oldabewla Posted September 22, 2014 Share #1 Posted September 22, 2014 A long ways away friend of mine thats sets up at flea markets and is into all kinds of selling of hunting and military stuff told me a wile back his brother picked up a M1 Garand and a dummy Thompson M1A1 SMG up at a garage sale. I ask if his brother wanted to part with the Thompson M1A1 dummy SMG because I need one for my WWII WLA Harley and he told me he would ask? Well this is what was brought into the flea in the trunk of the car? A IMA parts kit with all GI parts except the dummy receiver and only $200 can't beat that! Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatic Posted September 22, 2014 Share #2 Posted September 22, 2014 Wow! Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldabewla Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted September 22, 2014 next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austringer Posted September 22, 2014 Share #4 Posted September 22, 2014 Very nice, next time you go to your bank, take it with you to show them.. They'd appreciate your show and tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrayGhost Posted September 22, 2014 Share #5 Posted September 22, 2014 Good deal. Now just find a nice Kerr sling and you will be set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted September 22, 2014 Share #6 Posted September 22, 2014 Wow. Awesome find. Are you going to drive around town with your harley with the thompson on your back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbunnyB/3/75FA Posted September 22, 2014 Share #7 Posted September 22, 2014 as my bud from boston would say "WICKED AWESOME!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Meatcan Posted September 22, 2014 Share #8 Posted September 22, 2014 What a great find! That's going to look spectacular as a display piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldabewla Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted September 22, 2014 Wow. Awesome find. Are you going to drive around town with your harley with the thompson on your back? Nope US DOG, In the WLA scabbard and I hope they don't run me into jail. This isn't my bike but it has a M1 carbine stored in the WLA scabbard which were ment for the Thompson. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWalsh Posted September 23, 2014 Share #10 Posted September 23, 2014 NICE looking score! It just has a great old "been there" look to it. It'll look really nice with your bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jawasinger Posted September 23, 2014 Share #11 Posted September 23, 2014 wow that is an awesome find great deal ive been on the look out for quit a will if you ever want to let her go let me know ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 23, 2014 Share #12 Posted September 23, 2014 Great item Craig Will look good on the WLA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M24 Chaffee Posted September 23, 2014 Share #13 Posted September 23, 2014 Great piece and great price! Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infantry Grunt Posted September 24, 2014 Share #14 Posted September 24, 2014 So I'm confused as to how the IMA receivers work... Do they come in 3 separate parts and have to be welded together? I'd imagine a weld being very ugly, so how does this work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldabewla Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted September 24, 2014 So I'm confused as to how the IMA receivers work... Do they come in 3 separate parts and have to be welded together? I'd imagine a weld being very ugly, so how does this work? The receiver on this one I purchased is a machined soild aluminum and can not be cocked or made into a shooting gun as this is the way to own one and get by the machine gun ownership laws. The ones on the IMA web site are the three pieces demilled US GI and will need to be weld back together in a fixture to get it to the correct size again. I've seen them weld back together and look great and even work again but you will also need the bolt as well. You'll will also need to check with your state laws as if you need a class III machine gun licence or permit to legally own it when done? or not! depending all on your state laws! Even if I would make this thompson into a simi automatic gun with a new non SMG receiver the barrel is the other problem on these because it's too short and will not pass the ATF rules as it's still considered a machine gun and a long barrel would have to be used to replace the short one and that's why all the new made simi autos all have the longer 24" barrels to pass the ATF rules. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 24, 2014 Share #16 Posted September 24, 2014 Craig You may be able to register one as a SBR...Short Barreled Rifle.(as long as its semi auto) I spoke to a dealer at a show with a semi auto auto ordnance and I was curious if a real thompson barrel would fit.He said that if a shorter barrel was used you have to register it as a SBR.A lot of red tape it sounds like to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted September 24, 2014 Share #17 Posted September 24, 2014 Congrat's! That is a really nice looking display Thompson!! Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RampantColt Posted October 2, 2014 Share #18 Posted October 2, 2014 Great score! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NU88 Posted October 7, 2014 Share #19 Posted October 7, 2014 Even if I would make this thompson into a simi automatic gun with a new non SMG receiver the barrel is the other problem on these because it's too short and will not pass the ATF rules as it's still considered a machine gun and a long barrel would have to be used to replace the short one and that's why all the new made simi autos all have the longer 24" barrels to pass the ATF rules. Craig Nice find Craig! But I'd note NFA rules require a minium of a 16" barrel to avoid the NFA and and a total firearm length of 26" or greater for the firearm (if the stock folds or collapses the length is measured with the stock fully extended). You can build a semi-automatic with a barrel shorter than 16"; you'll just need to submit for a tax stamp for a Short Barrel Rifle (SBR) to the BATF ($200). Providing, of course, your state doesn't have stricter requirements (some do). Contact your local NFA dealer for details on the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C500 Posted November 9, 2014 Share #20 Posted November 9, 2014 Awesome find!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarheeltim Posted November 10, 2014 Share #21 Posted November 10, 2014 Nice piece at a great price! Don't you love when that happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blockislander Posted November 12, 2014 Share #22 Posted November 12, 2014 I just saw one at a LGS for $700. I almost bought and when I went back it was gone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdonzi Posted November 12, 2014 Share #23 Posted November 12, 2014 looks sweet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted November 12, 2014 Share #24 Posted November 12, 2014 A very nice display piece.. Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWalsh Posted November 15, 2014 Share #25 Posted November 15, 2014 Craig, you need to sell your triples and quadruples of field gear and use the $$$ to just go big and buy yourself a real M1A1 Thompson! Yes, you can own them in the Gopher State, no, it's not a big deal to buy one or own one, it's actually very surprisingly easy to do. There was a decent one at the LaCrosse show last spring, I think it was $15k, it could have been transferred to you in Minnesota. Short barrel rifles are the same as the full auto stuff. Really easy, really simple, and totally legal in Minnesota. I think there was one on Gunbroker recently for about $1300, although it was a newer made one of course, and semi auto as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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