I made a dumb mistake (Auto Ordinance 1927 Thompson)

[JR24]

Hey all, while disassembling my AO Thompson I managed to misremember how to do it correct (while thinking I was correct) and managed to get the receiver half off with the safety engaged, which of course means its stuck tight.

Any suggestions how to rectify without breaking anything?

 

[scuba_ed1911]

Have you tried putting the safety on fire and depressing the trigger? I have a semi-auto 1927 deluxe West Hurley purchased in 1993.

 

[JR24]

Unfortunately in the state it is in, doing that appears to be impossible, the safety lever will not move.

 

[Choctaw]

I would call Auto Ordinance and speak with their technical support people.

 

[JR24]

That is my plan tomorrow, just was checking if there was any other folks who might have resolved it already.

 

[scuba_ed1911]

Ok. I had a Smith add a 1928 butt-stock adapter for me, and because he had difficulty at this point, he made a tool for me to avoid this.

For you, let's not get too fancy just yet, but take a slim screw driver and with the frame laying upside down on the floor or your work bench (with the pistol grip pointing at your face), take the score driver and slide it down the carrier until you meet some resistance. Now, while depressing the trigger, apply some upward toggle motion forcing the inserted part of the screw driver upward AND pull the lower frame backward or forward (if you are trying to open up the beast or close it). Keep trying if it doesn't work 1st time. Remember to pull trigger with each attempt. Maybe fuss with location of screwdriver too

Het back with me

Ed

 

[JR24]

From the front or the rear? I assume front, and I'm feeling some wiggle in the trigger as I apply pressure but no dice

 

[scuba_ed1911]

Hang on...gonna drag mine out

 

[scuba_ed1911]

Ok. Just checked manual and found disassembly should begin with safety on "fire". I may not be of much help here as you started with safety engaged. On your own, you will not likely do further harm,if any, unless you resort to sledge hammer.

I would try to close the frame and receiver at this point as well as putting in a call to Khar Arms customer service.

Can the frame move forward?

 

[JR24]

Nope, its jammed up at the extent of coming off, right where youd normally have to pull the trigger to complete sliding the receiver off.

I'll just call AO when I get a day off, it's not a huge rush and I only shoot the dang thing but twice a year anyhow.

(At least I know I wont make this mistake again!)

 

[JR24]

Thank you for your kind assistance

 

[scuba_ed1911]

You're very welcome. I did some Google searches using "improper disassembly of 1929 auto ordnance", and there were quite a few pages out there.

Best of luck!

 

[Old Stumpy]

Possibly inserting a thin piece of metal, kind of like a slim jim, into the action from the rear might allow the sear to be pressed down.
That might allow the upper to slide past it to complete the disassembly.
I know that this worked for an M1A1 Thompson welded into semi-auto mode, but if yours fires from a closed bolt it may be different.
Still....

 

[scuba_ed1911]

Hello JR24,

What was the outcome of your situation?

Ed

 

[JR24]

Have not had a chance to call yet. Next day off isn't till next week but I'm travelling so it may be a few weeks

 

[scuba_ed1911]

Rgr. Look forward to update.

Ed

 

[ECVMatt]

Me too! I have an Auto Ord and I am not a Thompson expert by any means. Please let us know how you fixed this.

Thanks,
Matt

I just found this...