The Aluminium Model 1928 Thompson 'Tommy Gun' with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson.

[RoscoeTurner]

Latest Thompson video from the Royal Armouries.

 

 

[68coupe]

Fascinating.

[Taliaferro]

You know if you would come to a Thompson Show and Shoot in Newark you could see these in person.

 

Tracie Hill

[RachetGun85]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing. 

[jojeep]

I wonder if the Blish Lock worked well with Brass against Aluminum since the original concept was Brass against Steel.

The Aluminum Thompson idea should have been tried  as a M1/M1A style if they were looking to cut weight and machining time.

But the issue of the Buffer and rear of the Receiver taking a beating and stretching is still there.

[Got Uzi]

Stretching? You mean blowing out due to the force. It comes down to a tensile strength issue of steel vs aluminum. 

[68coupe]

I have to wonder if the lightweight Kahr models are using better alloys, or if they just don't care, as with all their quality control issues and discontinued popular parts. Things that make you ask yourself, "What are they thinking?"

Karl

[Lewisfan]

Likely just material selection. Millions of aluminum AR / M16 types would agree.

[Got Uzi]

Well with an M16 it doesn’t take the beating that the back of a Thompson receiver does either 

[TD.]

Is that an Auto-Ordnance West Hurley or Kahr Arms C drum in that video? Why display this experimental Thompson with a modern-day C drum for something designed to be tested and possibly used during World War II with L drums or magazines.   

The Hill family All Thompson Show & Shoot in 2025 is the place to be if you want to see an aluminum Thompson submachine gun in-person. One of the very few aluminum survivors is part of the All American Thompson Collection. I bet Tracie would take it out from behind glass for a group show and tell session. You should have been there when he passed around NO 41. It was a fantastic show & tell session. Many of the Thompson guns you see pictured in The Thompson Encyclopedia series will be on display. I guarantee a great time!  

[Countryboy77]

And any West Hurley/Kahr aluminum Thompson with aluminum top ends aren't MACHINEGUNS taking a constant beating(well maybe the .22).And g good run on the drums I bet would get the chamber hot enough to be an issue and deform with pressure heat and leverage.I just don't see it suitable.

Edited December 25, 2024 by Countryboy77

[mbc230]

Very Interesting stuff. I always learn something new every time I come to the boards.