PTR-91 ejection problem

[97F1504RAD]

Thats a lame excuse blaming ammunition for function of the weapon. SA and Hirtenberger is some pretty nice surplus. I have a JLD Axxxx and I have shot nothing but hirtenberger and SA it is one of my go to battle rifles.

Think it is BS when a manufacturer excludes an entire range of ammunition, maybe one or two brands it didn't like, I'd understand, but saying all surplus? On their website they advertise the caliber as 7.62mm NATO/.308. That is obviously false.

That is one of the older model ones that does not have the same barrel or issues with ammo that the new ones have. They switched barrel makers and TC Contender is now making the barrels they have not cut the flutes deep enough for one thing and they also say it is a match grade barrel according to them. Also can you please show me where on PTR's site they market it as being a 7.62x51 rifle? I think the onnly place you see 7.62 is in the description of the PTR91F all others say .308

[sd1023x]

That is one of the older model ones that does not have the same barrel or issues with ammo that the new ones have. They switched barrel makers and TC Contender is now making the barrels they have not cut the flutes deep enough for one thing and they also say it is a match grade barrel according to them. Also can you please show me where on PTR's site they market it as being a 7.62x51 rifle? I think the onnly place you see 7.62 is in the description of the PTR91F all others say .308

I'm aware of the issue with awxxxx ptr's v axxxx ptr's. Just chiming in BS. And yeah, PTR91F. I just checked my model, not all the other models. But sadly, until they take it upon themselves to fix this, I couldn't recommend a PTR to one of my friends.

[buffybuster]

If it was manufactured with the H&K spec fluted chamber, it should not even need an extractor for the cases to come out of the chamber. The delayed roller blowback action with the correct fluted chamber will operate for quite a few rounds without an extractor...

[97F1504RAD]

I'm aware of the issue with awxxxx ptr's v axxxx ptr's. Just chiming in BS. And yeah, PTR91F. I just checked my model, not all the other models. But sadly, until they take it upon themselves to fix this, I couldn't recommend a PTR to one of my friends.

Then make sure not to recommend any DSA rifles either since they have the same ammo warnings as well.

I think having an ammo warning on any of these so called battle rifles is really stupid. However many firearms manufactures have similar warnings about using certain ammo. I think it is just being overblown with the
PTR because people believe it is a battle rifle. Not to mention that it seems to be differrent from one rifle to the next. I think one thing people are overlooking is that PTR has not marketed it as a battle rifle but has in fact marketed them as a Target Rifle.

And it is still a awesome rifle regardless. IT would be nice if someone could cut the flutes to the proper depth which is what the issue seems to be.

[lehn20]

Target rifle or battle rifle, who cares~! People paid big money for it, so it better run whe you pull the trigger!!!

Same goes for 1911s.. Who wants to buy a 3K 1911 and then have to send it out for a reliability package. Its insane!!!!!!!!!!!

[tiger222]

it sounds like the chamber is underflutted ~ do you have a pic of the spent brass? There should be lots of carbon streaks on the casing. What you can do is get an AR15 chamber brush, put a few 2" square cleaning patches on it and then some jb paste or similar and install it only a cleaning rod, then into an electric drill and polish the chamber. Then clean out the chamber and flutes with an HK chamber brush and rod, from the jb paste and try again. If that doesn't work, I'd send the rifle back to PTR and ask for a new barrel.

HK germany has never made a bad barrel that I've come across, clone makers generally can do it, but seem to miss the mark alot.

[fcastle]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate everyone's input.

Here are some answers to your questions. The serial number on my rifle is AWxxxx, so it seems to be the newer generation with the Thompson barrels.

For those of you who asked- I thoroughly scrubbed the chamber using a .50 cal brass brush, as well as the HK chamber brush. I even had the darn thing professionally cleaned, sonic washed, etc. None of that has not done any good- the problem persists.

I mean, to use only a small selection of perfect commercial ammunition in a 'battle rifle' seems crazy and many of you agreed. The fact that they claim this is a 'target rifle' to me says that they know of the problem and they're trying to avoid the problem by renaming it something else. But the problem is there and no marketing magic is going to correct it.

I would love to send the rifle back, but I do not have a return authorization from PTR. They sent me a fluff email with their ammo 'disclaimer' and I wrote back that their response was unacceptable. Name one original or surplus battle rifle that comes with an ammo disclaimer- just one. And no, DSA and PTR do not count. A true 'target' rifle, I would understand, but a copy of the venerable G3/HK91 needing special ammo seems completely unreasonable.

I've asked them politely to fix the problem, but they have not responded to my request. Who knows if they will... ?

