mohawk64 Posted November 10, 2019 Report Share Posted November 10, 2019 I would like to find a .22 conversion kit for an m1. Can anyone give me direction? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmagee1917 Posted November 10, 2019 Report Share Posted November 10, 2019 Merle is unable to continue in the business . He may have some kits left that someone will ship out for him to you . Read the " Help with Merle " post below to become familiar with the situation . Otherwise it would be a WTB add here for a used one someone has . Be aware , though , that the price may be steep . I have two myself , but I don't think I'd let one go for a fist full of dollars .Good luck , Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got Uzi Posted November 10, 2019 Report Share Posted November 10, 2019 I wouldnt mind finding one for my M1A1 but its not a high priority as my M16 runs pretty darn good with the 22lr upper I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2019 I have one for my m16. It's crazy fast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnshooter Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 (edited) You are on the right track in looking for a Merle kit. Any Merle bolt can be used in both the 21 and 28's,and also used in the M1/M1A1 with only the addition of the Merle .22 side cocking knob,and the shorter muzzle nut (The same short barrel nut is used on all Ring Sight/No Cutts barrels).There are other .22 kits from (Jonathan Arthur) Ceiner, sometimes referred to as JAC.The JAC kits were originally made with an all aluminum bolt, and are extremely fast running. MG42 fast.The Merle kits got their origin as an improvement on the JAC kits, adding a steel plate on the bottom.This plate slowed the ROF to around a normal 28 rate. A JAC bolt can be converted to a Merle type bolt, but I'm not aware of anyone offering this now,unless it would be Dan "Deerslayer" Block -found on this board. Maybe Dan will comment on this.Black Dog Machine is still offering the .22 LR magazines at a super bargain price. http://blackdogmachinellc.net/thompson-22.aspxAnyone with a kit, or thinking about a kit, should realize this is the only company manufacturing these magazines. If your name is Beto O'Rourke, I will part with one magazine in a very special offer -but you will have to take delivery in person. Edited November 24, 2019 by mnshooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 The last comment was funny. Thanks for the help. I'd love to find a Merle kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerslayer Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 If the only option is jac kit, I can add a plate to the bottom if you wish. That will give it weight as mentioned above and also give it a better sear area is the aluminum will wear over time. I like the black dog machine mags for shooting, I also make 50 round drums adapted from the ppsh mag... I also do have one jac straight mag for looks and it does work really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Ploughboy Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 (edited) As of now, all versions of the JAC TSMG .22LR conversions are showing as SOLD OUT, though mags still show as being available. Edited November 12, 2019 by Merry Ploughboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in VA Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 If the only option is jac kit, I can add a plate to the bottom if you wish. That will give it weight as mentioned above and also give it a better sear area is the aluminum will wear over time. I like the black dog machine mags for shooting, I also make 50 round drums adapted from the ppsh mag... I also do have one jac straight mag for looks and it does work really well.PM sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBill Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 With Merle "retired" you would think Ceiner would be the option.Well last SAR show John had a table but most of his inventory was odds and ends. He told me he was done with manufacturing new 22 conversion kits and most of his machinery was worn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradhe Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 Not to crowd in on the OPs post, but if there are two out there that might be for sale, I would be interested in one as well. Already have mags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted November 16, 2019 Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 (edited) Hi All, FWIW, I tried to purchase several kits from JAC about a year ago along with some spare parts like extractors. He wrote me a very nice note indicating he didn't have enough parts to complete additional Thompson kits and returned my payment. At that time I realized that Merle was pretty much out of the business and my only hope for a starting point for kits were the JAC kits. Take care, Grasshopper Edited November 21, 2019 by Grasshopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got Uzi Posted November 16, 2019 Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 The question I have now is this-is there enough demand to warrant someone tooling up and making kits? It is a limited market and the ROI is most likely not that great having to start from the ground floor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim c 351 Posted November 16, 2019 Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 Anyone know if Merle actually made the 22 kits or if he subcontracted the manufacture and Merle handled the sales???If Merle subcontracted the manufacture then all one needs to do is identify the maker and commit to buying 25 kits from him.YOU could be the next Merle.Jim C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 Hindsight. I should have bought a few back in the day. But didn't have enough$ to buy everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerslayer Posted November 16, 2019 Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 Black dog machine made Merle's batch of kits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 Do you have black dog contact info. ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_brock Posted November 17, 2019 Report Share Posted November 17, 2019 Do you have black dog contact info. ??(208)465-1940http://blackdogmachinellc.net/contact-us.aspx Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Duce Posted November 17, 2019 Report Share Posted November 17, 2019 I would be interested in a kit as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradhe Posted November 21, 2019 Report Share Posted November 21, 2019 Did anything come of contacting Black Dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2019 I've called maybe 10 different times ( with respect to the time zone ). No answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgeport28A1 Posted November 21, 2019 Report Share Posted November 21, 2019 (edited) For what it is worth I talked to Blackdog Machine LLC shortly after they manufactured the first batch of kits that came in the black delrin/plastic case. Blackdog LLC told me they were not going to manufacture anymore Thompson Conversion kits but would continue to produce .22 magazines. I did manage to buy a bolt nose and other conversion kit small parts from Blackdog Machine LLC. From my understanding Merle then manufactured kits after Blackdog Machine LLC initial run of kits and also made some modifications to Blackdog Machine LLC kits such as taking some thousands off the bottom of the bolt and modifying the barrel insert as to not have to remove the ejector for installation. If your search the forums there is a thread where TD. has spoken to Merle where there is a mention of unassembled kits that Merle still had. My rule of thumb is if there is something Thompson related being manufactured in small numbers by an individual or small company it best to buy it while available if interested as there is no guarantee of it being available in the future. Think Merle Bitikofer drum repair services and .22 kits, PK's Thompson products, Greg Fox hard cases and Doug Richardson tools and products. Edited November 21, 2019 by Bridgeport28A1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Ploughboy Posted November 21, 2019 Report Share Posted November 21, 2019 I personally have no interest in a Thompson .22LR conversion, but someone might want to see if Subgun Ordnance would make .22LR conversions for Thompsons. They do occasional runs of full size Uzi .22LR conversions. Best of luck, and be well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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