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WTB: A Thompson 1927 semi-auto. What to look for?

dallasdave
I am new to this site and looking to purchase my first Semi-auto
Thompson...Can you experts answer some questions on this?

I want to buy the 1927 model as apposed to the M1A1 models. I like them better.

First, it will be used primarily for re-enacting (WW2)
I realize right off that the barrel is quite long as compared to a full auto version and may not be totaly authentic.

The barrels that the Semi-autos come stock with are pretty long on the 1927 models. (Overall gun length of 41" according to spec)

But on the new M1A1 models, the gun is offered new with what appears to be a shorter barrel, with the gun being a total of 38" according to manufacturers spec.

What gives? Isnt the gun identical in all aspects from the M1A1 over the 1927? It should be al the same except for the barrel lenght, right?

Cant I just purchase the 1927 model with the shorter barrel? Or at least, can I inter-change the two barrels and the gun still be
legal in all regards? What would be the shortest barrel I can purchase
to go on this gun and still be legal not requiring a "Short-barrel" license here in Texas?

Can I get a shorter "finned" barrel?

I would REALLY like to purchase a USED 1927 model Thompson. Do they have the finned barrels? What should I look for in used gun buy?
Are there better models over others?

daveaustin2002@yahoo.com

Thanks all for this information.

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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • bobski
    most ww2 guns were 1928 overstamps. no compensator, cooling fins, with drum or stick feed. did you know the sticks and drums were made in my hometown? yep. more experts may be able to tell about if the forearm was gripped or flat. good luck carrying that thing loaded. i hope have popeye forearms!
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  • mark christian
    While real Thompsons are a fasinating subject, the commercial copies are of very little interest so this will be quick. All of the rifle versions of these "Tommy guns" have 16" barrels no matter what the model. "What gives" is that the current 1927 model is fitted with a Cutts-type compensator (on the older versions this was an option) and this adds to the over all length of the rifle. The M1 series has no compensator and none can be fitted. 16 inches is as short as you can go without getting into the National Firearms Act so don't plan on going any shorter in barrel length than what was fitted at the factory. Early 1927 rifles were available with plain barrels, no fins or compensators, but these were discontinued many years ago since no one bothered to purchase them. The rest is up to you!

    Mark T. Christian
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  • hawkeye6020
    look here

    http://www.tommygun.com/ao_aom110_f.html
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  • JudgeColt
    As usual, Mr. Christian is succinct and accurate, although I disagree with his characterization that there is little interest in the semi-automatic carbines. For those unfortunate enough to live in unenlightened states that do not allow possession of fully-automatic firearms by ordinary citizens, there is a lot of interest. The problem is that the design and quality of the semi-automatics are poor. From what I read on

    http://www.machinegunbooks.com/cgibin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi

    the rifles made by Kahr are even worse than those made by Numrich, which are highly variable in themselves. Most semi-automatics need a little or a lot of tinkering to get them to run, but it can be done.

    There is a fellow who makes accessories for the semi-automatics to make them look more like the M1921/1928 sub guns, but he never has what he catalogs. For instance, he catalogs a barrel with the compensation set back over the barrel to make it look about 3 inches shorter than a stock barrel with the compensation set out on the end of the 16-inch barrel, but has not had that barrel in the several years I have been willing to buy one.

    For a shorter gun, look for one of the rare M1927A5 pistol versions, which have 13-inch barrels. Of course, it will not have a butt stock, and you cannot legally add one.

    While it is none of my business, it seems to me that a more correct re-enactment gun would be the M1/M1A1 version, because the M1/M1A1 version is the usual Thompson seen in WWII. (See what the Tom Hanks' character carried in "Saving Private Ryan.")
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