Can you guys post some pictures of the issues your having?
Never heard of the problem and google doesn't bring much up either...... thought it sounds like it's a rampant issue in this thread?
This is an excerpt from one letter that I sent on 6 Oct 2017:
Details of rifle:
Troy PAR National 5.56mm NATO s/n TPA03160###
purchased online 2 Aug 2017 (received 9 Aug)
seller: IRUNGUNS, Sherwood Park, Alberta
condition upon receipt: New & unfired
The Op Rod's forward-thrust shoulder has developed a radius and will no longer bring the bolt into battery (
see photo below). In fact, most of the time, the mere resistance of a round in the magazine is enough to cause the op rod to release from its latch. The pump handle runs all the way forward without pulling the rod and bolt carrier along with it. I am unable to see if there is wear to the pump handle's Op Rod Latch shoulder. Upon installing the rod/carrier and pushing it fully forward, you can still hear an audible click as the latch engages...
This had happened occasionally since day one but has become progressively worse in the last 100 rounds fired and is now unusable. The rifle has seen exactly 1000 rounds mostly Lake City 5.56 NATO - all brass and no steel cases as per Troy's directions. There is no issue with extraction or ejection - clean with only a light pump required.. Rifle has been thoroughly cleaned and then lubed after each (100 round) range visit (I'm former military and was married to a FN FAL for 6 years).
There is a second issue also relating to the Op Rod. It can no longer be removed from the bolt carrier. Once rotated to align for removal, the rod will only move about 1mm before binding in hole. Both shoulders of the steel rod have formed a radius / burr on both (aluminum) shoulders inside the bolt carrier op rod socket. Why this op rod socket is aluminum is beyond me when everything else is hardened steel.
This is a serious design flaw destined to failure - and it has! The op rod will need to be drifted out with a brass pin punch but I have not attempted this yet (due to likely warranty issues).
Final issue is a burr in the throat of the chamber - been there since round #1 (which I always keep as a reference). This causes SLIGHT resistance to chambering fully and always leaves a noticeable score mark on the neck of all fired cases. A chamber brush has not removed it thus far. I doubt that this is the root cause of the op rod issues but I thought it worth mentioning.
Further notes and observations since writing the above letter:
Two weeks after I wrote the above letter, I purchased and installed the original subject of this thread, the elusive "Upgrade Kit" (READ: "
Repair Kit to correct design flaws"). This course of action was recommended to me as a "possible fix" by a technician at Troy in Massachusetts.
Did this fix my problems? Only ONE (paragraph 3 above), but the rifle is still completely non-functional. The problem in the first paragraph above still exists. IMHO, the "Upgrade Kit" should also include 2 x Rod Block Screws; Red Loctite; an Op Rod; an Op Rod Latch plus 2 x Op Rod Latch springs. AND, the Kit should be FREE to all PAR owners along with a letter of apology.
The burr in the chamber scores the case necks deeply enough that I'm not prepared to risk reloading anything fired out of this rifle. 1000 Lake City cases into the scrap metal bucket so far :-( What a bummer!
I offered to waive my warranty privileges and purchase the remaining parts that I need but to no avail. My requests have fallen on deaf ears. It is very clear to me that I am being punished for daring to buy from IRG.
I really do like the concept of the Troy PAR but knowing what I do now, I would never buy
anything Troy again! Furthermore, I had no idea about any "Grey-Market" issues with firearm warranties in Canada so
I will never purchase another firearm from IRG or similar businesses unless there is absolutely NO alternative. I didn't save a damned penny, I now own a useless $1,270 wall-hanger.
But life goes on and I really hope just one of you learns something positive from my misfortune...