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Kahr Thompson - Worth having for fun, nostalgia, historical factor?

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T

The Tennessean

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I'm curious to know if anyone here has purchased one of the Kahr reproduction Thompsons? I've always wanted one since I was a kid and heard stories told by the men in my family who carried them in WW2. The dozens of war and mob movies I viewed as a child helped as well I'm sure.

As far as practical use, there are probably a dozen or so better guns to spend your money on but my question is, for those who have bought them (or even those who haven't), do you think they are worth having for the fun, nostalgic and historical factors? Obviously they don't have any real historical value outside of the design since they are reproductions but "owning a piece of history" does seem appealing to me on certain levels.

I have a photo of my uncle with his Thompson in France, November 1944 hanging in my office.
 
They are kind of neat. I got one several years ago and did an SBR on it, with the proper length barrel.

It's pretty reliable and accurate in general. Thompsons are VERY magazine dependent for reliability and it's pretty common to have to do some tune up work on surplus magazines.

Also, the Kahr uses a different size mag release pin and you have to modify surplus mags to work. Not a big deal either.

If you want to go all out there are a couple of Thompson smiths out there that will take these and install genuine GI furniture, parkerize the gun, etc to give it a more authentic look.

Paul Krogh in Colorado is known for being really good at this.
 
They are pretty neat. But the one's I've seen are a little pricey.

Shooting Gallery had an episode on Zoot Suit shooting which was a kind of SASS-style shooting competition but with zoot suits and Tommys. Looked pretty fun to me.
 
Random note that may or may not matter: Kahr's Auto-Ordnance replica Thompsons fire from a closed bolt, while the originals fire from an open bolt. Kahr did it to make them a bit safer and eliminate the possibility of a slam fire, since the improved cooling and reliability for full-auto wasn't needed.
 
Also, I'm pretty sure the BATFE hates open bolt guns for you and me due to the ease of conversion to auto.
 
The closed bolt semi -auto Thompson has been around for about 30 years. Auto-Ordnance/Numrich started it back in the learly 70's, I believe. They did it before BATF required it, simply to make it harder to put full auto parts in it, etc.
 
thompson

I had a WH made M-1 version. It did not like hollow points. Ran fine with ball.
Losing mobility and strength, it got too heavy for me.
Accracy was surprisingly good considering the 400 pound trigger.
Guy in Colorado worked over the trigger and made it much better.
Wish I could still lug it around, it was a genuine fun gun.
 
I have one that I bought about a year ago, for the same reasons you are asking. I have loved it. It shoots great, is a truly fun to take out to the range. If you are able to pick one up I don't think you will be disappointed, lots of fun.
 
I just got one from a fella on the forums. It is a 1927A1 Commando...basically a 1928 style rifle, parkerized with black furniture. I've ordered genuine GI 1928 stocks from SARCO and a few extra mags.

Took it out to the range on Saturday for the first time. It ran 100% through about 100 rounds, was accurate, had essentially no recoil. It is a HEAVY rifle though. However, I enjoy weapons of WWII and bought it so I could essentially experience what the troops did.

Thumbs up from me...not practical but sure is fun.
 
Heavy!
Waaay too heavy for my taste...the "lightweight" version weighs around 10lbs, and the normal steel receiver variant is a whopping 13 POUNDS! :eek:
 
This is the only picture I have of it...just a stock photo of the rifle

1927-Comm_FS.jpg


Once I get the GI stocks on it, maybe I can use it for another "Sands of Iwo Jima" or "Leathernecks" photo op

2ivilo4.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies. Love that photo, iamkris!

As for weight and practicality, not really a factor for me.

I think I'll do some shopping around a bit and see what I come up with. Thanks again.
 
do you think they are worth having for the fun, nostalgic and historical factors?
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Absolutely! While your assumption is correct in that there are many firearms more practical than the 'Tommy gun' who is worried with practicality, with your intended usage and desire for such a firearm?

We sell them, although not in great numbers, and all who have purchased them from our shops, that I am aware of, have been more than pleased with their decision.

As Mav said, they are quite heavy, but this is the nature of the beast!
 
As for weight and practicality, not really a factor for me.
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Then go for it, they are a fine carbine. I would even go with the super heavy steel receiver model because I would surmise that it looks better (though I don't recall having seen an alloy version). There is a guy in my local shop that has nothing but praise for his.

