Ready to buy a PTR-91 -- now, which one?

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I've never shot an HK or any variant of one but I wanted to chime in on the .308 availability. Checking out your local shop will confirm that there are a plethora of brands and choices for the .308.
Surplus may eventually go away (it does in everything) but here in the US it will be around for quite some time. You'll just have to reload it or pay alot of you want to shoot much of it. Just like everything else.
 
Get the standard 18" barreled rifle. You will likely be replacing parts as time goes by anyways, and the wide forend is readily available for the 18 incher. I don't know that 2 inches makes a whole lot of differene in velocity, but I'm pretty sure the 2 inch longer barrel makes NO difference as far as shootability, or manouverability. I think it would be a ginormous mistake to go with the shorter barrel.
 
Would there be any problems with the G3 design that would prohibit it from being used as a multipurpose 308 marksman rifle up to 500 meters, yet still be reasonably capable of CQB combat?
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Ergos are suboptimal, recoil is heavy, and muzzle flash in small dark places is really bad. I have a bunch of 16" to 18" 308s (AR10, Saiga/AK, and CETMEs) and for most purposes would rather have an intermediate chambering (5.56, 7.62x39, 6.8SPC). Having said that, both of my CETMEs are surprisingly accurate.

I really don't understand all the hostility towards the G3 platform. It's a little nose heavy, but it's superior in nearly every way to an AK platform rifle, and everyone seems to rave about them...
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IMHO - no freakin' way. A Saiga 308 converted to AK config with a G2 trigger group is better balanced, has a MUCH better trigger, can be operated from prone position much more easily due to the location of the charging handle, digests commercial 308 more readily, and can be converted to a solid side folder (Ace) for less than $160. About the only thing the G3 has going for it over the AK is the cheap German G3 mags.
 
Hk91 clones with 18'" barrels work well for me, accurate and handling is acceptable. They cycle Mil spec brass great but commercial brass has been known to cause problems (can tear case heads off), and number of reloads is limited due to fluted chambers. Just don't expect to pop into Walmart and resupply your ammo.
 
My understanding is that the PTR-91 series is designed to use .308 ammunition, ie it does not rip the case heads off.

Go with the 91F. You want the heavier barrel. You will be grateful for the extra length and weight when you shoot it. It is a recoil heavy design.

BTW, the sights are adjustable and quite good. Someone said that they weren't adjustable earlier, that is incorrect. Elevation adjustment does need a special tool or an improvised tool, instructions are plentyful online.
 
You guys are killing me with this nonsense about the trigger. Yes, in stock form it sucks. Send it to Bill Springfield along with $35, it'll be back on your doorstep in less than a week with a first class trigger.
 
You guys are killing me with this nonsense about the trigger. Yes, in stock form it sucks. Send it to Bill Springfield along with $35, it'll be back on your doorstep in less than a week with a first class trigger.
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You have contact information for Bill Springfield?
 
Personal preference is just that... I'm not a big fan of AK style rifles.

My PTR91 has been flawless, with dirty SA surplus 7.62nato, Black hills match .308, winchester white box, whatever I've tried to feed it. It ate 300 rounds of black hills in a couple hours during an Appleseed shoot, perfectly.

A Saiga 308 converted to AK config with a G2 trigger group is better balanced, has a MUCH better trigger
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I have a friend with a Saiga .308... it's a solid rifle. Quite reliable. At the price, they're hard to beat! The stock sucks, and the trigger is really bad... perhaps converting it back to AK style and replacing the trigger with a good aftermarket one would improve it. Kinda looses the point of being the cheapest way to go, when you have to make fairly major changes to the rifle. Even then, the sights are still going to stink, and the safety is still going to be about the worst design I've ever seen, the mags are still going to be irritating to change, it's not going to be particularly accurate... it'll still an AK type weapon. Nothing wrong with them, just not my thing.

A PTR with a Williams or Springfield trigger job will have a better trigger than any AK I've ever fired, including some very nice Arsenal examples. The sights are much better, it's every bit as reliable (100% is 100%, after all), the recoil is less noticeable (to me, at least), and it's a much nicer looking weapon... again with that personal preference thing.
 
