What is needed in a parts kit? - (What wears out?)

[huggytree]

im very big on having a full parts gun for each of my FA's

 

with the thompson i have many of the major parts, but am still wondering if i should buy a few more of the smaller parts in the lower and trigger assembly

 

i have a S1928 commercial--early serial #, so my trigger is different...and i may have a couple of colt parts inside (im not really sure)

 

Here's what ive gotten

 

(2) barrels

(6) buffer springs

(3) neopreme buffers

(2) buffer pilots

full wood set

bolt assembly

actuator

rear adjustable sight

firing pin

ejector

blish

(2) breech oilers

 

i also have 1 or 2 smaller springs-i believe 1 is the firing pin spring the other?

 

 

parts i dont have---do i need?

 

extractor (im actively looking for a S extractor--i have one on my spare bolt, but would like another spare)

rocker

Sear

Trigger

Safety element

Disconnector

Mag catch (impossible to find an early S it seems)

Hammer

Fire controller

 

any springs i still should have?

 

 

 

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/waukeshaplumbing/springs_zps262cetim.jpg

Edited November 5, 2016 by huggytree

[darrylta]

huggy,

If you have any Colt trigger frame internals, it will be very obvious, there made from nickel steel. They have a dull stainless steel

appearance, not the typical black oxide finish of the WWII guns.

Darryl

[darrylta]

huggy,

Doubled again, trigger control-trigger control.

Darryl

Edited November 5, 2016 by darrylta

[huggytree]

i have a pointy trigger (different from later S guns).....and i believe there are some Stainless/silver parts inside there..ill see if i have some pics from 6 months ago

[bug]

All that glitters is not Colt. Don't be surprised if they are S marked. Looking at your list I'd say you're in pretty good shape. I would suggest another actuator and any of the fire control springs you can find.

 

Bob D

[huggytree]

what are the 2 springs i have?

 

(one is the firing pin spring i believe)...what is the other spring?

 

thanks for the advice!

[huggytree]

All that glitters is not Colt. Don't be surprised if they are S marked. Looking at your list I'd say you're in pretty good shape. I would suggest another actuator and any of the fire control springs you can find.

 

Bob D

its serial # 21,792 so im hoping i have some colt parts in there

[dalbert]

In my observations, it is a very good idea to have grip hanger as a spare part.

 

David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

[TSMGguy]

I went through the same drill, making up original spare parts stashes for both my M1 and '28A1. In the 20 years since I acquired the guns, nothing's ever broken since these guns were designed to last! I've since sold off most of the spares, to guys who were equally convinced that they'd be needed.

[huggytree]

at some point they will be needed.....maybe 50 years from now, maybe 1 year.....you never know

 

i plan to shoot mine a few times a year....possibly putting 10,000 rounds through it before i die.....one good thing about parts---they never get easier to find and never go down in value (ok, maybe not 100% true, but close)

 

at some point all the thompson parts will be gone and in parts kits stored in collectors basements....

[Grasshopper]

Huggy,

 

Hard to say. My Thompsons are used for shooting. I've got spares but the only thing I've done is changed lowers to ones that have a 5-6 lb trigger pull as my finger is wearing out way before anything else. Been shooting these for 18 years.

 

Put 1500 rounds of 22 through one gun this weekend. I don't think I'll ever wear anything out (other than plastic 22RF mags).

 

Enjoy,

 

Grasshopper

[imageaudio]

Obviously, I'm really late to this post. But I've just purchased my first Thompson and was searching the forums for just this type of post. My line of thought is. . . what parts do I need or will my grandchildren need once I'm long gone? To Huggy's point, seems like eventually, the spare parts will all be gone and hidden away in collectors basements. But then again, perhaps with new technology, they will be able to make new firing pins, sears, etc. on CNC machines with just the touch of a button?

 

I've talked to several very experienced Thompson shooters and they all seem to have the same opinion, "things rarely break on these guns?". That says alot when very experienced shooters like Mr. Iannamico tell me "keep it cleaned and keep it well oiled and you should rarely experience problems."

