elkoholic Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Okay, It's been awhile ..... who is the guy often recommended to do the mag modifications so my 2014 semi-auto Thompson can take the ww2 mags? Was it Phili Ordnance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostsoldier Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 If you're handy, you can do it yourself (like I did)....I have a tutorial somewhere here on the forum. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest title ii Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Having trouble finding this tutorial also. Is it just the mag catch that must be replaced in order to have the semi auto Thompson use full auto 30 round usgi magazines? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T Hound Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Having trouble finding this tutorial also. Is it just the mag catch that must be replaced in order to have the semi auto Thompson use full auto 30 round usgi magazines?No. The mag catches are shaped differently. What is generally done is that the hole in the magazine spine is modified so that the full-auto mags' will fit the semi-auto mag catch face. This can be done with a dremel--but don't unless you have a steady hand and know exactly how much to shave off. A better tool for the beginner is a small round file and slowly removing, checking, removing, checking, etc, etc. until it fits perfectly. The full auto magazine spine has a hole and the semi-auto magazine spine has an oval instead. You can modify the hole into an oval but don't do this with a dremel without expertise. Use the file instead--you are less likely to make a mistake. But you will need patience. John/T Hound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest title ii Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Having trouble finding this tutorial also. Is it just the mag catch that must be replaced in order to have the semi auto Thompson use full auto 30 round usgi magazines?No. The mag catches are shaped differently. What is generally done is that the hole in themagazine spine is modified so that the full-auto mags' will fit the semi-auto mag catch face. Thiscan be done with a dremel--but don't unless you have a steady hand and know exactly how much toshave off. A better tool for the beginner is a small round file and slowly removing, checking,removing, checking, etc, etc. until it fits perfectly. The full auto magazine spine has a holeand the semi-auto magazine spine has an oval instead. You can modify the hole into an oval butdon't do this with a dremel without expertise. Use the file instead--you are less likely to makea mistake. But you will need patience. John/T HoundActually trying to do the opposite of what you are describing above. Presently have a Thompson semi auto with a semi auto magazine catch and want to go to a platform that will allow it to use original 30 round USGI magazines. Also the modified magazines will be fixed back to factory spec (full auto) once again with welding metal where it was once removed to make it that oval shape. Edited March 31, 2015 by title ii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T Hound Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Obviously such a thing is possible with machining of the trigger frame to allow it. I am not sure, however, if the hole position for the mag catch is exactly the same. Kahr has not allowed the blueprints and specifications to be published and no one has yet, as far as I know, measured and presented an informal set of blueprints for such comparisons. Obviously you will have to compare trigger frame mag catch positions and hole diameters to accomplish what you want. T Hound Edited March 31, 2015 by T Hound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest title ii Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Obviously such a thing is possible with machining of thetrigger frame to allow it. I am not sure, however, if thehole position for the mag catch is exactly the same. Kahrhas not allowed the blueprints and specifications to bepublished and no one has yet, as far as I know, measuredand presented an informal set of blueprints for suchcomparisons. Obviously you will have to compare triggerframe mag catch positions and hole diameters to accomplishwhat you want. T HoundSurly someone has done this modification? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 I modified a Kahr mag catch years ago, I used a dremel tool and some rifler files.The trick is to lower it .10 of an inch and maintain the original shape of the latch stub.Be prepared to test fit as you go along.Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurencen Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) its best with the catch removed from the frame, a good set of needle files and work the end of the catch as Darryl says 0.1 +/-and maintain the outside radius on the top of the profile, it will look like a circle squashed when finished, no work is required to the actual frame and I recommend getting a replacement catch so you can go back to original should the need arise. remove material in stages and test fit, to test you can remove the spring to make it easier until you get close, good luck Edited March 31, 2015 by laurencen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 laurencen,That would be a tenth of an inch or .10" (+-)Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostsoldier Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 The guys above are correct; mold the catch into a flattened circle, either using a Dremel or file. Take your time, because you'll have to do it a little at a time, re-assemble, check, and repeat until the mags lock firm; it might be good to pick up a spare, as they aren't that expensive. If you go too far on the modding, the mags will wiggle and become loose...I've seen them fall out during use, if the catch isn't modded correctly, so I stress again, take your time. I'm not sure what happened to the tutorial, but here's some before and after photos of mine:Beforehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/ghostsoldier/My%20Impression%20stuff/My%20Weapons/BEFORE1.jpgBeforehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/ghostsoldier/My%20Impression%20stuff/My%20Weapons/BEFORE2.jpgAfterhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/ghostsoldier/My%20Impression%20stuff/My%20Weapons/AFTER1.jpgAfterhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/ghostsoldier/My%20Impression%20stuff/My%20Weapons/AFTER2.jpg Afterhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/ghostsoldier/My%20Impression%20stuff/My%20Weapons/AFTER3.jpg Afterhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/ghostsoldier/My%20Impression%20stuff/My%20Weapons/AFTER4.jpg Hope these help. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest title ii Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 OK, this is excellent. Does anyone have a tutorial for converting magazines back to original USGI spec's. The hole on the rear of the 30 round magazines has been drilled like an oval and the goal is to bring it back to factory spec. It would be great to see photos of the actual welding process used to achieve this.If you have the skills to do this repair and are interested send a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostsoldier Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Most people don't...the steel is too thin, and if you try to weld up the hole, it usually warps. The best bet is to throw them out (or, keep them for parts), and just buy USGI mags. I've seen them in the past for as cheap as 3 bucks each (I bought about 10 from Tapco a few years back, for that price). Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted April 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 Ut-oh....me do this.....yeah right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus5 Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 Hi Guys Dan Block aka deerslayer he re-wielded mine back and they turned out just fine. You can fine him over on the Full Auto side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin601 Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 solder a piece in to fill the hole then re-drill it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest title ii Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 (edited) Back to the mag catch for a second just to make sure I understand. The only part that must be modified is the mag catch and nothing else to get the original USGI magazines to function ok. See the attached photo of what the before looks like. Edited April 10, 2015 by title ii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostsoldier Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 (edited) That's correct...just the "button" on the end is all that needs to be modified; you can deepen the groove behind it a tad, also. Rob Edited April 10, 2015 by ghostsoldier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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