I have an arsenal slr-95 and I have to say the trigger is very smooth with almost no take up, I also have had the bill springfield trigger job on the ptr and I would say that it is hands down the cheapest improvement that I have ever made to a rifle that made such a huge difference. Its like upgrading you ford pinto to a mustang for 50 bucks and a weeks wait.
 
Sorry about that. Mr. Springfield's email [email protected]
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Snake Eater: Thanks for the information. This is the reply I received from Mr. Springfield, in case anyone else is interested.

I can set you up with a pull that has virtually no creep in the 4.75 area. I also remove all the take up slack. Price runs $54 and return postage is included. Only the trigger pack is needed, personal check is fine. My address is:

Bill Springfield
4135 Cricket Ct.
Colorado Springs, Co 80918
 
I have never met him but I have definitely heard of Bill and his great work. Number of folks on the front range have nothing but praise for him.

Pete
 
+1000 to Bill Springfield's trigger work.

I've never met a stock HK trigger that wasn't complete crap. Bill cleans them up and lightens them to a nice light crisp, near match quality trigger. I've not found any reliability problems with his trigger either.
 
Well this seems to have diverged to a thread on HK trigger jobs so....

I am familiar with the Williams trigger jobs but not Bill Springfields.

Does he do anything that could interfere with the trigger or cause reliability issues like set screws, adjustable stops etc?

In keeping with the "battle rifle" design I'm always wary of this kind of stuff on a rifle you might use to defend yourself.
 
I went with the standard 18" barrel a few years ago. It shoots very well. You will find no parts kits for a 16" barrel.

Everyone always gripes about the ergonomics and the trigger and the recoil. I say it's all whining. This rifle is not to be used the same way an M1A or FAL is to be used.

The cocking handle is on the right for a reason. You can keep your hand on the grip and looking down the sights while you swap mags and recharge the cocking tube.

There is no bolt hold open intentionally to keep dirt out. It has to be learned.

There is no gas system to foul, it is not ammo sensitive. This makes for more recoil.

It was mentioned that no one uses it for a standing military anymore. Wrong answer. Next time the Iranians are on TV note that those small men are all toting big G3's with horrible recoil. Somewhere around 80+ countries have adopted the G3.

If FAL/M1A type ergonomics are a must for you, you will not be happy with the G3.
 
I have a PTR-91 that I've modified quite bit over the years. IMNSHO, you should go with standard fixed stock, 18" barrel version. The G3 platform just isn't a good one for building a compact carbine, and so you lose a lot more from the short barrel and telescoping stock than you gain. I have AK's, AR's and even a SA58 Para (FAL folder carbine 16" barrel) for my "compact" rifles, and ended up building my PTR-91 out for longer range work. It has an 18" barrel (hammer forged, polygonal rifling, not the cut rifling used on current versions), wide forearm with bipod, Magpul stock (awesome!), original H&K claw scope mount with Hensoldt Fero Z24 scope and, yes, a Bill Springfield trigger job. When I got my PTR-91 it was all stock, including the 12+ pound very gritty trigger. I sent my trigger pack to Bill, and he returned it in a week with a crisp, 5 pound break (like the proverbial glass rod). It has no take-up, and almost imperceptible overtravel. I can print very nice, tight groups at 300 meters with this set-up. It's not what I would grab in SHTF situation, but it is a lot of fun when you have room to shoot at longer distances.
 
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I would recommend the 18" version, except that... well, I wish PTR would get their barrels turned down the the original dimensions. The design isn't lightweight to begin with and their heavy barrel doesn't help things. Makes the rifle very nose heavy. Their 16" barrel balances about the same as an original 18", IMO.

The G3 design takes a lot criticism for the ergonomics but it's never been a problem for me. My only issue is the selector switch. On my CETME, it's curved and fairly easy to use. The straight HK style one is... less than adequate.
 
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While I have a Springfield trigger in mine, I did get this ambi safety for like $25 from Williams trigger specialties. It is on the right side of the receiver, and it is easy to manipulate with the trigger finger. I agree that the safety lever and the pushbutton mag release are designed for people with ET type digits.

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I agree that the safety lever and the pushbutton mag release are designed for people with ET type digits.
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The original release was a flapper type behind the magazine. But in order to comply with the BATF's crap, that area had to be milled out for a shelf. There had to be a shelf because otherwise, an original full auto trigger group could used. A trigger group that was pinned in place with ease, rather than the fumbling required with the current system.
 
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