Abstract Autoionizing hole states with electron configuration nsnp⁵ mp are studied in Ar⁺ and Kr⁺. Total and partial photoionization cross sections, photoelectron spectra and photoelectron angular distributions in the region of the resonances are obtained theoretically in extensive R-matrix calculations. The states of Ar⁺ are observed by means of excitation by a free-electron laser operating in the vacuum- and extreme-ultraviolet wavelength regime combined with angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. Fine tuning of the photon energy allows scanning of the resonances and the observation of the shape of the partial cross section ratio, as well as the asymmetry parameter of the angular distribution of the photoelectrons. The calculations are in good agreement with the experimental data.