Tommy Gun ammo

[JIM BOB]

My friend bought a semi auto "Tommy Gun" and was told to use 230gr bullets only.What's the reason for the heavy bullet ?

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

It's a blowback action, and it takes a reasonably specific force to blow the bolt back. Probably the standard 230 FMJ bulleted load it what it was designed around, and that is why they recommend it. You might get something else to work, but you might not.

 

[madcratebuilder]

It's needs a FMJ to feed correct and the recoil spring came from a one ton van. There are lighter recoil springs available that reduce the cocking effort and allow the use of lighter loads. Fun range toy but basically it's just a bullet hose.

 

[Zack]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=165655494

Why does it look different than this one? Is it legal to change out the hand grip for a hand guard? no 922(r) but for a tommy gun?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=166368217

and this one the charging handle is different, why is that?

 

[iamkris]

Why does it look different than this one? Is it legal to change out the hand grip for a hand guard? no 922(r) but for a tommy gun?

Some clarification...the "Thompson" is built in the US with all US parts (now owned by Kahr Arms) so 922(r) isn't really the issue...that is a concern when you are talking about foreign guns. 922(r) is driving to keep a certain number of US parts. The horizontal forearm was common on M1928 and M1A1s.

and this one the charging handle is different, why is that?

That's the difference between a M1921 or 1927 (charging handle on top) and a military model M1A1 (charging handle on the side). The M1A1 made several changes for lower cost manufacture...removed the Blish mechanism, different sights, no ribbing on barrel, no compensator, different charging handle. The Thompson was incredibly expensive for a military arm but the US had essentially no other choice.