Got my Thompson Triumph

[rbonser]

Hi;
I just wanted to post to say I got the new Thompson Triumph with the Weathershield barrel and black composite stock. This is one of the first ones available to the public, and has a serial number less than 8000.

First impressions were that it is a great looking rifle. It is very light, and handles well.

However, I started measuring things, and found out this gun does not have a 28-inch barrel as advertised. Darn.

I took the barrel length measurements and found the company generously added the (approximately) ½ inch (breech plug) knurl knob in with the barrel length to obtain a 28-inch measurement. The knurl knob is not part of the barrel and should not have been included in the barrel-length measurement.

Additionally, the new breech plug has an (approximate) ½ inch extension on the front end for the new gas compression rings. This additional extension, along with the (approximate) ½ inch knurl knob length, results in (approximately) one inch less usable barrel length (on the Triumph) than on Thompson’s Omega rifle (which the Triumph is replacing).

Maybe I'm just being overly picky, but I was anticipating this rifle being the jewel of my collection. After my discovery of the barrel length, I'm left with a less than exuberant feeling.

I have not shot this rifle, and am considering returning it and keeping my Omega.

I am weighing returning the rifle against the possibility it may have some collectable value down the road (as it is one of the first produced).

Any comments?

Thanks.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

returning...

I don't see why the barrel length is such an issue. You aren't talking hardly any velocity loss at all - 10-20 fps maybe. You can drop an extra grain of powder in if that bothers you. No biggy.

I also have an Omega and love it - its the plain jane ss/poly stock version and is almost perfect for a practical bp hunting rifle IMHO. Yes, you have to screw the breech plug out to clean it, but whoopee - I use Triple 7 and it burns so clean that you really don't have to worry about taking the plug out until the end of the season. But you know this as you have one too

If you like your Triumph then I would keep it. If you feel its mostly just duplicating your Omega and would rather have something "different", then by all means send it back.

I have three other front stuffers besides my Omega - they are all "traditional" types. A TC Renegade in 50 with 1:48 twist, a Pedersoli Kentucky in 50 also with 1:48 twist and an old CVA mountain rifle with its barrel on the way back to me - 58 caliber with a slow 1:70 twist for round ball shooting.

I like them all because they are all different enough to interest me. But thats me.

BTW - welcome to the forums!

 

[Dirtypacman]

Pics we demand Pics!

 

[IThunter]

hear, hear

 

[arcticap]

I would complain to TC about false advertising if the barel is more than 1/2 inch shorter than claimed. Did you double check by inserting a ramrod into the barrel and then measuring it?
I don't think it's worth buying and keeping it just as a collectible for it's low 8000 number, especially if you're going to shoot it.
If after holding the rifle, you don't think that it's a better, more comfortable model than the Omega, by all means send it back and wait for another model variation to be introduced. But don't do it just because of the barrel measurement, unless there's other aspects about it that you don't like or it really you up.
BTW, where did you end up buying it from, and was it a special order?

 

[rbonser]

Hi Again;

Thanks O.S.O.K. for the welcome to the forum.
I've been a long time reader, but to date, haven't had any reason to register and post.
The thing I like best about this forum is the high level of knowledge, along with nobody attacking other members. Thanks to all.

I got this rifle by checking the Bass Pro Shops (BPS) website daily.
They always had an "*" next to the item to indicate it was a backorder item.
However one day, and just one day, the "*" disappeared. I called to ask if they had one in stock, and was told they only got in a couple of them. I then asked if I would get one if I placed an order. Reply: maybe.
I placed the order anyway, one showed up at my door, and the "*" returned to the item on the website. These are apparently extremely hard to get (to date), as even my local authorized Thompson dealer cannot get his backorders filled for the rifle.

A couple people asked for some pix, so here goes.
I am just attaching them as files, so if they don't come through, I'm open to recommendations for a better way.

Thanks again.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

I must admit

TC made another winner! I like the interupted thread, fingers only on/off breechplug but as said in my earlier reply, this is realy a very small improvement.

If you decide you don't want it and they are in short supply, you could put her up on gunbroker and make a few $$$ - nothing wrong with good o'l American capatilism

 

[arcticap]

That rifle is a beauty!
My inlines have even shorter barrels which doesn't bother me any.
TC seems to be including the powder chamber/flash channel in with their measurement which probably isn't uncommon.
I vote for you to just keep it, and to let us know how it shoots if you do.

 

[ATAShooter]

Barrel length has pretty much always included the chamber due to that is the origin of ignition. I have a 30" Model 12, well, if you deduct the chamber of 2 3/4" it is really a 27 1/4" barrel. I have a Perazzi with a 34" and yet, 2 3/4's less makes it a 31 1/4". I know that the plug actually shouldn't be counted, as unlike a shotgun, the powder & bullet set on top of it. It's just an industry standard. I too would like to see barrel length counted from the end of the projectile to the muzzle.

I will be buying a Triumph within the week. I had borrowed a friends' Triumph to try it out to make up my mind ( I was lucky to have a friend like that ). I liked it... alot. And with the new Blackhorn Powder, it was such a snap to clean up.