PTR-91F SN#AW79xx, GSG-522, HK P9s 9mm Combat Range/Product Report

[Mistraven]

PTR-91F – GSG-522 – HK P9s

Range/Product Report

I have spent spring 2012 visiting my new range several times. I used to spend some time at the Buffalo Range near Ottawa IL; however they are in litigation with the state and shut down for the foreseeable future. I came across Darnall’s Gun Range and Works near Bloomington, IL and it’s a nice little place, perfect for what I need to do. I picked up a membership for a year.

PTR-91F



The SN is AW79xx. The rifle was purchased a few years ago from Hinterland Outfitters out of Texas. She has 12 flutes which look like they are cut decently and span the entire chamber. I have never had any issues with ejection. I can take out right flanking enemies with violently ejected shells, and this is with Robert RTG'S port buffer installed.





I was never able to totally zero in the iron sights and/or the Hensoldt/Karl Caps Model 1 scope in previous range visits, so zeroing was my primary mission. I’ve seen the literature of POI at 30m and 200m and this was on my mind.

How to adjust the sights of your HK rifle © Heckler & Koch Gmbh/mg-42.net 2001-2006

For the PTR-91, I have been using Silver Bear 145g FMJ .308 rounds. I’ve been having really good luck and value with this particular brand so I stocked up some time ago. I’ve also used American Eagle 150g FMJ, Wolf 150g FMJ, Silver Bear 140g SP, and Brown Bear 145g FMJ as well during my 2 years of owning this beast. I’ve only had 1 jam and 1 torn head/case over the course of approximately 800 rounds. I purchased a few “new” G3 mags when I first picked up the gun, but otherwise I have been using a few dozen cleaned up G3 magazines from CTD. No problems in the ones I have tested so far. Bolt gap is still steady at .012 (30mm). The PTR was .018 new and settled in at .012-.013 after and ever since.

My first trip to the outside portions of the range was on a weekday which I prearranged a day off work for. I was the only one on the range that day due to it storming and raining, and it was glorious! I began at 30 meters, and ended up focusing on scope zeroing. At 30 meters I also got the iron sights a bit more dialed in windage wise. I had trouble getting my HK sight tool to work once AGAIN to change elevation so I gave up on that for the day.




The model 1 and 2 Hensoldt scopes do not have “clicks” so it does make adjusting them a little more difficult but at the end of the day, I moved out to 100 meters and was doing pretty good with adjustments.



A stoic final picture of that rainy range day:



On my second trip outside 2 weeks later, I focused on the iron sights. The temperature was a bit warmer, there was a slight breeze that would pick up slightly from time to time, and I tried to focus my shots when the wind did not appear to be a big factor. I started at 100 meters since I was dialed in pretty good at 30m the last time.





However, I found that without a spotting scope and even with self marking targets and co-witnessing the Hensoldt, I just could not see good enough to make adjustments. After the other few guys left, I decided to measure out 50m and move my bench there.





Much Much better! I could see now and began my work. I used one magazine just breaking in my cheek weld, getting a good NPOA, and getting into my mental zone. I FINALLY got the HK sight tool to grab those little clips so I could change elevation. (I cheated at home the week before and made myself figure out the picky little son of a gun sight tool and sight drum) I did get the “clone” sight tool from Adam or RTG (can’t remember now). Would the actual HK tool work any better?

Another good tip, make sure your cheek weld is back far enough/secure enough on the stock so the scope doesn't smack you in the forehead. I forgot about this from a previous lesson and was reminded with a lump in the middle of my head for the rest of the day!

I ended up only having to use 2 more magazines to dial it in pretty good for 50m.





I didn’t think I could get it much closer for the day so I switched to the GSG-522 for the rest of my visit. I will save ammunition and work 100 meters in next trip since the firing line was set at 50 for the afternoon.





GSG-522

Purchased this carbine from Mean Metal Guns in Spring Valley, IL. I have been buying various boxes of name brand 22lr ammo testing 500+ each. Remington, Winchester, Federal, CCI have all done well for me, CCI and Federal being the best, Remington the worse in terms of light strikes, a few torn heads, etc. I estimate my GSG has approximately 3000 rounds in it now and besides the few above mentioned problems, she has been flawless in execution.



I switched out to the original GSG-5 kit when I first got her. I then settled on using the MP5 rear sight drum after trying the original 522 and G3 rear sights. I’d rate them MP5, G3, then GSG in terms of usefulness for this rifle. The larger MP5 rear apertures seem to work better for the shorter range use the GSG will see. I had the iron sights and the Leapers Fero Z24 clone scope with HK Stanag claw decently dialed in from indoor range use on a few previous range visits to Darnalls. The indoor range goes up to 25 meters. I’ve lost hours in there, having lots of good range time with my handguns and the GSG.

