Considering a Thompson 1927 45acp.

[Juniper9mm]

I've had the semi-auto, all steel version. It was a very solid piece of machinery. You get the feeling like you do with an old school FAL, battleship built. They are a lot of fun to shoot. I remember minimum recoil with all that mass behind it, with barrel kept down by the Cutts compensator.

 

[Rat44]

On duty where? In the Argon Hills, or the Maginot Line waiting for the Germans to invade again?

In the early 70's we used them in Berlin for guard duty at certain buildings .

 

[camstuff]

I have the semi auto SBR version. It is heavy but quite fun to shoot. The drum mag was a PITA so I only use stick mags.

I'm curious, was the drum Auto Ordnance? Or something else? I've been looking on line and have one or two for sale that don't have any markings.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Hello, New guy here. Originally from Boise, but left there a long time ago. I do like to collect the older collectible firearms, however there are modern firearms I like as well. I've been considering purchasing an Auto Ordnance Thompson. I've pretty much zeroed in on the full metal models, not the light weight aluminum type. I really like the case hardened option with drum and stick mags. Does anyone here own one? And How do you like them? Was there any function issues. I did shoot a full auto a couple of summers ago, it's such an Iconic gun, but those real ones are out of my budget. Thank you everyone!

I suggest your read up on auto ordnance. Never owned one personally but have only heard bad things about them.

 

[jbett98]

I'm curious, was the drum Auto Ordnance? Or something else? I've been looking on line and have one or two for sale that don't have any markings.

Early Auto Ordnance drums have serial numbers and when the tooling dies started to wear out around number 850 they definitely wouldn't work on full auto guns, but would work for semi auto's if fired slow enough.
Merle F. Bitikofer aka The Drum Doctor has passed away and as far as I know, there isn't anyone around to repair the 50 & 100 Auto Ordnance drums.

 

[User 1234]

I'm curious, was the drum Auto Ordnance? Or something else? I've been looking on line and have one or two for sale that don't have any markings.

It was an Auto Ordnance drum that came with the gun.

 

[Tarawa86]

I suggest your read up on auto ordnance. Never owned one personally but have only heard bad things about them.

Bought one last year, and it runs pretty well. I did add the charging handle extension and the lighter springs. Charging that thing was a bit painful until those upgrades.

 

[camstuff]

Bought one last year, and it runs pretty well. I did add the charging handle extension and the lighter springs. Charging that thing was a bit painful until those upgrades.

It's funny that you just mentioned this. I looked at 3 of them earlier today. Each one was a pain to pull the charging handle. So I searched for help on the net and found comments about springs and a tool thingy called the third hand, but was really hoping to find some kind of handle assist. I'll search for that again now that I know they exist. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Tarawa86]

It's funny that you just mentioned this. I looked at 3 of them earlier today. Each one was a pain to pull the charging handle. So I searched for help on the net and found comments about springs and a tool thingy called the third hand, but was really hoping to find some kind of handle assist. I'll search for that again now that I know they exist. Thanks for sharing.

Auto Ordinance sells the extended charging handle. You could probably get away with that upgrade alone, as the springs will break in eventually (I just didn't have the patience).

 

[camstuff]

So a little update.
This last week, I've looked at 6 Thompson with the top charging handle and one side charging handle at two gun shows and one gun shop. A couple were brand new, the others were used. 4 had the aluminum receivers, 3 were all steel. All the aluminum ones were eliminated automatically.

One steel one had some grinding marks in the chamber area. Bubba decided to use a dremel and make it better. Who knows what else was done. ELIMNATED.

Another steel one looked great, had all the right extras I wanted, but after several questions I had some red flags, and then upon closer inspection the bolt hold open lever or device used to hold the bolt open so you can slide in the drum was flopping around and would not engage the bolt to hold it open. Then suddenly all my answers to my questions seemed deceptive. So it was priced right, but it was eliminated because the seller wouldn't drop the price so I had room to repair it.

The third steel one was a West Hurley made Thompson. It was priced high. I had to pass. But I did look up some information and found West Hurley had several negative articles about it. So I'm glad I passed.

The search continues. I've kind of narrowed it down the 16-1/2" barrel with compensator, top charging handle, 50 round drum and some stick mags. I would also like the quick removable butt walnut stock. Also need the third hand tool.

 

[Tarawa86]

You'll have fun. Here's my saving Pvt. Ryan range kit

 

[camstuff]

You'll have fun. Here's my saving Pvt. Ryan range kit

View attachment 2256490

Awesome kit! I'm still looking for the right one for myself.