[HKLovingIT]

I was looking at the models made by PTR Industries. The "GI" model appeals to me. (Once I can find one )

http://ptr91.com/products/PTR%20G.I.?id=23

Reasons I have read not to have one or dislikes people expressed:

1. They beat up brass pretty good.
2. The charging handle location.
3. Recoils a bit more than an FAL.
4. Some complained that it was not a 1 inch group rifle. I don't think it was intended to be.
5. There was some stink about the flutes in the barrel on other models causing it to be ammo picky, but allegedly the "GI" model has the same number and flute specs as HK designed.

It's just for fun. But, is there any glaring reason why this would be a bad purchase? I know that the FAL would be a very popular alternative and I was interested in one, but I started looking at these and they piqued my interest.

Thanks

HK

[Sheepdog689]

I own a PTR91KC model. I carry it every day as my patrol rifle and I'm really happy with it.

Yes, it does beat up brass but I don't reload .308 so that doesn't bother me. In fact, I only use steel case Russian ammo for practice and I've never had any malfunctions in over 2,000 rounds.

The ergonomics are different than an AR platform. I carried an AR before I switched to the PTR. I wanted a .308 caliber rifle but I didn't want to pay for an AR10. I thought about an M1A1 but I had the opportunity to test fire several different models of the PTR91 and that made up my mind.

You get used to the charging handle location really quickly. I actually prefer the HK/PTR charging handle to the AR charging handle. Lock it back, insert the mag and slap the handle and you're good to go.

If you want a 1" group rifle, buy a bolt action rifle. I'm putting everything in the center mass/kill zone on a K5 target at 100 yards with open sights. That's what the rifle was intended for, it's not a sniper rifle intended for taking out targets at 1000 meters.

The newer models, including the GI model all have barrels from a different manufacturer than the ones that had issues. The issues had to do with the depth of the flutes. PTR had the barrels made with the thinner flutes in an effort to increase the accuracy of the rifle. It worked fine with cleaner ammo but tar sealed surplus ammo gunked up the flutes and caused malfunctions. The newer (last 2 years) rifles have the same depth flutes as the HK specs and they'll fire anything you feed them. When I go to the range to qualify I use the cheap Russian steel case ammo and it is filthy. The insides of the receiver get a thick coat of carbon but it doesn't slow the rifle down.

The rifle does recoil, but it's a .308 not a .223. Nothing that's not easily managed. I've got a PWS FSC compensator on mine and it seems to help keep the muzzle down. I live in an "assault weapon" ban state so I couldn't get one with a flash suppressor.

I've made a trip to the PTR factory and met the people involved. They put out a quality product and care about customer support. Last year they upped their warranty to lifetime and included previously sold rifles.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely, it's a quality rifle. Easy to disassemble for cleaning and it's a lot of fun to shoot. For a few bucks more than the GI model you could get one of the other models with the aluminum front stock. It comes pre-drilled and tapped for add-ons like lights, bipods, etc. One thing I do like....or at least I did... you could buy surplus magazines for them from CTD for $1.99 each. Obviously prices have gone up recently but nowhere near what AR mags are going for.

[HKLovingIT]

Originally Posted by Sheepdog689

I own a PTR91KC model. I carry it every day as my patrol rifle and I'm really happy with it.

Yes, it does beat up brass but I don't reload .308 so that doesn't bother me. In fact, I only use steel case Russian ammo for practice and I've never had any malfunctions in over 2,000 rounds.

The ergonomics are different than an AR platform. I carried an AR before I switched to the PTR. I wanted a .308 caliber rifle but I didn't want to pay for an AR10. I thought about an M1A1 but I had the opportunity to test fire several different models of the PTR91 and that made up my mind.

You get used to the charging handle location really quickly. I actually prefer the HK/PTR charging handle to the AR charging handle. Lock it back, insert the mag and slap the handle and you're good to go.

If you want a 1" group rifle, buy a bolt action rifle. I'm putting everything in the center mass/kill zone on a K5 target at 100 yards with open sights. That's what the rifle was intended for, it's not a sniper rifle intended for taking out targets at 1000 meters.

The newer models, including the GI model all have barrels from a different manufacturer than the ones that had issues. The issues had to do with the depth of the flutes. PTR had the barrels made with the thinner flutes in an effort to increase the accuracy of the rifle. It worked fine with cleaner ammo but tar sealed surplus ammo gunked up the flutes and caused malfunctions. The newer (last 2 years) rifles have the same depth flutes as the HK specs and they'll fire anything you feed them. When I go to the range to qualify I use the cheap Russian steel case ammo and it is filthy. The insides of the receiver get a thick coat of carbon but it doesn't slow the rifle down.

The rifle does recoil, but it's a .308 not a .223. Nothing that's not easily managed. I've got a PWS FSC compensator on mine and it seems to help keep the muzzle down. I live in an "assault weapon" ban state so I couldn't get one with a flash suppressor.

I've made a trip to the PTR factory and met the people involved. They put out a quality product and care about customer support. Last year they upped their warranty to lifetime and included previously sold rifles.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely, it's a quality rifle. Easy to disassemble for cleaning and it's a lot of fun to shoot. For a few bucks more than the GI model you could get one of the other models with the aluminum front stock. It comes pre-drilled and tapped for add-ons like lights, bipods, etc. One thing I do like....or at least I did... you could buy surplus magazines for them from CTD for $1.99 each. Obviously prices have gone up recently but nowhere near what AR mags are going for.

Thanks for the very informative reply.

I'm guessing I'm really wanting one because sitting behind me is a box of 30 surplus mags that arrived from Midway. Didn't want to be left short when I made up my mind.

They were $2.99 each and look pretty close to new. Aluminum mags, H&K marked, most from the 80s a few from 1966 and 72, no rust, no dents, the finish on 90% of them is pretty much without blemish.

Think I'll get some more for giggles. At this price it's hard to not to.

[WayaX]

As a "just for fun" purchase, PTRs are fine. I'm one who prefers the FAL (for a lot of the reasons you mentioned), but the HK G3 pattern rifles are not bad guns. Of course, with the price nuttiness going around and the new quality 7.62 rifles around (LMT MWS, Knights SR-25, FN SCAR-17S), I'm finding it difficult to really love any of the old battle rifles for any reason other than nostalgia.

Again though, as a "collector" or "fun gun", there is nothing wrong with PTR rifles.