Thompson M1A1 Mod!

[lifehost]

Hey everyone, I just joined up and this looks like the perfect place to talk about WWII airsoft... I'm glad I found it! Looks like a good bunch of guys (and girls? Maybe? No?)

Anyhoo, I've been slowly putting together a WWII airsoft uniform... I've had the Thompson for a good 2 years, and recently modded it so it would do this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x2UaqiInqk

The process is described on youtube, as well here is a link to the tutorial:

www.airsoftforum.com/board/index.php?showtopic=59192

Anyways, needless to say that was fun. Let me know what you think! I think it greatly enhances the look and feel.

Discuss... (Erm... I just saw that there is a technical forum. Perhaps a mod can move this there for me? Sorry!)

[Guinness]

Great information lifehost!

Any chance we could get those pictures along with the writeup? Im sure many of our members would like that.

As well, it looks like its been a few weeks since you performed the modification, how is it holding up for you?




Slainte!


-G

[CharleyNovember]

psst.... John...over here....http://www.airsoftforum.com/board/index.php?showtopic=59192

[Guinness]

yeah......

It be nice of him to add the pics to his post so folks could see them right away

....and Im not John

[2nd Bat]

So simple! Very cool innovation. Like you I wonder about durability but unless it gets dirt down in there that might pinch or impeded the movement I imagine it should be only somewhat more at risk of failure. Obviously a renewed effort to keep things clean would be called for but again that just adds to the realism. Very cool indeed. I shall have to look and see if it's practical for my M1928 with the bolt on top?

[Cpl. Hicks]

Wow, I will have to try to do that!

[TommyGunner]

Thats awsome I would love to do that to my M1928A1, How would it work for an M1928A1 though? and could it even be done to an M1928A1?

TommyGunner

[biged]

That truely is an outstanding mod... Awesome work !!!

Anyone attempting this I would suggest purchasing 2 extra pistons, and have their gearset upgraded. Although there is not alot of extra force added into the equation. There is still an increase of added work placed on the piston. More to the point - any failure will result in the piston teeth stripping/blowing.

The only caution I will add: DO NOT hold, stop, impead, or touch the bolt handle while the gun is being fired.
The piston will most likely fail.

///ed///

[lifehost]

I should note one thing...

The most stressed part without a doubt is the Bolt Handle.

The repeated slamming of it against the metal upper reciever cause it to actually sheer right off of the metal tab inside. I didn't anticipate this and I have had to search for a proper size screw to fix it (I stripped the old one taking it in and out so many times.)

If you want to prevent this from happening cut out a square piece of tin or some other strong metal, as thin as you can get it but not brittle. You have about a millimeter of clearence between it and the gearbox, so thinness is important. Drill a hole in the spot where the screw into the Bolt Handle normally goes, and place the tab of thin metal onto the backside... and screw in like you normally wood.

It would also be an excellent idea to use some locktight or epoxy and make it so that screw never comes loose, because it has a tendency to do so with repeated slamming.

If you do it right however (and it literally takes like 5 minutes if that) your modification will be as solid as a rock. The thing tab of metal distributes torque more evenly so it isn't nearly as possible for the indent on the regular tab to shear off (the original tab is horrible metal).

If anyone needs pics of this (mine is in rought shape, needs a repaint) to see what I mean let me know, I'll be happy to take some. I would do it now but I still have to go to the hardware store and get the proper screw size.

I know it's kind of a pain in the ass but it's the only way to have a 100% sturdy mod. Trial and error on my part, with the hopeful outcome that when other people do it it will be rock solid.

Thanks for looking!

PS. I'm not sure if this would work for the 1928 model... I'd have to have one in my hands.

[schmitty]

Very nice job lifehost. And a very clever idea to cut a slot in the side of the gearbox. I did a similar mod a while back to my original MP-40
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5WbrJDfP6s


I had the same problem as you at first. After 50 shots or so the bolt handle flew across the room. I strengthened the joint and it has been working reliably for more than a year now. I had considered trying it on a Thompson but hadn't considered the slot idea, that solves a lot of problems.

Thanks for posting.

Schmitty

[lifehost]

Thanks Schmitty! And good job on that MP40... I thought I was the only one!! How did you pull that off exactly?

This totally adds a new dimension to the gun, it really does... since the bolt has been broken I've found myself not wanting to play with it that much until it is fixed. It has spoiled me... hehehe. I love watching people's jaws drop when they see it.

Also the cut in the gearbox was a very thought out decision... the slighest f*** up and your gearbox is toast. I don't think I have to tell you to be extremely careful if you do perform this mod... the benefits greatly outweigh the risks however.

I've also been thinking of improving this mod even more, I might need a new piston for it... it involves attaching the bolt directly to the piston, so that it can be cocked back into the firing position when it is forward, and would fly back forward synchronous with the piston. Basically like a real gun. It shouldn't put anymore stress on the gun than there already is... and would look even cooler. The spring inside that is attached to the bolt would no longer be neccesary, taking even more stress off of the bolt handle flying back forwards. Also perhaps a tab on the inside so it can be cocked all the way... there has to be a way to make the bolt go fully forward and back, even if when only cocking, on full auto would be a dream. Can't think of anything yet though, I'll do some math problems or something and see if anything pops to mind.

I'm working on it... any suggestions I'm all ears!

PS. Wouldn't it be fun to offer services to mod people's guns like this for them if they are afraid of messing up their gearbox? Would increase the realism 10 fold... and since the majority of people i'm guessing have tommies and mp40's, it's a no brainer!

Thanks for lookin'!

-Lifehost

[rbx6jm7man]

lifehost, i'm willing to pay up. i'd really like the mod, but i have no experience cutting at the gearbox.

[KippySmi7h]

Woah, that's awesome. I'd give it to ya to mod.

[lifehost]

Let's wait a bit until I get my new workshop set up (moved, gotta get a new dremel, etc.) and let me refine the process a bit before I take on demands. I live in Hollywood BTW (close to the kodak theatre) just for future reference.

But I'd be down for it, but like I said, try the tutorial first, that's why I wrote it, so anyone can do it themselves. And once more, I will try and refine the process for more durability, especially with the bolt.