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Posted: 7/8/2026 8:20:57 AM EDT
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Yesterday I ordered an Auto Ordnance M1 SBR Thompson. What upgrades should I go with? I had one of these 30yrs ago. I remember the trigger pull was awful That old gun ran fine with some modded USGI mags. |
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I'm going to second the Dan Block recommendation. Send it off to him and he can get the correct grip bar, tune it so it runs right and fix the mag catch so you can use USGI mags rather than modded magazines. Might even be able to find some WWII USGI furniture for it as well. He did some great work on mine. The only thing I did not do was the EZ pull springs. |
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I wasn't a huge fan of the way they finished the wood. They just kinda oiled it. I sanded it and did some wipe on poly clear coat. It looks way classier. On mine, the rear sight is herd to the receiver with 4 screws. It was trivial to make a plate for a red dot to swap on in its place if you're into red dots. |
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Originally Posted By HellifIknow: Yesterday I ordered an Auto Ordnance M1 SBR Thompson. What upgrades should I go with? I had one of these 30yrs ago. I remember the trigger pull was awful That old gun ran fine with some modded USGI mags. If you have any time behind a real Thompson, you will be disappointed by these things. Even "all that's out there" doesn't quite get me there. Had one, went to another bought something useable with the $$. Yes. the trigger's awful. The wood sucks. Not exactly reliable. Way too difficult to cycle, manipulate the action. Clumsy to handle, even worse than a real Thompson, if you can imagine that. Not at all a fun shooter. |
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I'm familiar with them. Had a 1927 years ago. It was a heavy beast but mine ran OK. Traded it off long ago. Anyways the new M1 is inbound now so it is what it is. I was just wondering if there were any hacks or improvements now known to do to one of these thing? Scanning the Dan Block page now. Guess I'll see how the thing runs before needing to ship it off. I'll never be able to afford a "real" Thompson so I gotta work with what's available. I'm old and not going to war. Just a range toy. |
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Originally Posted By wildearp: It is a heavy bitch. Are they making an aluminum receiver version? I sold my AR45 to get an older Thompson. It was fun, but tiring to shoot very long. I sold it and immediately built another AR45. They have made an aluminum version in the past. IIRC, the modern AO mags use a slightly different mag catch than the originals, so if you swap mag catches, you can run surplus mags w/ no mods. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: They have made an aluminum version in the past. IIRC, the modern AO mags use a slightly different mag catch than the originals, so if you swap mag catches, you can run surplus mags w/ no mods. You have to actually mod the mag catch even if you put a USGI one in. The receiver and lower are just slightly taller IIRC. Use a good file and take a tiny amount off the catch and test fit till it works. What a Country has a ton of surplus USGI mags in both 20 and 30 round flavors. |
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Mine was a complete POS, and as much as I enjoyed my brief poser interval at the range, I quickly sold it. I finally handled and shot a real Thompson and came to a crushing realization about the “Thompson” I once owned. YMMV, of course. |
Never ask a man if he is from Virginia. If he is, he'll tell you. If he isn't, you don't want to embarrass him.
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Originally Posted By jntmjt1: "EZ pull" springs are a must. Cosmetically, the newer wood pistol grips are shaped wrong, so if that bugs you, plan on a new wood grip (check with Dan Block in Iowa for the best reproductions). Fixing the Kahr Thompson Dan Block Thompson Stocks |
A socialist may indeed be academically superior.
And yet, they are most certainly emotionally retarded.
Public education is the opiate of the masses.
And yet, they are most certainly emotionally retarded.
Public education is the opiate of the masses.
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Shoot it first before you do anything, you may find it runs well out of the box. I just picked up a T1B (1928 style with detachable stock), and it runs fine out of the box. I put a kinetic crossfire FRT kit in it and it's as close to a transferable as I can get. If you do have issues Dan Block can take care of you. He has a list of services along with common Kahr Thompson problems. The biggest issues relate to the chamber which can be too tight, the Kahr magazines which can be problematic, and the extractor which can be loose and cause issues. My gun hasn't had any of those issues (yet?), thus my recommendation to shoot it to see what it might need. |
I bought the 14.5" pinned 1927 with removable stock last year. It had a broken cross pin in the bolt, fresh out of the box. I replaced that and did the mag catch modification. I also removed the disconnector spring (I think that's what it was) and reinstalled it in the correct position (it was upside down). I also replaced the extractor with a USGI extractor. I attempted to install a round charging knob, but the one I bought won't allow the bolt to retract all the way back (there's something out of spec with the channel in the knob). It is a lot of fun to shoot! |
I bought one last year and while the cool factor is off the charts, it is a heavy SOB with terrible ergonomics. I found it was nearly impossible to cock with the factory springs so I put the lighter spring kit in it and it it much easier to charge, though an extended charging handle from AO or Kinetic Crossfire would probably negate the need for lighter springs. I only have a couple hundred rounds through the gun but it has ran flawlessly with my FMJ reloads. Kinetic Crossfire also makes a FRT they call the blow back trigger but watching the install video it appears you have to cut the firing pin spring to length depending on how strong or weak your recoil springs are. 
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Originally Posted By backbencher: An FRT Thompson is possibly the ultimate burglar blood pressure treatment. I didn't know they have an FRT for them. It's only two position. If they come out with a 3 position, I might need a 1927 SBR and drum. |
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I can’t abide by the retarded long length of pull. I purchased a replacement stock. It’s currently off at the gunsmith getting cut down and a better butt plate installed. I modded an old beater GI mag. I think it will work Haven’t had a chance to run the thing yet. |
I don't know nothin'. I just post here.
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Originally Posted By F-M-B: I didn't know they have an FRT for them. It's only two position. If they come out with a 3 position, I might need a 1927 SBR and drum.  Thompson FRT in action It's a subgun, semi auto isn't necessary  This runs with a 50 round drum. I have a 100 round as well I need to test out. All factory except for the FRT and replacement cocking knob. The drums are Taiwanese which have the best reputation for reliability. |
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