So You Want To Buy A HK91/G3 Rifle...

Great post AUG! You are a wealth of knowledge on the subject! I had considered getting a PTR, but now I am rethinking the issue.

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Originally Posted by Killjoy

Great post AUG! You are a wealth of knowledge on the subject! I had considered getting a PTR, but now I am rethinking the issue.

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I'm constantly on the fence about the PTRs and would love to check out the GI barrel models. They really do have the ability to become a US contract rifle if they wanted.

That said, you can track down the Greek and Portuguese rifles for slightly more money and they are completely dependable.

I just wish PTR would knock out a semi G3 complete with paddle magazine release and military spec barrel. Then they'd have something most of us would be very interested in.

Dano, can you post a bigger picture, please?

May I ask why did you go with the shorter handguard (which involves cutting the recoil spring tube) instead of just chopping 1.7" from the barrel?

Can you show the welded on picatinny rail? It is a great idea to cowitness the iron sights (great cheek weld as well).

What do you use with magnified optics? Can you use relatively low mounted see-through rings?

Any other mods? Rail glued/riveted to the handguards, o perhaps sling swivels mounted on them?

What is the weight with the RDS, sling and loaded aluminium magazine?

Thanks in advance :)

Great thread, deserves a sticky.

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Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

I'm constantly on the fence about the PTRs and would love to check out the GI barrel models. They really do have the ability to become a US contract rifle if they wanted.

That said, you can track down the Greek and Portuguese rifles for slightly more money and they are completely dependable.

I just wish PTR would knock out a semi G3 complete with paddle magazine release and military spec barrel. Then they'd have something most of us would be very interested in.

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About the only thing my countrymen have done right in the past century...Damn those Greeks. I'll need to find one for myself eventually :D

Great thread!

Makes me want to dig out my unfired HK911 & fondle the planet of the apes thumbhole stock!

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Originally Posted by Templar

This is an example of an HK Contract Rifle....

Springfield Armory SAR-3/8 that was built in Greece by Hellenic Arms on HK tooling. The original preban Springfield G3 type rifles were marked G3 (very rare), SAR-3 and when the import ban hit in 1989, the remaining rifles in the country but still in the bonded warehouse were overstamped with an 8, so as to allow the sale of the banned "SAR-3".

This is a rifle that I purchased originally in 1990. Back then, Springfield could sell the SAR-3/8 with a thumbhole stock, and muzzle nut over the threaded muzzle, AND then advertised an "accurizing kit" that included the original buttstock, pistol grip, and flash suppressor. There was nothing in the executive order that said you couldn't refit those items to the rifle. Mitchell Arms did the same thing with their Yugoslavian AK's. Times were different as were the regulations.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/DSC00244.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/DSC00246.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/DSC00247.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/DSC00249.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../DSC00250b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/DSC00251.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/DSC00252.jpg



I'm very much with SteyrAUG on this, buy a preban Kraut HK91, Greek Springfield Armory SAR-3, SAR-3/8, or SAR-8 (make sure it's a Greek stamped steel receiver, avoid the aluminum receiver with the integral rail), or Portuguese G3S or XG3S.

A build by a known HK centric smith on a HK contract receiver with an excellent parts kit is worth owning if you can save some money on it.

I still don't trust the JLD/PTR rifles as a whole, but if their line is improving with the new G3 GI rifle, which can be had for just under $1K, then that would be a great option.

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I'm torn between going for an original German hk91, the Greek sar, or the ptr 91 GI. Pretty significant differences in condition and price out there. I found some decent late 70's HK91's going for low 2k range and some early 80's versions with some wear for the same price. Problem with the Greek stuff is I have no idea how old they are but some of them appear to be almost new. Are the SAR barrels threaded under that ridiculous fake hider or do I need a good smith to bring them into their original configuration? Are the fake hiders pinned on and can the stock/grip be removed? I would like it as true to the original as possible which is what keeps me from going for the PTR in the first place. What is the PTR missing that the originals have? And did any models except the factory or converted machine guns have the paddle release? Every original hk91 I've seen for sale doesn't seem to have the paddle. If PTR actually made it true to spec I would not hesitate.

Oreaopla

I am just building mine.
So far I have a new FMP CHF barrel.
New HK trunnion
New HK cocking tube
Anti rattle paddle release
Like new HK BCG with tungsten weights in the carrier
New HK recoil assemble
New HK steel weld on shell deflector.
I still have a ways to go but when I am through it will have all the newest HK G3 updates with a CHF barrel.

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Originally Posted by Oreaopla

Are the fake hiders pinned on and can the stock/grip be removed? I would like it as true to the original as possible which is what keeps me from going for the PTR in the first place. What is the PTR missing that the originals have? And did any models except the factory or converted machine guns have the paddle release? Every original hk91 I've seen for sale doesn't seem to have the paddle. If PTR actually made it true to spec I would not hesitate.

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The fake flash hider is pressed on. It is a pain to correct. One of the best solutions is the faux 91k where a correct flash hider is permanently attached to a shortened barrel.

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.co...esmithhk.shtml

The thumbhole stock is removed as simply as a standard stock.

None of the early imports had a paddle magazine release. You will either have to have one gunsmith installed or opt for something like the Tac Latch.

http://www.taclatch.com/

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Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

The fake flash hider is pressed on. It is a pain to correct. One of the best solutions is the faux 91k where a correct flash hider is permanently attached to a shortened barrel.

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.co...esmithhk.shtml

The thumbhole stock is removed as simply as a standard stock.

None of the early imports had a paddle magazine release. You will either have to have one gunsmith installed or opt for something like the Tac Latch.

http://www.taclatch.com/

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Probably best to find an SAR that already has the flash hider installed, even if it's pinned then. Or just buy an hk91 and have it refinished and have the paddle installed I suppose. I'm not too concerned with affecting the collector value since I'm not going to sell it off.