atc310r Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Well after a long time he finally got them completed! These are new 1921 colt actuators made with original blueprints not reversed engineered! I don't know if any of you guys are looking for these, but apparently he may not ever make any more after this batch is sold...... the price is $425 plus S+h Buy them now if you need them haha http://thompsonsmg.com/BLOGS.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLansky Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Doug had a prototype at the SAR show in Phoenix in December. it looked very good. I ordered one then and am awaiting delivery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sig Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 If anyone read the link detail. It is NOTABLE that Doug is marking these with an "R" mark. "For that reason, all my actuators will be marked with a small "R" on the side." Our friend David Albert is a strong advocate for all Thompson collectors in this regard. Kudos to Doug from the collectors that value and cherish this effort. At the same time believe anyone with a Colt Thompson that shoots the same from time to time will consider these a priceless item to have. michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 I agree with SIG that Doug is doing the right thing in marking his Richardson actuators with the letter R. However, I bet in six months someone will spot one of Doug's actuators for sale on ebay with the seller claiming it is "an original Colt actuator manufactured by Remington Arms for Auto-Ordnance and properly marked with the Remington R marking." Any bets? David Albert has done a lot of work in this area. We owe David a debt of gratitude for his efforts and continued work. This subject will be the topic of discussion at this years The American Thompson Association (TATA) Show and Shoot. This is one show you will not want to miss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 I agree with SIG that Doug is doing the right thing in marking his Richardson actuators with the letter R. However, I bet in six months someone will spot one of Doug's actuators for sale on ebay with the seller claiming it is "an original Colt actuator manufactured by Remington Arms for Auto-Ordnance and properly marked with the Remington R marking." Any bets? I considered the same thought when I first read this thread. Actually it really would not matter what letter he selected, a convincing story could be made for each letter of the alphabet. Those unwilling to study the original markings before buying will always be victims of unscrupulous dealers/sellers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 I agree with SIG that Doug is doing the right thing in marking his Richardson actuators with the letter R. However, I bet in six months someone will spot one of Doug's actuators for sale on ebay with the seller claiming it is "an original Colt actuator manufactured by Remington Arms for Auto-Ordnance and properly marked with the Remington R marking." Any bets? I considered the same thought when I first read this thread. Actually it really would not matter what letter he selected, a convincing story could be made for each letter of the alphabet. Those unwilling to study the original markings before buying will always be victims of unscrupulous dealers/sellers. I thought the same thing after looking at gijive's butt stock post. They were marked "R" as well. -Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpw43 Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 How many make a batch? I'm really interested in getting one, but I'm stuck in Iraq until the end of April. Does Doug R. accept credit card payments? Or will there still be some available in early May? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndArmored Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 At the risk of getting pilloried for saying this out loud, what's the big deal about this 21 actuator? Why couldn't you just take a 28 "heavy" actuator and machine it to 1921 specs? My query is based on ignorance, not cynicism, so if someone can explain why this is worth $425 I'd like to learn. (I have 2 of Doug's receivers so I know that whatever he produces will be of high quality - I just don't see what's all the hubub is about.) ~ Curious George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 (edited) At the risk of getting pilloried for saying this out loud, what's the big deal about this 21 actuator? Why couldn't you just take a 28 "heavy" actuator and machine it to 1921 specs? My query is based on ignorance, not cynicism, so if someone can explain why this is worth $425 I'd like to learn. (I have 2 of Doug's receivers so I know that whatever he produces will be of high quality - I just don't see what's all the hubub is about.) ~ Curious George Lets see: 1. I've heard of broken actuators, rather than using their converted to 1928 system, they can now shoot a 21 again and not pay the high price of an original Colt actuator. 2. Some convert their 28s to 21s and some convert there 21s to 28s? Know one knows for sure which which system imparts less force. 3. Wanna be 1921 W Hurley's. To name a few. -Darryl Edited January 30, 2010 by darrylta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reconbob Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 A few comments: If you machined a M1928A1 actuator to the M1921 shape, you'd have a WW2 rough-around-the-edges quality actuator. For the purposes of just having a lightweight actuator that would be ok. However, the original M1921 Colt actuators are of the highest quality in terms of fit and finish, and are really monuments to a bygone era of quality manufacture. From what I have seen Doug has duplicated this very high standard of quality, fit, and finish. A M1928A1 actuator will not have the same knurling - or have no knurling at all which would look out of place if someone was restoring a M1921. If you machined a M1928A1 actuator to the very thin M1921 shape I would assume that it would bend due to the relieving of stresses going from thick to thin cross section. Maybe someone who has actually done this could weigh in. My point being it might not be as easy as it seems. As I have said before, the value of anything is what someone is willing to pay for it. In the case of these actuators if anyone thinks the price is too high, they don't have to buy one. Those that think the price is fair likewise can buy them. A original M1921 actuator runs (I think) $1000-$1200. A run-of-the-mill M1928A1 actuator with no knurling is approx $200. Knurling probably adds $50. So if an original is $1000 and WW2 is $250 and one of these Richardson actuators is $425 I'd say thats a heck of a deal. Doug isn't getting rich on these actuators. I would certainly buy one. Bob/Phila Ord I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Richardson Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Posted by mkw Actuator Price The price for my New Colt 1921 Actuators is $435 plus $12 S&H. Thanks for your support. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK. Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 I have converted a lot of GI 28 actuators to Colt 21 spec. When done correctly, this produces a very good part, functionally as good as a Colt. The one thing this will not produce is the distinctive early style knob. If the desire is for a working part, the conversion is fine. If you want to accurately replicate an early gun or replace a broken Colt part, it won’t do. The price being asked for these is quite reasonable. As Bob pointed out, a suitable 28 actuator is about $250 plus the conversion (usually about $120). While a conversion will be cheaper than the Richardson part it lacks the authentically styled knob, which is quite pleasing indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLansky Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 My 21 actuator came in today. I will try to post some pictures later today or tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atc310r Posted February 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 I bought a 1921 actuator of e-gunparts.com for $75. However it did have some minor rust on it. Once you clean it up with the wire wheel and blue it the result if perfectly functional and looks fine. It's kind of the same thing as what PK. was saying about the 1928 to 1921 conversions. For shooting purposes it's fine, but you will not win any awards for appearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photonance Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) I bought a 1921 actuator of e-gunparts.com for $75. However it did have some minor rust on it. Once you clean it up with the wire wheel and blue it the result if perfectly functional and looks fine. It's kind of the same thing as what PK. was saying about the 1928 to 1921 conversions. For shooting purposes it's fine, but you will not win any awards for appearance. So was actuator you received from numrich an original Colt made one, or reproduction? Did it have any markings anywhere on it? Just curious, I wouldn't think they would sell an original Colt one for $75 no matter what the condition. Edited February 1, 2010 by photonance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james m Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Fow whatever it's worth; I examined the one Doug had on display at the SAR in December. Like all his other work this appears to be 1st rate. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) I bought a 1921 actuator of e-gunparts.com for $75. However it did have some minor rust on it. Once you clean it up with the wire wheel and blue it the result if perfectly functional and looks fine. It's kind of the same thing as what PK. was saying about the 1928 to 1921 conversions. For shooting purposes it's fine, but you will not win any awards for appearance. So was actuator you received from numrich an original Colt made one, or reproduction? Did it have any markings anywhere on it? Just curious, I wouldn't think they would sell an original Colt one for $75 no matter what the condition. Has there been any reproduction 1921 actuators made over the years. I purchased one awhile back that doesn't look quite right. It's not a machined 28 actuator, the site opening through the knob looks narrow and the sides are not parallel? It does not have a makers mark on it. After further review. it is a Colt actuator. Thanks, -Darryl Edited February 1, 2010 by darrylta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atc310r Posted February 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 To be candid, I'd be shocked if it was an original colt, I was simply saying it functions fine..... Next time I am home I will take some pictures of it and post them, right now I'm off at college which is agonizingly dull I might add. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLansky Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I am having trouble uploading the picture(s). I will try again tomorrow. the actuator is blued steel (basically, dark black), has the fine colt type checkering on the knob and has the referenced "R" mark on the right side. other than the color and the "R" mark, it appears to be identical to a colt 1921 actuator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauserMatt Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I bought a 1921 actuator of e-gunparts.com for $75. However it did have some minor rust on it. Once you clean it up with the wire wheel and blue it the result if perfectly functional and looks fine. It's kind of the same thing as what PK. was saying about the 1928 to 1921 conversions. For shooting purposes it's fine, but you will not win any awards for appearance. Was this recently? I was wondering if the actuators on Numrich's site were actually 21's.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 I checked out the Swedish 21 actuators depicted in the pinned topics section again. Is there a distinguishing feature that differentiates the Swedish repro's from the Colt actuators? -Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndArmored Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Doug's "Colt" actuator arrived today. You guys were right. Thanks for talking me into buying one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndArmored Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 I bought a 1921 actuator of e-gunparts.com for $75. However it did have some minor rust on it. Once you clean it up with the wire wheel and blue it the result if perfectly functional and looks fine. It's kind of the same thing as what PK. was saying about the 1928 to 1921 conversions. For shooting purposes it's fine, but you will not win any awards for appearance. So was actuator you received from numrich an original Colt made one, or reproduction? Did it have any markings anywhere on it? Just curious, I wouldn't think they would sell an original Colt one for $75 no matter what the condition. I just finished speaking with John at e-gunparts (Numrich). He confirmed that their $75 1921 actuators (item # 707020) are repros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauserMatt Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 I bought a 1921 actuator of e-gunparts.com for $75. However it did have some minor rust on it. Once you clean it up with the wire wheel and blue it the result if perfectly functional and looks fine. It's kind of the same thing as what PK. was saying about the 1928 to 1921 conversions. For shooting purposes it's fine, but you will not win any awards for appearance. So was actuator you received from numrich an original Colt made one, or reproduction? Did it have any markings anywhere on it? Just curious, I wouldn't think they would sell an original Colt one for $75 no matter what the condition. I just finished speaking with John at e-gunparts (Numrich). He confirmed that their $75 1921 actuators (item # 707020) are repros. But they ARE 21 actuators and work like them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndArmored Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 I bought a 1921 actuator of e-gunparts.com for $75. However it did have some minor rust on it. Once you clean it up with the wire wheel and blue it the result if perfectly functional and looks fine. It's kind of the same thing as what PK. was saying about the 1928 to 1921 conversions. For shooting purposes it's fine, but you will not win any awards for appearance. So was actuator you received from numrich an original Colt made one, or reproduction? Did it have any markings anywhere on it? Just curious, I wouldn't think they would sell an original Colt one for $75 no matter what the condition. I just finished speaking with John at e-gunparts (Numrich). He confirmed that their $75 1921 actuators (item # 707020) are repros. But they ARE 21 actuators and work like them? I didn't pursue the subject after that. But they have only 6 left. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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