 

Of course, finding lots of time on my hands while I wait for the ATF to approve my firearm to come stay at home with me, I have been reading as many books and manuals as possible so that I can have a more comprehensive understanding of my gun. To that end, I was recently reading through the Springfield Armory January 12, 1922 Thompson SMG test and noted several instances of malfunctions. On page 20, during the 7th run of a 1000 round test, they had a barrel bulge. Then during the 12th run of a 1000 rounds test on page 21, they experienced a broker extractor. They fired a total of 15,000 rounds through the gun and put it through a variety of other tests including temp and sand, test cartridges, etc.

 

The report concludes that "The mechanical operation of the gun under all conditions imposed in the test was exceptionally good there being only one breakage (at about 11,500 rounds) and one other stoppage due to malfunction of gun parts."

 

I doubt any of us will ever fire 15,000 rounds through our guns in one day, but these results seem to confirm the findings of other experienced shooters on this forum. Mainly that they Thompson is a very reliable gun which rarely malfunctions. But of course, eventually, some of us will experience that rare failure.

 

For my spare parts kit, based upon my experience with other guns, it seems like spare springs for all the springs used in the Thompson would be a starting point. And then any part that experiences repetitive wear such as the firing pin and extractor and ejector. Additionally, a replacement sear and bolt would seem a wise investment.

 

Would anyone care to add to the conversation?

[john]

Only parts I've ever broke were an extractor, recoil spring and have worn out two barrels.

(Have shot my early Bridgeport

A.O. a lot!).

My theory is to buy all the spares that you find that are good deals.

Twenty years from now if you don't need them you can trade them.....

[Vettom]

I started buying spare parts and literature items to read while I waited on my stamp. I used my Fort Know manual reprint to take mine apart. I only got hung up on the whale oil, so I made some 😎. I took my spare lower apart too. I like spare parts anyway for my hardware. Went to shoot mine with my dealer and he pulled out a M16 shortie in 9mm and it went click... firing pin broke. Did he have a spare nope. Murphy can bite anytime be prepared. If you dont have a barrel or some other part ok those can be had unless its a real Colt then you got a bigger issue just finding parts or that you can afford. I got a few more spares to get and I will be ok.

[StrangeRanger]

The recoil spring should be considered a service part rather than a spare. The only spares you're likely to need are an actuator, an extractor, a firing pin and a firing pin spring and possibly a bolt. It can't hurt a thing to have more parts though or multiples of them

[jim c 351]

The Mag release spring broke in one of my guns about 10 years ago. That's all I can remember.

Jim C

[imageaudio]

This thread has raised a question for me. Does anyone have any specs on how many rounds a Thompson barrel is good for?

 

 

 

Then i have a question related to barrel replacement.

In my instance, I have purchased an M1 with matching upper and lower. Trying to protect the original configuration of the gun. When going to the range, I plan to run an M1A1 bolt to minimize wear on the firing pin, hammer and extractor on the original bolt (at least original as I purchased it) I also have a parts kit receiver that functions on the gun as well.

 

I do have a replacement barrel but have a concern about mounting it on my receiver. The new barrel does not have the front blade sight installed yet so I could get the sight to be properly aligned with my receiver. However, my question is, if I then re-install the old original barrel, I'm guessing the front site will still be appropriately aligned? Or are there slight variations when reinstalling. Thinking I could just torque the barrel until the front sight is aligned and all would be good assuming the original barrel was torqued to proper specs.

 

If I only plan to run perhaps 5-10 thousand round through the gun in my lifetime, do I even need to worry about the barrel?

 

Any other thoughts/considerations regarding barrel replacement on receiver?

[jim c 351]

If you shoot reloads with plated bullets, your barrel should be good for 500,000 rds. or more.

That's what many of those on this forum do.

Jim C

[LSU Tiger]

I can see having a complete set of springs, ejector, extractor, and barrel. I can't think of what else will wear out.

[JimFromFL]

When I purchased my Thompson, the biggest fear was something breaking and the spare parts don't exist.

As a result, I would purchase parts hear and there and stock them away in oil.

Now its time to sell my Thompson and I am finding that I have about 5 of everything and don't recall of anything ever breaking.

Long story short. Don't go overboard.

[TSMGguy]

I went a little overboard on the spares for my M1928A1 too. Nothing has ever broken or needed replacing.

[ppgcowboy]

Imagine having one bolt and dropping it and deforming its face? An extra bolt or two would cure your anxiety. Parts are cheap insurance.