Smnagao Posted May 2, 2021 Report Share Posted May 2, 2021 (edited) Let me preface this that i know the more popular answer from people on this question. So please explain reasons so i can make a better decision So Ive been working with a dealer to get a Thompson. He has 2 options for me that are basically the same price point. One is a new in box west Hurley Thompson that has been reworked by Dan Block to accept GI mags. The other is a late war GI M1 Thompson. Looks like it had an armory refinish and a. New barrel as weIt also has a fore grip reinforcing band which i haven't seen before. Given the cost is about the same 1k difference, what would be the better option? Ive always wanted an M1A1, and now that my wife gave the go ahead its been tough to go for an M1 instead. I do understand that the differences are minimal and some would argue that an M1 is better due to out of battery issues. Edited May 3, 2021 by Smnagao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted May 2, 2021 Report Share Posted May 2, 2021 So what are we talking about here, a full auto or semi? A full auto would not need to be reworked to accept GI magazines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smnagao Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Full auto. The west Hurley needed rework for GI mags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryo Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Didn't you post on Sturm?GI would be better if prices are only a & $1k difference. Also I believe the issue with gi magazine and the local hole apply to semi auto, not FA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smnagao Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Haha I did post in Sturm. Just looking for a variety of opinions on the issue. Hopefully that's not a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMG28 Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 I would recommend the WWII M1. You can eventually track down an M1A1 bolt if thats what you prefer, and it will hold its value better in the long run. I am also biased toward guns actually made to win the war. FWIW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgvince Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Go for the WWII gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFA amnesty Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) USGI M1 all the way. Has history, your weapon might have been in actual combat and meets all the GI specs and tolerances since it is not reproduction. Not knocking folks who own a WH, but from all the posts, they can be off spec and GI parts are recommended. WH are also commercial and not USGI. Also look at resale. Which weapon do you think most folks would purchase in a open market. This is a no brainer to me but it is your money and your taste. History might not mean that much to you and just want a shooter. But even at that, the WH might need work and could cost more in the long term. Edited May 3, 2021 by NFA amnesty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Second Ryo's advise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 I'm curious why do you think an M1A1 is more desirable than an M1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smnagao Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 No significant reason, from what i understand, the M1A1 isn't really superior to the M1. Has a slightly slower cyclic rate. Just one of those things that i got stuck in my head is all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huggytree Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Ww2 gun. West hurleys are worth $ -3000/4000 less and seem to often have issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimFromFL Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Out of the two the M1, but recommend to be patient and get a 28 (non West Hurley) that accepts drums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilroy Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 USGI Thompson all day. But I like history, to me a west Hurley does not have the history behind it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bug Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 What are the actual prices? As Huggy stated above, seems to me, either the GI M1 is under priced or the WH is over priced. That said M1, GI all the way. BTW, is the WH a 28 or an M1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Hammer Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Your not saying what you want out of owning a Thompson. If you want something with a more of a historical significance get the M1, BUT you won't be able to shoot 50 or 100 rd drums with it. If you are more of a shooter, I would go with the PK'd WH gun, it should run like a sewing machine. If your looking for a safe queen, get a Colt. And don't look at this purchase as an investment, up till now Title 2 guns have been a good investment because of the limited supply and increased interest in them, but that's not to say the future will be the same. Whatever you buy just make sure that you can afford it, even when times get tough, (and they are about to). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smnagao Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 So the WH is 25k and the GI M1 is 26k. I currently have money down on the GI and am relatively positive Ill stay with it, just making sure I made a good decision. The WH is an M1A1 model and is new in box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smnagao Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Im wanting both a shooter and some historic value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimcrew Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Do NOT spend $25k on a WH!! The current market value is $15,500 to $16,500! There is zero historic value to a WH, other than they were the last to manufacture (poorly) a FA Thompson. Find a nice 1928A1 for around $20k and enjoy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smnagao Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 I havent seen those kind of prices. Apparently Ive been looking in the wrong spot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 As a rule, USGI Thompson guns, all models, are a better investment and product than anything sold by Auto-Ordnance Corporation, West Hurley, New York. While new in the box (NIB) is a great condition for most firearms, not so with a West Hurley full auto Thompson guns. If it has never been fired, there is no way to know if it runs properly. West Hurley Thompson guns are notorious for having problem, even the M1 models. Remember, the West Hurley full-auto Thompson guns were manufactured to compete at the low end of the Thompson market - first suggested retail price was around $425. The current pricing for a West Hurley Thompson is only a reflection of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record being closed in 1986 to new machine guns. That said, the condition of the USGI M1 Thompson you are considering purchasing is also very important. You mention the M1 Thompson has been refinished. I have seen some awful ugly civilian parkerized USGI Thompson guns. I also would worry about about a welded receiver but this is easy to check if you can field strip the Thompson. Any Thompson is a big purchase. I highly recommend Frank Iannamico's American Thunder III for those new to the Thompson community considering the purchase of a USGI Thompson gun. Frank provides a wealth of information about the military models with color pictures showcasing what original finish guns should look like. Make sure you know what you are purchasing. If your like most of us, you are only going to buy one. Make it the best you can find and afford. You may want to post some pictures of this M1. There are some very knowledgeable members on this forum that will be be glad to offer opinions. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Go history and remember when the 25 g is spent its gone. Forget about it. There is some crap hitting d.c.that some are in for a money hit.so just buy and enjoy whatever future might bring who cares. Because its going to happen no matter what.never look at class 3 as retirement.{They are on loan from the gov.} to us.it has a paper attached.Enjoy the Thompson....RON K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smnagao Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) This picture is very representative of the whole thing Edited May 3, 2021 by Smnagao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smnagao Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Dan Block took a look at it and gave it the once over for the dealer I’m working with. Not sure if that means anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 If Dan Block inspected and most likely test fired it, you are good to go. Dan knows his Thompson guns. Be advised, that finish is far from original. But refinished former USGI military Thompson guns are commonplace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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