Matt in Pdx

Great vid... Chased down the calendar. Looks like I need to have one. It is available at: http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG914/124

Picked up a an unmarked RUSCO style canvas carrying case (little soiled and in need of a snap repair) this weekend. Probably not the most correct accessory for my 1942 Savage 28A1, but I like it anyway. I believe it is referred to as the 21A1 model as it is the extended length for the compensator. The question I have is to what extent were these used by the US military during WWII if at all? American Thunder II references some limited orders by the USMC for use with their Colt's.

You bet. Thanks for the link to IAA forum. Matt

Brought this home from a show recently. I am reading it as Australian (Aust) made small arms ammunition .45 ball for machine guns. Head stamp reads, MG 44 IZ .45

May have been a bad spring. Although, I think a lot of it had to do with the narrow buttplate and how it fit my shoulder pocket. They are cool guns, and I like I said I wanted to like it.....

Years back I lucked into a very nice 41 Johnson. Being into Garands, I always wanted one. Most miserable gun to shoot I ever shot. Very sharp recoil. Ten rounds and I was done. Sold it to finance the Thompson. Shot a 41 Johnson LMG this spring. More fun because it was full auto and a 41 Johnson LMG, but still far from pleasant. Checked it off the bucket list. TSMGuy I am glad your experience is different. I am happy with the Thompson trade up.

"This is my rifle and this is my gun"

Link to firing pin protrusion gauges for the Thompson. http://www.brpguns.com/products/Thompson-Firing-Pin-Protrusion-Gauge.html

I had very similar problems with mine. Tried different ammo - federal bulk hollow point worked best, but still would jam every other mag or sometimes 2 or three times per mag. My kit was one of the early trials kits that Merle worked on. I bought an extra extractor from Black Dog when I bought the kit. I replaced it and have had no issues since. The Black Dog extractor was much pointed on the outside edge of the extractor than the one in the kit. The kit extractor did not look broken or chipped. I have not discussed with Merle, but I expect that there was quite a bit of trial an error getting these kits running. Discuss with Merle, it just might be the extractor.

More Speculation... Before the Russia connection was identified, I assumed that the 28A1 Thompsons that became the kits had spent time in England. The reason for this speculation is that the black paint is similar to the paint observed on other British reworked guns. Also, one of the early kits I purchased had a broad arrow and crown mark on the receiver piece attached to the barrel. How did a British proofed gun end up in a Russian salt mine? Matt

Besides the Thompson, it looks like Mike will display his Giradoni air rifle like the one used by Lewis and Clark. Sort of the Thompson of its day. Check out the video at:

The barrel does have a small v mark on the first fin (close to the chamber end). It is threaded for a compensator. The threads have not been drilled to pin the compensator on. The section of the barrel with the compensator threads is longer meaning that it has more of a threaded section than the GI barrels I have. The section of the barrel that has cooling fins is also smaller than the GI barrels, and the cooling fins are wider than the GI barrels. It looks like the picture of the early barrel you posted. I will work on taking a photo.

I have a barrel that I have been trying to ID (wondering if it is an early WH). Are there any manufacture marks on the WH barrels?

Paul, I give it two thumbs up!!!! The kit is great in my opinion and added a whole new dimension to owning a Thompson. I ended up with one of the prototypes that Merle tested. I have 2000 plus rounds through it in my 28 Savage. It is ammo sensitive as has been discussed. It also has become more reliable with use. The last time I had it out, I put 700 rounds of Federal bulk pack through it. I had one jam after about 500 rounds when a case would not extract. After I knocked it out, cleaned the chamber it was good for another 200 rounds before my fingers got tired of loading magazines. If anyone knows of a magazine loader that works for the Black Dog mags, please post it. Also, Merle called me the other day just to check in and see if I was having any problems. He indicated that they want to get the kit right and make sure that customers are taken care of if there is a problem. Matt in Pdx

Does Doug have a 21 buffer system available? If so does anyone know how much it is?