Any MP5 Gunsmiths in the Phoenix area?
Posted: April 24th, 2023, 11:12 am
No, not RDTS. Quality builds for sure, but they are WAY backlogged with work.
Had this one for a while and with my renewed interest in MP5's, it's time to pull it back out and address the issue. I had intended this to be an 'heirloom' build that my kids would inherit, so I haven't done much on it other than the actual main build. It is a complete MP5 clone pistol build though and works fine. However, I'd like to clean up the magwell on it so it's a bit smoother. It's mostly well-built on an LSC flat and I just did a poor job on the magwell. It's got two issues:
1 - mags are all a really tight fit (KCI, MKE and HK)
2 - the paddle mag release isn't spaced properly and thus "sticks" in the open position
On point 1 - it seems that the tight fit is a result of one corner of the magwell rubbing. I suppose the quick fix is that I could file that down bit by bit until mags go in easier. If there is another way, I'm open to it.
On point 2 - it seems that I either missed a spacer or a collar or something, because the paddle release is not centered properly, as if there is a shim missing on the left side so that it sits slightly too close to the left of the magwell. When the paddle is actuated to remove a mag (or even when a mag isn't in it), the lever cams across the angled portion of the contact piece properly, but over-travels so that it just barely moves off the edge of the angled portion of the contact piece. The result is that it gets 'stuck' in that position and holds the paddle mag in the "open" position. All it takes is a slight pull of the paddle to release it, but it requires that every time it's used. If I use a small screwdriver to force the paddle to the center of the axis pin so there are equal gaps on both sides, it works as intended because the lever can't overshoot the angled portion of the contact piece. Hope that makes sense as to what's happening. I am 95% sure that the axis pin angle is correct. I know the proper fix is probably just to drill out the axis pin and re-do the paddle installation properly. But at this point in my life, I'd rather pay someone to do that, than do it myself, especially since it'll need a minor refinish on that part of the rifle.
So, any MP5 gunsmiths in the Phoenix area that could assist?
Had this one for a while and with my renewed interest in MP5's, it's time to pull it back out and address the issue. I had intended this to be an 'heirloom' build that my kids would inherit, so I haven't done much on it other than the actual main build. It is a complete MP5 clone pistol build though and works fine. However, I'd like to clean up the magwell on it so it's a bit smoother. It's mostly well-built on an LSC flat and I just did a poor job on the magwell. It's got two issues:
1 - mags are all a really tight fit (KCI, MKE and HK)
2 - the paddle mag release isn't spaced properly and thus "sticks" in the open position
On point 1 - it seems that the tight fit is a result of one corner of the magwell rubbing. I suppose the quick fix is that I could file that down bit by bit until mags go in easier. If there is another way, I'm open to it.
On point 2 - it seems that I either missed a spacer or a collar or something, because the paddle release is not centered properly, as if there is a shim missing on the left side so that it sits slightly too close to the left of the magwell. When the paddle is actuated to remove a mag (or even when a mag isn't in it), the lever cams across the angled portion of the contact piece properly, but over-travels so that it just barely moves off the edge of the angled portion of the contact piece. The result is that it gets 'stuck' in that position and holds the paddle mag in the "open" position. All it takes is a slight pull of the paddle to release it, but it requires that every time it's used. If I use a small screwdriver to force the paddle to the center of the axis pin so there are equal gaps on both sides, it works as intended because the lever can't overshoot the angled portion of the contact piece. Hope that makes sense as to what's happening. I am 95% sure that the axis pin angle is correct. I know the proper fix is probably just to drill out the axis pin and re-do the paddle installation properly. But at this point in my life, I'd rather pay someone to do that, than do it myself, especially since it'll need a minor refinish on that part of the rifle.
So, any MP5 gunsmiths in the Phoenix area that could assist?