papercutninja

If the thompson is heavier than you expected, then it's steel. If not, then it's aluminum. Whenever someone picks up my Thompson for the first time (TM1, 16" barrel), they immediately comment on it's weight.

The replacement pin arrived yesterday and i was able to fit it successfully. Using the broken pin as a template, i used a Dremel sanding drum to remove material from the firing pin where it engages the sear to fit it specifically to my gun. Function checking it, pulling the trigger released the firing pin. Holding the trigger to the rear, and manually cycling the action did not result in the firing pin being released. I reset the trigger in order to release the firing pin again. So it seems like everything is good to go until the live fire check.

I broke a punch when i was drifting out the rear pins; that front one isn't going anywhere. Luckily, i was able to find the broken end of the punch to fully drive out the pins and pull the firing pin out. Just waiting on Kahr to send me my new one.

The firing pin on my TM1 broke today while i was disassembling it for cleaning. Went ahead and ordered one off Kahr's site immediately. Now the question is, which of the 3 pins on the bolt am i supposed to punch out to remove the firing pin? Neither the small one up front, nor the two on the bolt body seem to be very interested in coming out. Additionally, I'm aware that the pin needs to be fitted (where it meets the sear) to my carbine. Any other pitfalls to look out for when doing this?

Hopefully! Good luck with it.

The coating on the Voodoo bolt, presuming it's one of those newer LifeCoat type coatings, tends to add a little bit of thickness to it. Coupled with a bolt that is on the high side of spec, this can happen. I think it's called tolerance stacking. If you can get your hands on another bolt(s), you may be able to find one that fits better. I have a Nickel-Boron bolt and carrier, and the increased thickness from both made the bolt assembly a little tight, but useable.

Ultimately, it's up to you whether or not you want to modify the mags. A lot of the guys here are hardcore collectors, and would hate to see a piece of history modified permanently. Having said that, TSMG mags are fairly common; every gun show I've ever gone to has had a couple of vendors with dozens of them. They made MILLIONS of these things in the '40s, and new-in-wrap surplus mags are still available. I have 5 mags of various capacities that I've modified, so that's my viewpoint on it.

You can't just eyeball or measure it. Each mag will need a different amount. File/dremel little by little until they fit in there snugly. Don't overdo it. Also, don't let the snap caps be your measurement of functionality; my A-Zoom red anodized snap caps jammed EVERY time, but the gun shoots just fine.

Kahr sells an extended bolt handle on their site; not sure if it's in stock or not. Someone on the boards mentioned leaving the bolt locked back for a week or so, i did that and it *seemed* lighter, but it could've just been my imagination. In any case, i made my own quick-detach bolt extender out of a 1/2" hex bolt cut down, with a neodynium magnet epoxied on the end. I mention quick detach since it's only held on by a magnet, and the bolt handle reciprocates, i suspect it'll fly off while shooting. I stick it in the bolt handle when i'm charging or locking the bolt back. Works fine so far. Take a basic 1/2" partially threaded hex bolt from the hardware store and cut it right at the threads. This is important because there tends to be a slight chamfer from the threads to the solid part of the bolt. The chamfer will help the extender sit better in your bolt handle. Then cut it again to the length you'd like to make it useable. Mine is eyeballed to be like 3 finger width. Once it's cut, smooth out the rough edges. Optionally, get a small neodynium magnet (rare earth magnets that are very strong for their size), and counter-sink the right sized hole in the tip. Epoxy the magnet in there and let it cure. When it's cured, you can go ahead and use the extended bolt handle. DO NOT SHOOT WITH IT IN PLACE.

As a fellow newer member, I found it to be helpful to read through the threads one by one like a book. I got my hands on the very same type of AO Thompson as you, and ran it a couple of weekends ago. It is a joy to shoot, and immediately became my favorite "fun" gun.