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PhilOhio · 05-28-2009, 11:42 AM

Alanint, guys,

Yes, there are a few minor differences in how one might approach the "to shoot" or "not to shoot" question on Lugers vs. Thompsons.

With a Luger, the numbered extractor and firing pin seem to be the most significant. I guess if I were going to shoot a serious collector grade one (which I would not), I would do so with replacements, as some of you do. Having not fired thousands of rounds through Lugers, I can't estimate the risk, although I have read here that extractor and firing pin breakage is extremely uncommon. Still, uncommon is not the same as zero. I'm impressed with how ruggedly the extractor is designed.

One caveat for all of you. Unless you want to break matching numbered parts, stay far, far away from steel cased 9mm ammo, such as that from Wolf. However you assess the technical explanation, its use leads to a dramatically higher breakage rate with several small parts, such as extractors; and sometimes part of the bolt face. This has been very true with Thompsons, based upon quite a sampling of user experience. The stuff has even broken Sten extractors and bolt parts, which is quite an accomplishment.

Regarding Thompsons, most ex-military Thompsons do not have matching numbered lower grip frames, as these were frequently switched during depot level maintenance or arsenal rebuild. With the early Colts, the upper and lower should match, plus, there is a little known number on the rarely seen rear face of the barrel. So a replacement 1928 barrel will not match an original 1921 Colt Thompson; nor will a "swapped" original 1921 barrel...on the very remote chance you can find one. And it would run well into five figures.

The type of ejector used on early Colt Thompsons cannot be had as a replacement, even though it is not numbered. Expensive repros have been made, but they are not the same. And there are no Colt Thompsons to cannibalize. But since WW-II and later ejectors fit, most Colt users do what Luger shooters do; take out the original and shoot with a common WW-II ejector.

Thompson drums were never serially matched to guns. Early Colt pre-war "L" (50-rd.) drums, made under contract to Colt or Auto Ordnance, were serial numbered on the body and cover, but they were never matched to any 1921 Thompson. The same was true of the "C" (100-rd.) drums.

05-28-2009, 11:42 AM	#3
PhilOhio User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 145 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Alanint, guys, Yes, there are a few minor differences in how one might approach the "to shoot" or "not to shoot" question on Lugers vs. Thompsons. With a Luger, the numbered extractor and firing pin seem to be the most significant. I guess if I were going to shoot a serious collector grade one (which I would not), I would do so with replacements, as some of you do. Having not fired thousands of rounds through Lugers, I can't estimate the risk, although I have read here that extractor and firing pin breakage is extremely uncommon. Still, uncommon is not the same as zero. I'm impressed with how ruggedly the extractor is designed. One caveat for all of you. Unless you want to break matching numbered parts, stay far, far away from steel cased 9mm ammo, such as that from Wolf. However you assess the technical explanation, its use leads to a dramatically higher breakage rate with several small parts, such as extractors; and sometimes part of the bolt face. This has been very true with Thompsons, based upon quite a sampling of user experience. The stuff has even broken Sten extractors and bolt parts, which is quite an accomplishment. Regarding Thompsons, most ex-military Thompsons do not have matching numbered lower grip frames, as these were frequently switched during depot level maintenance or arsenal rebuild. With the early Colts, the upper and lower should match, plus, there is a little known number on the rarely seen rear face of the barrel. So a replacement 1928 barrel will not match an original 1921 Colt Thompson; nor will a "swapped" original 1921 barrel...on the very remote chance you can find one. And it would run well into five figures. The type of ejector used on early Colt Thompsons cannot be had as a replacement, even though it is not numbered. Expensive repros have been made, but they are not the same. And there are no Colt Thompsons to cannibalize. But since WW-II and later ejectors fit, most Colt users do what Luger shooters do; take out the original and shoot with a common WW-II ejector. Thompson drums were never serially matched to guns. Early Colt pre-war "L" (50-rd.) drums, made under contract to Colt or Auto Ordnance, were serial numbered on the body and cover, but they were never matched to any 1921 Thompson. The same was true of the "C" (100-rd.) drums.