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West Hurley M5 Pistol questions -


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New to the Thompson world and had a few questions on an early WH M5 pistol. It is a 1977 production judging by the low three digit serial number. My questions are as follows:

1) Would this have a steel receiver if the serial number were under p200? It is not in my possession so I am unable to verify if it is steel or aluminum yet.

2) Why did the WH drums only hold 39 rounds?

3) Will a 50 round drum work in it as well?

4) It has the blade sight on front of the finned barrel but I want to install a Cutts compensator on it and wondered if I need the pinned or the threaded compensator to do so?

 

I appreciate any helpful insight you guys can offer, thanks!

Sorry for the all the questions, just starting out with these but am no stranger to the machine gun world.

CaptMax

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To my knowledge all A5 pistols had aluminum receivers ... A drum is a drum ... 10, 39, 50, or 100 round, they all insert the same. They had 13.5 inch barrels that again, to my knowledge were not threaded, just equipped with a press on ring sight ... If you want to install a cutts type compensator it should be pinned. (You won't want it flying off the barrel)

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The 39 round drums were originally made in Japan for the mgc toy guns... And numrich used them.. they will work better if you handload and insert the bullets a little deep. The back of the rotor takes up some space.

 

A new kahr type smooth comp should fit on and be able to be pinned in place.

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Thanks for the fast response guys, it is much appreciated. Verified today that the first batch of these from 1977 were steel receivers, they changed to aluminum shortly after. I found a Cutts compensator that pins on and is available new from the factory. I should have this M5 next week and will post a few pictures once I do. It has the sweetest looking wood I have ever seen on a Thompson.
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