Moving to a free America and "need" a Thompson!

frimath · May 29, 2018, 03:11:37 PM

So! I've lived here in NYC "behind the lines" for too long. But shortly I will be moving to a free state and I'm looking to buy a tommygun as soon as possible. The full auto ones are fetching quite the pretty penny these days and have thought that maybe in the "interim" that I should pick up an M1 AO with the end goal being to get it SBR'd.

Any thoughts or suggestions given the long wait times from the ATF ? Should I get a 16" and file for an SBR or Order one from AO directly......or something else? I'd love to get into the Zoot shooting since Ive been a SASS member since they issued four digit membership numbers! The Zoot competitions look like a blast as well! Thanks for any help, suggestions and recommendations

Baltimore Ed · May 29, 2018, 03:49:47 PM

Congrats on moving to a better place. You don't say that you've ever fired one. And I agree, they are super cool. But I'd suggest that you search around ro find one to rent at a rental range first. I rented a M-3 at an indoor range in Maryland (of all places) and put 100 rds through it. It changed my mind about wanting a class 3 one. Not worth the hassle, however I did build a .45 acp pistol caliber carbine sbr on an AR platform that is one of my mostest favorite guns. I've never shot a zoot suit ( hard to find matches) match but IPSC has matches for pcc nowdays along with the zombie shooters association which I have shot my SBR .45 carbine in. A whole lot of fun. I did build an AR/Thompson which was a whole lot of work, money and time (over a year). Check out pcc's first then look for a IPSC/Zoot/zombie club or match where you wind up. It doesn't do any good to have a particular competition legal gun and want to compete and the closest appropriate match is 6 hours away. Good luck, have fun, stay safe.

Pitspitr · May 29, 2018, 03:51:24 PM

Get a LBR and get started. You can get a class III later.

Professor Marvel · May 29, 2018, 07:50:13 PM

I agree with Ed and recommend your "try before you buy".
My personal preference would be an SBR in semi, as the 2-3 POUND bolt cycling at 700+ rounds per minute can
prove problematic..... as did the 10.8 pound unloaded weight.

I must be getting old and feeble... i just got a 14 oz airweight S&W and was lamenting that it came in at 14 oz vs 12 oz .....

yhs
prof marvel

G Bulldog Grainisland III · May 30, 2018, 01:05:16 AM

Tommygun, mmh, nice..

Congrats on your coming move and good luck on getting the gun.
Pls. post photos

-Bulldog

Tornado · May 30, 2018, 07:27:06 AM

I agree with the other guys, try one first. I tried a 16" all steel AO Thompson, it was pretty neat but it is a far cry from a 10.5 barreled w/ select fire. If I were to order one, and not worry about the SBR right away, they make a 14.5" barrel one that has the comp. pinned and welded on to make it 16" overall. I might would look into their aluminum framed one as well.

Ed, that AR Thompson is neat looking!

Pitspitr · May 30, 2018, 08:11:56 AM

I forgot to mention that I've found that I can burn up a lot of dollars worth of ammunition in a really short period of time, even with a semi-automatic.

frimath · June 06, 2018, 10:34:42 AM

Well! I have shot one of the semi auto models and while it wasn't a full auto it was fun. YES, I went through a bunch of ammo but that's to be expected-------isn't it?!?!?! I remember the trigger being a bit mushy or spongy but not much else. The price of the full auto models has gone crazy off the charts but I might just have to bite the bullet and sell off some of my less used items to get closer to the big number I'll need. In the meantime the AUTO ORD in semi-auto could quench some of the thirst I have for such an item! I remember the 16" guns being on the heavy and unbalanced side but the semi with a 10" was much better, although still heavy. I suppose "heavy" is the nature of the beast at this point though.

I think I'd like a model that has the detachable buttstock and I am conflicted between the 1927/28 model and the military M1 variant....... there does seem to be a little bit of a weight difference between the two as well.............. Unlike some other purchases over the years I really don't see myself buying one of each just so I don't have to make a decision between the two!!

