Tommy Gun Surplus Magazines

l-girl

The current producer of the various models of "Tommy guns," Auto Ordinance, offers 30-round magazines for sale. They are described as "surplus magazines which have been modified for Auto Ordinance." Does anyone know what needs to be done to modify a surplus 30 round Tommy gun mag to make it work in a modern day Auto Ordinance Tommy gun?Thanks.

HAIRY

I believe it requires a hole to be cut into the rear of the magazine. Some that I have appear to have been "home made", but they work anyway.

oneshy

The original mags had a 11/8" space between the top of the mag to the top of the mag catch. The new guns require a space of 1". A small grinder or Dremel tool is necessary to lenghten the hole for the mag catch.

Pistolslinger

The previous members responses are correct. I suggest you purchase a 30 round mag for the present day semi-auto from AO(approximately $55 ea). You can then purchase the mil-spec mags (approximately $35 ea) and modify them yourself with a drill and file as described above using the semi-auto AO mag as a guide.

cliffdropover1

Original Tommy Gun mags have a round hole in the top rear of the mag for the mag catch to lock into. This hole must be made oval from top to bottom to work in a semi-auto. The semi-auto mag will not work in the full auto, but I have been told that the full auto mag will work in either.

v35

Thompson submachinegun stick magazines have delicate feed lips that have to be straightor will cause a malfunction.Because they are thin, relatively soft sheet metal and are of double feed design with large cutout in front, the feed lips are prone to bending when dropped or mishandled and will fail to feed.They can be easily reshaped with a needlenosed plier if you have a good mag to copy.

lrarmsx

The process of opening the hole is best done with a mill or drill press. Yes it can be done with a file or Dremel, but a mill makes it a lot easier. I recommend doing it a little at a time. If you go and open the hole too far, the mag will no longer feed correctly because it sits too low in the channel of the receiver. I have quite a few of the original 30rd mags available for a lot less than previously mentioned. I do have the ability to fit them for the semi-auto version as well. The cost to do so would be dependent on the total number of mags done at one time. You just have to be sure not to take the hole too far or the magazine you just bought becomes a paper weight. It is best to have the exact gun available to check the fit before final work, but that isn't practical in this case. If there are any other questions I can answer, you can E-mail me at LRARMSX@HOME.COM

l-girl

Gentlemen,As always, thanks for your excellent and thoughtful responses.

Calif-Saeco

I have half a wooden case of cosmoline-paper wrapped .45 stick magazines from WW2 with rubber caps. What should I look for when I open one up Tommygun or grease gun??They are at my northern ranch that is snowed in til spring.Paul Jones Fitz Grips Co. retired 1979