First-time buyer questions RE:PTR (H&K) rifles

[BCP]

Anyone here a PTR guru? I have shot a couple but never really got into them. One has been offered to me on trade, it's a PTR that was built up as target rifle project. The barrel is a 22" heavy profile (douglas), no chamber flutes, bolt matched to it, MSG90 handguards, trigger has been reworkd. It was built by a good smith and is supposedly a good shooter. Also includes the original barrel and a spare bolt.

Suggestions on things to look for? Like function check it, break it down, look at the _____ type of stuff?

My worry is that this rifle is someone's project and people don't usually sell projects unless it's become too much of a headache.

 

[Afghanvet09]

Re: First-time buyer questions RETR (H&K) rifles

One thing on PTRs that may be a problem for some is how far they throw brass and damaging brass if you reload. I'm going to be picking up one of the PTR91 GI's. My brother has one and he says 2 MOA with surplus is doable and they can be had for $1k or less.

 

[Cut]

Re: First-time buyer questions RETR (H&K) rifles

You can buy a case buffer that clips onto HK style rifles. But it does scratch the finish once it's attached. Not sure if there is one that is made for the rifles with the scope rail welded on.

I had HI93 for years and it does toss the brass forward and to the right each time you fire the rifle.

Cut

 

[ORD]

Re: First-time buyer questions RETR (H&K) rifles

No chamber flutes is a concern (or can be depending on how the barrel was chambered, the ammo you'll be running in it, and whether you have extraction issues), but they can be cut at a later date if you run into issues (costs roughly $200 give or take). Attaching the MSG90 handguards is NOT a simple endeavor (it requires a LOT more than just attaching the handguards which can't even be done to the basic PTR without a good bit of modification) and somebody who doesn't know what they are doing can easily screw up the job...don't know which smith we are talking about or his experience with HK rifles so I can't give you an opinion on his abilities/work.

Do you have any info on the smith (knowing just that info may tell me a LOT about the rifle), a list of everything done and how it was done, any pics, what the bolt gap measures, what the bolt head/carrier look like, have the MSG's "T-rails" been installed, and of course...the price? Even a POS can be a damned good deal if the price is right!

You might head over to HKPro and have a read through some of the MSG-90 "conversion" threads and all that goes into performing one the "right" way versus the cheap way. There are many people who CLAIM to have MSG-90 conversions/clones that are a LONG way from it. Anyway...just a couple things to look for/consider, but the smith's info could tell volumes in and of itself.

ETA: Also you said that the trigger has been "reworked" but is the trigger the basic PTR trigger pack or has it actually been upgraded to the MSG-90/PSG-1 trigger pack?

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: First-time buyer questions RETR (H&K) rifles

Check the bolt gap on the rifle.

Rack the rifle and then pull the trigger. Flip the rifle over and you will see the bolt head and bolt carrier from inside the mag well. Take a feeler gauge. The Space between the bolt and the carrier should be between. 0.010" - 0.022" if it is outside of those tolerances PM me and I'll tell you what you can do to fix it.

Good Luck,
Merritt

 

[leadbullet]

Re: First-time buyer questions RETR (H&K) rifles

it has to have chamber flute to function properly, pass on that deal.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: First-time buyer questions RETR (H&K) rifles

As said before. It has to have the flutes to eject and checking the gap is important as well as seeing if it has any + rollers. The HK91 is so dang simple the only thing I would be concerned about is make sure it is a shooter if all the other parts are quality. As to brass? Forgeta' bout' it. It destroys it. Period. El junko.

 

[BCP]

Re: First-time buyer questions RETR (H&K) rifles

Well, the rifle was what he said it was but he has since flaked on me and won't return my calls. Oh well

 

[ORD]

Re: First-time buyer questions RETR (H&K) rifles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, the rifle was what he said it was but he has since flaked on me and won't return my calls. Oh well

</div></div>

He may have wised up and realized with the deal you had going that he was taking a serious beating in terms of lost money. Hard to tell, but I'm sorry for your loss. May not have been such a huge loss at the end of the day.

Hang in there, brother!