My Dad was in in Patton's 3rd Army, 10th Armored Division, 216th Armored Infantry div. His vehicle was a halftrack. I have a picture of him standing next to it and a picture of him with his tommy gun.
On my semi auto I had my gunsmith cut away material on the mag release so that it mates with the USGI magazines. I'd rather modify the mag release instead of ruining vintage magazines.
Honestly, the more I see of original full auto Thompsons, the more I realize Thompson development was really just a litany of moments where the military balked at the price and someone in the ordnance department finally sat down and said "Huh... do we REALLY need [insert redundant, overengineered part here]?"
Very well presented. You sure knows the weapon inside-out. I tried very well to follow your presentation but a little too fast for a beginner. I love the Thompson ...the grand daddy of them all .Such engineering
This video was excellent. Very well done and informative. I’m up in the air whether I want to go through the hassle of buying the SBR version. I really like the nostalgia of the original. Decisions, decisions. Cheers!
I have a nice one I paid $2,600 for it it has a removable stock yes it's fun for planking but you realize what a useless rifle it really is but it's just so damn cool I can't bring myself to get rid of it... Mine came with the hundred round drum.. and a 20 round stick.. but there's one sells for 3000 3500 that's chrome-plated I want to buy it you don't buy these guns cuz you're going to use them for hunting you buy them because they're over the top
Watch Ian's videos on Forgotten Weapons on the Thompsons. He pulls them apart and explains how everything works as well as the history of the different versions.
Is the receiver of a modern auto ordnance Thompson M1 the same as the receiver of a modern Thompson M1 SBR?? Is the barrel length the only difference between the two?
Interesting. I am an 07/02 and have a Thompson I am going to build from scratch. I wondered how the semi autos go together and if it were easier to convert one or build from scratch. Most I talked with said building from scratch is easier.
Excellent video. The best I have seen. I have the AO SBR M1 Thompson and love it. I installed the Howell Armory reduced tension recoil and hammer spring kit but have yet to test it and I have had the pleasure of firing an original full auto MI-A1 Thompson. My questions: a) will original M1-A1 furniture fit the semi SBR b) can the semi SBR be parkerized like an original? I’m going to subscribe to your channel, I look forward to seeing more of your videos. Thanks
Just bought a M1A1 sling that appears to be too short on my Umarex Legends air gun. Trying to loop the back/butt portion on itself like you show it here in your video, the sling is very/too tight and unable to lengthen. Am I doing something wrong or do I have the wrong sling?
I'm located in Kokomo, I'm trying to put together a series of videos of touring Indiana shooting facilities. I'd love to take a look around some time! Auto Ordinance actually just added me to their content creator pricing program, and I just got my Thompson in the mail.
I see full auto parts kits on gunbroker for cheap, just needs a receiver. What do I need to do to be able to piece together a full auto thompson? I'm in texas
Thank U very Much !!!! This was incredibly useful. You have very good presentation skills. At IBM we would call U a SME(Subject Matter Expert) Ricky from IBM
Hi, great video, much appreciated man. Quick question, I was just on the Auto Ordinance website, & saved the Thompson Pistol in my wishlist, & also a Separate Buttstock, as well. And wanted to know if id be able to basically modify, or simply screw on the Separate Buttstock, onto the back of the Thompson, essentially making it a short barrelled Thompson SAG or SMG?? But I noticed the Sling Mount they threw on the back of the Thompson Pistol. Does that simply unscrew from the frame, & then allow you to use the screws or at least give you the place to mount on the Buttstock? Thanx bud, much appreciated.... Thanx man 🔫🔫👍🙏
Attempting to modify that pistol into a short barrel rifle by attaching a stock to it without the governments permission is highly illegal. One must fill out all of the necessary forms, paperwork, tax stamp, before attempting to do so.
Unfortunately the semi-auto thompson seems to be impossible to find locally. I assume they're still made, but you can't even order them from their site.
Hello. Ted from Texas here. Love the video and how are you explain the difference between the two. You went into great detail. Thank you for putting good video out. I do have one question. How much is the original one worth.?
It would have been interesting to see if John Thompson made a carbine-length SMG for standard troops and the one we know for paratroopers and vehicle crewmen
Prolly wouldn't feed well or sum cause the difference in catch pin diameter unless you filled the mag catch hole in the new clip with jb weld r sum n drilled it to size for the real tommy.
