Leaderboard

Hello to everyone, I'm a new member here from Italy, glad to join this awesome group. I love all the Thompson variants, I have one M1A1 serial number 612xxx, currently I'm looking the M1928A1. Unfortunately in my country you can have only converted semi-auto, here the photos of my Tommy:

I can't figure out how he got the paper behind the trigger!

Just imagine the results if back in February or March ATF had issues a statement saying "We are currently reviewing the status of a significant number of pre-86 dealer sample guns, possibly as many as 4000. These guns may have been misclassified and upon completion of the review will have their status changed to transferable. We expect the review will be completed in 60 to 90 days." There would have been no confusion or anger, no possibility of leaked information resulting in extremely profitable purchases, nothing but a lot of very happy gun owners. The only short-term effect would have been a drop to zero in the number of pre-sample transfers during that period. Sometimes the process is more important than the end result

I made this to hold the rivets in place. Some of the holes are a little bigger than the rivets this insures a tight fit

Do you guys seriously think that this Congress would revise the National Firearms Act or the GCA in our favor? If Congress gets anywhere near either of them, we will lose

Amen. Right now is the time to push these things. The 68 GCA needs to be challenged, especially 925(d)(3) and the ban on imported title2. There should be no such thing as SBR, SBS, or AOW. Those items need to be removed from the purview of NFA. And 922(o) needs to be struck down. I own many transferable fullautos and would gladly see their value slashed in the name of individual liberty and restoration of our Constitutional right.

The guy has a picture of the West Hurley marking, and is completely honest about the actuator. If you don't like West Hurley guns, OK, but you certainly can't say that the guy is misleading anyone. Bob

"1928 Thompson 45 runs perfect. On a Form 4 The charging knob comes loose from the actuator and need to be rewelded." Seriously? How about "POS needs to be used as a paperweight and replaced with a forged GI part that won't hit you in the face"

Bismo... There are a lot of scammers in the Class 3 community. Machine gun parts are expensive. The Thompson community is relatively small. Many of the members of this Forum meet with each other once or twice a year at the Thompson association shows and shoots. It is a great place to meet new friends with similar interests and find legitimate deals. Cash is always king face to face. Sometimes there has been a deal offered in one state and a forum member lives close by and can check out the seller. Other times a forum member knows the seller and can double check to make sure the deal is legitimate. I applaud your caution, above. Stay vigilant!

Whelp, these things have a funny way of happening when you least expect it. After driving six hours back from Massachusetts with a new/ used Buick LeSabre, I was sitting in the third level of purgatory (the DMV) when I got a ping in my inbox telling me that yes, the day had come. My form 4 for my first Thompson had been approved! The shop that had possession of the Thompson was located two hours away, and closed in an hour forty five. Anyhow, ignoring those minor details, mission success! I'm now the proud owner of the 1928A1 S/N A026237. Which as I understand it, places its production as during 1940. What a day! Credit to SP Sarge for helping me make the connection with the folks out in Arizona who were selling this Thompson.

#1 1974 THP Tact squad member Paul Tackett #2 Late 30's early 40s JJ Jackson on right fender sporting a Thompson #3 Sgt. Oscar Stone, right, assistant training instructor, demonstrates on March 20, 1964, the Thompson submachine gun for Metro police recruit Joseph Herrod during the training session.

This weeks favorite..... the Vollmer MP. Who doesn't like a built in monopod? With 3 additional 40 round mags and pouch. Have a manual copy and WW2 bring back paperwork with it. Wonder what they would offer in the Cabela's gun library? We'll see what the next few weeks bring, but I'm sure it will be Russian?

My favorite NFA item is my RR PP MP5 that I have had since '87. It always goes bang. Even Dolf Goldsmith enjoyed shooting it.

