Receivers - Phila Ordnance Vs. Richardson

[reconbob]

Phila Ordnance makes receivers every bit as good, as strong,

as high quality as Doug Richardson. I welcome any side by side comparison

of Phila Ordnance receivers to Richardson receivers. There may be minor

variances as to details but the bottom line is that BOTH Doug and myself make

receivers of EQUAL quality.

I have the most modern, sophisticated, and efficient production line for

Thompson submachine gun receivers in the world. 97% of the work for M1921/28

and M1/M1A1 receivers is set up on a large horizontal machining center where

all necessay fixtures and tools are automatically changed within seconds. No

set-up time, no fixture changing time, no tool changing or measuring time.

My receivers cost a little less, because I can make them better and faster than

anyone with no sacrifice of quality, fit, or finish.

Plus, as a Class 2 manufacturer I am able to constantly check and monitor

my work since I finish machine my 80% receivers into

100% receivers which are assembled into working, shooting guns. Most of

the guns I make are sold to Class 2's who have rental ranges and the guns

are in constant use.

I originated the term "80% machined". It does mean something. Back in

the 1980's when I was making working/shooting guns, in a production

environment an M1/M1A1 receiver was 80% finished in terms of the total time

required to make a receiver. It did not take long before many copy cats were

making "80% receivers" and the term has become generic.

Phila Ordnance offers M1921/28/28A1 and M1/M1A1 80% machined receivers.

Purchasers range from dummy

or display gun builders to Class 2 manufacturers. However, since we also offer

100% machined assemble-and-shoot receivers to the trade more and more

Class 2's are having us make their guns for them. Phila Ordnance does not

offer West Hurley/Kahr pattern semi-auto receivers so go to Doug for those.

I have listed the options for the receivers below along with some photos of

receiver details and pictures of the production line which make high quality

at a good price possible.

I use 4140 steel. The strongest, toughest steel ever used for Thompson

receivers. It is stress relieved so it will not bend or twist when machined into

the thin cross section where the ejection port and mag cutout is. Also, all

Phila Ord receivers start by being blanchard ground to within +/- 0.0005"

before machining. One of the members here on this board has a M1928A1

Thompson made from a Phila Ord 4140 steel 80% receiver. This gun is used

on a rental range and records indicate that it has (as of a couple of years ago)

over 1,000,000 rounds thru it. (so lets not poo-poo 4140, ok?)

 

Here are the prices and options for the receivers:

 

Options for M1928A1 receiver:

80% Receiver, 4140 steel - $295

Left and right side engraving - $50

(includes numbering to match your trigger frame)

Engraving of Patent Number block - $30

Engraving of Bullet Logo - $35

Machine extractor slot - $50

Machine 45 degree slots for bronze lock and breech entry fillet - $95

Note: You can't measure the H-lock slots until after they are machined.

We have special gages to check this and since we are always finishing

and test firing shooting guns we know they are right.

Machine 3/4" x 1" lightening slot full length - $25

Drill for rear sight rivets and include 4 rivets - $15

Drill for rear sight screws and include 4 screws - $20

Note: Screws are the same size and shape as rivets.

Military Blue finish - $30

M1921 Colt engraving (both sides and top) - $195

 

Options for M1/M1A1 Thompson receiver:

 

80% Receiver, 4140 steel - $295

Left and right side engraving - $50

Engrave Bullet logo - $35

Engrave US PROPERTY - $15

Machine extractor slot - $50

Machine front of pocket and breech entry fillet - $95

Machine 3/4" x 1" lightening slot full length - $25

Drill for rear sight rivets and include 4 rivets - $15

Drill for rear sight screws and include 4 screws - $20

Military blue finish - $30

Parkerized finish - $30

 

For Class 2's

M1928A1 Thompson 100% machined receiver $950

(test fired with our parts before shipment.)

 

M1/M1A1 Thompson 100% machined receiver $750

(test fired with our parts before shipment)

 

Note - Both 80% and 100% receivers are in production all the time

and shipped on an on-going basis.

 

 

M1928A1 Thompson built on Phila Ord 100% receiver

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/M1928/IMG_1052-1.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/M1928/IMG_1838.jpg

 

100% machined receiver

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/M1928/IMG_1034.jpg

 

80% machined receiver

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/IMG_0914-2.jpg

 

80% machined receiver

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/IMG_0931-1.jpg

 

80% machine receiver with H-locks and breech entry fillet

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/IMG_0920-1.jpg

Production - This "tombstone" holds 2 receivers for machining. The receiver shown

has the front end/thread, rear end contouring, and bottom trigger frame cuts machined.