My biggest complaint with the modern replicas is that the furniture isn’t authentic. The butt stock is shaped very differently. Fortunately a surplus GI butt stock will bolt right on. Modify the mag catch to accept GI mags. I have 2 Thompson SBR’s.
I have one (sbr) and have put plenty of rounds through it which has caused slight wear on the firing pin catch, and the firing pin has a little space to wiggle inside the bolt, if you creep and hold the trigger in just the right spot it will release the firing pin and and fire without the disconnect engaging the sear, but the sear will be high enough to where it still catches the firing pin and holds it until the bolt slams forward, the slam of the bolt causes the firing pin to slip from the sear and fire the next round, I have been able to dump full mags by doing that and I can tell you it awesome
Once you complete the short Barrel Rifle paperwork and get it back from the ATF you can shorten your barrel. The front sight is a problem as it is to large diameter to fit on the area you will cut at. You can remove the barrel, lathe cut it in that area to take the taper out and make a thin sleeve for the front sight. Much easier to buy the right new barrel. I have done all this many times.
Got mine used, but looks un-fired. Case, drum, stick, instructions. Paid almost $1200. Know that's a lot but...I wanted it, it's BEAUTIFUL, & I don't buy $1000 cell phones...so, I bought it.
I think the stock on original maybe off from original drawings. Modern was made with original specs. I imagine manufacturing had some leeway on furniture.
The gap in the magazine well on the auto ordinance model drives me crazy !!! Also The original Internals and trigger grouping looks way better I don't want auto ordinance I want real Tommy:(
U think the gap is because they made this one for the drum magazines and stick magazines. The original 1921 and 1927 were built to accept drum magazines and stick magazines. The World War II edition was designed for stick magazines only and there were also many other cost-cutting things the military did to drive down the price of Thompson’s. The military also didn’t like the drum magazines because it’s more difficult to load and heavier and harder to carry loaded and unloaded drums while in firefight. I may be wrong, but I think the gap is due to the new Auto-Ordnance accepts drum and stick mags rather than sticks only.
Stupid un-Constitutional laws. Maybe someday... I've shot both the full and the new semi. A full-auto Thompson is great fun to shoot. Very low recoil. I guess after you shoot one that's full-auto there's no going back. What did they cost new in the 1920's? $24, $28 something that. What do semi autos cost today? The gun abolitionists HATE open bolt guns. They're were too easy to convert to full-auto.
I made the mistake of buying Kahr 1927A1 and a M1A1. They were both crap. They jam all the time and, to me, that makes them dangerous. Kahr sells stick magazines but doesn't bother to make sure the lock works on them. They may fit original Thompsons. I believe that once you modify it for a Kahr it wont fit an original Thompson. I mailed a Kahr magazine back and it sat on a shelf unmodified (which was the way they received it.) Kahr/Thompson has NO INTEREST in customer satisfaction. I sold them both virtually new at a loss. I DID buy an original 1928A1 and love it! Historically, Thompson made a 1927A1 Semi-Auto because some people didn't like Full Autos (gasp!!!). Ironically, those originals are Class III firearms because they can still easily be converted to full auto.
You should buy the one that says auto ordnance instead of the one that says kahr arms. I have 2 Auto ordnance and never had a problem with the 20 and 30 round magazines
The Kahr guns will literally fall apart on you. I cannot recommend them to anyone. You may end up with a good one, but you could also end up purchasing a disaster. I've seen rear sight bases (the riveted versions) become loose to the point of being able to pull the rear sight assembly off by hand, and guns that fire in full auto without any detectable reason and continue to do so after cleaning and inspection, even though they were brand new and just out of the box. The furniture is not even close to the originals and is cheaply done. There are many other differences, and this is NOT including the difference in the firing mechanism. Lastly, they cost 3 times what they are worth. If someone is interested in owning a Thompson, the best route would be to get a transferable and leave these toys alone. Nothing is ever going to make these Kahr guns a Thompson, regardless of the Auto-Ordnance name attached.
Want to know how late you are for making a reproduction? About 100 years from Mr.Brownings idea of a Trench Clearing Machine gun that one guy could wield. Now the Shotgun the Germans hated!
My Dad was in in Patton's 3rd Army, 10th Armored Division, 216th Armored Infantry div. His vehicle was a halftrack. I have a picture of him standing next to it and a picture of him with his tommy gun.
That's so dope
My friend August Caccavone did the same with the 7th Army 100th ID
On my semi auto I had my gunsmith cut away material on the mag release so that it mates with the USGI magazines. I'd rather modify the mag release instead of ruining vintage magazines.
