18 replies to this topic

[junglewalk]

Congrads or Sucker !!!!.....My wife and I together scrapped up $9500. for a 1977 made, 1928 West Hurley (hey, that's our last name !). The owner says he shot approx 1000 rds total thru it, it was parkerized in early 80's/ has a West Hurley (hey, that's our last name !), 39rd drum, and about 7-mags/some pouches, and two sets of frt/rear wood......
For all the Thompson chiefs; Is this a good price ???

[The1930sRust]

I would say that this is on the upper range of the pricing on the West Hurley's, though I have seen them advertised even higher. The average seems to be about $8500. Has it been "tweaked"? So that it runs perfectly? If it has had only 1000 rnds through it, I bet not.

There is a lot to be said for a gun that is close at hand, as opposed to one you never get to see until after the sale. Is it close by? Remember, they only go up in price. I paid $7200 for mine with L drum and hard case slightly over a year ago, but haven't seen one in that range since then. As a comparison, there is one advertised over on subguns for 8k.

You are aware of the 'quirks' of the West Hurley's, yes?

[full auto 45]

From my experiance,ha, I have found that the West Hurleys(Hey! that's your last name) made before 1980 or so, has mostly Savage or GI parts in them. They should run good. Check and see if the bolt is Savage and the actuator is savage. If the latter is not, change it out it can break, as will the buffer pilot if not a solid one piece part. My West Hurley(not my last name) is a 1975 model and it runs like a scalded ass ape. See attached video.
80 rounds of fun!
Check it out good inside and out. Good luck and try to get them down to under $9k.

[Bob]

It's all relative, 9.5K for a tx 1928 WH will set a bench mark. Have fun with it get tired of it and sell it never going backwards. May have to wait a while but I would bet not long. I remember when a M16 cost $168.00 if ya lost it...now they sell for 10K and up

I started picking up M1 carbines thirty years ago at gun shows for 60-75 bucks each, and my buds said I was nuts wasting my hard earned cash. (Still have about thirty left). And no I'm not selling any more yet..not even the chrome one or the one with the X prefix...so don't even ask.

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

"There is a lot to be said for a gun that is close at hand, as opposed to one you never get to see until after the sale."

I have always found it surprising that many buyers of SMG's/MG's did not actually see the weapon, other than a possible photo, before purchase. There are too many things to checkout on a TSMG that only a hands on inspection could verify. Considering the 2 1/2 to 4 month wait for the tax stamp, that's a long time to finally get a look see on an item that may have been paid in full in advance. I can't imagine any other high dollar purchase where the buyer never inspected the merchandise before closing the deal.

[must]

I bought a WHM1 almost a year ago & it was made in 1986. It ran crappy right out of the box (it was new). Sent it to PK in Colorado & he fixed all the problems (most of the internal parts were G.I. except the mag. catch, bolt). He had too readjust the internal dimenations & polish things inside (plus replace the bad WH bolt that was too long). It runs like a charm now (I paid $6,700.00 for it). My .02 cents.

[full auto 45]

phill1012k, The video was of Tommygunner firing his first clip in a full auto, and my buddy David firing the drum. We were shooting at the paper targets used in the compatition shoot at the Thompson Collectors Accociation shoot. It was alot of fun to watch Damon firing his first FA Thompson.

[PK.]

Mike my friend, I have to take technical issue with you on one small point; you said “Check and see if the bolt is Savage and the actuator is Savage. If the latter is not, change it out it can break”

WH never made ’28 bolts that I am aware of; they used GI bolts and these could be from various contractors, none of which could be considered any better than another.

On the other hand, few GI actuators were used in the WH production and none of these parts of their manufacture could be considered desirable. But again, Savage was only one of several contractors who made Actuators for the Government and none of them can really be considered “better” than another.

My $.02

[Ron A]

The WH's are never going to get cheaper. I paid $7,500 a year ago and the same dealer now runs adds selling them for $8,500. Mine was in new condition (made in 1980) and didnt run, after work runs great. Buy now or wait and pay more !

[Gunner]

In response to PK's posting, about AO using GI parts on the earlier WH guns, I'm waiting on the transfer of a 28 WH that was made in '78 or '79 (I forget which, but I checked the serial number at one point, and remember it was either '78 or '79.) Judging from the photos, the rear sights have the ears that look like a Lyman adjustable --although I know that some West Hurleys had an lesser sight that was made by AO. However, if AO was using GI parts at that time my gun was made, is it likely that I'm going to get a real Lyman?

[LIONHART]

You just might!

[SecondAmend]

As with a number of desirable things, especially those having a "fixed" supply, you can never pay too much for a Thompson. You can only buy too soon.

[full auto 45]

PK, thanks. I should have said if it is a cast type actuator that WH used in the later guns, get rid of it. Also the buffer pilot is a very crappy piece. Swap it out to a GI piece and you will have no problems(you hope). My buffer pilot was the only part that was not a "S" marked part, and guess what, yep it broke during the competition at the TCA show last year. Phil Askew had a GI one and it runs perfect now. But the good point is that all the parts are available from somewhere or someone.

[The1930sRust]

QUOTE (SecondAmend @ Sep 17 2003, 04:12 PM)

As with a number of desirable things, especially those having a "fixed" supply, you can never pay too much for a Thompson. You can only buy too soon.

I told my wife you meant two soon......

[full auto 45]

I did it, you should two. My one old Westy was sitting tucked away, not to far away, in the safe when behold this other Thompson popped into my life, kinda like when this girl popped into my first life(marriage) and I just had to have her,er, it. You should do it because happiness is a Thompson in each hand. In Murray's case you have to be a octopus! Hell I'm thinking of having a third arm, don't say it, grafted on my body so I can find (already did) another Thompson to have and hold, kinda like in my second marriage I had to have...........oh sorry started drifting there.

[junglewalk]

Thank you guys; I know more now than I did two days ago... ....So it is a high price, I see... ..Butt, the money is to the owner already, and paperwork started.(St.Debbie, my wife can't see this thread)....The main force in this was her ,OK ! (am I alone ?) ....This is our third, and last mg.....In 1992, I convinced her, while running the Jungle Walk, she needed an MP-40; paid $1500. for it.........Last year I was shown a MP-43 by a friend who wanted $3500. for it. I declined, thinking she would say no, got home, and after telling her, she kicked my butt out the door to go back to my friend to make the deal....Papers started Oct, just got the gun this Jul, whew!..... ..While the MP-43 was being processed, I was talking ,THOMPSON !,. yapping, squawking, whining, till we both agreed it could work...So here we are....(another out of state gun)

I must ask of you guys; Do any of you come to KCR for the shoot, and come down to the 'Jungle Walk' with your Thompsons ???...If you do, this event, please tell me who you are, I would be glad to meet you.........Thanks........BOB

[Jay Baker]

I've done it "two". Sent paperwork to Chicago today for a WH M1. Would have liked a Savage to go with the '28 but I'll need the extra cash for more .45 ACP, don't you know.

[Murray]

I have a saying about collecting Thompsons, regardless of the make or model.

" The only regrets I have about collecting Thompsons, is the guns that you sold and the ones that you didn't buy".

Best of luck,