Rabbit57 Posted August 22, 2021 Report Share Posted August 22, 2021 (edited) Hello forum, new member here. My father has passed, and I am the trustee for his estate. For the first time I am considering buying a machine gun. I am interested in a Thompson M1A1 gun, an original military piece. What I would like to know is what is the going rate for such a gun, and are there any pitfalls I should be aware of? I have been picking up books on the subject, I have The Gun That Made The Twenties Roar, Thompson: the American Legend, and American Thunder, third edition. I am really enjoying reading about this gun, and I am just waiting for the trust to settle, and I will be ready to go. Any advice would sure be appreciated. Thanks for your time, Mark Edited August 27, 2021 by Rabbit57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylorwso Posted August 22, 2021 Report Share Posted August 22, 2021 Find a good local SOT that will help you. If you want one, just put a WTB add on this board and youll get replys. Im sure someone else will be along to talk about all the differences in the TSMG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit57 Posted August 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2021 Mr. Taylorwso, I apologize for the newbie question, but what is a SOT, I am unfamiliar with this. I have been reluctant to post in the WTB section, I am still waiting on my father's trust to settle. Its the first and only trust I have ever dealt with, and it might take some time. But as soon as it is settled, I will start looking for real. Right now, I am learning. I have been watching Gunbroker, and I have looked on the FOR SALE section on this forum, and a dealer or two. Right now it looks like between $20-$30 grand, and that is a bit of money for me. I am willing to pay, but before I do, I would like to learn as much as I can. Thanks for responding, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riflejunky Posted August 22, 2021 Report Share Posted August 22, 2021 SOT refers to the "special occupational tax" one must pay for the privilege of becoming a dealer in NFA or "national firearms act" firearms. Firearms like the Thompson you are interested in purchasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Labanaktis Posted August 22, 2021 Report Share Posted August 22, 2021 (edited) Sometimes Estates can take longer then expected. In the meantime I would look for some local sub machine gun shoots and go to them. I believe there are a few big ones in Arizona.... chat some people up, see the different guns out there. Learn as much as you can and find out what you actually like. Maybe you want a shooter, maybe you want one to shoot 3-5 times a year, maybe you want a WW2... maybe a original Colt? You won’t know until you put some time in and learn what is right FOR YOU. I wanted a 1919a4 to shoot. I only take it out 2 or 3 times a year. I wanted a “real” one and ended up with a C&R 1919a4 Saginaw gun and couldn’t be happier... some people just want a Side plate gun to shoot.... There is a particular Thompson book out these that people swear by... I can’t remember what’s it’s called... Best of luck, Matt Edited August 22, 2021 by Labanaktis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc230 Posted August 22, 2021 Report Share Posted August 22, 2021 PM Sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCM Limited Posted August 23, 2021 Report Share Posted August 23, 2021 If I were you I'd contact Tom Davis. He wrote the best book on Thompson's I have ever read. I think Tom lives in KY. He is a pleasure to talk to and very knowledgeable. Super guy. FWIW Roger 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftiv Posted August 23, 2021 Report Share Posted August 23, 2021 The first thing you need to do is figure out what you want to do with the gun. Do you want a shooter that gets out once a month and shot? A WWII gun with historical significance shot maybe once a year? A collector piece shot once and put away and never shot again? This all effects price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit57 Posted August 24, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2021 RCM Limited, I would like to contact Mr Davis. Could you please share contact information with me, via private message? Thanks gftiv, I would like a decent example of a Thompson M1A1, not a factory new gun, but a good example. I plan to shoot this gun, on a regular basis. I am not looking for a safe queen, just a good example. I understand that these guns can be a mixture of parts, I have a few WWII guns, and most are like this. As long as it's normal, I am ok with it. If the gun has police department markings, that is part of the history of the gun, and that is fine. As a collector, I enjoy picking up the accessories that go with any military gun I own, sling, cleaning kit, spare magazines, military cases. The M1A1 is perfect for this kind of collecting. I have been reading about the Thompson, and it has been interesting. The M1A1 may be the last of the real milled steel and wooden guns make for the military, before the sheet metal and plastic weapons of today. They have an elegance to them, and they were built with a kind of respect for what they were intended. I would like to own one, both to shoot and to admire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bwana Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 Have you shot any full auto guns? You mention that you want to shoot it often. Not knocking Thompson owners but many shooters have expressed that it is not necessarily their favorite shooter. Now if you just love the history and looks, etc above pure shooting satisfaction then you should pursue exactly what scratches your itch. Depending on where you are located you may find Thompson owners near you who may be willing to share their similar love for the gun, let you shoot one and share tips on finding your own. Folks who find someone with similar interests are often very receptive to helping out newcomers. Sorry about your loss and good luck! Try posting some information with location and see if you have any luck. You may also check out the Thompson boards online for more input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit57 Posted August 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2021 Hello Bwana, I have fired a couple of machine-guns, but that was many years ago. I never thought about finding someone close who might share my interest in the Thompson. I live in Tucson AZ, and if anyone has a real Thompson, and would be willing to help a brother out, please send me a private message and I will respond! I have read mixed reviews on shooting the Thompson, and I think I understand. But I can't deny that I have watched more than a few war movies and read more than a few books on WWII, and so when I was given this opportunity, I chose the Thompson. Maybe I would change my mind, but maybe not. I would be very happy to find out! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdmardiv Posted September 6, 2021 Report Share Posted September 6, 2021 I suggest you take a look at a Thompson 1928. The M1A1 is a fine gun, but the 1928 will accept drums as well as stick mags. I have both and shoot the 28 much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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