Lawman9328 Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 Hi all...... I'm wondering if there may be any Thompson owners in the Northern VA / DC area ? I finally checked off that "bucket list" item and have recently entered the world of Thompson SMG ownership !! I would like to try and find someone in my area who might be willing to be a "mentor" and help me with any questions / issues I may have as I go forward. This forum is full of great people and great information....but I always like the "face-to-face" when possible. Thanks, Lawman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 Which model did you get?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawman9328 Posted September 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 Which model did you get?? I got an Auto-Ordnance Model 1928 Thompson.......serial number shows it being manufactured in '86 (couldn't afford actual WW2 vintage !). At least the internals were "upgraded" using Savage surplus parts kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 Those guns are a ton of fun. I suppose you have copies of all the informative books that have been published. All are excellent and are good reading thru the winter. Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman1957 Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 Welcome to the Forum. PM sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Iannamico Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 I suggest reading Tom Davis' series in SAR magazine on the West Hurley Thompsons.You can find most of the articles on line, its now free, but it only seems to work with the Fire Fox browser or Safari A few; the search feature will probably find more http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=4049 http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=224 http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=527 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katanafred Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 Congratulations! I also live in Northern Virginia and I am in the process of also purchasing a West Hurley 1928 TSMG and yes, replacing many of the parts with older GI parts will make firing your new gun safer and more reliable from what I have heard and read. You might find this a useful article: https://smallarmsreview.com/those-west-hurley-thompson-parts/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katanafred Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 I suggest reading Tom Davis' series in SAR magazine on the West Hurley Thompsons.You can find most of the articles on line, its now free, but it only seems to work with the Fire Fox browser or Safari A few; the search feature will probably find more http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=4049 http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=224 http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=527 Frank,Thanks for posting!! I am able to open these articles in my Opera browser. BTW - I really LOVE your book, "American Thunder"! Along with TD's and Tracie Hill's books, It's become one of my go-to references as I examine TSMG's for sale online and at the gun shows!VR,Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 I am curious where are you planning to shoot this gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katanafred Posted September 27, 2022 Report Share Posted September 27, 2022 I am curious where are you planning to shoot this gun?If you are in Northern Virginia, there are a couple indoor ranges in Ashburn that allow you to shoot full auto, Silver Eagle Group and XCAL. XCAL also has a variety of automatic weapons that you can rent and shoot there. The Elite Shooting Sports (ESS) indoor range near Manassas allows as follows: Full auto may be used during scheduled or arranged times with ESS staff supervision. Please check with ESS Range Staff for proper procedures to use full auto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawman9328 Posted September 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2022 I suggest reading Tom Davis' series in SAR magazine on the West Hurley Thompsons.You can find most of the articles on line, its now free, but it only seems to work with the Fire Fox browser or Safari A few; the search feature will probably find more http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=4049 http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=224 http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=527 Frank, Thanks for sending those articles. I've been doing an awful lot of reading (here on the forum and out on the internet) trying to learn everything I can....but had not seen those articles yet. Very helpful !! Gene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawman9328 Posted September 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2022 I am curious where are you planning to shoot this gun?If you are in Northern Virginia, there are a couple indoor ranges in Ashburn that allow you to shoot full auto, Silver Eagle Group and XCAL. XCAL also has a variety of automatic weapons that you can rent and shoot there. The Elite Shooting Sports (ESS) indoor range near Manassas allows as follows: Full auto may be used during scheduled or arranged times with ESS staff supervision. Please check with ESS Range Staff for proper procedures to use full auto. Waldo, I concur with what Katana said. I've been calling and emailing the various ranges in the area and have been kind of surprised at the differences in what the various ranges do. Elite (ESS) has a whole "qualification" process you have to go through where you start at the 5 yard line and shoot bursts and then move back