So tomorrow I’ll go out and vet the PTR-91. I actually used to own a genuine HK93 carbine when I was a kid. It was a fantastic gun. Never bobbled a round and took abuse like a trailerpark housewife. Sadly, mags were prohibitively expensive even twenty years ago. So, I traded it off for a CAR-15 since mags were only $5. I wonder where that gun is today. It’s the first gun I ever regretted trading off. Sure, there are others I’ve regretted trading off since then but that was the first one. Price? Guy had it for sale in the paper…for $600 I could have had either that or the Uzi. I took the HK figuring it was more practical in terms of accuracy and range.

So why the PTR-91? Well, the CETMEs and various HK clones cobbled together by outfits like Century (especially Century) and Hesse have left me cold. Reviews are mixed but usually negative. On the other hand the PTR’s seem to be getting a good reputation and after examining one it seems like a solid gun. More importantly, I feel that if I have a problem with it the GunPimp will work with me to get it resolved or refund my money. So, just like drugs, it pays to know your dealer.

Anyway, HK91 mags are less than $2 so for $100 I can have at least fifty mags. Put that in another perspective – $100 gets you:

4 M1A mags (if youre lucky)
7 AR-15 mags (new or used)
10 AK-47 mags
10 Ruger 10/22 25-rd. mags
20 FAL used mags (from DSA)
50 HK91 mags

Of course, its not exactly as clear cut a ratio as you would think. To be able to buy the $2 mags you have to buy a $1000 rifle. So which is the better value? The $1000 rifle that takes a $2 magazine or the $500 carbine that takes a $10 magazine? Cant say because then other issues come into play …reliability, ergonomics, parts availability, power, penetration, etc.

So, and I’m sure you can see this conclusion coming, its really subjective. I like the idea of plunking down the greenbacks and in ‘one fell swoop’ getting my magazine supply needs completely filled with excellent condition OEM mags for one crisp $100 bill. In actuality, it’ll be more like 70 mags for $100 but I like round numbers.

So the plan for tomorrow? The good Captain will be bring his genuine pre-ban HK91 and some accessories for it. Ammo will be out of an SA battle pack. We’ll shoot for groups using his HK claw mount with a Leupold of some type in it. Objective is to see if, given same scope and mount, both rifles will shoot groups of equal size. After that it’ll be open sights at fifty yards. Then swapping parts (such as stocks, slings, etc..swapping bolts is never a good idea). Of course, comparative functioning and reliability will be observed as well….distance of ejected brass, perceived recoil, etc, etc.

The Captain was also nice enough to turn me onto a few websites for spare parts and the like. Although the HK has a reputation for handling neglect and not breaking (“The Mexican army carries them if that tells you anything!” – Bostons Gun Bible) I would like to err on the side of caution and I don’t mind spending another $50 for a firing pin, a buncha springs and some pins.

I very much hope this rilfe compares favorably against the genuine article. I want to like it.