PTR-91 is it mil. spec?

[Mr. W]

I am looking at a PTR-91 and I would like the opinions of this forum. I mostly like handguns but I would like a top quality rifle. My end use is fun, and defense if society ever crumbles for the short term (Katrina). I was told that this was a mil spec reproduction of the G3...is the gun of that quality?

I learned on the internet that it may be possible to get a 16 or 18 inch barrel...which would you choose? In all honesty I think 400-600m is about as far as I would ever shoot a PAPER target...does barrel length make any difference at that range?

Are new mags available for this gun? I know that cheap used mags are but if possible I would like to have some new.

Next question is would you rather have two PTR's or one M4gery and one
PTR?

Thanks

 

[TexasRifleman]

It won't likely meet some of the old HK military specs simply because it has some parts that were made later to different standards.

The bottom line though is who cares. "Mil Spec" doesn't mean a whole lot. The rifle is built as well or better than many real HK's out there.

You can buy "new" HK mags wrapped in plastic. Many of them were made in the 60's and 70's but they are new.
But, you can get lightly used aluminum magazines for 3 dollars each. You can afford to stock up at that price

From 16 to 18 inch barrels you will only lose about 200fps velocity. Probably not enough to worry about.

You have to keep in mind this is not a "current" gun, it's no longer being made for any military that I'm aware of.

As for quantity it's hard to say. For some kind of "SHTF" thing the old saying goes "one is none, two is one". So if you're planning for extremes you'd want 2 of everything.

Gets expensive after a while though

The PTR91 is a very well built rifle and I would buy another one without hesitation.

 

[rcmodel]

Is it mil-spec?

Not unless it has a select-fire full-auto switch.

rc

 

[stubbicatt]

PTR91 is a first class rifle.

At least mine is.

I've read elsewhere that PTR91, Inc., is now making many of the parts in-house which were previously HK factory parts. This includes bolt heads, which along with the locking pieces, are the heart of the Vorgrimmler action. I do not know how, if at all, this affects reliability or longevity.

For years they made their own receivers, barrels, trunnions, buttstock middle pieces, grip/trigger boxes, forends and many of the trigger assembly parts -- sears, triggers, hammers, and all of them have been durable and first rate parts.

I suppose one each of the AR15 and the PTR91 wouldn't hurt anybody.

 

[Onmilo]

I am in agreement with this belief, no select fire switch=no Mil-Spec.

Is an H&K M91 Mil-Spec?
No,and for the same simple reason that it does not have the multi position selector switch allowing burst or full auto fire options.

Is the H&K M91 as good a weapon as the G3?
Yes, and in many ways it is even better than the G3 series of rifles because more care was put into the finish and function of the completed firearm.
The same is true for the PTR series weapons, they are better than Mil-Spec.

They just don't have a happy switch.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Parts kits are available- springs, pins, rollers, firing pins, etc.

You may want a spare trigger group and a spare barrel.

If you plan on reloading or at least saving your brass, get a port buffer so it doesn't get damaged at ejection.

I've had both. I think the PTR is built better, overall.

 

[Bwana John]

You have to keep in mind this is not a "current" gun, it's no longer being made for any military that I'm aware of.

I am sure that Mexico, Pakistan and quite a few more countrys are still produceing domestic G-3s.

I dont think the HK-91 was "mil-spec" with no select fire option.

 

[Jframe.38]

Expanding on Bwana John's earlier post, my understanding is that Iran uses and still produces the G-3. I believe they initially acquired the technology under the Shah's rule. The footage from the recent conflict in Pakistan shows a number of G-3 and Cetme copies. Similarly, the file footage from the drug war in Mexico shows G-3s being used in quantity by that nation's military and paramilitary police forces.

Long and short of it is that it is still a relevent military and paramilitary weapon in many countries and current conflict. Including one a few hundred miles from my home in Houston.

 

[Frankl03]

Before you get to excited put one to your shoulder. I did and didn't like it all. I have no doubt that the PTR91 is a good quality rifle but it is not for everyone. I hear they kick pretty well too.