I have a few friends who went Garand and carbine.I did in the past tho. and got rid of many even my six M1-D'S AND C.SINCE I PLAYED MY OWN FUTURES WHO WILL PAY THE MAJOR BUCKS FOR THEM IN ANOTHER 10 OR 15 YEARS. Yes when you are 40 you don't worry too much. it changes when you get into the 70's real quick... and buyers of them get older also. and look and say do i really need a couple of dozen of each now?And most will find if they asked family members they want green. not a hassle to go to auction.play that game to sell and taxes and all the other hassles.a few i know also have some nice cars. The kids say we don't want the $500g in cars. the CASH would be better.or some Gold and Silver..aND FOR THE MOST PART THOSE THAT I KNOW WHO HAVE AS MANY AS 100 TO 800 GUNS.they rarely ever shoot and even handle them. a good friend has 2 extra safes he opened and mentioned did not check on them in over 5 years. and said heck i forgot i had some of these. and was about to look to buy one.and he had 2 in the safe.SCARY! another friend hit 80 he has well over 500 guns now.I said get kraken.... his wife wants nothing to do with any of it. when they tell you that.its the $80 buck Luger story. WIDOW SELLS 500 gun Luger collection for $500 each. explains well every time he brought one home he said don't worry babe it only cost me $500 bucks.{lie} so when he passed the least she could do is get the $500 back per Luger. but i do understand shooters and collectors today...they want something. even a few .. my problem i bought dozens and dozens at a time.Not sure any big time collector is doing that nowadays.... but some are selling them off quick when they can. Before the buy market shrinks.

Same here.. Rather take a loss for our freedom. Don't forget silencers. Our of everything they should be first to taken off.

Vepr12 short barrel shotgun, came back in 48 hours an an efile a few weeks ago.

can i ask you you wealthy guys how do you do any bizz anymore at all buying $25g to $100g guns?i had a few hard times buying 10 Colt 21's at one time for $50g and now at $500g IMPOSSIBLE!! I remember buying 65 polytechs at once for $32g on a single buy on a guy getting out of bizz.today would be over $200g it has eaten away any profit margins today. a freaking single Mac 10 for $12 g. when i would buy ten at a time for $5g. I CAN SEE HOW MANY SAID SCREW IT. AND MANY OLD PLAYERSdon't even bother to look. if it was worth $10g to me it sure is not worth $50g inflated and greed. and i am sure every 25 to 30 year old today is hopping to get one.

YES MOOLAH I SAW THAT HK70 FOR $200 G PLUS.I SOLD MY NEW ONE WELL OVER 35 YEARS AGO.came out of a illinois p.d. the guy who ever has it today. can redo and sell it since he only paid me $3,000 at the time.He should do well. now they can take there presample collection AND SELL IT.And buy more inflated price trans models. if that makes any sense. they have become what they hated in collecting, "GREED GOBLINS " not history collectors and lovers.much has changed over the decades, and not for the better. over 90% have been kept out of it.... SAD

99% of the paint was inside the top cover which makes the "winter camo" theory questionable since you don't see traces in pics on the interior of the barrel jacket, but it could be the pics? In person is great if you can do it, but I've only been to a couple live. Agreed, the whole "day job" thing does get in the way with guaranteed income taking precedence over "my hobby above all". This is a pair we "curate" here. Love to add a nicer one, but haven't really seen one at the right time. Took a long time to find these.

Write a note and ask for ones that are not bent. https://www.waffenmeisters.com/us-russian-and-allied-c-71-1/united-states-c-80-1?product_id=353

Well, I've always told my customers to buy what you want, enjoy it, and if it appreciates so much the better. I do admit to them that historically they will make money if they buy and hold long enough, but that is not GUARANTEED! With one stroke of the pen all of these can be wiped out, rendered worthless (or illegal) and it won't be pretty. That is the environment we have all operated under forever. Remember the '68 amnesty? (Well, I don't, even though I turned 20 that year), I had no idea it was available, nor did millions of other Americans, many of which could have benefited had they been aware of it. So yes, this latest ruling seems to have been released in the dead of night with a priviledged few in the know, and the rest of us effectively mushrooms. Enjoy it while you can, buyer beware, and Carpe Diem!

My brother bought a can on Friday, had it approved on Monday.