Pitspitr · June 06, 2018, 11:13:30 AM

Heavy...

My father-in-law served in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He was issued a M1 Carbine. He told that when one of the Sgt.s had to go on guard duty, they would borrow the carbine from one of the privates or Cpl.s so that they wouldn't have to carry the weight of the Thompson that they were issued.

If I were ordering one I'd probably get one of the ones with a steel receiver instead of the aluminum receiver like mine has, even though it would be heavier. I've had the threads strip out of screw holes in mine.

One other thing to consider if you're getting the Tommy to shoot Zoot with; not all Zoot Precincts use ranges that allow full auto. Mine does but not all do. I don't believe the range used for the World match does, but I'm not certain. Maybe G-man (AKA Bat Masterson) will jump in on this point.

DeaconKC · June 07, 2018, 09:22:15 PM

Okay, I have had both versions of the AO Tommy and borh worked great with stick mags. The drums can be problem children at times, so be warned. I have actually talked to the BATFE about going SBR with my M1. You can get the 16" and run it while you wait for your Tax Stamp to come through. If you already have the short barrel, store it somewhere else while waiting just so there is no problem. Go with the steel receiver as you do hear quite a bit of dis-satisfaction with aluminum. If you are older, the sights on the M1 are a little better, but it is not a deal breaker. The 1927/28 model will allow you to use the drums, while the M1 will not, so consider that. Congrats on moving to a free state! I'm stuck in Illinois for 3 more years and they are going nuts here, so I sympathize.

Bat 2919 · June 07, 2018, 11:47:21 PM

Many ranges including Colorado Rifle Club where the Championships are held don't allow full auto fire. The first two Championships were held at Clear Creek where full autos are allowed and to tell you the truth I think the semi autos are faster in this game. I've shot several full auto Thompson's and they are great fun but get one with a semi auto selector to play this game.

On the subject of sights. I've never bothered with the rear sight on my 1927. At the distances most AZSA matches are shot I just center the front sight in the "U" shaped cut out in the top mounted bolt handle like a ghost ring. Unlike cowboy where you have to shoot a specified number of rounds, if you miss a target in AZSA you can just fire another round(s) to pick up the miss

Drydock · June 11, 2018, 04:46:08 PM

Bat, I got to ask, would one of those AR conversion thingys be allowed in Zoot?

Bat 2919 · June 11, 2018, 10:30:47 PM

Quote from: Drydock on June 11, 2018, 04:46:08 PM
Bat, I got to ask, would one of those AR conversion thingys be allowed in Zoot?

I knew someone would ask this question. When I first saw the photo I wasn't sure what I was looking at. Now that I've had plenty of time to look at the photos it's clearly an AR pattern rifle but I didn't see it at first glance. AZSA has a 10 foot rule and we do allow the Volunteer Enterprises Commando https://www.gunbroker.com/item/771980335. I guess we would need to see it in person to see if it could pass as a Thompson from 10 feet away. I think it would have a good chance of being allowed.

I was happy to hear it wasn't a production gun, with a little luck we'll never see one on the range and therefore never have to make that call.

Baltimore Ed · June 12, 2018, 07:44:05 AM

A 'ten foot rule', I like that. No it's not a production gun, not at one a year+. I don't know if I could ever manage to get to one of your...capers? I would love to though. Hopefully you would let me use it. Looks like you guys are a hoot and I've certainly got enough firearms that would work. Whenever my club does it's 2 inch snubnose match (a snub is used along with your main match guns) I wear my pinstripes, fedora,1911 and a DA. If you ever get something going in NC let me know.

Professor Marvel · June 14, 2018, 04:18:44 PM

Ah My Dear Ed -

you are such an enterprising and talented fellow, I would imagine you could readily build your own sheet-metal look-alike lower
and just sliiiiide the other bits over to it.....

I just happen to have a plethora of links to (in)appropriate websites that discuss such things.... for educational purposes you know...

yhs
prof marvel