My Thompson broke !

[redzr]

I purchased a TM1 Thompson from a local gund shop about 5 months ago and have ran around 150- 200 rounds through it. Today, while at the range, I experienced a serious problem with it.

At first, it would not feed rounds from the magazine (I had a used one) and then it worked ok with the new magazine for another 15 rounds or so. Then I switched back to the used magazine (which I purchased from AO) and after about 5 shots the bolt froze with a round in the chamber. The bolt was probably 2 or 3 inched back from the shell (the round was loose in the chamber) and the bolt would not move either forward or backward- it is stuck.

I have access to a gun-smith who has serviced them before (and the full auto ones) and he is going to look at it.

Has anyone else had this happen? The bolt is really frozen solid.

Any advive and help is appreciated.

Dan

[Bawanna]

I haven't ever heard of this before. I suspect the mag feeding and the bolt getting stuck are not related but just a guess there. No one has made Thompson mags since WWII so even new Tommy guns come with surplus mags.

Wondering if the round left in the chamber was fired or unfired.

Did you buy it new or used?

[redzr]

The round was unfired.
Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. The frustrating thing was that the gun was spot on as far as accuracy goes before it had the failure.
I bought it used (manufactured in 2008) and it had all the paperwork (including unfiled warranty registration card) with it. It was in very good condition and the shop knew the owner.
Dan

[Bawanna]

I suspect your local guy will be able to cure it but if not Kahr I'm sure can fix it up for you.

The recoil springs in those things are monsters, I can't imagine the bolt jamming up tight against that kind of pressure. Something has to be broken or dropped out of place.

Been awhile since I was inside mine and I can't think of anything obvious that could be the culprit.

Do keep us in the loop for future reference. There are a few Tommy gunners here. Ghostsoldier hasn't posted lately, I hope he's still looking now and then, he's my go to Tommy guy.

I think Deacon might have a Tommy too, somebody else just got one not long ago, memory is a terrible thing to waste.

[Ghostsoldier]

I'm still here...just working all the time, trying to put the kids through school; one bright note, is my oldest just got his first job as a cop...looks like he'll start pulling his own weight around here, and I might be able to buy that '28 I've been wanting!

Redzr....you didn't say if it was the aluminum frame T1, or the steel. If it's the aluminum, then I've known guys to have similar issues with those...they are not happy campers. Those lightweight models appear to wear out pretty quick.

If it's the steel receiver version, like my good buddy Bawanna said, it's probably a bolt/recoil spring issue; if your local guy can't fix it, I would consider sending it back to Kahr for repairs.

I would also suggest swapping those stock recoil springs with a set of EZ Pull springs and bufffer; for around 50-60 bucks, you'll have a bolt you can pull back with two fingers, plus you'll minimize some of the impact force wear-and-tear on the receiver. You can put it in yourself in about 5 minutes.

Let us know what happens.

Rob

[redzr]

Ghostsoldier,

Congrats on the employment of your son, I have 3 kids (16, 13 &10)and dream of that day !!

My M1 is a steel version. I asked Kahr's tech support about those lighter springs and they told me not to do them (stay with the heavier factory springs). The tech guy said the closed bolt design needed that added spring pressure.

However, it would not hurt to try them once I get the gun back. Where do you get them?

I hope the gun can be fixed quickly and cheaply- I really enjoy shooting it and its pretty darn accurate. The only thing I do not get is why is there a open circle in the rear sight (below the V groove). I originally thought it was for sighting but when using it (and centering the front sight in the middle of it) the gun shot low. I switched to the traditional "v" slot and it was dead accurate.

Any info on those springs is appreciated.

Dan

[Bawanna]

I'm sure glad your still around Ghostsoldier and I too am glad your son found gainful employment. I doubt he'll share much with you but does create less drain on your resources.

My last son just finished classes and has a job interview next week so he's starting to carry some of the load too. Sadly him and his older brother are still living with me just with more jingle in their pocket. I'm ok with it really, I'd probably just waste the loot on guns and ammo and stuff anyhow.

I finally got my mag release lever properly modified as you instructed me long ago. I did it but not quite enough apparently, some mags didn't want to lock in, spent a little more time with it and now it's perfect. Got about a dozen mags that all lock in perfectly. Still need to function test them but I have high hopes.

Never did do the recoil spring thing YET. Baby steps. So I'll wait for more info on that as well.

redzr, do let us know what you find. We can all learn from your experience.

