M1 Auto Ordnance Advice

[Aragorn243]

I've always wanted a Thompson, know I'll most likely never have a full auto version unless I win the lottery (which I rarely play). I managed to get my heart set on an Auto Ordnance semi Friday night only to have it dashed when the rifle had already sold by the time I could call them Saturday. In the meantime I decided to put out some feelers via a want ad and got a hit immediately.

Only problem is, and I don't know that it is a problem, is that it has an aluminum receiver. This is the Kahr lightweight version of the M1.

My preference is steel, I don't know that I will be happy with an aluminum frame, especially if something happens to it.

What is known about these, I did see a lot of negatives but they were all pretty old. This has been manufactured in the past two years.

I want something that will last but like my other firearms,I probably won't shoot it a lot.

Information

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[Aragorn243]

Spent last evening looking around and found nothing good and a lot of bad on the aluminum receivers. In general, extremely mixed reviews on the Kahr rifles as well. Seems people either love them or hate them with little in between. I don't think I'm going to rush into this one.

[browningautorifle]

I wouldn't be buying an aluminum M1 receivered anything. Not with the amount of good ex GI out there.

[Aragorn243]

Guys that owned them said that the cartridges had to create their own groove to the chamber. Meaning that cartridges from the magazine were gouging the aluminum in front of the magazine. After 50 rounds or so it stopped and functioned fine. Others said they started to show wear quickly and were only good for about 15,000 rounds. Now that seems like a lot but it also seems like a bad resale option as who wants to buy something they have no idea how many rounds went through it.

No GI stuff around due to the full auto capability so these are our options. I can't afford a real one.

[browningautorifle]

You can't find a GI Carbine? Not at all? Strange...they weren't all F/A. Or is it a state law?

[Aragorn243]

Jim,

I'm talking about the M1 Thompson (submachinegun), this is their semi auto reproduction of the late war Thompson. Barrel is longer but other than that and the necessaries to make it a semi, supposed to be a pretty close example. They do make an SBR model also along with the older style Tommy guns that take the drum magazine.

Cabelas locally had one and with my points and a nice check I just got for serving in Desert Storm 25 years ago, I had more than enough to cover it. They have a bad habit of not updating their website however and it was gone. I placed an ad locally and a guy responded with one that was $150 less than Cabelas but it turned out to be the aluminum receiver model, the "lightweight". Most everyone that had one seemed to have problems with it and had to do smithing to get them running right.

[browningautorifle]

the M1 Thompson

That's different...but the same still. The aluminum receivers were less than stellar in those. I know of one man that CNC'd an aluminum upper and lower from some super aluminum alloy and the whole gun weighs under 5 lbs... Thompsons I've had lots of hands on, and I'd look for a steel receiver. Wait a minute. It'll show up...

[Aragorn243]

It showed up. Cabelas so it did not cost me much out of pocket. Just got it this evening. I don't believe it has ever been fired. No scuff marks on the finish in front of the chamber. Wood doesn't have any defects. Finish on metal worn along the charger and one ding on a sharp edge. Wife wanted to go to the outlets, I said I'd go so long as we went to Cabelas. Checked online and they had this one listed. Went up and no where to be found. They just got it in and still had it in the back. I was the first guy to look at it.

[browningautorifle]

So...I'm guessing you have it in hand? Love to have a look. You'll see now, the steel receiver will never do you foul. Pics...?

[Aragorn243]

A rare event for me but I didn't take it out of the box they wrapped it in yet. Got home and had a few things to catch up on and then a promised movie night with the wife. Jurrasic World which we thought was great by the way. Now it's after midnight and I'm trying to get settled down from the movie and the box is in the bedroom. I'll post some pics soon. I believe it to be an older model before Kahr took over but I do not know that for sure. Markings are sparce. Has the Thompson arrowhead on the rear top of the receiver and Auto Ordnance on the one side. I think the Kahr models have a whole series of patent numbers on them which I didn't see on this. It is the late war military model without the muzzle break and drum magazine. Extended barrel to make it legal. Heavy bugger and a real bear to get the bolt locked back. It seems to be something that once you figure it out it's not so bad, kind of like the safety on a Mosin Nagant. I had to set the butt on the floor the first time but after that was able to do it normally. Pretty nice walnut stock, too nice really, but I got it to shoot it so I'm going to do my best to not worry about the stock.