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Posted: 10/16/2005 6:01:36 PM EDT
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I went to the range with my JLD PTR-91 and I encountered a lot of Failed To Fire's today. I have some further investigation to do but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what the issue could be. The range I was at only allows one round to be loaded at a time. I was using South African surplus ammo which most people have been pretty happy with. Approximately the first 15 rounds all fired just fine. Then I experienced a string of five in a row that did not fire after squeezing the trigger, after pulling the cocking lever part way back, releasing it, and squeezing the trigger a second time they all fired. At the end, it went back to firing fairly consistently but there were still one or two failures. I should have been more dilligent but the one cartridge that I fully ejected after FTF didn't appear to have any markings/indentations. So I am not sure if this is an issue with the rifle or the ammo. The absence of a strike mark on the only cartridge I examined was not a good sign but could it also be that the primer was set too deep on the surplus ammo? Does anyone have any suggestions on possible cleaning, assembly, or operation techniques that could be the issue? Has anyone else experienced this? I hope to get an opportunity to get some different kinds of ammo and go back soon. |
| If I were to guess it sounds like you might be riding the charging bolt? I've never had a FTF with my PTR, I let my friend shoot it and he had a FTF because of this. Its important to pull the charging handle back as far as it will go and sling shot it forward with force. Let it fly! |
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I've had some failures to fire with SA ammo. I think I have had 5 so far, out of around 2000 rds fired. Only one was in an HK91. Some would fire the second time, some didn't. The primers were hit normally, but they were just dead or semi-dead. The lack of a primer hit means the firing pin is too short or is broken, the firing pin channel is dirty, the hammer spring is weak, or the bolt did not close all the way so the hammer was not in line with the firing pin. You might as well get a new firing pin to compare with. If what you have is okay, then you have a nice spare. Also make sure the bolt and carrier are running smoothly in the receiver with no drag. |
| I had the same "problem" when I first fired my PTR-91. Unlike every other semi-auto rifle I've shot, you can't ride the bolt carrier with your hand. It seems to need a lot of force to close the chamber. Just pull the bolt back all the way and latch the bolt handle. Load a round. Then, using your left hand, SLAM down on the bolt handle and let that SOB fly forward. The rollers will definitely lock up and chamber will close. My PTR-91 did not come with a manual. But I remembered all the movies with MP-5's in them, and remembered how the actors closed the chambers after a mag change. This is one Hollywood weapons technique that actually seems to work. |
| I love my PTR. However, it is one heavy SOB. I paid around $800 for it. Then had a gunsmith put a Smith vortex flash hider on it. Also installed a Choate folding stock. Next purchase is a see-thru scope mount and a 3-9 or 4-12 scope. Give me a minute and I'll post some pics. |
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I have the same problems with my PTR-91. I'm going to take it to the range and try it with some Lake City (as opposed to the Rem. Core-Lokt) ammo and see if I can't break in the chamber. Although, I'm kind of pissed off that a $800 rifle will not fire out of the box. -JZ |
Can you clarify what "riding the charging bolt" means? When I pull back the cocking handle, I let it go to slide back on it's own. |
Good input, thanks! Does anyone have a picture of their firing pin that they could post so that I could compare it to mine? (call me a cheapskate) |
Sounds like your NOT doing it so I guess thats not the problem. What I meant by "riding the charging bolt" was refering to the cocking lever thing. My friend woud ease it out of the lockback position and would guide it forward, slowing down the movement of the lever. |
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