Volunteer arms Thompson?

OsOk-308 · October 31, 2012, 03:21 PM

So I posted a mossberg 500 for trade or sale a while ago and a guy offered me his volunteer arms thompson replica for the shotgun, two questions, 1. Does anyone have any experience with these who can tell me if they are good or if they are junk? 2. Should I make this trade? Thank you guys.

Dfariswheel · October 31, 2012, 07:27 PM

These have nothing in common with a Thompson gun except a very vague resemblance if you squint your eyes.

These were made by two companies, Volunteer Enterprises made the gun from 1969 to 1976.
Some people like them, many people had problems. The only way to tell the difference is to shoot the gun a few hundred rounds.
These use M3 Grease gun magazines.

Value depends on condition. Guns with the vertical pistol grip forward grip are worth 10% more.
The Blue Book lists values as:
80%--$525
90%--$565
95%--$625
98%--$675.

PoiDog · November 10, 2012, 09:30 PM

I used to own one, back in the 80's. It worked just fine, maybe I was a lucky one.

A friend begged me to sell it to him, and I finally weakened. He loved that thing, and shot it all the time.

No issues that I am aware of with that particular gun.

I haven't seen one of them in a long time.

DPris · November 10, 2012, 10:23 PM

As long as you understand what you're getting.
Zero commonality with parts between it & any real Thompson, full or semi.
Totally different actions. Not a Thompson replica, just an external lookalike.

Parts may be a problem if needed.
Denis

johnwilliamson062 · November 13, 2012, 10:06 PM

I think it looks decently alike.

Id probably trade my Mossberg 500 for it without looking back. I would check what they go for online, but not much that works goes for less than a used Moss 500.

On the plus side I think grease gun mags are WAY cheaper than Thompson mags.

October 31, 2012, 03:21 PM	#1
OsOk-308 Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 283	Volunteer arms Thompson? So I posted a mossberg 500 for trade or sale a while ago and a guy offered me his volunteer arms thompson replica for the shotgun, two questions, 1. Does anyone have any experience with these who can tell me if they are good or if they are junk? 2. Should I make this trade? Thank you guys.

October 31, 2012, 07:27 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	These have nothing in common with a Thompson gun except a very vague resemblance if you squint your eyes. These were made by two companies, Volunteer Enterprises made the gun from 1969 to 1976. Some people like them, many people had problems. The only way to tell the difference is to shoot the gun a few hundred rounds. These use M3 Grease gun magazines. Value depends on condition. Guns with the vertical pistol grip forward grip are worth 10% more. The Blue Book lists values as: 80%--$525 90%--$565 95%--$625 98%--$675.

November 10, 2012, 09:30 PM	#3
PoiDog Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 1999 Location: IL Posts: 309	I used to own one, back in the 80's. It worked just fine, maybe I was a lucky one. A friend begged me to sell it to him, and I finally weakened. He loved that thing, and shot it all the time. No issues that I am aware of with that particular gun. I haven't seen one of them in a long time.

November 10, 2012, 10:23 PM	#4
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	As long as you understand what you're getting. Zero commonality with parts between it & any real Thompson, full or semi. Totally different actions. Not a Thompson replica, just an external lookalike. Parts may be a problem if needed. Denis

November 13, 2012, 10:06 PM	#5
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	I think it looks decently alike. Id probably trade my Mossberg 500 for it without looking back. I would check what they go for online, but not much that works goes for less than a used Moss 500. On the plus side I think grease gun mags are WAY cheaper than Thompson mags.