in increments. The Range Officer has to see that you can control the weapon at all stages. Other places just let you walk in and shoot full auto. The rest of the indoor ranges fall somewhere in between with things like limited hours or only on certain ranges / lanes, etc. Gene(aka "Lawman9328") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Iannamico Posted September 28, 2022 Report Share Posted September 28, 2022 I suggest reading Tom Davis' series in SAR magazine on the West Hurley Thompsons.You can find most of the articles on line, its now free, but it only seems to work with the Fire Fox browser or Safari A few; the search feature will probably find more http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=4049 http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=224 http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=527 Frank, Thanks for sending those articles. I've been doing an awful lot of reading (here on the forum and out on the internet) trying to learn everything I can....but had not seen those articles yet. Very helpful !! Gene Type Thompson in the search feature you will find a LOT of Thompson article, there was one issue of the (paper) magazine that was dedicated only to Thompsons, but I don't know if it has been posted on their site yet.They no longer publish the paper magazine, but everything is online and its free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted September 29, 2022 Report Share Posted September 29, 2022 I am curious where are you planning to shoot this gun?If you are in Northern Virginia, there are a couple indoor ranges in Ashburn that allow you to shoot full auto, Silver Eagle Group and XCAL. XCAL also has a variety of automatic weapons that you can rent and shoot there. The Elite Shooting Sports (ESS) indoor range near Manassas allows as follows: Full auto may be used during scheduled or arranged times with ESS staff supervision. Please check with ESS Range Staff for proper procedures to use full auto. Waldo, I concur with what Katana said. I've been calling and emailing the various ranges in the area and have been kind of surprised at the differences in what the various ranges do. Elite (ESS) has a whole "qualification" process you have to go through where you start at the 5 yard line and shoot bursts and then move back in increments. The Range Officer has to see that you can control the weapon at all stages. Other places just let you walk in and shoot full auto. The rest of the indoor ranges fall somewhere in between with things like limited hours or only on certain ranges / lanes, etc. Gene(aka "Lawman9328")Are either of you familiar with a place called "The Cove Campground" in Gore, VA.? I am not sure if it would be allowed to post a link, but it is easy to find their website. It is an outdoor range. They used to allow full auto fire, I do not know if they still do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickG Posted October 3, 2022 Report Share Posted October 3, 2022 Good to see a fellow Virginian. I'm done in the Richmond area now, but used to live in Alexandria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawman9328 Posted October 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2022 Good to see a fellow Virginian. I'm done in the Richmond area now, but used to live in Alexandria. Are you a Thompson owner ? I may consider Richmond "local" if I have questions !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawman9328 Posted October 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2022 I am curious where are you planning to shoot this gun?If you are in Northern Virginia, there are a couple indoor ranges in Ashburn that allow you to shoot full auto, Silver Eagle Group and XCAL. XCAL also has a variety of automatic weapons that you can rent and shoot there. The Elite Shooting Sports (ESS) indoor range near Manassas allows as follows: Full auto may be used during scheduled or arranged times with ESS staff supervision. Please check with ESS Range Staff for proper procedures to use full auto. Waldo, I concur with what Katana said. I've been calling and emailing the various ranges in the area and have been kind of surprised at the differences in what the various ranges do. Elite (ESS) has a whole "qualification" process you have to go through where you start at the 5 yard line and shoot bursts and then move back in increments. The Range Officer has to see that you can control the weapon at all stages. Other places just let you walk in and shoot full auto. The rest of the indoor ranges fall somewhere in between with things like limited hours or only on certain ranges / lanes, etc. Gene(aka "Lawman9328")Are either of you familiar with a place called "The Cove Campground" in Gore, VA.? I am not sure if it would be allowed to post a link, but it is easy to find their website. It is an outdoor range. They used to allow full auto fire, I do not know if they still do. Waldo, I had not heard of it. I looked it up and I'll have to add that to my list of "potential" places to shoot. It's a little bit of a drive for me but it's always good to have options !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted October 15, 2022 Report Share Posted October 15, 2022 I have not been there for awhile. I used to go on a weekday and was frequently the only person there. I think it was much less restricive than a lot of indoor ranges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snipershot1944 Posted October 15, 2022 Report Share Posted October 15, 2022 (edited) Im in Winchester Colt 21a Edited October 15, 2022 by snipershot1944 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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