The Thompson Submachine Gun

[AlexanderA]

Stolen from off the net; a disassembled Tommygun.

Notice that in that picture, there's a single sear notch on the bottom of the bolt. That was standard, but it meant that the safety could not be applied when the bolt was in the forward position. If the bolt was in the forward position (uncocked) and a loaded (stick) magazine was inserted, the gun could theoretically fire if dropped on the butt. The British noticed this and milled a second sear notch in some of their Lend-Lease guns so that the bolt could be locked in the forward position.

I believe the M1 / M1A1 Thompsons came from the factory with two sear notches.

 

[WestKentucky]

Say what you will about the modern AO Thompson’s but that’s as close as I could ever get to owning a real one. I feel very certain that a person could find a way to make that big baby burp. I have never seen or heard of a bumpstock for one, but it seems the perfect place for one.

 

[AlexanderA]

Say what you will about the modern AO Thompson’s but that’s as close as I could ever get to owning a real one.

The "real" Thompson is a classic collector item, but in this day and age, it's not a practical shooter. I owned one for about 10 years, but sold it when I downsized my collection. (Almost the same thinking when I sold my FA BAR.) These days, I'm content with two semi BARs and two "dummy" Thompsons. If all you're going to do is have them as part of a collection, and not shoot them, these serve the purpose just as well.

BTW, semi and dummy guns, if high quality, are not cheap either. A "dummy" Thompson, on a Richardson receiver, is actually more authentic than a Kahr semi.

 

[Tommygunn]

Notice that in that picture, there's a single sear notch on the bottom of the bolt. That was standard, but it meant that the safety could not be applied when the bolt was in the forward position. If the bolt was in the forward position (uncocked) and a loaded (stick) magazine was inserted, the gun could theoretically fire if dropped on the butt. The British noticed this and milled a second sear notch in some of their Lend-Lease guns so that the bolt could be locked in the forward position.

I believe the M1 / M1A1 Thompsons came from the factory with two sear notches.

Amongst the useless gun-related bric-a-brac I have is the Bolt, blish, and actuator for a 1928 Thompson. It seems exactly like the one in the photo. What is that notch that's in line with the Blish device's slot at the bottom? IIRC I've read it was to catch if the sear missed the first one, but I'm not real sure. The actuator knob is unknurled, leading me to think it came from a late model 1928 war time production.
The M1 design allowed the safe to be used with the bolt in either open or closed position, and I think this probably required a modification to the face of the sear. Whatever changes were made it required a change in the pistol grip where it mated to the lower.

 

[Tommygunn]

The "real" Thompson is a classic collector item, but in this day and age, it's not a practical shooter. I owned one for about 10 years, but sold it when I downsized my collection. (Almost the same thinking when I sold my FA BAR.) These days, I'm content with two semi BARs and two "dummy" Thompsons. If all you're going to do is have them as part of a collection, and not shoot them, these serve the purpose just as well.

BTW, semi and dummy guns, if high quality, are not cheap either. A "dummy" Thompson, on a Richardson receiver, is actually more authentic than a Kahr semi.

I have a Kahr M1 style semiauto. It's iconic. It's a Waaaay cool range toy.


And it IS NOT a "practical shooter." My M1 carbine otoh is much better. Just not .... so .... cool....

 

[Speedo66]

Looks like a photo op to me I wonder if Churchill ever fired that weapon?

He was no stranger to guns, having served in the Boer War and other social engagements.

According to this interesting article about his firearms, he also hunted African game and personally owned 4 sub machine guns.

https://www.thefield.co.uk/shooting...rsonal-armoury-of-sir-winston-churchill-44492

 

[Conelrad]

Machinegun dealer J. Curtis Earl (remember him?) in Phoenix had an original Tommy in 9mm, reportedly one of one.

I saw it, sure had nice blueing. Last I heard his collection was donated to the CAF air museum, with some kind of ATF wrinkle causing problems.

Colt built all the '21 Tommys, and they had that unobtanium 'water blue' look that was so lovely.

Conelrad