PTR 91 GI paddle release?

[Panzerschwein]

Hey guys! Well I'm getting ready to take a business trip where I will be able to save and earn some nice pay while I'm gone. When I get back, I want to buy this rifle:



It's a PTR 91 GI rifle made by PTR Industries. It's based off the German Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle, my all-time favorite weapon ever. This model looks to be based off the basic infantry version of the G3, which is what I want, and is priced at about $900 and maybe less from most sources I've seen. It also has pretty good reviews. So everything looks great except one thing... due to some some crazy ATF laws or whatever, the original paddle magazine release of the G3 is absent from these PTR rifles. Instead, a mag release buton is added to the right of the mag well just like on an AR-15, but unlike the AR the PTR's button is located too far forward for most users and supposedely isn't easy to use. Also I don't like how it messes up the manual of arms of the real G3.

But, I've learned that it's possible to add the original G3 paddle release as long as some steps are taken to keep it legal. I plan on getting this modification done to my rifle. Does anyone know who I can take/send it to who does this? Really this is just about the ONLY thing that's holding me back. I want to be certain there is someone out there who can do this mod for me once I get back and get this cool rifle in hand.

If anybody can help me with this, please let me know! Thanks!

- Cooldill

 

[seasmoke]

Check with Jeff Walters @ Parabellum Combat Systems. His work is highly regarded and has quick turn-around times.

http://prusikusa.com/

 

[4thPointOfContact]

Another alternative is the TacLatch; which if I remember the one I had more than a decade ago, requires no gunsmithing. The only potential drawback is that it's pretty much right-hand-Only.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Another alternative is the TacLatch; which if I remember the one I had more than a decade ago, requires no gunsmithing. The only potential drawback is that it's pretty much right-hand-Only.

No that'a alright LOL.

I would much rather make it like a real G3 if possible, am willing to spend the money to install a paddle release. The thing I'm wondering about is since theres a way to do this legally, why doesn't PTR Industries do it from the factory? I think with CNC equipment it could be done easily and not add more than $50 to the gun, which I'm sure most would be willing to pay.

 

[Gordon]

No answer for bureaucrazy But the above link gets you what you want.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks Gordon!

 

[stubbicatt]

Bill Springfield installed my paddle release. He did a good job. He does a great trigger also

 

[Conelrad]

Mag release work

+1 on Bill.

DG

 

[Destructo6]

To add to the list so far,

Jayson Cotter at InvestmentGradeFirearms.com

Their site has a subsection that addresses typical PTR upgrades. Looks like the paddle install is $225 minus parts. There's a couple of versions of the paddle, so...

Yeah, it would definitely be worth $50 to me to have the paddle done at the factory.

 

[AlexanderA]

due to some some crazy ATF laws or whatever, the original paddle magazine release of the G3 is absent from these PTR rifles. Instead, a mag release button is added to the right of the mag well

The factory mag release found on the PTR rifle is not an "added" substitute that they dreamed up. That's the "real" mag release on all HK-design rifles. The paddle that's found on military G3 rifles is a supplementary release that works by activating the "real" cross-sliding release.

Semiautomatic HK-design rifles sold in this country must not have the front push-pin hole for the trigger housing drilled all the way through. Having that hole would allow a full-automatic trigger group to be installed, and the presence of that hole is a "marker" for a full-automatic HK, in the same way that the third (auto sear pin) hole on an AR-15 is a "marker" for a FA M16. That's how the ATF identifies these guns as legal, or not.

The problem with the paddle release is that it pivots on the front trigger group push pin. The legal way to make the conversion is to drill the hole for that pin, but not drill it all the way through. (If, by mistake, you break through to the other side while drilling the hole, you have just made your gun into FA contraband, according to the ATF.) After drilling the hole partially through (very carefully!), the paddle release is installed with a shorter pin than the original push pin, and the open side is welded up and ground flush. And then the area needs to be refinished. The paddle cannot subsequently be removed.

I think this conversion would cost more than $50 if done by a careful and experienced smith. After all, one slip and your gun is illegal scrap. And once that hole is drilled all the way through (by mistake or intentionally, doesn't matter), the "once a machine gun always a machine gun" rule kicks in, and no amount of repair can save the gun.

I have a PTR-91, and I decided not to have the paddle release conversion done, for the above reasons. However, I made what IMO is a more significant improvement, which is to replace the plastic trigger housing with a metal one. The metal housing has to be "clipped" so as to fit on a semiautomatic receiver with a "shelf" instead of a push pin. "Pinning" (installing a cosmetic dummy push pin) is not necessary.

 

[stubbicatt]

I understand your reasoning AlexanderA.

I will say that the paddle has transformed my rifle into something much easier to use. Magazine changes are much more user friendly.

The PTR is a neat rifle. Fun to shoot and as accurate as I am. 10 - 12 years ago the surplus parts for it were everywhere and relatively inexpensive. I have purchased many accessories in that time and have really enjoyed the rifle. The FeroZ51 night vision scope is just a hoot.

Too bad I so rarely shoot anymore.