UPDATES: UPDATE: 1/2/2009: Added Phase 12 and 13: Thompson V2.0 --5/9/2006: Phase 1: Purchase Mags --5/11/2006: Mags recieved --5/12/2006: Phase 2: Cut Mag --5/13/2006: Phase 2 Update: Mag Cut, Test attach to gun *PICS ADDED* --5/14/2006: Phase 2 Completed. Phase 3 Completed. Phase 4 Completed. --5/14/2006: *UPDATE* Phase 5, purchase the Airsoft Thompson. --5/15/2006: *UPDATE* Airsplat was out of stock on the Thompson, so is everywhere else...another means will have to be considered. --6/1/2006: Secondary means has been found! I ordered real Thompson parts as well as a conversion kit for the 98C! Stay tuned!... --6/7/2006: Real gun parts are 2 days late... Im getting aggravated. --6/8/06: Thompson parts arrived! --6/9/06: Phase 5 and 6 Completed! --6/12/06: Cushman stuff arrived. It was horrible. Have to look for another means to make the stock attachment --6/23/06: Phase 7 8 and 9 complete! Phase 10 started. --6/24/06: Phase 10 complete. --6/25/06: Phase 11 started and completed. Thompson project done!

Click here for a more detailed Walkthrough...

Phase 1:

I purchased 2 Thompson 30 round mags from TAPCO.com. This will start out the project, as it was the easiest and cheapest to attain. Ill post pics when I get them in.

Update on Phase 1:

I got the clips in today, heres a few pics- Just a peice of info. If anyone is looking for real mags to adapt to their gun, TAPCO.com and cheaperthandirt.com both have them for really cheap. I got these mags from TAPCO , 9 bucks each (they're used clips, new for $14.99)

Concept 1- Before I cut off the front grip.	Concept 2- Ignore the front grip.

Phase 1 Complete!

Phase 2: Cut Mag

So I decided to start cutting on the mag today, it turned out well. Heres some pics! I did all the work in about 2 hours with a dremel tool.(metal cutting bit and metal sanding bit).

Phase 2 Complete!

Phase 3 Cut front grip off Gun:

So I got brave enough to hack the front end off the gun. Heres how it turned out...

Phase 3 Complete!

Phase 4: Attach the Mag to the gun.

I attached the Mag to the gun. Turned out great!

Phase 4 Complete!

Phase 5: Cut Rear sight off

The need arose to hack the rear sight off, easy stuff.

Phase 5 Complete!

Phase 6: Gun Reassembly and Painting- J&J 12 ' Ceramic Barrel added

So I put everything back in the gun, getting it preped for the Thompson parts to come. Added the Respose Trigger for more of a Machine Gun effect(tested it and it works awsome). Painted the gun using Krylon Ultra Flat black spray paint with a second coat of Krylon clear gloss. It turned out really well. At the current moment it looks like a MP40-ish or a American Grease Gun, all it needs is the stock heh.

Phase 6 Complete!

Phase 7-8: Add Thompson Parts(foregrip/front sight)to gun, attach bolt.

FINALLY!!! The parts arrived on 6-8-06. About time. Already cracked the foregrip though, its cool. Anyway, I got the front sight and the foregrip attached to the gun. The bolt is semi attached, need to get small o-rings and fix it. Stock and rear sight will be attached one the cushman kit comes it.To attach the front sight, all I did was cut it across the bottom and strecthed it to fit the barrel. Im going to put a small set screw in it later just to secure it. Now, the hose clamp is hopefully a temporary hold for the front of the foregrip. If not it'll be placed in the front and painted black.The back part attached to the gun itself isnt going anywhere, its on their good just by pure force. Isnt she beautiful folks :)

Phase 7/8 Complete

Phase 9: Create Back End Peice

So the Cushman stuff sucked and I had to look for another means. This is where the creative juices had to flow. Theres only one prob with that. I dont have creativity.So I again consulted my brother in law. We found some sheet metal from an old shelf and began to mess around with it. Well, the first end peice we made was too small and took 6 hours of work. The second however was perfect.

Phase 9 Complete

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Phase 10: Attach stock and rear sight to end peice, then to gun

Well after a bit of grinding to the stock, I got it attached to the end peice. Rear sight was easy. Here she is folks, about 95% complete.

Phase 10 Complete!

Phase 11(FINAL ((For now)): Touch Ups, paint the grips.

Well here we are, at the end of this. I was asked if I would ever do it again, I answered In an instant. I had so much fun with this project. This last step puts the complete percentage to about 98%. Theres a few small things that need fine tuned, the wood needs stained a darker color and 1 hole needs drilled, as well as getting a small plaque made for the side of the back peice with info on the gun, but that'll come later, She'll be on the field this weekend!

Phase 12: Thompson v2.0: (Shorter Barrel, Walnut Grips, Air-Thru mag)

Well I thought I wsa done with my Thompson...I was wrong. I decided that the barrel was way too long...well 2 inches too long. An actually WWII Thompson M1's barrel is 10.5 inches. The closest I could get to that is 10..so I snagged a 10 inch J&J Ceramic barrel. Same as the 12..just shorter. I took the RT and Cyclone combo off. Just wasnt diggin it. I got some air fittings and macro and made the mag air-thur..and bought some used 98C receivers to put the bolt on the right side of the gun. Check it out:

I had an extra Thompson Mag that I was gonna use to run it Air-Thru...To make a long story short I messed that mag up. So I had to order a new one from http://sportsmansguide.comThe below pics are with the old mag with the air on gun.

Phase 12 Complete!

Phase 13: Thompson v2.1 (Bolt on Opposite side, new magazine)

So there she is in her new glory. Hoever it bothered me that the cocking handel was on the wrong side. So I ordered a few used 98C receivers to play around with. I wanted the cocking handle on the other side (like a real Thompson) First try and I got it! Heres pics of Beta v2.1 without the paint job and without the slot on the left side receiver sealed.