I think most people do modify the mag release by reshaping it to fit. Much better than enlarging the hole on original mags.
Honestly, the more I see of original full auto Thompsons, the more I realize Thompson development was really just a litany of moments where the military balked at the price and someone in the ordnance department finally sat down and said "Huh... do we REALLY need [insert redundant, overengineered part here]?"
Very well presented. You sure knows the weapon inside-out. I tried very well to follow your presentation but a little too fast for a beginner. I love the Thompson ...the grand daddy of them all .Such engineering
Like a friend just said of his Tommy "takes two men and a boy to pull back that bolt."
Great video my guy, I just ordered my Thompson and need all the info possible. You Sir, have delivered!!
Love your Videos. They're entertaining as well as educational. I always learn something.
THANKS FOR A GREAT TUTORIAL ON THE COMPARISON OF THESE HISTORIC FIREARMS.
Such a beautiful iconic gun perhaps the most good looking gun ever made.
This video was excellent. Very well done and informative. I’m up in the air whether I want to go through the hassle of buying the SBR version. I really like the nostalgia of the original. Decisions, decisions. Cheers!
Very informative video. I just bought a new Thompson 1927 A1 and wanted learn more about how it operates. Thanks!
Perfect video right in time. Off to an auction soon and several options available, which to buy!!! Bolt on top or side, straight mag or drum..
What happens if you switch and fire the bolts out of the different guns?
Great video! Love seeing the breakdown and comparison. The new semi auto version looks like a fun rifle for plinking!
What’s the price difference between these two models? 🤔
I have a nice one I paid $2,600 for it it has a removable stock yes it's fun for planking but you realize what a useless rifle it really is but it's just so damn cool I can't bring myself to get rid of it... Mine came with the hundred round drum.. and a 20 round stick.. but there's one sells for 3000 3500 that's chrome-plated I want to buy it you don't buy these guns cuz you're going to use them for hunting you buy them because they're over the top
Great video. I have always wondered how a full-auto one worked and how they AO builds their semi rifles.
Watch Ian's videos on Forgotten Weapons on the Thompsons. He pulls them apart and explains how everything works as well as the history of the different versions.
Anybody from Worcester just shuddered when you said "wor-chester". Its Wusster
Is the receiver of a modern auto ordnance Thompson M1 the same as the receiver of a modern Thompson M1 SBR?? Is the barrel length the only difference between the two?
Interesting. I am an 07/02 and have a Thompson I am going to build from scratch. I wondered how the semi autos go together and if it were easier to convert one or build from scratch. Most I talked with said building from scratch is easier.
Great video! Do these accept the drum mags?? Or is it only the deluxe models? Thanks and keep up the great content!
Excellent video. The best I have seen. I have the AO SBR M1 Thompson and love it. I installed the Howell Armory reduced tension recoil and hammer spring kit but have yet to test it and I have had the pleasure of firing an original full auto MI-A1 Thompson. My questions: a) will original M1-A1 furniture fit the semi SBR b) can the semi SBR be parkerized like an original?
I’m going to subscribe to your channel, I look forward to seeing more of your videos. Thanks
Just bought a M1A1 sling that appears to be too short on my Umarex Legends air gun. Trying to loop the back/butt portion on itself like you show it here in your video, the sling is very/too tight and unable to lengthen. Am I doing something wrong or do I have the wrong sling?
I have two, an A1 and an M1, both semi auto, made in West Hurley NY.
super job, learned a lot....
I'm located in Kokomo, I'm trying to put together a series of videos of touring Indiana shooting facilities. I'd love to take a look around some time! Auto Ordinance actually just added me to their content creator pricing program, and I just got my Thompson in the mail.
Great video. Thanks
I see full auto parts kits on gunbroker for cheap, just needs a receiver.
What do I need to do to be able to piece together a full auto thompson? I'm in texas
Can you show more details about the trigger michanism and the frame?
Atf like 👁️ 👄 👁️
Thank U very Much !!!! This was incredibly useful. You have very good presentation skills. At IBM we would call U a SME(Subject Matter Expert)
Ricky from IBM
Hi, great video, much appreciated man. Quick question, I was just on the Auto Ordinance website, & saved the Thompson Pistol in my wishlist, & also a Separate Buttstock, as well. And wanted to know if id be able to basically modify, or simply screw on the Separate Buttstock, onto the back of the Thompson, essentially making it a short barrelled Thompson SAG or SMG?? But I noticed the Sling Mount they threw on the back of the Thompson Pistol. Does that simply unscrew from the frame, & then allow you to use the screws or at least give you the place to mount on the Buttstock? Thanx bud, much appreciated.... Thanx man 🔫🔫👍🙏
Attempting to modify that pistol into a short barrel rifle by attaching a stock to it without the governments permission is highly illegal.
