Auto Ordnance C Drum ?

[sportster]

I'm picking up an Auto Ordnance C drum today from my police supplier. The drum came from a PD. It's serial number is 13XX. Are they any good? I hear the new Kahr drums suck. Thanks in advance for answers.

 

Rick

[Murray]

Rick,

If it is a "C" drum and numbered, it can only suggest that it is either an early West Hurly made drum or Colt made drum. If it is the latter you are doing extreamly well, if it is a West Hurly "C" drum and numbered it is still OK.

Are you sure it is a "C" 100 round drum. If it was in a PD and it is a "C" drum, it is highly likely that it is a Colt which if that is the case, could be worth a lot.

Regardless, they both shoot well, although some of the West Hurly drums need a bit of tweeking. They are both marked Auto Ordnance.

What did you pay for it and what is the number.

You can e-mail me via the Board if you want to.

Regards

Murray,

 

[sportster]

Murray,

 

Thank you very much for your expertise. I may load the drum up tonight and take it out for a test firing tomorrow before I go ride the Harley. It is supposed to be dry and 73 tomorrow here in PA. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again.

 

Rick

[DC Chris]

Sportster-

 

Any idea if it is WH or a Colt/AO "C" drum?

 

I will say this - dumping one of those in full auto is probably the pinnacle of owning and shooting a Thompson.... nothing else really compares and I own lots of guns.

 

Regardless of who makes it - shoot it, enjoy it and this weather is fantastic to boot south of the border too.

 

Chris.

[Norm]

QUOTE

I will say this - dumping one of those in full auto is probably the pinnacle of owning and shooting a Thompson....

 

That is true, but it is also the "pinnacle of expensive!" http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/laugh.gif

 

Norm http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[sportster]

Bad news:

I loaded the drum with 100 rounds of ammo, wound to 13 clicks, and the spring broke. I'm a thinkin someone fooled with the spring in this drum before I bought it. It was real tight at 11 clicks.

 

Good news:

I took my Thompson home clean.

 

Rick

[Z3BigDaddy]

OUCH! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/sad.gif

[Norm]

Sportster,

 

Sounds like someone shortened the spring trying to get it to function correctly. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/sad.gif

 

Your best now is to: A> Send it to Merle in Oregon for repair, or B> Sell it, stating that it has a broken spring.

 

Merle's Info:

 

Merle F. Bitikofer

kkbNOSPAM@open.org **Remove NO SPAM

224 N. W. Woods Ln.

Dallas, Or 97338

 

Norm

 

PS: When Merle gets done with it, it will run better than when it was new! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif

[Diane]

Sportster,

 

Just a question as you said you would take out your Harley and then try out the drum with your Thompson. Do you happen to leave somewhere near Harrisburg area or Bloomsburg area? Just asking as I have myself 3 Harleys and it sounds like it would be fun to do something like that with a Thompson.

 

Hope that you belong to a place that allows for that. I belong to a club in Millville that allows for full auto use. Nice place and a very nice club house.

 

Sorry to hear about the spring.

 

Diane

[sportster]

Diane,

 

I live in Uniontown, which is 40 miles SE of Pittsburgh, PA. I don't ride the Harley and shoot from it if that's what you meant. After breaking the spring I did get in a nice bike ride. I believe I will be contacting Merle about the drum. My "L" drum empties too fast. I have two privately owned places to shoot FA. That makes it nice to try out new toys. Can't wait to get my mount finished on my Mule. Yea beltfed. Take care.

 

Rick

[Murray]

Rick,

Really sorry to hear about the spring http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/unsure.gif but no real big deal, Merle is the man as I originally suggested to you in my email.

Don't loose sight of the fact that regardless of what anyone tells you or suggests, only two times were the "C" drum made and both in limited quantities. A WH "C" drum is still a "C" drum and a new spring and Merle tweek will make it as good as a 1921.

Don't despair and what ever you do don't sell it.

Regards,

Muz. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif

[Ron A]

Murray is right - a "C"drum is a great item to have even if it is not a Colt drum. I have both and shoot the WH drum which was given a new birth by Merle. He will make this drum run like it was a new drum. I question if anyone will spend the money to make a new C drum before a new "ban" is in place.

If there is no new C drums I think you can see the price on the WH drums continue to climb.

Great item to own!