19427

Edited September 28, 2017 by Macho Hambre

[Real1]

 

Hi All,

I had a West HurleyThompson in the 70's. I traded it and another gun for a military vehicle (M37). There were no progressive reloaders then for 45ACP, so I would spend all night loading rounds for a few minutes of fun the next day. The payback just wasn't there for me. I bought the enhanced spring kit...but that's about all I remember. I think I still have a receiver block somewhere I bought from Numrich Arms. The gun had the compensator and the finned barrel, verticle hand stock. I bought it from a guy in the CB's and it came with a canvas bag and about 13, 50 round sticks (I think they were 50). Didn't have it long enough to really get attached, but I still think of it fondly to this day.

 

So....I have a couple of questions:

1) If I do decide to get another, would the ones made in the 70's by West Hurley be the best made from there?

 

2) I can't really get a fix on prices for specifically the run of 70's models?

 

3) Do even the 70's models need the hands of familiar gunsmith to perform flawlessly?

 

Thanks,

Kevin

I'm a relative Thompson Newb so I'm gonna pass on trying to answer your questions - though I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly who will give you solid answers. Looks like you have already made up your mind on going down that rabbit hole again - come on in, the water is warm...

 

Trying to advance up from just a Level 1 Thompson Newb, I've been plowing through the threads on this site trying to soak up as much of the collective wisdom here as possible. On one thread last year Forum member Dan 'Deerslayer' Block was trying to sell a vintage AO. West Hurley 1927 Thompson (maybe 1928?) - he was even offering to gussy it up into someones dream gun... Not sure if it ever sold or not (the thread doesn't indicate that it ever did), however you might check with Dan to see if still available. Best of luck hunting down your new Tommy!

 

http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19427

Thanks! I think the difference (they say) is closed bolt or open bolt design. Things changed a little with the latest iteration. Not hearing good things about clips working from the get go in the newest iterations. Asians are involved in some of the parts. I'd just as soon stay with the 70's models...easier that way for me and what I had originally.

 

Kevin

[Macho Hambre]

 

 

Hi All,

I had a West HurleyThompson in the 70's. I traded it and another gun for a military vehicle (M37). There were no progressive reloaders then for 45ACP, so I would spend all night loading rounds for a few minutes of fun the next day. The payback just wasn't there for me. I bought the enhanced spring kit...but that's about all I remember. I think I still have a receiver block somewhere I bought from Numrich Arms. The gun had the compensator and the finned barrel, verticle hand stock. I bought it from a guy in the CB's and it came with a canvas bag and about 13, 50 round sticks (I think they were 50). Didn't have it long enough to really get attached, but I still think of it fondly to this day.

 

So....I have a couple of questions:

1) If I do decide to get another, would the ones made in the 70's by West Hurley be the best made from there?

 

2) I can't really get a fix on prices for specifically the run of 70's models?

 

3) Do even the 70's models need the hands of familiar gunsmith to perform flawlessly?

 

Thanks,

Kevin

I'm a relative Thompson Newb so I'm gonna pass on trying to answer your questions - though I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly who will give you solid answers. Looks like you have already made up your mind on going down that rabbit hole again - come on in, the water is warm...

 

Trying to advance up from just a Level 1 Thompson Newb, I've been plowing through the threads on this site trying to soak up as much of the collective wisdom here as possible. On one thread last year Forum member Dan 'Deerslayer' Block was trying to sell a vintage AO. West Hurley 1927 Thompson (maybe 1928?) - he was even offering to gussy it up into someones dream gun... Not sure if it ever sold or not (the thread doesn't indicate that it ever did), however you might check with Dan to see if still available. Best of luck hunting down your new Tommy!

 

http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19427

Thanks! I think the difference (they say) is closed bolt or open bolt design. Things changed a little with the latest iteration. Not hearing good things about clips working from the get go in the newest iterations. Asians are involved in some of the parts. I'd just as soon stay with the 70's models...easier that way for me and what I had originally.

 

Kevin

I'm pretty sure the Tommy he had/has is the vintage AO West Hurley 1927A1 you are looking for. On the thread I linked it references the rifle as both a 1927 & 1928 - hence my comment - but I'm pretty sure it is just a typo. Best of luck whatever way you go...

[dalbert]

Real1,

 

Welcome to Machinegunboards.com!

 

You should be able to find a 1970's WH 1927A1 for under $1000. Good luck on your quest. If you go to a decent gun show, you'll probably find one. Anticipate some reliability issues, but some of them work very well.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

[Real1]

Thanks all. I rarely see them at gun shows out west. In fact, I don't ever remember seeing one at a gun show out here. Not normal fodder for the average gun table. I was living in Idaho when my turned up and it was only because that guy in the Seabees let his go....hard to say where he bought the gun or where he was from. I had a good friend that owned a pawn shop-it turned up there.

 

So next question; Say I find one and want a gunsmith familar with these guns to go through it and make it more realiable (not modified, just more reliable)....what would be the average cost of that project?

 

Kevin

Edited October 1, 2017 by Real1