There is this one on eBay right now: https://www.ebay.com/itm/116175451134?itmmeta=01HXG70J9DFRRYB19XE5X98WK8&hash=item1b0c98b3fe:g:HLUAAOSw4HVWCftL&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0EfnvUI9np%2FvqfQ8msYWkDFZ%2BiN8nRSFRh4h5mQHvza4mt5HHe9WTBowz%2BXG0yznlRq2cDOfd67391XL937NGclNUoAFY0c1DWOFoECv60uu%2FWZv4ALDat0nnXR6nSJQzWfu%2BVdVg5wkLRcrHMmb63Jqi%2Fz4udTakWRaU5%2BI5sMnZIF3YR8FnCKh4k2vaCrovS9QkYVO0CVJWcV%2FdmgwP9u4FB7zzMrpy7fGjN55Va4GSgBliNkKLp4ayw1gMnauA70JH9dNCRxhmS5gSalpxi8%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR-SkgofsYw

Sharing my hammer fired PPSH design here. Been meaning to post this for over a year but it’s taking this long to work out some kinks. Finally, I am ready to post about the lessons learned. Picked up a polish parts kit from Robert RTG in 22’ as well as a 9mm barrel from apex. The kit was freaking nice, probably unissued. submitted my form 1 immediately, approval took about 30 days back in spring of 23’. I got started working on the trigger mechanism while I was waiting for the form 1 to be approved. Many guys do the striker fired design, nothing wrong with that, I was just determined to make a hammer fired mechanism work. I read that an sks trigger group will work but never saw a good write up on it. So I bought an “incomplete” sks trigger group for $40 on apex and made it work with the ppsh trigger housing. I didn’t make any mods to the sks trigger at first, wanted to see what would work /fail first so I pinned the sks trigger housing to the ppsh trigger housing. I then had to machine the lower receiver of the ppsh to make room for the sks hammer and disconnect or to protrude through. I welded an extension to the disconnector so that it engaged with the ppsh bolt, it just needed to be .200 longer and .060 to one side, talk about precise welding. This disconnector is important bc it prevents someone from pulling the trigger while the bolt was out of battery. I welded in a simple blocking bar to the lower, and notched the ppsh trigger housing accordingly and wala I had a semi auto lower. Now for the fun part: The bolt modifications. I still removed .900” from the back end of the bolt just like a sticker fire design but didn’t reuse the cut off material. I removed the fixed firing pin, turned my own firing pin housing on a lathe that fit the same hole (thru hole was for an ar style firing pin), relocated the recoil spring to the side of the bolt by machining a pocket with a ball end mill that the recoil spring drops into, machined out the base of the bolt with a ramp that would cock the hammer after being fired, started with an AR firing pin but ended up having to modify it slightly, made a firing pin extension out of tool steel for the hammer to strike, and lastly welded in a blocking bar to the upper receiver as well as a respective slot on the bolt for it to ride. Many guys who run 9mm in ppsh mags have nosedive issues as well. The .220” difference is cartridge length is the culprit. I was no exception to those flaws. I have modified my drums with .187” steel spacers that I welded in place but haven’t gotten around to modifying my stick mags yet. The spacers worked good after I dremelled the each spacer into an acceptable feed ramp. No issues welding the receiver back together, it’s straight enough, I see flaws but most guys don’t. I recommend using an aluminum or brass backing plate to minimize cleanup on the inside of the reciever. It’s hard to clean up welds on the inside of the receiver with a grinder, a dremel works but it’s time consuming. fitting the barrel was simple enough. I cut the 1/2-28 threads off the front. I wanted an “original” length barrel to utilize the primitive muzzle brake. If you leave the threads, the barrel sticks past the front of the brake. Didn’t worry too much about recrowning, just lightly sanded the muzzle. You must match drill the barrel to the trunnion. I set the barrel to my desired depth in the trunnion. You could bottom the shoulder of the barrel out on the trunnion, which is probably what you would do with a tok barrel, but I placed my barrel closer to the magazine due to the .220 difference in cartridge length of the 9mm. The barrel was soft enough that a new TiN coated 1/2 drill bit worked great, go slow. finished off the build with armor black cerakote and she’s looking good. All in: $650 parts kit (now they are $500 with a 9mm barrel on Bowmanarms.com) threaded barrel from Atlantic: $150 sks trigger group from apex: $40 3 drums($80ea): $240 3 stick mags ($50 ea): $150 Tax stamp to the man: $200 Total: $1430 Honestly this was a big project in my book, I was happy to take it on but I easily have a few hundred hours invested. Nothing cooler than shooting my ppsh though next to some guys at the range that just dumped over a grand into their PCC. The ppsh draws some cool attention for sure. over 1000 rounds of 147gr AAC through it at this point with many hick ups. Most of my failure to feed issues improved though after I modified the drum feed lips. Running much better now. Happy to answer any questions about this build, just had to get this off this off my chest. cheers,