Maybe you have already handled the rifle and like the ergonomics which is great. But when I hefted one I was surprised how I didn't like it. There are enough other 308 semi autos out there like the FAL, AR10, M1A and the FNAR that you could shop around if needed and find one you liked.

But then maybe you really like the PTR 91 and further looking around is not needed.

 

[HorseSoldier]

It's not being made to anyone's military specs, and I doubt the manufacturer is spending extra money to 100% match German (or anyone else's) specs for the G3.

Doesn't mean it's not a good rifle, though. Owners seems to be pretty happy with them here and on other forums, as far as I've read.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I hear they kick pretty well too.

308 is 308. Recoil isn't really any different than any other .308 I own.

 

[Maverick223]

Not unless it has a select-fire full-auto switch.

+1, no happy switch=not to spec...the ones built to spec are expensive...when and after you buy one.

I would get the 18" barrel for noise and blast suppression. The 16" will be more repeatable, especially as it gets hot. Either way it's not a sniper rifle and you probably won't notice the difference.

I would get the cheap, well made, tough-as-nails, beater mags and just paint or coat them to make em' purdy.

Not a real big fan of the M4 but I am less of a fan of having two identical guns...don't really see the point, as I can use but one at a time, and they keep making others that find their way onto "the list".

It's as gentle as a kitten on valium.
A little kitten.

I don't know about that, but they are a fun gun to shoot. The recoil (of the PTR-91) never bothered me...

 

[RP88]

The G3 is still in service and being locally licensed and produced in some 20 countries. An additional 40 or so countries still use it as their primary issue rifle. Germany still uses it as a DMR, and has never thrown out or exported their old ones. It's not an antique by any means, so finding parts and replacements won't be too hard

 

[stubbicatt]

In the DMR role, engaging targets to 600 meters or so through glass, the PTR really shines. It is really a whole lot of fun to engage rocks, stumps, what-have-you at various distances and see your bullets strike your target.

Oft times we will place water filled plastic bottles of varying design and size downrange at different distances, and attempt to hit them, trading off, first one person, then the other. A great passtime, rewarding and for me at least, more enjoyable than paper punching. When you hit a water bottle with the 308, even at 600, the spew and spray that results is really satisfying.

Even more so, is the bolt actioned rifles with really fine optics, proper range cards, etc. The hits are more frequent, and sometimes near misses with rock fragments while shooting the auto rifles will destroy the bottle, and argument ensues on whether it is a hit or not... It is still all in good fun, but when lunch is on the line, it is better to have a clear hit than an arguable one for the sanctity of your wallet...

Gees. I do love this stuff.

 

[Slamfire]

The barrels are darn sure better than "Mil Spec". No service rifle I have ever shot or seen (maybe the Swiss put match quality barrels on their rifles, I don't know) is as good as the thompson center barrels on these rifles.

There is this assumption that "mil spec" means quality. And generally speaking, parts made to the military drawing and accepted by a military inspector are going to be of good quality.

Mil Spec also means made exactly like the military issue. This cannot be true for a semi auto version sold on the civilian market after the Bush Sr. machine gun ban.

However, the overall fit and finish on my PTR is excellent. Most of the major parts in my rifle are German. The trigger pack is different, because it is not capable of full auto fire. The magazine release is different from the HK91, but so what, I am used to a AR15 release so it is not a problem.

I had Bill Springfield do a trigger job, and now I have a match quality trigger pull, I installed a rear drum with an aperture for the 100 yard setting instead of a notch, and I installed a port buffer.

In my opinion, the felt recoil is more harsh than either the M1a or FAL. That massive bolt carrier comes back and really gives a wack on the buffer.

Next question is would you rather have two PTR's or one M4gery and one
PTR?

Get the collapsing stock version of the PTR and you will have nearly the compactness of a M4, but with much more effective round.

 

[xbox360]

cheaperthandirt has mags on sale 2 for 8$ just last month they where 6$ for 2! tons of people where buying them. They are used but alot of people say they are like new sealed in bags from the 70-80's. PTR-91 is a very good gun. Get a longer barrel if you want longer range.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Robertrtg parts has used aluminum mags in excellent shape for $3.75 used and $8 new.

I bought a box of the used ones and they are all perfect.