Problems with Thompson 1927
I purchased a used Thompson semi auto. It will fire once, but the recoil does not seem to be strong enough to move the bolt back in order to load/shoot another round. Does anyone know how to fix this problem?
Moved to "Ask the experts" for more help. Danny
Moved to "Ask the experts" for more help. Danny
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Shoot hotter loads [}:)] 0 -
Really hard to tell. Is it clean, lubed(Correctly) right load. Right recoil spring. 0 -
Is this a true 1927 with the bronze delayed action bolt?
Whether it is or isn't lube the bolt and frame well.
If the bolt doesn't move smoothly and drags, parts need to be polished.
If it is smooth without drag, the operating spring needs to be cut down
until it cycles reliably.
In my experience, these guns were highly reliable in semi and full auto fire. They never misfired even with grade 3 ammo so corroded you didn't know which end was the bullet.
The only weak point was magazine feed lips. They need to be straight and are easily bent.0 -
I had the same problem with mine. I load my own and kept bumping up the loads a little at a time untill it started to cycle properly. The internals are very beefy and have two pretty strong springs, it takes a little oomph to make it work. 0 -
I don't know much about 1927's, but from experience with military models:
What sort of ammo are you using and have you given it a thorough cleaning and lube?0 -
I had a 27 some years back...Same Problem you're having...increased the loads and the problem went away.....Don't go cutting Springs and bending Magazine Lips until You work on making Hotter Loads first.... 0 -
I had all versions of the 1927 and the M1A1 captured from Communist forces.
The only ammo available was standard corrosive Government loadings.
All Thompsons functioned with this ammo without a hitch including real corroded stuff.
Because of the wide cut in the rear of the mag top, the magazine sides are not supported just below the feed lips as are later designed gun mags. If the sides aren't straight you will have malfunctions in failures to feed. The steel is soft so correcting bent lips is an easy job if needed.
Your indications are insufficient power in the ammo to cycle the gun or over strength bolt spring.
If you are using full power loads and everything is clean and smooth then the spring needs to be lightened. Maybe that's why someone sold the gun in the first place.
Alternatively, you can boost the ammo to +P levels and it may cycle properly. Whichever the case your problem is very minor.
The Thompson was designed for a more powerful 45 cartridge so never fear any published 45ACP load will damage the gun.0 -
Try different ammo, keep it clean and oiled and shoot it lots. At one point I wanted to get rid of my M1 Thompson. Would only load 5 rounds so I wouldn't be throwing full mags when clearing ftf's and fte's. Kept trying different ammo and cleaning it lots. I'm now a happy Thompson gunner thanks to winchester white box 230gr ball ammo and remmingtons 230gr ball ammo. Gun has been running great on both. Maybe just had to be shot in? Guess I'll find out if this stuff dries up. Keep shooting your's until it runs smooth. Don't go hacking up your Thompson. 0 -
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I was using some ammo that we purchased at the gun show. It is only 185 gm and not the full 230 gm GI ammo. I guess that could make a real difference with a blow back Thompson. Also, I checked the lubercation inside and it seemed dry. Would you recommend gun oil or GI OIL (which is thicker)? 0 -
Any good firearms oil will do with this gun, some will just stand up longer than others.
I don't know the setup with 1927's, but the Thompson 1928/28A1 had a pair of felt oiling pads up in the rear of the receiver. If your's is so equipped, be sure and saturate these.
Hit it with a heavy coat of BreakFree/CLP, run GI equivalent ammo and have fun.0
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