Look what showed up today!

[Damon555]

Posted elsewhere too but I just had to show it to a larger audience.......

I have wanted one of these for as long as I can remember....After much research, hemming and hawing and soul searching I decided to get myself something for yet another all too insignificant birthday.



I just got through learning the inner workings of the 1927-A1 by field stripping it to give it the initial requisite cleaning. The Tommy gun is pretty simple to strip and clean.....but man, those recoil springs really make it a bear to cock....there are replacement springs out there but I want to make sure it will function in its factory form before I change anything.....if I change anything.

The furniture is beautiful American Walnut and the metalwork is excellent. The rifle is heavy, the trigger is heavy and there is little practicality to it....but it sure is cool to look at!

Now before you go and tell me all your bad experiences with this rifle let me make this statement.....I'm fully aware of the common issues that people have with the Kahr-Auto Ordnance 1927-A1. I think I've done enough research to work through most of the problems I might run into....barring any part breakages that is. From magazine issues to functional problems I'm confident that I can work through them....Hopefully everything runs fine from the get-go but I'm fully prepared to do whatever it takes to have a fully functional firearm.....and spend a boat load of money on ammo to feed this thing!

P.S. The furniture is only stained....what can I do to protect the finish? I wouldn't mind adding a little gloss to it.....

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Noice!

 

[1911 guy]

Tommy guns fall into that unique category occupied by all sorts of obsolete stuff. They're too heavy, too unwieldy, etc.

But they're still so cool everybody wants one, deep down inside. The same reason every gear head wants a Model A, 1957 Chevy truck or other older car. The newer stuff is often better designed, lasts longer and is more efficient. But the newer stuff also too often loses the "it" factor.

The only thing keeping me from owning one is the choice to spend my disposable income elsewhere. But I sure hope you enjoy yours. They were an interesting product of an interesting time in history and went on to even carve out their own little piece of folklore.

 

[AlexanderA]

That gun cries out to be made into an SBR via a Form 1.

(It still would have a long way to go before it resembled a real Thompson, however.)

 

[bikemutt]

I got to shoot a full auto Tommy in Vegas a few years back, so much fun. It was on my bucket list. Anyway, it wasn't nearly as purdy as yours, congrats!

 

[bannockburn]

Damon555

Very nice! A great birthday gift even if it is to yourself! My brother had one a number of years ago and it was not as nicely built and finished as yours and a bit problematic overall. My favorite faux submachine gun has been the Sterling Mk.6. Cheaper to feed (think WWB), and worked perfectly with both Sterling and Sten mags (mag loader a definite must, especially with Sten mags).

 

[Damon555]

Thanks guys....I wish I could shoot it right away but time is not one thing that I've got a lot of.....

 

[kBob]

COngrats! nice looking gun.

-kBob

 

[Hurricane]

Nice gun! I have finished several gun stocks over the years with this product:

http://www.minwax.com/wood-products...terior-exterior/minwax-helmsman-spar-urethane

I find that it holds up well to the potential outdoor hazards. If you are looking for a super glossy finish, you may look elsewhere, or apply several (read 10+) coats of this. I usually do 4-5 and am satisfied. I don't want glare on the finish if there is a chance I may take it hunting. I did do a few extra coats on some pistol grips once, and they shine enough for me, but I wouldn't call it high gloss.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Congrats on the Tommy.


My initial thought, if you're actually going to use it, is that you wouldn't want something with such a high shine that it might make it hard to hold onto. However I'll leave that up to you.

Polyurethane is a great protectant that would offer a medium to high shine depending on the number of coats.

Epoxy would offer the same protection with a high gloss shine (think bowling alley floor). You would likely not feel any of the grain any more.

Shellac or clear Lacquer would offer good protection with a low to medium shine, again depending on coats.


Whichever way you decide to go keep in mind that you'll need to lightly sand with a very fine sand paper or steel wool in between coats.


GL!

 

[Damon555]

Thanks for the input fellas!

I'm mostly looking to protect the wood....I do not want really glossy.....just a little bit of gloss for protection that hopefully looks good too.

 

[Reloadron]

Enjoy it, the Tommy Gun has that certain lure to it. May it bring you many enjoyable days on the range.

Ron

 

[420Stainless]

I will never actually own one, but will forever want one. I hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as my imagination thinks you will. I'm green with envy

 

[dwjwin50]

Tung oil is an amazing finish, waterproof and beautiful. Look around or order it online because commercial products called "Tung Oil" only contain a small amount of Tung oil if any at all. Too bad it's stained.

 

[highpower]

Congrats on getting something you always wanted. I have also wanted a Thompson since watching Combat! on TV as a child. I was finally able to scratch that itch a couple of years ago after I moved to Nevada.

My 1928A1 made by Savage:

 

[Speedo66]

I got to try out a full auto version at the machine gun shoot down in KY a few months ago. Surprising how heavy it was, but lots of fun.

Good luck with yours!