New semi auto STG 44s being imported

Local Waffenfabrik USA

We at Waffenfabrik are very aware of all the issues with the previous attempts to import these weapons.
The last thing that we want is to repeat the mistakes of the past. To this end we have been in constant contact with our German Agent (Lars)
as well as the manufacturer. All the weapons will be sent to the German Standards proofing organization for testing and proof stamping. Our supplier is also sending us originals of the parts that we will be replacing with
922r compliant parts to ensure that the replacement parts meet the same specifications.
It is our intention to provide a warranty that will be longer than the 1 year stated elsewhere in this forum. We will also have a complete inventory of parts stored locally at our facility in Nevada.
While we still have to ascertain Import, Taxes and transport cost I can assure you the final total will be a lot less that $5000.00.
On another point we are currently in negotiation with our German supplier in order to relocate part or all of the manufacturing to the USA. I will keep you informed on this point.
Once we get past the bureaucracy I will post video of the weapons being test fired locally. We have also made arrangements to ship the initial weapons to indipendant testers to ensure that people get a balanced view.
Hopefully I have managed to address your concerns but please let me know if you would like more information.
 
You're saying the right kind of things and I think that is great. Ultimately though, the proof is in the pudding as they say. There will be a lot of folks watching the testing. :thumbsup:
 
I agree, sounds like a lot of good news from Waffenfabrik.

How long has Waffenfabrik been in business?

Is it your intention to offer a limited lifetime warranty for certain parts (I can think of a few offhand)?

What if any upgrades/improvements have been made to the original PTR44 imported before?

I know lots of questions...
 
I think it's great that they are actually reaching out to to end user community (which is heavily represented in this subforum IMO). Kudo's to them, and gives some confidence that a plan is in action. I love my PTR44, but would love some spare parts for it as well since we got ZERO help the first time.
 
mrfarb is 100% correct. There are at least a dozen or more PTR44 owners here. After the GK43forum site was terminated, this web site is now the best place in the USA to get information on these rifles from actual owners.

PTR told us spare parts would be available. I was specifically told that "spare parts will be available" during the phone call where I placed my order for the rifle in 2009 from PTR. The parts never came. PTR took our $$$ and deserted us. Recon stepped up a bit and has some spare parts, but some of them either need modifying to work properly - or they break. I personally have had 1 extractor (bought as a replacement to fix functioning problems from Recon) and 1 disconnector (one of the .922r installed parts) break in my PTR44. The ears on my op rod section didn't break like some have, but mine was abnormally wearing (chunks breaking off on the bottom of it) and it had to be replaced - THANK YOU DINGO!!! If you don't have spare parts NO ONE should (or perhaps will) buy these rifles.

A $5000 rifle (or whatever you will be charging for them) needs to work PERFECTLY out the box and continue to work PERFECTLY for a long time to come. $5000 and it doesn't work perfectly... really? Everyone involved should share in the fault. From SSD who initially built them - to PTR and/or Recon who did the .922r refitting and sold the rifles. The fit, function and performance quality of the rifle from Germany was NOT tested properly IMO. If you doubt that, just ask our Canadian brothers (who gets the rifles shipped in with NO .922r parts added) about the quality of the rifles that they have experienced. The USA made .922r parts were NOT all tested properly as some break. $5000 and they did not make absolutely certain that the rifles worked perfectly before selling them ... really? ... $5000 people ... I don't know about the rest of you PTR44 owners, but I have now spent $1000s more to get mine to run right. $1000s more and I STILL DO NOT HAVE a rifle that works perfectly. Argue with that. Sad really ...

One last thing - the Shotgun News add that was generated on these rifles was ridiculous. NO mention of the malfunctioning problems with the rifle in that SGN add - all went unsaid in exchange for a free rifle ... hmm. For future purchasers: DON'T buy into that. Rely on what a real owner's experience is. WE will tell you the truth and some people here (thank you forum brethren) might or can help you solve some of the problems with the rifle. Please don't get me wrong. I sincerely hope that this comes to fruition and I sincerely hope that they are manufactured and refitted much better than the ones currently out there. I want spare parts !!! Good news taken - but with a grain of salt.

To those guys out there that know me and have experienced the same thing -you know how long we waited, how much we paid, and how costly it's been to fix these toys and I'm sure you agree that we do NOT want to see that happen again to anyone else.

If you make them correctly - I WILL buy one.

Doug
 
So are you saying the as shipped from germany ones going to Canada are problem free? Not challenging, just wanted to make sure I was understanding that correctly.
Thanks,
Kevin
 
KSH67 said:
So are you saying the as shipped from germany ones going to Canada are problem free? Not challenging, just wanted to make sure I was understanding that correctly.
Thanks,
Kevin
Click to expand...

"The fit, function and performance quality of the rifle from Germany was NOT tested properly IMO. If you doubt that, just ask our Canadian brothers (who gets the rifles shipped in with NO .922r parts added) about the quality of the rifles that they have experienced."

