PTR-91 - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

[SteyrAUG]

Ok they showed up today and will ship out Monday for those who ordered one. Here is my review.

The GOOD.

A lot of time thought and effort went into this rifle. The receiver is much thicker than a German one and about as robust as you can make it and still have interchangability with HK parts. Thick is good with a stamped steel .308 rifle.

The two stage trigger is a dream. If you never noticed a problem with the factory HK trigger you will notice after shooting this much improved one.

The US made cocking handle is the best one I've ever seen. Unlike other square pieces of metal **** that cut into your hand this one doesn't hurt. It is the first one I won't change to a factory one. And most importantly these rifels are correctly spec'd so when you pull the cocking handle away from the tube it breaks the rollers. This means you can charge the rifle with the weak hand just like a factory HK.

The welds. Knock off guys take note. These are what welds are suppossed to look like. Notice how the cocking handle and receiver almost look like a single stamping and not something produced in a high school auto shop.

A recessed crown. It is well though out touches like this one that make this the best production postban HK clone I've ever seen.

 

[SteyrAUG]

The BAD.

The trigger pack on each rifle has some "back and forth" play in it. Not nearly as bad as early SW rifles but a major detraction from a otherwise really good rifle. Fortunately it can be shimmed tight and anyone who has ever owned a SW product will be familiar with the process.

While the US made buttstock is the best one I've ever seen it does not have holes for the takedown pins and the buffer is not secured from the rear like a factory HK.

The UGLY.

My hatred for all thing French remains vindicated with this attrocity of a "french style" rear sight. While a good "target" sight it is inferior to the standard G3 sight (which has peep apetures and didn't need a dedicated main one) and mine will be replaced with one.

Some will not like the profile of the US made heavy barrel. But as it is a polygonal, I'll take it. Kinda has a SR9 feel but does make the rifle a tad front heavy.

The rest.

They also used a barrel collar to make sure handguards have no play. Smart move.

Wide target handguards will fit, but fit TIGHT. Put them on very carefully. Remember the outside diameter of the receiver is actually larger than a factory gun.

Mine after a few improvements. Keep in mind if you replace the US made stocks with factory ones that is 3 named parts. Of course I only use US made mags now. Actually with all the US made parts on a PTR-91 you could probably get away with just replacing followers and floorplates.

 

[SteyrAUG]

BTW, if you want one the guy I got them from has 4 left.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=181055

 

[Bergeron]

That's a nice looking rifle.

Looks like you replaced all of the furniture and the rear sight. That correct?

Pardon my asking, but what is the going rate for one of these things? I've been waiting for a decent 91 clone to come out.

 

[Schuey2002]

Pardon my asking, but what is the going rate for one of these things?

The link that Steyr provided says "$885 + $25 s/h" for the guns he is selling.

 

[Bergeron]

Aha! A link!

Perhaps I should pay more attention before posting.

 

[SteyrAUG]

Yes, I replaced the furniture with Green stocks on mine (I own several preban 91s and dying to do one in Green) and I will put a standard G3 sight on this one.

 

[Schuey2002]

I found a few close-ups pics of the receiver..

 

[MiniZ]

Thanks for the write up, good info.

 

[Lars]

Will there be a range report.

 

[hksw]

Good report. Overall it looks pretty good. What did you have to do to get the handguard to fit?

 

[Schuey2002]

Steyr, now that you've owned this gun for a few months, how would you rate this gun overall? Was it worth the money? Also, have you had any problems with it?

 

[Bergeron]

Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[another48hrs]

You can always go to HK91.com and check out the forums. The PTR-91 is really popular over there. I don't know about you, but wouldn't the PTR-91 look really nice with a wide forearm, psg1 butt stock and pistol grip. Kind of like the rifle Billy Zane used in Sniper.

 

[Bergeron]

I agree with you about the wide forearm. For some reason, HK91s and their clones look more "appropriate" with them.