Well, other than deadly pathogens floating in the air, it was pretty nice the other day so why not take a trip to the range? Gun du jour? The PTR-91 GI model. Merciful Crom, it is a thunderous hammer of righteousness. There is no two ways about it – it’s heavy. But it shoots everything I feed it, and I was able to ring the 100-yd 8″ gong with pretty good regularity. The .308 AR-10 is probably a better choice in every regard (weight, ergonomics, availability, etc.) but dang if that heavy hunk of sheet metal doesn’t inspire confidence.
Realistically though…a little .223 carbine is hard to beat. And speaking of .223 carbine….
Cue the music………
Ta-da! Yes, it is the repro of the classic Ruger GB folding stock…made famous by a crack commando unit that was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. The folks who make this stock called me the other day to tell me it was on the way. Being a fabulously nosey person I asked what the backstory was. As it turned out, the company (Samson) had a pre-existing relationship with Ruger, making parts for them or somesuch. One of the Samson employees kept hassling Ruger to bring back the folding stock for the Mini-14. Ruger kept blowing the guy off, telling him that no one was interested, the Mini was a dated design that wasn’t really selling very well anyway, etc, etc. Finally, to shut the guy up, Ruger gave them the moulds and told them to go make it. Samson put out a pre-order and the response was far greater than what Ruger had imagined it would be. So…with Rugers blessing (and, it was hinted, some licensing fees) Samson picked up the torch and is now making the original Ruger folder stock. But, enough history…let’s drop it on a Mini-14 and get on the jazz.
No lie, I giggled like an idiot after this stock was on. Started whistling the A-Team theme and didn’t stop the whole time I wrote this post.
I’ll be the first to say it, when push comes to shoot, I’d rather have a little AR carbine than the Mini-14. The AR is more accurate, better ergonomics, better sights, better triggers, more modular, cheaper mags, etc, etc. But, there is just something about the Mini-14 that says ‘truck gun’ without going too Burt Gummer. This thing will most likely become a range toy or safe queen. Although…it might become a ‘truck gun’ for under the seat with a half dozen magazines. Telll you what though…I can’t wait to take this to the range and see the looks from people who either a) never knew Mini-14’s had stocks like this or b) people who haven’t seen one in thirty years.
And if you think that’s cute, wait’ll you see the itty-bitty baby PDW I’m putting together later this week.
Hey now, sounds like *somebody* is having FUN right in the middle of our apocalyptic, global, universal, multi-verse PANDEMIC!!!
NOT ALLOWED!
Given that the crack commando A team never hit anything in 3 years…………..the accuracy potential of the Mini-14 may be overstated.
and yes, I loved that show.
They’re like Darth’s storm troopers: professional soldiers who somehow never hit the broad-side of a barn.
So just like most professional soldiers,
All the word professional means is at some time you got paid to do it, it’s nothing to do with how good you are.
Yea, that HK pattern is heavy but back then the Bundeswehr did not have “little gurly men” and you only really had to haul the thing up to the Fulda Gap. I love mine, the looks from people at the range, “Oh! A PTR?,” I turn with a slight gleam in my eye, “No”, I reply.
I can just see the advertising for that stock…
“If you have a Mini, and you can find one, maybe you can have…. This Stock”
Cue Theme Song.
Be interesting to see if you can hit anything with that SS Mini with that stock, as the Team back in the day had a hit to bullet ratio approaching that of a squad of Imperial stormtroopers. Is it the stock or the Team?
Hoping everyone keeps calm out there, we will power through, it’s another day on the truck for me.
SWEET!
How would you compare the PTR to the FN- FAL? Firearms news has a comparison test article in the latest issue. Paul Scarlata is the author. To be honest the H&K is a great battle rifle. But the FAL is equally as good. But the FAL just has a better look. The paratrooper version is the way I would go.
I prefer the FAL but since HK mags were $0.97 ea, I went with the PTR.
I love my PTR, I have the German Jungle Green furniture on it. I also was able to get an original bipod, so I can just club people to death. It literally can shoot any ammo I put through it. No issues with distance, cleaned up the rear sight months ago and bam bam all good. The price of mags is stupendous too! The Mini looks great CZ!
I’m not a big fan of the AR .308 platform, but I do like your PTR! Nothing against the .308, I’m just an AR in 5.556/.223 kind of guy. Never been much for modifying the same platform to shoot different calibers. Didn’t care for the 9mm AR either when in came out. Just me!!
sorry 5.56
PTR 91……turning cover into concealment one round at a time!
Jealous of the HK guy, lol. When I got to this stage of the game they were way out of my price range. The PTR fit the bill. Just gotta pick up a spare bolt carrier assembly, just in case, and I’m good to go.
Your post reminded me I gotta get out and test my latest 5.56 build. Thanks for the reminder!
Stay frost folks spicy times they be a comin!
10 years ago you could get G3 mags for a buck each. So I did. You can still find ’em for $5 at the Fun Show. My tote bin overfloweth.
If that keeps selling well how long before Ruger come out with a new folding stock?
It’s been a long, long time since I’ve had fun with a Mini-14 like that. They are a lot of fun! Back in the day they were more common, and less expensive than the AR, my how times have changed!
Another gun I miss – the .30 carbine.
Every time I see that folding stock, I hear the them from The A-Team in my head.
Has the PTR been reliable? I finally got one, haven’t had it out to the range yet. Mags are still pretty inexpensive (one I got was dated 1963!) Looking forward to getting it out there, once I am able to get decently priced ammo. Not working right now, so money is at more of a premium. I did ask PTR if steel cased ammo was ok, the sales manager responded with “…we have put thousands of rounds of it through our own guns and have had no problems with it.” Heavy at 9.5 lbs, but I like it!