PTR 91F
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| PTR-91F | |
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 PTR-91F |
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| Type | Semi-automatic rifle |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Heckler & Koch |
| Designed | 2000 |
| Manufacturer | JLD Enterprises |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 4.41 kg (9.7 lbs.) |
| Length | 1,026 mm (40.4 in) |
| Barrel length | 450 mm (17.7 in) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Action | roller-delayed blowback |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic only |
| Muzzle velocity | 790 m/s (2,600 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 400m |
| Feed system | 20-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Rear: rotary diopter Front: hooded post |
The PTR-91F is a modern, American-manufactured civilian semi automatic version of the Heckler and Koch G3 rifle, made by PTR 91 Inc. (formerly JLD Enterprises) of Unionville, Connecticut.
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[edit] History
The weapon is relatively new to the market, and began production during the assault weapons ban of 1994, which expired in 2004. The assault weapons ban prohibited certain cosmetic features, many of which were included on the HK91, meaning that it could no longer be manufactured and sold to the US civilian market in its original configuration. The ban compliant PTR-91 rifles did not have a threaded muzzle for flash hiders, no bayonet lug, and they had to be sold with fixed stocks and 10-round (or less)magazines. Furthermore, the German-made HK91 was specifically prohibited from importation under the 1989 Import Ban (see BATFE section 922r). Subsequently Heckler and Koch ceased manufacture of the semi-automatic HK91, and since then civilian versions of the G3 have increased in collector value. The PTR-91F filled the void, as the two rifles are almost identical, even being manufactured from the same blue prints and made on the same machinery that was used under license by the makers of the CETME rifle in Spain. The PTR-91 also makes use of many "surplus" G3/HK-91 parts from demilitarized H&K and H&K-contracted rifles. All parts between the HK-91 and the PTR-91 are interchangeable.
[edit] Variations
The primary version is the PTR-91F, which has a full length 18" barrel and stock: There are other variations of the PTR-91. Notable variants include: The PTR-91 KF, which has a shorter 16" barrel, the PTR-91KPF, which has a collapsible stock as well as a shorter barrel, for easier handling, and the PTR-91 A1F, which has a longer and better quality match barrel for better accuracy. PTR 91, Inc. also makes models with a Picatinny rail mounting system for different accessories, as well as models with folding stocks and different camouflage finishes. Most of the accessories made by Heckler & Koch for the HK-91 variants are compatible with the PTR-91 models but usually are offered at higher prices.
[edit] Publication
The PTR-91 series of weapons has been featured in numerous gun magazines, such as Gun Tests, Guns and Weapons for Law Enforcement, American Rifleman, and Gun World, all of which praised it for having good accuracy and reliability, characteristic of the weapon it was designed after.
Of all the variations, the PTR-91 is considered by many shooters to be "as good as", or even better than the original H&K rifle. Demand has been steadily driving up the price of the PTR-91 which now sells for about half the price of an original HK-91. In 2003, a PTR-91 could be had for a little more than a quarter of the expected price of an HK-91.
