How well does the Thompson 1928 Supress?

[Countryboy77]

So how well does a Thompson suppress and what supressors/ setups are recommended? I saw Doug Richardsons design years ago,has anyone built/ bought one? How well did it work.Is it the type of thing even worthwhile .Out here in the country its about not disturbing neighbors. I would think omitting the forward grip ,/ porting  the barrel after 5" or so and in the Hk SD style with a nice insulator on the supressor.I only wish they had red dot mounts that are only temporary. It almost seems Thompson says "leave me Alone ,I was created perfect as I am and don't try to change me". And is there difference between 21'&28' styles with a blish lock and the M1 style?

Edited December 8, 2024 by Countryboy77
Wasn't done and fat fingers on phone submitted

[Merry Ploughboy]

No personal experience, but Griffin Armament has a specific muzzle adapter and silencer combination for Thompson applications.

FWIW, I use Griffin Armament CAM-LOK attachment devices for a couple of other brands of .22LR silencer applications.  The parts are well made, and have been durable.

MHO, YMMV, etc.

[Rekraps]

Well, the .45ACP is naturally subsonic, so all you need is some type of mount for whatever can you buy. To me, most cans work about as well as any other, but I'd get a dedicated .45 can (not multi-caliber). 

That being said, TSMG is not really a good host for add-ons, and I'd be wiling to bet it's more work than it's worth. 

I just bought a M3 and that is easy to work with. 

[First Sergeant]

Can't say about the .45 cal version but with a .22 kit it is surprisingly quiet !

[deerslayer]

Ive shot a 1928 with a hybrid 46 supressor.  I wouldnt call it quite hearing safe but its certainly quieter.  But i don't have a decibel measurement.  I also have an older costal .45 supressor that I'd say is less quiet than the hybrid ever though it's larger.  

[anjong-ni]

Doug Richardson said that "the Thompson BOLT clacking from end-to-end" made "silencing" it frustrating...  Phil

[jojeep]

Been a long time since I looked through Richardson Books, but I remember him mentioning staggered holes drilled with an Indexing Machine into the Barrel to direct gasses into the Suppressor, but the Barrel could be changed with a Quick Disconnect Barrel System.

Richardson sold the Tap and Dies in the size of the Thompson's Grip mount bolts. The short Horizontal Grip mount Bolt trimmed down to lock onto a notched area on the Barrel thread. The Grip Mount would be Counter Sunk so that Horizontal Bolt sat flush.

This would allow the user to switch from Standard Barrel, or Blank Fire Barrel, or a Suppressor Barrel. Hope the photo helps to see the system. Restoring back to original would be putting an unmodified Grip Mount to hide the threaded hole.

 

 

Edited December 16, 2024 by jojeep

[Countryboy77]

Thats a Beauty jojeep.Piece of Modern Thompson History there.

[Hiller]

Countyboy77,

 

       I got one of those griffin adapters and had it fitted to my cutts compensator by Dan block. He did a great job. It fits perfectly. 
 
the 1928 isn’t as quiet as I had hoped. Not sure what the db is but every now and then the Thompson will make my ears ring. I have a feeling the Thompson just isn’t a great choice to suppress.  That or my suppressor isn’t doing a great job.
I’m using an anechox 45L. 
I would have thought the 45acp out of a 10” barrel might have been a bit quieter than it is. My 1911 with a nautilus 45 is quieter with only a 5” barrel but it’s closed bolt. Maybe that adds to the quieter sound. 
 

 

 

            R/s, Hiller………..

[Tiz]

19 hours ago, Hiller said:

Countyboy77,

 

       I got one of those griffin adapters and had it fitted to my cutts compensator by Dan block. He did a great job. It fits perfectly. 
 
the 1928 isn’t as quiet as I had hoped. Not sure what the db is but every now and then the Thompson will make my ears ring. I have a feeling the Thompson just isn’t a great choice to suppress.  That or my suppressor isn’t doing a great job.
I’m using an anechox 45L. 
I would have thought the 45acp out of a 10” barrel might have been a bit quieter than it is. My 1911 with a nautilus 45 is quieter with only a 5” barrel but it’s closed bolt. Maybe that adds to the quieter sound. 
 

 

 

            R/s, Hiller………..

Have you had any experience with the Griffin Armament Bushwhacker 46, I have heard it's pretty good.

[Hiller]

3 minutes ago, Tiz said:

Have you had any experience with the Griffin Armament Bushwhacker 46, I have heard it's pretty good.

No experience with the bushwhacker 46. I’m on their email notification if they ever are in stock again. It’s been out of stock since last year sometime. 
 

         R/s, Hiller………

[kilroyjones]

At the shop we had a suppressed .45 1911, the results weren't what we expected. The noise was reduced, however not to the level we had anticipated.  I spoke with a couple manufacturers at SHOT, and got the same answer, while the .45 is subsonic it also has a lot more gas volume. You can get it quieter, but not too the level of subsonic 9mm.