One must fill out all of the necessary forms, paperwork, tax stamp, before attempting to do so.
The pistol grip on original M1 is beefy.
The pistol grip on semi-carbine looks thinner, straighter with almost no palm swell. Can you explain why?
Will the original wood fit the new semi auto? I have the SBR version and love it but like the classic look of the old furniture.
I have (well, will have when the tax stamp goes through) and original M1 Thompson. Can I use the M1A1 bolt in my gun?
I notice neither have the cooling fins on the start of the barrel, from the receiver. Original? I am confused.
Those were deleted for the M1 models to make manufacture easier and cheaper.
I have an Auto Ordnance West Hurley New York M1A1 full auto and it's blued. Mine has the M1A1 bolt.
Pistol grip and forend are shaped nicer on the original.
Unfortunately the semi-auto thompson seems to be impossible to find locally. I assume they're still made, but you can't even order them from their site.
just picked one up from Impact Guns in Early Jan2023. SBR model.
Thompson!💪🔥
Sure the Tommygun is neat, but so is the M1 Carbine and it'll take a 15 or 30 round magazine and do the job too.
The pistol grip on the semi auto one is ghastly. Can original wood furniture fit the semi auto one?
Where are you located in Westfield?
Hello. Ted from Texas here. Love the video and how are you explain the difference between the two. You went into great detail. Thank you for putting good video out. I do have one question. How much is the original one worth.?
Hey Ted, thanks for the comment. Originals go for between $17-$30k, respectively.
That's a lot of money. I definitely wish I had the money for your Thompson. Good luck with selling you guns.
I see you everywhere
What is the price for this wepon?
Soo question ? Your basically saying it wouldn't be hard to make a semi auto into a full auto Thompson with some modifications?
It would have been interesting to see if John Thompson made a carbine-length SMG for standard troops and the one we know for paratroopers and vehicle crewmen
That carbine would rek
What parts are interchangeable
Is it possible to use an semi auto mag on the original full auto?
Prolly wouldn't feed well or sum cause the difference in catch pin diameter unless you filled the mag catch hole in the new clip with jb weld r sum n drilled it to size for the real tommy.
The Bronx, New York is so debilitating to my conservative soul.. 👍👍🇺🇸
From queens, but I can relate, all the friggin anti 2A people really grate on my nerves
@@johnnyblack2652 Yeah brother it is so sad!
im from the city too, lmao i feel your pain brother
Honestly brother, you should just move. The South is so much better. As soon as I graduate from college, my wife and I are moving to either SC or VA
@@STORMTROOPER218 I'm REALLY trying my brother.
My biggest complaint with the modern replicas is that the furniture isn’t authentic. The butt stock is shaped very differently. Fortunately a surplus GI butt stock will bolt right on. Modify the mag catch to accept GI mags. I have 2 Thompson SBR’s.
What does it cost for an original?
Can the bottom of the striker eventually wear out and cause the firearm to fire in full auto in the modern one?
You wish
I have one (sbr) and have put plenty of rounds through it which has caused slight wear on the firing pin catch, and the firing pin has a little space to wiggle inside the bolt, if you creep and hold the trigger in just the right spot it will release the firing pin and and fire without the disconnect engaging the sear, but the sear will be high enough to where it still catches the firing pin and holds it until the bolt slams forward, the slam of the bolt causes the firing pin to slip from the sear and fire the next round, I have been able to dump full mags by doing that and I can tell you it awesome
@@damiansalinas3869 when that happens does it runaway or does it stop shooting once you let off the trigger?
@@elNitemare it stops shooting once i let off the trigger
@@damiansalinas3869 shhhh Reagan might arrest u n burn ur gun.
Can I get this registered as a sbr so I can get the barrel cut to original length.
Once you complete the short Barrel Rifle paperwork and get it back from the ATF you can shorten your barrel. The front sight is a problem as it is to large diameter to fit on the area you will cut at. You can remove the barrel, lathe cut it in that area to take the taper out and make a thin sleeve for the front sight. Much easier to buy the right new barrel. I have done all this many times.
you say worcester as WOOSTAH, not worchester..... say wistah, woostah, wister, wooster. .... anything but warchester or worchester
Also acceptable is "wurstur" ... but NEVER "War-Chester"!!!!