:)
 
Everyone gets a lemon sooner or later if they own enough guns.

Mine was a Khar/AO 1927A1. And its replacement. And multiple trips back to the factory. And 18 months of hell and god knows how much wasted 45. And paying for the shipping the first return too.

First one worked fine for 200 rounds. Then started blowing extractors and parts of the bolt around the extractor groove started to chip and splinter. Fragments went out the ejection port, glad no one was hurt.

Bolt was replaced 2x. Each one did the same thing, although I got better at spotting metal fatigue before catastrophe hit. Didn't matter which ammo I tried it with, recommended or otherwise. It just wouldn't make it through a magazine. Second bolt lasted 35 rounds or so. Tried stick mags, drum mags, basically everything.

They eventually replaced the piece of junk. With another piece of junk. Same story. After trying GI extractors and the usual tuneup list, and watching it chew through them some more and continue to just not work, I dumped it for the price of the drum and parts kit it was. It just made me very angry to see the thing hanging on the wall knowing it was a POS.

My range companion had to stop me from throwing the replacement downrange and blowing the living hell out of it. I still think to this day it would have been the best option.

Between that and handling returns on customer Kahr handguns, I will never touch something made by that company. Ever.

Irony is one that was a few serials off ran like a top for a friend of mine that ordered one slightly before I did.

Most people don't seem to have the horror stories around these guns (or don't relate them), but there's a reason that resale is slow and difficult a lot of the time.
 
I have one of the M1A1 military models with the aluminum receiver. It weighs 9 lbs empty and 11 with a 30 round stick (this model does not accept a drum). This was the cheapest model (since I am a cheapskate); it cost me 750 new in 2007.

Mine shoots better the more I use it but the sight screws come loose from the the movement of the heavy bolt. I shoot mainly lead reloads (.452 200gn RNFPs) and when it jams (feedramp) a touch on the bolt handle will clear it. It is very accurate out to 100 yds and has no recoil.

I am in the queue to send mine to Paul Krogh for action work.

It's a hoot to shoot!

s
 
thompson

Interesting tidbit. In 1927 Auto Ordinance did offer a semi auto only version.
Probably open bolt but the article did not say.
 
A Piece of History

I purchased a 1927A1 Deluxe package last year from a local dealer. Paid 14 c notes for it, but it was worth it to me. I absolutely love the machine. I opted for the steel receiver due to volume of fire I knew it would endure. I don't particularly care for the alloy versions. Weight not a factor for me either. I dont care for the drum magazine. I went with the G.I. surplus mags from Cheaper Than Dirt for 18 bucks. Easily modified with a Dremmel tool to function on my Tommy. Just have to be careful not to overcut the hole. Most that I bought were in good condition. The best pricing I have seen is at "The Gun Source" web site. For spare parts you can go to the "Tommy Gun Shop". Their web site gives a complete breakdown of the machine and parts availability/pricing are good. It is definitely an impressive machine. Pull it out at the range and most everyone has interest. A fun piece that is a piece of history. Buy one while you can, the politicians are plotting.
 
If you can find one at the right price I would recommend buying one. I found a new/used for $700. It's a ammo hose for sure, fun range toy with a heavy trigger not practical for anything but having fun.
tomgun.jpg.jpg
 
iamkris, lol.

The Tommy is one of those guns I've wanted since I was a teenager but never got, due to high prices and lack of any real use - now thankfully the urge has passed - but they are cool. I say go for it, unless you're old/decrepit to the point where you can't hold that heavy beast up.....it's more of a young man's rifle.

I *really* want to see an iamkris vs. dubble-a, head-to-head best guns thread! :)

But back in the Original Gangsta days, they were useful for criminals with a short barrel (concealable under a trench coat, etc.), and as very controllable in full auto, due to the weight.
 
But back in the Original Gangsta days, they were useful for criminals with a short barrel (concealable under a trench coat, etc.), and as very controllable in full auto, due to the weight.
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Heavy?...I think Bonnie and Clyde chose the chopped BAR because it was [gulp] lighter. :uhoh: :p (< Note that they used the BAR of old...not the Browning BAR, a completely different rifle.)
 
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