The receiver not visible on the far side of the tombstone has the top machined. The

tombstone is precisely rotated so all six sides (front, rear, left, right, top, bottom) are

machined in one set-up. Fast. Efficient. Accurate.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/IMG_3101.jpg

 

Production - Specially designed fixture shown holds 4 receivers standing on end

as shown. 2 receivers get the 17 degree ejector flat machined. 2 receivers get

the ejection port machined. Again fixture is precisely rotated. Fast. Efficient. Accurate.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/IMG_3100.jpg

 

Production - Tool magazine holds 90 tools, but "only" 63 tools are needed to machine

97% of the operations required to make M1921/28 and M1/M1A1 receivers. Many

tools are special design tools custom ground for Thompson receiver operations. Most

tools will last for weeks before they get dull and need to be replaced. Fast. Efficient.

Economical.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/IMG_3102.jpg

 

The old fashioned way. Special set-up on dedicated machine. Single point shaping

tool exactly like 100 years ago used to cut extractor slots. Over 100 passes are needed

to shape/cut the extractor clearance slot, however the tool moves at 200 inches per

minute so it does not take long.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/reconbob/IMG_3103.jpg

Bob Bower/Phila Ord

[Chromebolt]

Veery interesting Bob. I've been to your website, but these pictures provide an overall to your product.

[rader]

I have a 1 of Bob's receivers and it is Great . Jim

[darrylta]

Very impressive indeed, I also have a 80%er and

would recommend it for any purpose. Bob's bluing

shop does great work as well.

-Darryl

[AlexanderA]

Bob, have you considered making enhancements similar to Richardson's "Ultimax" line, such as milling out a pocket for the breech oiler, etc.? I'm sure people would pay more for such improvements.

 

BTW, I too have one of your receivers and I recommend it.

[kanemono]

I have two of Bob's 80% receivers one a 1928A1 the the other a M1A1. Both of the receivers were blued, lettered and numbered. The quality is fantastic and the price was very reasonable.
Dick

Edited November 9, 2016 by kanemono

[reconbob]

I could easily modifiy the programs that we use to machine the bolt pocket on the

100% receivers to make an "Ultimax" configuration. But, I don't know if it is legal to

make and sell a receiver that is completely finished except for a small area in the middle.

Doug doesn't know either. I believe I am correct in saying that he did not send a sample

"Ultimax" receiver to ATF to see if they would classify it as a "non-firearm". If he has, and

the ATF has in fact classified an "Ultimax" as a non-firearm I will, of course, stand corrected.

 

Bob

[Melvin]

Bob

As being a long time machinist with a lot of Thompson experience any idea what this item is. It was listed and sold on ebay as a Thompson Auto Ordnance Corporation Fixture. Item # 290785932350

 

Chuck K

[reconbob]

Here is the link to what Chuck is refering to:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/THOMPSON-AUTO-ORDNANCE-CORPORATION-FIXTURE-FREE-SHIPPING-TAKE-A-PEAK-/290785932350?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=290785932350&_rdc=1&nma=true&si=H3667nlvfuxTINI8Pc6OpCXtCIA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

This is a really nice small, precision compound angle vise. It is not a fixture to machine a specific part. The vise can

be tilted in 2 or 3 directions, and also rotated. My guess would be that if this was used at the factory it was tilted/rotated

as needed for a specific operation on a small part. As to whether this was used on the production line or in the

tool makers shop - or both - is anyones guess. Is Greenwich CT as opposed to Bridgeport CT of significance?

 

Bob

[dalbert]

This was a product of the Thompson Tools Division of Auto-Ordnance during WWII. The tools division occupied a 30,000 square foot facility in Greenwich, CT. I also acquired a tool from this division. It is more of a vise style milling fixture.

 

David Albert

dalbert@stumgewehr.com

[mike in pa]

Thanks for the detailed info and pics. Tag for future purchase!

[crash520]

Thanks for the very impressive insight into your production Bob.

Is there any chance you could do the same on your MG34 recievers for us who are also interested in those?

 

V/R

C

[TSMGguy]

This situation reminds me of the old time "gas wars", where only we, the consumers, benefitted. Nice work, all around!

[james m]

Reconbob:

At one time you made a display(80%?) receiver for Uzis. I've emailed you but never received a response. When if ever do you intend to make another run of these?

Jim

Edited November 25, 2012 by james m