Sorry I did not make that clear. Yes - Most everyone I've talked to in Canada has reported problems with the BD44s - as well as the FG42 type weapons as well.
 
My $5000 SMG Fg42 works flawlessly :D, D Day Dog could probably have gotten an original Mp44 for close to what he has invested in the PTR44, that is unsat.

I would like to get one of these PTR44's they look neat and I won't feel guilty using it at the range, but I will not buy it for a couple reasons:

1. History of the weapon, and I suppose a testing regimen that was not done properly. Maybe if they did documented testing which they have stated they want to that might alleviate this concern a little.

2. My biggest concern, Waffenfabrik seems to be a popup business built simply to sell these guns. They are new (to me anyways) and if everything doesn't go swimmingly will they be around even a year after these things get sold? What does that mean for the warranty? Spare Parts?

Guys there is no info on your website, we don't know who you are - we don't know anything about the business.
 
Has anyone used the new made Recon Ordnance bolts in their PTR44 or a semi build? Do they function well?
 
I purchased my gun from RECON a couple of years ago as one that did not work right and would need to be checked out. I checked it out and found that the angle between the gat tube and the bolt was not correct. Compared to original MP44 parts. I did some minor welding and some grinding with the dremel and it works great. I also did some fitting of the magazine and a lot of clean up in the magazine well area. I have well over 800 rounds through it with two jams, both were ammo problems. I think the problem with the gun are that you need to go through it to insure that everything is where it is supposed to be and that it is working like it is supposed to be. I was lucky I guess as I did not have the bolt or lower receiver problems that others have had. I suspect that having build two semi-auto MP44's from destroyed parts kits also helped me understand how the gun functions and how it should work. I agree that when you pay that much money for a gun it should work out of the box. An excellent example of that is Rick Smith's FG42. Mine has worked like a champion since I unpacked it and is a real work of art. Harry
 
KSH67 said:
Has anyone used the new made Recon Ordnance bolts in their PTR44 or a semi build? Do they function well?
Click to expand...

I asked about the bolts Recon has for sale on GB, Jerry said they would need to be resized as they were made too large - I decided to go with an original bolt. He was very straight forward with me when I inquired, wasn't trying to hide anything.
 
All the issues? Need the list?

Boknaai said:
We at Waffenfabrik are very aware of all the issues with the previous attempts to import these weapons. The last thing that we want is to repeat the mistakes of the past. To this end we have been in constant contact with our German Agent (Lars) as well as the manufacturer. All the weapons will be sent to the German Standards proofing organization for testing and proof stamping."

The old K43/G43 forum had pages and pages on the problems from the small number of owners on the forum. This forum has started to capture some of the issues. I have never seen a complete list of "all" the issues". I just learned of a new one reading this thread (gas tube angle). I spent over two years mailing rifles back to John Andrewski. My first rifle went back to him 3 or 4 times before Jerry replaced it. That rifle went back once to John. I got it running perfectly at last by having a local gunsmith work on and harden the trigger and harden the sear. Then my OPROD broke, I put in an original OPROD with 922r handle and a bolt. These rifles had so many problems that John Andrewski refused to work on them anymore. So, what was the reason for the problems with the PTR44 rifles? Does the blame fall on the SSD doorstep or was it with the PTR rework with the 922R parts? Jerry from RECON thought the the could salvage the project by having premier gunsmith John Andrewski test all rifles wih 40 rounds and repair as needed. Jerry gave up on some rifles, he cut them up and sold the parts.

So, what are we going to do differently? Do you really know what all the problems? Have you talked with John, Jerry or Pete? Have you made a list of issues? Having the German proof house fire one over powered cartridge to make sure that the gun does not blow up and then put their stamps on it,is not a test! But, you already know that.

Sorry, for being a bit negative, but you will need to earn my trust. Your comment on the German Proof House caused me to throw up the BS Flag.

I spent 16 years in Germany, of my 30 with the US Army, had my German Hunting License, went to the local German Ranges every week to shoot.

It is another ball game in the USA. To earn my trust, I will need to hear from one of the members of this FORUM, that he ran a production line rifle through a real test!

Pat
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Waffentag said:
Boknaai said:
We at Waffenfabrik are very aware of all the issues with the previous attempts to import these weapons. The last thing that we want is to repeat the mistakes of the past. To this end we have been in constant contact with our German Agent (Lars) as well as the manufacturer. All the weapons will be sent to the German Standards proofing organization for testing and proof stamping."

