Never one to not have some small project going, I decided to add a few parts to my Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1SB - for those who might not have seen the original thread, it is a new-manufacture semi-automatic version of the M1A1 still being manufactured by Auto-Ordnance. The new version does not have a slot in the butt stock for an oiler, as the original did, so that started my project.

Well, first, I needed a sling so instead of a repro, I found an original Kerr. It needed some cleaning up due to some cosmoline that was on it.

I was able to find an original, still in wrapper, new-old stock butt stock. It’s in great shape - I now just need to match the stain to the other wood.

I found a great condition butt plate and screws from Chelmsford Militaria through their eBay listing. This was the first time I’d bought from them but they have a great reputation on the Thompson Machinegun Forum and my experience bore out that reputation. The parts arrived in a week and the condition is excellent. I’ve since gone back and ordered a sling swivel and screws from them as well.

Finally, I took the rifle back out on my range here at our property to put some rounds through it. During my first firing, I had a number of 2 and 3 round bursts - something that isn’t supposed to happen with a semi-automatic, even one that is registered through the ATF here as a Short Barreled Rifle. I figured I had a problem with the sear. I’m only about an hour from the new Kahr Arms production and sales facility where production for Auto-Ordnance, Kahr and Desert Eagle will be consolidated in the coming months. They have a huge retail operation there as well, which is where I purchased my Thompson. After coordinating with their armorer, I took the rifle back last Friday and he spent about 2 hours replacing the sear, going over it and tweaking it here and there. He ran 60 rounds through it to confirm all was well.

My experience with it on the range confirmed it functions flawlessly and is a blast to shoot. I put another 150 rounds through it and concentrated on shooting as quickly as I could. Even as a semi, the rate of fire is impressive. It can cycle much faster than I can point-aim it….but you can put a lot of lead downrange quickly. In the picture, you can see 3 shell casings in the air and the bolt is closing on the 4th round in the string.

Click to enlarge the picture