In the mid 1980s it was a stretch for me to buy a $400 used Colt SP1.
An HK91 was more than half again that.
Shortly after, import laws made them jump to over twice that, and 1994 made things even worse.
I finally got a clone in the late 1990s.
It had a failed top. It unfortunately had an aluminum receiver. After a mag or two the Heat difference would lock up the charging handle. About a thousand rounds into it, I was informed the gun was probably beyond its half life, but it was a great parts kit. I had it rebuilt on a PTR receiver. I love the trigger assembly, but hate a non railed receiver. I also found I prefer the wide handguard s over the slim it came with and installed those. Especially with bipod legs.
My second was a retractable stock model. Again I miss the railed top. I also do not like the navy trigger assembly as much. These stocks are not as nice as the earlier ones with a different shaped butt.
I recently obtained a pistol version and braced it. I like having the rail. I put a phantom mount on it, but will swap it with the middle gun as the Phantom can is rated to 10.5, but not 8.5 in 308. Note that without a folding or retractable brace, there is not portability or size advantage with the pistol.
Of course, along the way, as with many guns I listed after in the 80s, I have found an AR10 to be a preferable, more ergonomic platform.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ohRhtE4vBShqzyl62
I have also not found reliable 30 round magazines. The dozens of 20s I have all work fine. I have not found a difference in function between steel and alloy.
Like many guns I took decades to get, time and advances have made them less the pinnacles many were at the time.
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