BTW- I have just recently spoken to several reputable and well-known HK gunsmiths and they unanimously said that the problem is the under-fluting of the chamber in the 'newer' TC barrels. There is even talk among these guys that PTR is aware of this problem. But since they're choosing to re-market their product with a different name (target rifle) only indicates their disinterest in correcting the problem.

At this point, I have to say that I am deeply disappointed with PTR. This sort of thing reminds me of Coharie Arms and their nonsense. PTR is better than this (aren't they?).

Here is the best part- my rifle has the 16" barrel. The only commercial barrels available with the correct fluting specification are 17.7" or 17.75" which means that I'd have to change the cocking tube, as well as the forearm handle, not to mention the labor and shipping costs. All in all, it's going to cost a good $700-$1100 to do this, depending whom I send it to.

What would you guys do if you were in my place? Spend a total of nearly $2000 (the rifle cost + 'repair' costs) to get a PTR to 'run properly' or sell it and get a used HK911, etc?

Confused and disillusioned,

HKS

[Barney Gumble]

I suspect this has been covered in detail on hkpro.com. Have you read everything you can there on this topic?

That said, why can't you buy the longer barrel and have it cut down?

Alternatively you could just sell your rifle and get a 91F. Yes it's a longer barrel but it's not a big difference and you can always get an HK collapsible stock if you want to shorten it up a little.

[97F1504RAD]

What brands of ammo have you used so far?

And it has been covered in great lengths over at hkpro.com

In fact a new PTR owner posted today and her is what he has to say. His seems to be eating anything he puts in it just about.

http://hkpro.com/forum/showpost.php?p=846832&postcount=1

[fcastle]

I've used the following:

MagTech (brand new); stops working after 10-15 rounds
Winchester; stops working after 10-15 rounds
Federal; works pretty well
American Tactical Imports 7.62x51: stopped after 8 rounds

Mind you, I have to clean the hell out of the chamber before switching ammunition.

At this point, I am beyond frustrated. PTR doesn't seem to think that this is a problem.

So, yes, I can get a brand new barrel with the correct specifications and cut it down, get it installed, etc., but why should I have to do that, when in fact, it's PTR's (vendor's) fault? A new barrel is ~$200, then to get it installed is anywhere between $250-450 depending on who gets to work on it, as well as possibly having to get a new cocking tube, forearm, etc., we're talking over $700.

Now I ask you- is this fair?

[NSR500]

A competent HK gunsmith can rebarrel that rifle without having to mess with the cocking tube, or anything else.

[high_revs]

I have a PTR-91F (18" barrel). The only problems I had was that it was ejecting hard. It was putting dents on the brass. Granted, I was using .308 loads (loads I put together learning to reload). It's only 147gr bullet too. I only took a few shots but will try my PRV Partizan, maybe the blackhills or Federal Gold Match and see what happens. I do want to replace that stock first. Only shooting irons here too. The trigger is nothing to be desired!

[sd1023x]

I've used the following:

MagTech (brand new); stops working after 10-15 rounds
Winchester; stops working after 10-15 rounds
Federal; works pretty well
American Tactical Imports 7.62x51: stopped after 8 rounds

Mind you, I have to clean the hell out of the chamber before switching ammunition.

At this point, I am beyond frustrated. PTR doesn't seem to think that this is a problem.

So, yes, I can get a brand new barrel with the correct specifications and cut it down, get it installed, etc., but why should I have to do that, when in fact, it's PTR's (vendor's) fault? A new barrel is ~$200, then to get it installed is anywhere between $250-450 depending on who gets to work on it, as well as possibly having to get a new cocking tube, forearm, etc., we're talking over $700.

Now I ask you- is this fair?

wasn't someone on hkpro offering to cut the flutes deeper?

[Barney Gumble]

I don't see why this is so hard.

PTR91 sent you a list of ammo that should work. Test out the ammo on the list and if more than a couple of those brands fail, send the rifle back. If it shoots that ammo fine, IMHO you're stuck with the rifle. Sell it and get something else that you like better.

[redcliff]

I think the fact that PTR is manufacturing a 16" barrel/m4 stocked rifle with a tight target chamber is ridiculous. I don't know what the OP can do other than get it to fail with recommended ammo and try to get PTR to fix the barrel fluting problem.

My registerred HK and SAR models eat anything I throw at them and ask for more.

BTW case denting is pretty normal on these type rifles as they try to throw the emptys into the next zip code. HK used to sell a port buffer if I recall to help prevent brass damage, or at least to keep brass marks off your rifle.