The old K43/G43 forum had pages and pages on the problems from the small number of owners on the forum. This forum has started to capture some of the issues. I have never seen a complete list of "all" the issues". I just learned of a new one reading this thread (gas tube angle). I spent over two years mailing rifles back to John Andrewski. My first rifle went back to him 3 or 4 times before Jerry replaced it. That rifle went back once to John. I got it running perfectly at last by having a local gunsmith work on and harden the trigger and harden the sear. Then my OPROD broke, I put in an original OPROD with 922r handle and a bolt. These rifles had so many problems that John Andrewski refused to work on them anymore. So, what was the reason for the problems with the PTR44 rifles? Does the blame fall on the SSD doorstep or was it with the PTR rework with the 922R parts? Jerry from RECON thought the the could salvage the project by having premier gunsmith John Andrewski test all rifles wih 40 rounds and repair as needed. Jerry gave up on some rifles, he cut them up and sold the parts.

So, what are we going to do differently? Do you really know what all the problems? Have you talked with John, Jerry or Pete? Have you made a list of issues? Having the German proof house fire one over powered cartridge to make sure that the gun does not blow up and then put their stamps on it,is not a test! But, you already know that.

Sorry, for being a bit negative, but you will need to earn my trust. Your comment on the German Proof House caused me to throw up the BS Flag.

I spent 16 years in Germany, of my 30 with the US Army, had my German Hunting License, went to the local German Ranges every week to shoot.

It is another ball game in the USA. To earn my trust, I will need to hear from one of the members of this FORUM, that he ran a production line rifle through a real test!

Pat
Click to expand...



Pat, the only way I would purchase another SSD Gun would be with an extended warranty (5 years) and have a real US partner. No way am I going to be the Guinea Pig on this one.

The one thing I don't understand is the SSD product sold in Europe/Canada seems to have not experienced the issues we had in the U.S.????

Or for some reason no one talks about it. (I find this hard to believe)
Click to expand...
 
Waffenfabrik - SSD - HZA Kulmbach - or whatever they are calling themselves now - needs to back them.

Dave - Our Canadian Brothers have sporadically reported functioning and/or breaking problems similar to ours with their (non .922r parts added) BD44s. One even reported feeding issues with his Type 1 SSD FG42 - another with a Type 1 FG42 had a part that broke and it took forever to get a replacement. Both Marstar and Wolverine in Canada won't import anymore SSD weapons. I haven't read anything else from other countries SSD imports to.

Some of the issues in Canada were noted on the Canadian Gun Nutz forum:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/501940-Ssd-k43-amp-fg42

Of course, I assume some of you have read about the import recall of the BD38 by the RCMP?

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/861028-BD38-Discrepancy

A polar opposite to the SSD guns is the SMG FG42s. They are built just as beautiful as the SSD guns, but they run. If there has been any problem with them, they are fixed. If only SMG would build a reproduction MP44 or Mkb42 - ahhhhh ... we can dream ... of course, their Type 1 will be just as welcome.

Thankfully we have people like Pete who know these weapons and are willing to work on them for us.

Doug
 
recon bolt

KSH67 said:
Has anyone used the new made Recon Ordnance bolts in their PTR44 or a semi build? Do they function well?
Click to expand...

I never bought one but had one sent with a PTR I worked on.
The oversize is that the locking surface of the bolt that contacts the locking block in the rec. is slightly further to the rear than an original. Jerry or John, I don't remember witch, said it was to help with a gun with too much headspace. That's all well and good except that the bolt can only go as far forward as contact with the rear of the barrel will let it. If it will not drop in front of the block the lock surface would have to be accurately ground, maintaining the angle on that surface until it can drop down and lock.
The one I handled had the extractor pin hole drilled such that the pin had to be driven in or out with a punch. Could have been a fluke but it was what it was. I read at least once where it was stated that the diameter of those bolts is oversize. I do not think that is true. The one I refer to was correct diameter.
Pete
 
Thanks Pete. So in theory if you were installing a new barrel that had yet to be drilled for the pin this would not be an issue as you could set the head space with one of these "oversize" bolts by positioning the barrel. Or if you had a new or original trunnion that had not had the locking block fixed into place it wouldn't be an issue either. Correct? I'm just trying to figure out if it is worth the hassle to pick one up or not.
 
Pete and I had this discussion last week on the phone,

I have one, the barrels are virgin and need to be populated and the trunnion pin needs to be drilled after headspace. like a new barrel in AK variant again only after headspace has been set. I would get the spare barrel if i remember correctly the maker had only so many to convert unless he found a new source.

I would get one for future trade or need, but heck that's me

oh Pete also said that not all original barrels fit the same, in the different variants of MP-44/stg-44 manufacturers and he sometimes needs to recut and enlarge the cut on the barrel again same procedure as a ak mix master parts kit
 
Thanks Sprat. That's what I was thinking. I have enough parts for 3 MP44's right now with 1 original barrel and 2 new virgin ones. I figured between all the parts I had I would probably be able to mix and match enough to get some solid fitting parts. Right now everything is revolving around the new trunnion. I can go with an original trunnion but for 922r purposes I would like to have the US made trunnion in there as it allows me more visible original parts on the outside. :thumbsup:
 
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