6 replies to this topic

['zoo]

Any have exoperience using blanks with the 50 round drums? A friend mentioned he gave up, but I honestly don't know if his drum works with live ammo either.
Thanks for the input.

[PATHFINDER]

Tim Ketchum (sp) used to make three different types of .45 blank. One for pistols(low pressure) One for TSMGs (high pressure) and one for TSMGs with drums. It was my understanding these were a slightly longer round than the others.
Talk to Joe Swanson and see what he has to say on the sudject. This guy is a master. I have never had a problen with his blanks (.45, .30 carbine, .30-06, 8mmk)

[Jay Baker]

I have some of Swanson's blanks and was going to try them in a new Kahr drum in the garage, but the wife said NO! i'll wait till she leaves...

['zoo]

Yes, I also like Swanson's blanks. My friend's problem was feeding from the drum, which is why I'm thinking he may have a post war drum that needs tweeking.

[Reenactor]

I have put thousands of rounds of Joe Swanson's .45 SMG blanks through two 1921 Thompsons, fed mostly by original and West Hurley drums, and have never had a problem attributable to the blanks. A fellow 30's reenactor swore by stick mags versus the drums, but I use drums primarily, with sticks in my suit coat pockets as a backup if any real-time glitch happens. The chambers and initial rifling of the barrels (new Sarcos) had to be tweaked/enlarged/smoothed by a machine shop, but after that, the blanks worked well. We have also used Ketchum's blanks in our group and did not experience as good of a functionality record.

[junglewalk]

The blank buiness is great in the re-enactments...etc...but you guys should practie up with live ammo, and if you have the guts, come to the next MG Shoot at KCR with you Thompson, and go thru the vaunted Jungle Walk; sorta little Viet Nam, number 1 !.

18 targets, 50 rounds, bring that drum !!


Let's see if the Thompsons will triumph over the MP-40s !!!

[full auto 45]

JW, I plan on being there in April. I should be bringing my guns again.