Some weekend minor gunsmithing projects

[kilopaparomeo]

A few minor projects I took on this weekend and I thought I'd share...

I bought a 1927 Thompson "Commando" last fall from a guy that was hard up for cash.  I didn't really "want" it (well, I did but never wanted to drop $1000+ on one) but he offered it at a SUBSTANTIAL discount.  Functions fine and is fairly fun, but UGLY.  You can see from the picture below that they paint the stocks black.



I assumed that this was because they used some low grade crappy hardwood.  Wanted to order a new set of 1928 stocks from SARCO but before I did I figured I'd see what was under the paint.  Fortunately, once I stripped it, the stocks are made of some fairly nice straight grained walnut.  I think they refinished just fine!







I got frisky at this point and thought I'd add my Tromix bolt hold open to the older model Saiga 12 that I've slowly converted over the years.  I've never liked that AKs don't have BHOs and the newer Saigas include this feature.  It involved a detail strip and cutting a slot in the bottom of the receiver...but now it works just fine.  You can see the BHO button in between the pistol grip and trigger guard in the 2nd picture.





Finally, I've had a very nice 1898 Krag barreled receiver and all the hardware for years, but no stock.  Real stocks are rare as hen's teeth and I've had a semi-finished Boyds for quite a while.

Got serious this weekend and did the hard work of the significant action fitting and getting the finger grooves cut.  THose are HARD to do well...not completely happy but they are better than nothing.  The barrel inletting tool helps a lot.





The final picture shows the buttstock with some water on it...it is a nice piece of wood and should be pretty when complete.

[twyacht]

A Thompson??? You had to get a Thompson? You officially are now hated!!!!

Goodness Grief, that is one of the most unreliable, ugliest, jamming, malfunctioning, problematic guns ever made, the termite damage to the wood is awful, you should make your money back right away, and sell it to ME!!!!!!!

With Loving hatred,

tw

[Solus]

For Pete's sake, for the Love of Mike, etc.

We are being Tag Teamed by Milo and Billt....

I think I have it figured out.   Milo and Billt are really front men for 5 very rich gun collectors, 2 Firearms Museums and a large Sporting Good chain.


Well, at least we get to see the pictures....very nice..

[billt]

Beautiful refinish job Kilo! What did you use to strip the paint off?  bill T.

[kilopaparomeo]

Thx Bill.  I used BIX Tuff Job remover.  I like that stuff...it is a gel.  Brush it on, wait 15 min and wipe off.  Pretty much takes off everything in sheets.  Use cheesecloth or something rough to help things along as you rub.

[Sponsor]

[billt]

You made a beautiful transformation, and saved a piece of history in the process. Well done! I like people who save guns. I see far too many at gun shows that look like they brought them there by dragging them behind their car attached to a piece of clothes line.  Bill T.

[PegLeg45]

Nice work, KPR.

[MAUSERMAN]

I hate you so much right now. I have always wanted a Tommy but its illegal to own one in SO CAL. I saved for 3 years to buy a AO tommy then i found out it wasnt going to happen. A range report would be nice.

[Walter45Auto]

Those AO Tommys shoot good! My dad had one, but had to sell it during a lay-off. His was the 1927-A1 I believe. The one with the forward pistol grip that could accept a drum.

[dipisc]

I Love my Thompson. It surprised me that it had little recoil unlike a 1911 .45 pistol, I had to modify the GI Mags to properly lock into place in the mag well. They work fine in this newer Thompson. I have 10 of them and are ready to rock and roll. Give a range report if you can. Enjoy the looks on some of the people at the range when you whip that bad boy out!