Auto Ordnance Thompson Semi-Auto 45

A couple of weeks ago I asked for some advice on these firearms and through a fortunate series of events I was able to purchase one with a steel receiver. This was a Cabelas purchase so with my points I had relatively little out of pocket expenses for this which was also a huge plus.

This is the post war civilian semi-auto version of the WWII production Thompson. I do not believe this particular example was ever fired but it does have some storage marks/dings on the metal. The wood looks brand new. I do plan on firing it so the new condition won't last long.

I suspect this to be an older production rifle but that assumption is just based on the lack of markings that are on the current Kahr Auto Ordnance models.

The wood is very nice, the metal finish is a little rough polish wise. I know very little about these so I took some photos of the action, etc so you can see the differences between this and the originals. This fires from a closed bolt, you can see the firing pin in two of the photos. It's a heavy rifle, it's size is very misleading. No sling came with it but I have a Kerr type on order. In addition to the closed bolt firing, the barrel is lengthened to be legal. This version does not accept the drum magazine and neither did it's military counterpart. Magazines are not interchangeable as made but I've been told the originals can be altered to work in these rifles.

I had hoped to fire it today but was unable to get any range time in. Hopefully soon.

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Very nice...you can see the holes in the back of the mag are stretched upward a bit from the original round hole. Easy to copy. I've always hated the long barrels but that's how it is. I'd sure like to show up with an ammo can of .45 so we could ring this out a bit. Try it in an underarm hold, if your range permits and you'll see it feels marvelous...

I bet it would be so much fun emptying that ammo can real fast.

Not as much fun as the FA models...but yes, it works.

This works and would empty that can even faster ~ https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...boeBekQPMyGqgw Also another one on the importance of being careful in reloading or a squib load. Tommy Gun Blow Up - YouTube

He sounds like a sharpie. I had that happen with a '28 and knew right away something had taken place, even though it had only rung the barrel. The shoot went on and only when cleaning did I notice. Had it happen with an SMG C1 9mm also with IVI ball. Still only a ring and it shot the rest of the practice un noticed until the troops cleaned weapons. Then I saw it...

How was the accuracy BAR, really think it did a good job on that unit anyway.

The accuracy didn't seem to suffer as the rings I've dealt with were almost center of the barrel. Remember they were SMGs too. The biggest fear is a repeat will cause it to burst there. Kind of like his.

I had a Puma '92 in .44 mag that got rung, before it shot fine and after it wouldn't do better that a pie plate at 25 yds. Didn't matter what you tried. I compared the ammo straight across in a '94 angle eject in .44 and it was under a quarter. The ring was center barrel as well.

There's a Gun Shop here selling a nice Original .45 Cal Tommy for $38,000. This Greek Gun collector also has a nice Original Inland M2 for $11,000. I'm not real sure what there worth, but he's had many offers and won't budge. I held that Tommy and just felt my imagination running wild with what this Thompson has seen and done. I'm sure if he does sell it the buyer will have it checked out or if a Gun Collector buys will know how Original it is.

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/?...=&session_key=

He always has a few nice collectables on board. Some of these guns didn't do much Frank. A friend of mine had 1921 number 6040 and he told me he "Didn't remember ever firing it. He donated it to the Smithsonian. Glad he did, when he died all his other guns went "Adrift" by hands of his self appointed personal assistant.

Photo - The Gun Not Fired: NRA National Firearms Museum Featured Gun - YouTube

As is the case when people do not prepare for the inevitable and collections get busted up going to the wrong people for the wrong reasons and mostly by two ways A) They do not understand the intrinsic value of a collection of many years B) They do understand the value and want the cash.......

Postcript to BAR #12 Some people just cannot wait nor have any morals and are short on respect which is one thing about the human make up I will never get to grips with, a friend passed recently and had quite a collection and I reckon people I know would not have even let him get cold before starting their advance to get some gear he had, he was a gun dealer and had a good swag of lugers, broomhandle etc.
Yes I guess I will always be the last seagull to the chip packet but one thing I will carry to my flash and ash ceremony is honesty, dignity and integrity.

In this case the individual had keys to the residence and just helped himself. The guns had come from the US and had no paper. The man was a US citizen so he legally owned these in the US, and had brought his property with him. He died at about 85 yrs and had been an Oregon policeman so he knew what he was doing...so the guns were pilfered and sold. Glad the 1921 T gun wasn't there. Some clown would have it in his crawlspace now.

I got three surplus used magazines from What a Country today and was pleased with their condition. They are used but other than cosmetics, nothing wrong with them. Cleaned the cosmoline off and out of them and enlarged the hole to make them work. Took about 2 minutes each with a dremel and a stone wheel that just fit inside the existing hole.

And now the mags fit a fire perfectly. Some would have you believe they needed special mags.

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Originally Posted by CINDERS

Some people just cannot wait nor have any morals and are short on respect which is one thing about the human make up I will never get to grips with, a friend passed recently and had quite a collection and I reckon people I know would not have even let him get cold before starting their advance to get some gear he had, he was a gun dealer and had a good swag of lugers, broomhandle etc.
Yes I guess I will always be the last seagull to the chip packet but one thing I will carry to my flash and ash ceremony is honesty, dignity and integrity.

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So very true Cinders. The mess that happened after my father died with just one family member who was unethical and greedy can wreak havoc on a family -- I won't go into details, but 13 years after my father's death his military collection is still going through the courts as the lawyers eat up what is now over $150,000 in legal fees. The lack of honesty, dignity, and integrity of one person is the cause of the mess (coupled with the lack of honesty, dignity, and integrity of his lawyers).

My solution: start giving away your collection by the time your reach 70, have it pretty depleted by the time you reach 80, and be sure its down to a precious few things when you die. Be sure your home goes into a Trust, and the trustees take possession before you die, while you live in it. An make sure the Will and the Executor are Iron Clad.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

And now the mags fit a fire perfectly. Some would have you believe they needed special mags.

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They are not special mags. They are using the original templates. The holes are elongated on the new ones also. Look exactly like the ones I just modified. They probably did it so they can sell them for $75 each. I got the used ones for $16.95.

That's what I said in post 2...I think you'll find most if not all mags are GI. not new made.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

They are not special mags. They are using the original templates. The holes are elongated on the new ones also. Look exactly like the ones I just modified. They probably did it so they can sell them for $75 each. I got the used ones for $16.95.

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No , the feds required that a full auto bolt could not be installed , so they made the reciever 1/10 inch shorter so it would not . This made the top of the mag well set 1/10 inch closer to the mag release , ergo the closer hole spacing being needed to latch up.
Chris

The whole idea was that you couldn't just use standard stuff and take this to a gunfight and win...

I have a few 30 round TSMG mags here with the modified elongated holes. Email me if interested.