Zenith MKE MP5 cocking handle / tube issue (rattling) UPDATED 7/30/2017

[kaltesherz]

I asked this over on HKpro and got crickets, so I'm trying here...

I recently picked up an MKE Z5RS and after put 400 rounds though it gave it a good cleaning. But now the cocking handle rattles loudly, seems almost like my cocking tube is too short to have enough tension against the bolt carrier. It didn't have this issue originally. I'm new to MP5's and otherwise love this thing, but that rattling is driving me nuts. Any ideas other than sending it back to Zenith?

[SteyrAUG]

Sounds like some of the recent MKE's are "rough spec."

Rattling charging handle was an issue on many Special Weapons / Bobcat / Coharie, etc. clones and the problem is a little bit a play where the handle moves back and forth. If you go from low ready to barrel up it actually falls back and forth.

The cheapest, easiest solution I've ever seen is to pop the cocking tube cap off the front and insert a length of vacuum tube hose. I forget the diameter but there is one that is a perfect fit to the interior of the cocking tube. Shorten and trim until it is long enough to put pressure on the charging handle and cocking tube cap.

After that you will be completely silent.

[kaltesherz]

Thanks for the info, after looking at a diagram I'm wondering if the cocking tube cap spring might be missing or damaged, so I'll check that out when I have the time. If I can't figure it out I'll just send it back to them- I know it's not normal (this is my first MP5 type weapon but I've handled and fired them a bit) and since I'll be waiting on my Form 1 for awhile I might as well get it perfect. Otherwise I'm pretty happy with it (100% reliable and great finish), once I can put a proper stock on it I have a feeling it'll be getting a lot of range time.

[SteyrAUG]

Thanks for the info, after looking at a diagram I'm wondering if the cocking tube cap spring might be missing or damaged, so I'll check that out when I have the time. If I can't figure it out I'll just send it back to them- I know it's not normal (this is my first MP5 type weapon but I've handled and fired them a bit) and since I'll be waiting on my Form 1 for awhile I might as well get it perfect. Otherwise I'm pretty happy with it (100% reliable and great finish), once I can put a proper stock on it I have a feeling it'll be getting a lot of range time.

Honestly, not much can be done to fix it unless the remove and reinstall the cocking tube which is obviously a little long. The cocking tube cap spring simply keeps the cocking tube cap in place, it has nothing to do with a charging handle that has room to clank around.

MKE, POF, etc. aren't always quite to Oberndorf spec.

Do this simple test, hold the charging handle and see if you can move it back and forth in the cocking tube without making contact with the recoil spring. If you can, then you have play and there is really nothing that can be done to fix it. They don't make a longer recoil spring guide rod or anything.

[NongShim]

I'm having trouble understanding the issue. I have racks of MP5s in various flavors. Most are HK, but there are also some MKE in the mix. There are plenty with play in the charging handle. Is this like, "my carbine stock has slop or upper/lower slop?" How much play are we talking, 1/32 of an inch or more like 1/4"?

[kaltesherz]

I'm not near my safe (and won't be for awhile), so I can't measure the amount of play, but it rattles loudly when I handle it. It's not that the charging handle wobbles, it's that it sounds a lot louder than any other MP5's I've handled or shot. I couldn't care less about a little wobble or play, but it sounds like there's a marble in a glass.

I talked to a guy at Zenith about it and while he told me he could fix it in a few minutes if I sent it back, he advised me to shoot it a bit more and see if it works itself out. Which I kinda doubt but I do want to function check it w/ some Korean mags I recently ordered, and it's not like my Form 1 is going to be approved anytime soon.

[SteyrAUG]

I'm having trouble understanding the issue. I have racks of MP5s in various flavors. Most are HK, but there are also some MKE in the mix. There are plenty with play in the charging handle. Is this like, "my carbine stock has slop or upper/lower slop?" How much play are we talking, 1/32 of an inch or more like 1/4"?

We are talking about enough play that when you go from barrel up to barrel down the charging handle falls with an audible clank. My MKE (second series import) can be moved slightly but it doesn't clank around like some clones. I've never encountered the problem on a German HK.

Basically if you hold it by the forearm and shake it up and down it shouldn't sound like a can of krylon.

[kaltesherz]

We are talking about enough play that when you go from barrel up to barrel down the charging handle falls with an audible clank. My MKE (second series import) can be moved slightly but it doesn't clank around like some clones. I've never encountered the problem on a German HK.

Basically if you hold it by the forearm and shake it up and down it shouldn't sound like a can of krylon.

EXACTLY. I understand it doesn't effect function, but it's not "normal" and annoys the holy hell out of me. There's probably between 1/8" and 1/4" of play and the noise is extremely noticeable.

[SteyrAUG]

EXACTLY. I understand it doesn't effect function, but it's not "normal" and annoys the holy hell out of me. There's probably between 1/8" and 1/4" of play and the noise is extremely noticeable.

Like I said common on clones and sadly seems to be a case of "Turkey Spec." Unfortunately there is no factory fix other than having the entire thing rebuilt. That is why I recommended the vacuum tube fix, basically it acts like a rubber gasket / buffer and eliminates any and all rattles for about two bucks.

[kaltesherz]

When you say "entire thing rebuilt", you just mean the cocking tube assembly right?