Indeed Tom, I have a WH that will be for sale around 20K with all military parts including the wood, and a minty 28A1 at 36K. For a guy on a budget with 22K saved up, there is one you can buy and one you can't. They both run great, but not everyone is a collector of original 99% guns? Good thing we have options. And for the record, I've shot the 21 doing a 100 round mag dump with the original actuator and original drum. I doubt I'm the first one to do so on that gun? If you can't afford the risk for a life experience, you might be in the wrong hobby? When we raced snomobiles across the lake over 120 mph after bar time, we only did so a couple times to get the experience you never forget. Late 90's Thundercats!

I have to imagine the only accurate source for that information would be the ATF, and even that would be approximate. Production numbers are meaningless when so many guns were dropped in the fields, jungles, and beaches, sold off to foreign nations after the war, dumped into the ocean, cut into parts kits, etc. Even if one were to file a FOIA request and actually have someone try to provide the information, the lack of continuity in registration information (misinterpreted serial numbers, variance in stated model, manufacturer entity, and location, etc), bastard post-war frankenguns, etc. would make it a monumentally tedious task at best. If you've ever seen some original amnesty forms, they were not picky about what was recorded, and the plethora of information that exists to guide us on the subject today did not back then. Go get a job with the NFA branch and spend your lunch breaks counting them, then let us know!

I have a friend who just had to have a Thompson and didn't know the difference. He bought a West Hurley and was all proud of it and all. When I broke it to him, the expression on his face was a "kodak moment" for sure! He just didn't know, it was his first Machinegun. He had problems with it and didn't know why, which is why I explained it to him. FYI, I don't have a problem with West Hurley's. If that's what you want, great. I PERSONALLY do not like it when sellers don't disclose it right off the bat.

I don’t really care what your opinion is as you will argue anything or find fault with things I post as I’m just an arm chair armorer. Far as I’m concerned, you can keep your opinions to yourself and not comment on anything I post.

signal_4, I have heard of that market and applaud their efforts. My thoughts are taking original Thompson submachine guns located overseas, professionally converting them to fire semi-automatic only and allow importation into the USA. Make an exception for the short barrel and sell as Title 1 firearms. Yea, I know, why wish for a loaf of bread when you could just as easily wish for the grocery store. That said, Thompson guns in this condition would be a big hit with Thompson fans, especially those who live in states that do not allow the ownership of machine guns.

Super neat, love the age on the stock!

I was not planning on another book but when I had the opportunity to inspect and take pictures of a beautiful 1928 Colt NAVY...yes, another book. This former police department Thompson submachine gun is owned by none other than Roger Allen, the Class 3 dealer from Kentucky that rescued all the St. Louis Police Department Colt's for Thompson enthusiasts to enjoy forever. I had thought about a smaller (8.25" x 6" - 51 pages) inexpensive book like this for a while based on comments I had received from purchasers of my third book, An Amateur's Guide for the Colt Thompson Submachine Gun. Roger's Colt NAVY, located just down the street in small town Kentucky, made this book a reality. One recurring comment I hear from readers is the Amateur’s Guide book is a great reference book. However, it is just a little too large to drag around to a gun show, auction house or Thompson show when inspecting a Colt Thompson. I have been told many times something smaller and easier to carry around would be perfect – but keep the pictures and captions. This book is mostly pictures and expansive captions! All Colt Thompson submachine guns are very expensive in today’s marketplace. Some are astonishingly high priced. Reference books about Thompson submachine guns are also expensive but can identify many pitfalls that can save buyers a lot of remorse if utilized properly. This pocket size book is designed to allow a prospective buyer or enthusiast the opportunity to correctly inspect a Colt Thompson in a systematic step by step process from one area to another - at a very reasonable price. It is not a replacement for my Amateur’s Guide book; it is a supplemental guide. It is also an inexpensive introduction to the Colt Thompson submachine gun for those new to the machine gun community seeking to learn about the iconic Tommy Gun. It is available on Amazon.com for $24.99 plus shipping and tax. My price is $25 for a signed copy postage paid. I will have copies available at the upcoming Thompson Collector's Association (TCA) Show & Shoot as well as the May, Ohio Gun Collector's Association (OGCA) display show. If you cannot make these events, contact me via Private Message or at: tkd5501@fuse.net for ordering information. Thank you for all your past support.

