16 replies to this topic

[Jay Baker]

I am happy to report that the West Hurley M1, with its recently upgraded AOC M1 bolt, functioned absolutely flawlessly on Sunday. I could not be more pleased. I was shooting some of the last Russian WWII surplus that has proven to be highly reliable fodder in both Thompsons. I took to heart the suggestion PK and others made that I not shoot the M1 with the original WH bolt. The result of following sound advice: not a single misfire, failure or hiccup to report.

Its not the first M1 I've fired, but it the first time I have shot one along side a 1928a1 Savage. I found it to be more pleasurable to shoot. The lack of a compensator seems to greatly reduce the blowback of gas and powder I experience with the '28. The simpler sight is a plus, so much so that I am beginning to regret changing the L sight to the Lyman on the '28.

Cleaning is also quicker and easier, fewer parts and nooks and crannies make for less time spent on housekeeping. One really gets the practical aspect of the M1 design over the 21/28. It's no wonder the military adopted it to replace the 1928.

Despite some of the cosmetic flaws inherent in the West Hurley's, this thing will run, properly tweaked. I may have turned up my nose at them before because of their lack of pedigree, but for a shooter, I highly recommend it.

And that's MY range report. Coming soon to DVD.

You may begin flaming, now.

[hawksnest]

I switched the bolt in my M1A1 to an M1 bolt for a little added safety. A lttle extra to clean but not a problem since I love cleaning guns.

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

QUOTE

It's no wonder the military adopted it to replace the 1928.

Jay,
The military did not request any modifications to the 1928 TSMG during WWII that stemmed from any battlefield complaints. The stripped down M1/M1A1 was merely the desire of Maguire to dispense with any parts that were costly to produce, as well as time consuming. The Marines never complained about their Colt Navy TSMG's when they used them in combat back in 1928. Of course the Thompson design by 1940 was obsolete anyway.

[must]

My WHM1 was overhauled by PK a year ago & works flawlessly now (I changed my bolt to a Savage M1). I shoot either S&B or Armscor ammo in it.

[Brickyard]

JB:

Thanks for your comments regarding the recent range firing of your WH M1. EXCELLENT !!

I too have a Westy M1 (M1A1) in a circle jerk transfer process as we speak. PK and I have discussed at length and he has been instructed to remove all work back log from his place in preparaton for the arrival of the newbie in ... maybe ... May. I can't wait for the pup. It's a late 85 production and is for all purposes, NIB. I have a new M1 bolt assy. on order from IMA as we speak.

I was interested in your comments regarding the sight on your 28. I have been toying with getting a Lyman for mine and do away with the "L". I agree that the sight picture with the "L: is much easier to use but I'm thinking about the overall appearance of the gun. Don't know? We'll see what $$$ look like in the future.

Anyway, great report and congrats on the new arrival.

CJR

[PK.]

I knew you couldn't keep your mouth shut!

[Brickyard]

I held off almost 2 weeks !!!! That's not bad! I'd a done better if JB hadn't posted ...

Now, go get something done and get the stack of wood down to a manageble level.

Take care.

[Bob]

Jay, come on now, it's more pleasurable to shoot because it's yours!

I don't notice any more blowback of gasses from any of my Thompsons compensated or not...unless I shoot the old USGI (black power type smokey) But that I only shoot in the PS M1A1

AF,

Thought Savage designed the M1 to cut production cost. And another thing...I also believed the Thompson to be the very most reliable machinegun in the US inventory...until this weekend. I was shooting my 1928/21 PK/Savage and my buddy was running his AOC M1A1 both flawless in operation!

Then My buddy wanted to time his 1921 Colt, first mag went bang/click then click, click, click, tried another mag and click,click, click tried a drum and click, click, click. Put a round in the chamber and it would go bang.

So this leads me to believe that due to my experience with Colt built Thompsons the copies are more reliable

For those interested

Here are some weapons we clocked on Sunday;

Weapon RPM
Colt1921/8 FTFR
1928/21 1022
AC556 747
BAR hi/low353/551
Bren 537
Glock 18C 1217
M16 647-825
M1A1 824
M2 Carbine759
M3A1 418
MG42 8mm1216
MP5A2 770-890
PPSh 957
RPD 774-868
Swedish K547
UMP 45 647
Uzi 584
Uzi (mini) 1212
UZI w/buffer1014

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

Bob,
Savage made changes to the Thompson per Maguire's orders. Notice Savage's name does not appear anywhere on the gun, only their initial. Any changes made to the Thompson would first have to be approved by Maguire who owned Auto-Ord.

My 1928 Navy, with all Colt issued parts, shoots flawlessy with drum or mag, straight on, sideways, or upside down. How do you conclude that Savage Thompson's shoot more reliably than Colt's after witnessing one, or two, Colt gun(s) in operation? Perhaps this test says more about the condition of those Colt TSMGs in your presence than anything else.

[Bob]

Ha Ha, this was a test and only a test of the AF response system. If this was an actual alert you would be directed to tune to the emergency Thompson network

[21 smoker]

Brickyard, PK,... and just how do you guys plan on getting rid of the backlog?...That`s my backlogged WH28 you`re talkin` about!...just kidding Paul,...Thanks for the range report Jay...glad to hear it runs so good!...makes me really look forward to gettin` mine back from PK.KEEPEM`SMOKIN`,out.

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

Bob,
I hate being predictable!

We now we return you to your regular program schedule.

[Brickyard]

Bob: That was the best! Nice job.

21: Not to worry. Yours comes first, no problem. I've got no problem waiting. It's more than worth it as I'm sure many can attest to. (Thanks Paul)

[PK.]

Have no fear, no queue jumping allowed.

Bob-what? No Sterling?

LOL on AF test!

Thanks for posting those numbers- I’ve got to get a timer!

[Bob]

The Sterling is on my list...someday.
I have a AR-10 and a M240B inbound that sucked up my cash for this month

Edited by Bob, 03 February 2004 - 07:10 PM.

[Jay Baker]

Arthur, you are correct. I didn't mean to imply that the military had called for any changes, but I can appreciate them none the less.

Brickyard, I agree with the idea of putting on a Lyman sight for the "look", that's exactly what I did. I found a Lyman that came off a destroyed Colt from south of the border somewhere. It looks 80 years old and kind of beat up, but so is my '28, being an ex-movie gun. I still have the L sight should I ever decide to return it to "original."

Bob, I never noticed any gas or blowback till I started using the Russian surplus ammo. When that runs out, I'll go back to cleaner modern ammo and all will be well with the '28. By the way, the AF response test had me ROFLMAO.

[TSMGguy]

My WH M1 has also been shipped off to PK for some serious tweaking. It was supposedly NIB when purchased as well, but it looks as though the feed ramp was defiled with a dremel tool! Never tried to fire it before shipping it off.

I'm going with all of the little mods which make life easier to bear with WH guns, plus re-contouring of the receiver to better match GI, plain, flat pivot and safety, "L" type Lyman rear sight, M1 bolt, butt stock with no cross bolt, and matte blued finish.

I know that it will be a beauty when PK finishes with his magic.

Actually, Brickyard spilled the beans to me a couple of weeks ago! *LOL* Can't wait to see pictures of his new acquisition.