[Salty]

My friend had a bolt jam issue with his and Kahr replaced the ejector and bolt. Do you happen to remember if any of the empty cases had their mouths bent on an angle ? That is what his cases looked like. Tech support at Kahr - don't get me started - imo it is a joke at best. Probably best to get a RMA and send it back - unfortunately it will probably cost you postage each way even if it is their problem.

[jocko]

i WAS AT A SMALL assgun show today and there were 4 (differenttables) OF rUGER mINI 14, 2 STAINLESSWITH SUPRESSOR AND TWO BLUE WITH SUPRESSOR. $1500 eac. WTF am I missing her guys. thatis simply outrageous---isn't it????

[Bawanna]

i WAS AT A SMALL assgun show today and there were 4 (differenttables) OF rUGER mINI 14, 2 STAINLESSWITH SUPRESSOR AND TWO BLUE WITH SUPRESSOR. $1500 eac. WTF am I missing her guys. thatis simply outrageous---isn't it????

That's robbery! I have an early blued one I'd sell for 1495.

Ok 1395?

1195?

Ok, 1000 even.....plus shipping and dealer prep.

[redzr]

An update !!!

The gunsmth called me this afternoon to tell me the gun was ready and working fine.

He told me that the extractor "blew" off the bolt and lodged itself tight. Aside from getting it apart and geting the extractor straightened out he polished the feed port to/in the barrel, adjusted the spread on the magazine (it was too wide) and did some polishing on the bolt and mechanism to make it a little smoother.

He test fired 3 shots and all seemed well.

I was using FMC shells at the time and he thinks the problem was caused by the shells being too "hot". He told me to stay away from foreign made stuff. He aklos tole me I should replace the extractor sometime since mine was a little bent and he straightened it out, but long term a new piece would be best.

I was asking him about a short barrel conversion and he came back with a short barrel model to show me- SWEET

Thanks to all for your help, I really appreciate it.

Dan

[Bawanna]

That's great news and not a traumatic issue. Semi easy fix and it was nice of him to go the extra mile on the polishing.

If you do that reduced spring deal that polishing will really help, in fact I think they say to so some polishing before you do the springs so everything works smoothly.

Happy your back on the track. Feel free to fire Tommy questions, I don't know much but Ghostsoldier's been slacking for a long time and it's high time he participated a little more since his kids helping now.

I'd love to do the short barrel thing too, want it really bad but not sure I want to jump through all the hoops and pay the 200 tax stamp plus buy a barrel.

Probably should do it asap before they don't even let me have a long barrel tommy. Tommy's were made for short barrels.

[redzr]

Yes, I am quite glad it's fixed. The fellow who fixed it was very interesting and I really enjoyed taking with him. I must admit he really knew Thompsons pretty well. Now I can hardly wait to get the thing back to he range and run some more round through it.

You can sure attract a ton of looks when you carry a Thompson out of a gun shop!

[Ghostsoldier]

Lol...'slacking' is my middle name, B!

Yeah, I let my kids live at home, too...the world's a tough and expensive place as it is for us older ones, so I try to make it as easy a transition as I can.

Redzr...glad you got it fixed. The polishing is a good thing; it will definitely help with the gun's operation. As far as Kahr techs telling you not to install the spring kit, that makes no sense to me. I've had mine in for years, and never had a single issue, as have a lot of my friends. Must be a warranty thing with Kahr.

You can get those spring sets from Tommygunner.com, but he wants waaay to much money for 'em, for my purse....I got mine here:

http://mysite.verizon.net/colt1927/thompson/ez.htm

..and I only paid 50 bucks. Plus, you can drop them in yourself...no adjustments or modifications needed.

If you haven't yet, you may want to order a second mag catch from Kahr, and modify it to use unaltered mags; I have a tutorial around here somewhere, when I did my own. Kahr drills out the catch holes in the mags they ship to an oblong shape, to fit their semi-auto catch, but since there's been no new Thompson mags manufactured since WW2, it makes since to modify your catch so you can use any surplus magazine you buy in future.

And yeah, you're right...nothing equals the looks you get with a Thompson; unless, you have the SBR version!

[Ghostsoldier]

Here's a few pics of the kit:













As you can see, it's a drop-in operation; just slip the green buffer on, drop on the new springs, and button it back up.

Rob