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Posted: 9/18/2002 11:48:18 AM EDT
[#1]
You'd have to modify the lower. The Thompson mags (from what I understand) are too wide to fit into the magwell of an AR15 lower. Modifying the mags to fit (decreasing their width) would be illegal, since they wouldn't be able to be used in their originally intended firearm. I don't know how much of the magwell you'd have to mill out, though.
Olympic arms gets away with modifying their (Sten mags at least) mags because technically, they just weld a piece of square tube steel to the mag. Apparently, the ATF has never advised them that their mags are illegal. If they need to prove they can be used in the Sten gun again, they just knock off the tube, and grind the welds down. The actual mag is never modified, just added onto. -Gloftoe |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 4:42:18 AM EDT
[#2]
Now that Kurt has his new CNC machines up, he has stated an interest in making a billet lower to take Thompson mags. No timeline is set as of yet.
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Posted: 9/19/2002 7:32:30 AM EDT
[#3]
Would it be more cost effective for kurt to build up a .45 conversion upper on a ar-10 or DPMS .308 lower (when they come out) vs. making his own lower? Seems like the .308 uppers open up a whole lot of options to accept larger caliber, double stack mags.
Rocko |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 9:56:26 AM EDT
[#4]
Kurt will most likely do it the way HE wants to do it[8D]. I haven't spoken with him at length on this subject, but can tell he's hot to get his backlog out the door before he gets started on this one. He's got some interesting ideas, and I, for one, can't wait to see what comes off that mill table a few months hence.
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Posted: 9/19/2002 10:01:30 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted: Now that Kurt has his new CNC machines up, he has stated an interest in making a billet lower to take Thompson mags. No timeline is set as of yet. |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 10:14:05 AM EDT
[#6]
I have always wondered why no manufacturer makes a modernized Thompson. Wouldn't it be cool to have a modern carbine that takes cheap, available high cap. mags?
Is there some legal reason that the manufacturers don't design a new rifle around older mags, like thompson or sten mags? |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 10:22:56 AM EDT
[#7]
Quoted: I have always wondered why no manufacturer makes a modernized Thompson. Wouldn't it be cool to have a modern carbine that takes cheap, available high cap. mags? Is there some legal reason that the manufacturers don't design a new rifle around older mags, like thompson or sten mags? there are new semi auto thompson's and stens that take the old mags. |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 10:43:52 AM EDT
[#8]
I have an Olyarms .45acp upper and I own two, count 'em, one, two, magazines for it. I've never seen any more 16-round .45acp mags for sale, ever, at any price. I live 30 mins away from CMMG, they have a socom block and a set of .45acp Uzi mags that work with it, the set is worth about as much as my whole upper, well over $450 just for a few magazines.
I have thought about buying unmodified Uzi mags and busting out the welder and doing it myself. The Oly mod is just a piece of heavy gauge sheet metal welded to the back of the existing magazine, with a hole drilled in the side to take the mag release. I could take dimensions/measurements off my existing mags, which run fine, and transfer to my little weld job. How hard could it be? |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 10:49:36 AM EDT
[#9]
Yeah, it looks like there is no easy answer. I'd love a .300 Whisper upper, but too damn expensive. And the .458 SOCOM looked cool, especially since I could use unmodified AR mags, but the ammo is so damn expensive. So I thought, "Hey, a .45 upper should work!" - and now I'm finding that the damn 16 round UZI mags are nigh impossible to find. ARGH!
Plus, even if I did find the UZI mags, it'll cost an additional $35 to get them modified for use in the AR. Sigh. |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 11:03:55 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted: there are new semi auto thompson's and stens that take the old mags. Yes, but the Thompson is a 75 year old design and HEAVY! And the new thompsons are expensive. And while heavy and old isnt always bad (i just bought a 1911), Id like to see something modern that uses these great mags. You know, aluminum and synthetic parts, other modern touchs, like our AR-15's. |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 2:02:39 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted: I have always wondered why no manufacturer makes a modernized Thompson. Wouldn't it be cool to have a modern carbine that takes cheap, available high cap. mags? Is there some legal reason that the manufacturers don't design a new rifle around older mags, like thompson or sten mags? What I've always wondered is why the M3 "greasegun" & the M50 Reising took diffent mags than the Thompson. 3 different .45acp subguns with 3 different mags. The Sten, AuSten & Lanchester (& possibly the Owen) more or less used the same mags & both were knock-offs of the German MP28 mag. The Soviet PPS43 used the same 35rnd stick mag as the PpSh41 even if the 71rnd drum wouldn't fit. |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 2:22:07 PM EDT
[#12]
I think this guy has to many mags,maybe he'll part with some [:D]
[url]http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976266351.htm[/url] [img]http://www.gunsamerica.com/upload/976266351-1.jpg[/img] |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 4:08:04 PM EDT
[#13]
wouldnt a Grease gun magazines be cheaper?
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Posted: 9/19/2002 4:19:57 PM EDT
[#14]
I got some of these huge 1911 mags (30 rounds? never fully loaded them)
should I make an upper to use them? (no I do not have anything of value to add, I am just a post whore I guess [:D]) |
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Posted: 9/19/2002 4:33:58 PM EDT
[#15]
It might be an expensive thing to build complete lowers but I personally wouldnt mind sacrificing a $100 stripped lower to have it permanently milled out to accept a thompson or grease gun mag. Heck, if I could buy a regular priced .45 upper and spend a $100 or so in milling work to get cheap readily available mags I'd have one right now. I'd also be happy with a conversion allowing standard capacity M1911 mags, got lotsa them :)
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Posted: 9/19/2002 5:09:29 PM EDT
[#16]
I started I thread asking Calvary Arms to think about making a daul 5.56 mm and 45 cal lower. I got a lot of response but it appears that it has taken the backburner to the HK USC project.
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Posted: 9/19/2002 5:42:10 PM EDT
[#17]
Yeah, I'd just like a way to use inexpensive mags for the .45 upper. It appears that the going price for 16 round .45 mags is $50-$60, and then you have to pay $35 per mag to Oly to have them make the mods for you so it will fit the mag well.
Personally, I'd rather get someone to take a .45 upper, then get a lower done up so it could accept Grease gun or Thompson mags (very cheap, and 30 rounds!), and go from there. BTW - what is this "USC Project"? |
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Posted: 9/21/2002 9:08:43 AM EDT
[#18]
Just curious, has anyone here who has a grease gun or thompson mag checked to see how much material would have to be removed from the lower to make it fit? hopefully it's not excessive. If it could still use .223 mags then all the better but I'd dedicate it to .45 if I have to.
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