[zach13168]

I was looking to buy a JDL PTR-91 but after hearing all the good things about Ohio Rapid Fire I got thinking. Would a ORF FAL build be a better purchase? This rifle would be my SHTF rifle and needs to be $800 or less.

Thanks
Zach

[Bwana John]

Get the FAL- Forging and threads beats stampings and welds.

[Black Snowman]

I've handled the PTR-91 and I had a FAL. The PTR-91 has much better ergonomics for me. ORF has a good rep and teh FAL is a solid design, but I wouldn't count the PTR-91 out as it appears very well made and it handled better for me at least in the brief time I got to fondle it.

[Roadrunner]

I saw the buy listed for the JDL PTR-91 and it's very tempting. Nice looking rifle.

[bnolsen]

I have a PTR-91 and it's pretty stinkin' nice. Much nicer than the cetme I bought before it.

The one big bonus of the PTR is that it has that nice thick bull barrel.
It definitely makes the rifle look much much nicer.

http://home.comcast.net/~bnolsen/DSC03637.JPG

[Feanaro]

I think the target barrel is fugly as sin. :D But otherwise the PTR is a great product. ORF has a good reputation though I've never seen one personally. So, quality-wise, it's a tie. Comes down to which rifle you like better. What you need to do is handle a FAL and a G3. Play with them a little, give 'em a few dry fires. There are a number of threads you can search for on the FAL vs. G3 subject. The G3 wins, of course. ;)

[HPJeep]

I like my M1A but since that is not one of your choices I like the FAL. The action is easier to keep clean compared to the 91 but that is the only fault in my opinion. I did notice the 91 seems to kick more compared to the FAL, M1A, .308 Ak47, etc. Not really a big deal though.

[standingbear]

I have an ohio rapid fire fal carbine with the shorter barrel and am quite pleased.they took their time on the build and quality counts.the fit and finish is excellent,mine is grey park'd.they used imbel parts and receiver and of course the required us parts and an dsa piston. I got mine awhile back as an internet special..the price was 475. I doubt they will sell one that cheap again but if I had the money, I would get their standard version as well.theyre good builds and worth the investment.

On the PTR-91,I dont have this model and can say that if youre planning on reloading,the fluted chambers will eat the brass.aside from that,I think the original design is a good one as long as it hasnt been butchered too much. If the rollers are ok and everything is in spec then the stamped receiver should last a very long time.

Personally,I like the fals adjustable gas and the simplicity of sliding the lever to seperate the upper/lower vs popping out the 2 pins and sliding off the buttstock to remove everything.Its all in what you consider a must have.

[Grayrider]

I have had both and there is no comparison. The PTR is nice for the price, but the ORF G3 is much better. My G3 was my first no-ban configuration gun. I asked Todd to pick one with a good trigger. What I got was a great trigger, and a finish that is better than any H&K I ever saw. The parts must have all been new. It also has a PTR reciever, and they are very robust. He did the high grade finish rather than plain park, so I have a satin black look that blends perfectly with the furniture. It is truly a work of art. The flash supressor works quite well. Having had that I would not want a bare barrel again. I strongly suggest you get ahold of Todd at ORF and order one of his guns. You will not be sorry!

As for FALs, I just don't really like them. I have had several and all were ammo sensitive. They also kicked like mules. The G3 is much milder to me, although for a mild recoiling .308 you may want an M1A. That is my favorite rifle, but they are pricey. You can get the ORF G3 and all the $2 G3 mags you want for less than an M1A.

GR

[Dionysusigma]

Find a FAL and hold it. Try using the sights. Find a G3 and follow suit.

For me (keep in mind this is only my opinion, as good as anybody else's), the G3 design feels a whole lot better. The way the controls were laid out, the sights, the look... everything.

The FAL is nice too, but I just couldn't get comfortable with it. At least, not with the regular L1A1/STG-58 furniture. I had the opportunity to hold one with Tapco's M249 SAW furniture, and Wow. Horse of a different color. If I were to get a FAL, I'd be doing a few modifications to it before even firing it, but that's just me.

Both fire the same, available-as-NATO-surplus round. FAL mags are cheap, and G3 mags are ridiculously cheap. The FAL is easier to customize, but that's only because more people have been using it as compared to the G3. G3 accessories are easy enough to find if you just look for 'em. Ergonomics and sights are the only big difference (aside from operating system). Everyone will tell you to go for one or the other, but that's based on their own preferences. Which is better? Beef, or chicken?

WIABDT (What It All Boils Down To): Get the one that fits you.

[zach13168]

Thanks for all the good insight fellas!

Zach