Looking back through his posted content it appears at one time this was a legitimate account. All I have the power to do is mark the account as a spammer restricting his posting capability until this is resolved.

Tell him, her, or it... you are a big time buyer and traveler. and make arrangements to pick up in person with cash,Set a date up.and also ask what else you have you buy millions of bucks of stuff a year. and no big deal to travel..watch how fast they trot away...I have done that a few times.they all passed.I can't imagine getting ripped ona major gun $10,000 to $50,000 however after my one MP-40 INCIDENT. I AM ALL PREPARED.to go to the door ....it IS sad, you have to get to that to get what you paid for.

Any Californians in here? I spoke with Bob and he gave me the thumbs up, just trying to get an overall consensus. I have someone who wants to purchase my complete trigger frame with buttstock. Only issue is he lives in California. To my understanding, everything is fine to mail it to him because it is just parts and not the actual receiver of a Thompson, which is what is the registered component. The frame does have a serial number, but does not match my gun. The buyer told me he wants to build a blank firing gun but my only concern is that since it's USGI, still has the selector switch. I've had WW2 reenactors in CA tell me that there's guys who have full auto BFONGs that use USGI frames as those are not regulated. California DOJ never picks up the phone and the FFL's don't know. Have you had any experience with sending a complete frame (with a sn) to California? So far, I think I'm good to do so, but just crossing the Ts and dotting the I's. Thank you!

I’ve never seen an AOC buffer pilot, so that is the reason for the inquiry. All I have ever seen are S marked Savage buffer pilots.

If it is not too late, come to the TCA Show & Shoot for a great weekend of Thompson fun. I am sure Bill and John will allow all Board members to join TCA and pay at the door. Mention my name and I will be the first to welcome you. Me, I am going to give my Merle kit a good workout!

The week is upon us….if you want to see the displays or shoot, come on out. Can’t make it anymore plain than that, this only comes around once a year for this event.

All original post Imperial Army manual collection. Not just MGs as the manuals cover all sorts - from small arms, tactics, AA usage, equipment. optics, and so on. However the focus is on the MGs up to 1937. Pull out posters/diagrams, superb detailed diagrams, colour plates and photos. AH in the front and some unit stamped including SS. Please email if of serious interest as I have lots of photos to send and/or can do more on request. Worthy of a museum and a serious collector/enthusiast. Either contact me through the Forum or direct mark.finneran@hotmail.co.uk 11 large manuals, nice front covers!! and lots of cards/pamphlets etc. Including postage US$2200. This is some US$800 less than the European price. Trades sought are WWI German MG08 or 08/15 related. Postage will not be issue (APO). Mark

The officer on the left side of the hood, doesn't seem to mind having a Tommy gun pointed straight at him !!! LOL

I was able to purchase this Colt Browning Machine Rifle recently. Here are some pictures of the gun and accessories. I was very fortunate that a member of the forum responded to my post and offered to sell this excellent BAR. The only item I would like to find is an original 1918 dated manual.

our Liberals have been calling all semi_automatics if they have plastic stocks assault rifles, most now banned on a buy back program, yes totally stupid but they are in control until next election cycle

This should work - The Unofficial Tommy Gun Page (archive.org) Bob

Dogman, I had previously put my OOW 1918A3 rifle W/flash hider , in the M1950 padded jump case, so I knew it would work that way. I don't use the bipod so it never occured, and very surprised, me that the case wouldn't work with bipod installed. In 1950 the BAR was a important part of the rifle squad , so why make such a case. Nate, You are correct. The steel, skelitan butstock is one of the British jobs made to replace a broken wood stock. It is pictured with a Winchester M1918 Automatic Machine Rifle with British lend/lease stamps. I had Dan Block make a wood stock, which is currently on the rifle. Thanks for your interest. Jim C

Wonder how long it took him to rust it up before he restored it?

I had a chance to fully review a draft copy of this book, and I have to say it is a fantastic resource in a handy format. Another great job by Tom! David Albert

Look at the cost of ownership-between the two the S&W is cheaper to feed and easier on the receiver vs the M2 carbine. They eat expensive ammo, can be hard on receivers, and parts are drying up.

WTF does this have to do with the Owen? You need to post your stuff in the relevant forums