What is a ball park figure of cost for the semiautomatic version in Indiana? Would enjoy adding one to my ownership?
Roughly 1300$ or so depending
Got mine used, but looks un-fired. Case, drum, stick, instructions. Paid almost $1200. Know that's a lot but...I wanted it, it's BEAUTIFUL, & I don't buy $1000 cell phones...so, I bought it.
thanks
I think the stock on original maybe off from original drawings. Modern was made with original specs.
I imagine manufacturing had some leeway on furniture.
There is no relation between Auto-Ordnance Corporations. Not the same company.
The gap in the magazine well on the auto ordinance model drives me crazy !!! Also The original Internals and trigger grouping looks way better I don't want auto ordinance I want real Tommy:(
And the fact they purposely made the bolt not fit 💔😞 looks like I gotta pay 150,000. Fuck Ronald Reagan
U think the gap is because they made this one for the drum magazines and stick magazines. The original 1921 and 1927 were built to accept drum magazines and stick magazines. The World War II edition was designed for stick magazines only and there were also many other cost-cutting things the military did to drive down the price of Thompson’s. The military also didn’t like the drum magazines because it’s more difficult to load and heavier and harder to carry loaded and unloaded drums while in firefight.
I may be wrong, but I think the gap is due to the new Auto-Ordnance accepts drum and stick mags rather than sticks only.
I love thwm but i dont loke the newer grips. They dont look or feel like originals do.
My semi auto works with both mags, I thought they all did. Weird.
Maybe they updated the design
U probably got lucky
The Mags don't fit so the manufacturers can sell more magazines. If the magazines fit it would create a market for old magazines or knockoffs.
Correct, and the new mags are expensive
“You do not have the second selector” *disappointment*
Catch you make the semi auto fully auto
Stupid un-Constitutional laws. Maybe someday... I've shot both the full and the new semi. A full-auto Thompson is great fun to shoot. Very low recoil.
I guess after you shoot one that's full-auto there's no going back. What did they cost new in the 1920's? $24, $28 something that. What do semi autos cost today? The gun abolitionists HATE open bolt guns. They're were too easy to convert to full-auto.
FYI: Worchester is not pronounced "Wor-chester." It's pronounced Wis-ter.
I made the mistake of buying Kahr 1927A1 and a M1A1. They were both crap. They jam all the time and, to me, that makes them dangerous. Kahr sells stick magazines but doesn't bother to make sure the lock works on them. They may fit original Thompsons. I believe that once you modify it for a Kahr it wont fit an original Thompson. I mailed a Kahr magazine back and it sat on a shelf unmodified (which was the way they received it.) Kahr/Thompson has NO INTEREST in customer satisfaction. I sold them both virtually new at a loss. I DID buy an original 1928A1 and love it! Historically, Thompson made a 1927A1 Semi-Auto because some people didn't like Full Autos (gasp!!!). Ironically, those originals are Class III firearms because they can still easily be converted to full auto.
They would not be considered class 3 even if they were open bolt, only open bolt guns made between 82-86 are considered machine guns
You should buy the one that says auto ordnance instead of the one that says kahr arms. I have 2 Auto ordnance and never had a problem with the 20 and 30 round magazines
So purtty
The Kahr guns will literally fall apart on you. I cannot recommend them to anyone. You may end up with a good one, but you could also end up purchasing a disaster. I've seen rear sight bases (the riveted versions) become loose to the point of being able to pull the rear sight assembly off by hand, and guns that fire in full auto without any detectable reason and continue to do so after cleaning and inspection, even though they were brand new and just out of the box. The furniture is not even close to the originals and is cheaply done. There are many other differences, and this is NOT including the difference in the firing mechanism. Lastly, they cost 3 times what they are worth. If someone is interested in owning a Thompson, the best route would be to get a transferable and leave these toys alone. Nothing is ever going to make these Kahr guns a Thompson, regardless of the Auto-Ordnance name attached.
This is US Armies WW2 Gun
I have the Semi , Got it after i returned from Vietnam , Don't care for it , Not near as nice as the M1A1 SMG
Like si esa es la nueva arma de free fire
Want to know how late you are for making a reproduction? About 100 years from Mr.Brownings idea of a Trench Clearing Machine gun that one guy could wield. Now the Shotgun the Germans hated!
Auto Ordinance is a piece of junk.