Hitting the 50m bench where I was working the PTR, I worked the same principles in adjusting zero of the GSG and I believe I am so very close. I found that on the GSG to really change elevation you need to change out the front sight post, the rear drum apertures do not adjust the elevation that much using the MP5 rear sight choices.










I made 1 front post change and I was then almost calling out the shots. I finished up trying out 2 Army AQT 25m targets and while I am not putting rounds through the same hole time after time, I am very close and was very happy with my results. Hitting the black and only missing a few while working with double the qualifying range and variable wind made me feel productive.








HK P9s 9mm

Onto the HK P9s 9mm Combat I picked up a month ago from Perkiomen Gunworks in TN. She has come with me each range trip. I recently saw another surplus P9s report here by VL5150 Surplus P9S Range Report and I find I am reporting almost the exact same things.



The trigger is quite easy to work with. I did notice a bit more travel needed before the trigger reset, I caught myself a few times expecting a shorter one, a result of my Glock 17 use over the years. It’s not bad at all, just different. It was very light, crisp, and smooth. DA shooting was fine and continuous. I de-cocked and cocked using the multi-function lever numerous times to the point that I feel comfortable doing it at home (still pointed in a safe direction mind you!)

I tried numerous rounds in the HK P9s. Golden Sabers 147g JHPs, American Eagle 124g FMJ, Federal Classic 115g JHP, PMC Bronze 115g JHPs, Federal 115g FMJ, WWB 115g FMJ, Remington 147g Flat FMJ, and finally Fiocchi 124g FMJ flats over the course of my several trips.

Out of all the round types, I had a few issues with some. The PMC 115g JHP rounds were horrible in feeding but they also gave my Walther P-1 lots of trouble, even the Glock didn’t like feeding a few which I never have trouble with that gun. The Remington 147g and Fiocchi 124g flat nose target rounds also had a little trouble feeding the first round in.

I had better results in the Golden Saber 147g JHPs, but I did have 1 ramp hang-up on a non optimal racking of the slide with the magazine full. I did notice if I re-loaded after empty using the slide release, it would work every time, as well as if I gave it a good strong rack from baseline. This seemed to be the case with the Golden Sabers. I had NO issues with the regular FMJ rounds of my various types, and I was very happy to see the Federal Classic 115g JHPs also feed flawlessly, even when not applying optimal racking that first round in. I think I will regulate my stock of GS’s to the P9s as well as purchase several boxes of that Federal Classic JHPs for the Walther P-1 and HK P9s since they loved them so much.

I have 2 HK factory magazines that came with the pistol and 5 new keepshooting 9mm magazines I ordered. I’ve noticed that the keepshooting magazine lips have more sharpness to them; I could almost slice my finger open with a few of them, while the HK ones are a bit duller. The sharpest lips appear to dig into the casing of the round a little bit when the magazine is full. I think I may need to smooth them out a slight bit, I will experiment with 1 or two for the next range visit and see if it makes a difference in feeding those stranger shaped rounds and not dig so hard into the rounds case.

On this last outside range visit with the rifles, I was occasionally mixing up my rifle use by ripping off a few magazines of the P9s at some particular spot in the backstop dirt. As long as I employed good shooting techniques I was right there, great for 50 meters. Using more regular handgun ranges indoors, I found the HK easier then the Glock or Walther to handle/reacquire. Accuracy is by far the best out of my 3 different 9mm’s I have. I have been shooting my Glock 17 for years, but the HK P9s really proved to me that it can be way more accurate then I am. Gives me something to work at for sure! Recoil was not an issue but it was not magically gone or dissipated due to design. She was a joy to clean once back home. The sights, grips, weight, all of it was a pleasure to work with. This HK P9s will surely see some carry time with me, I already wear it around the house, the Glock is getting jealous.

This is a final target on the last indoor session with the HK P9s (7 Yards)




Once home it was pretty cool stripping down the PTR-91 and the HK P9s and placing their similar parts and internals together on my cleaning spot. I love the roller lock design and function and it is a wonderful experience shooting these classically designed firearms and working on them after.

Everyone, have some good shooting out there and stay safe and I hope this informed on something!

[OLD HOCKLER]

Looks like your dialed in. Sweet looking stable you got there. I have always loved the looks of the P9's. Your a lucky guy to have one. For me maybe one day. Which cheek rest did you go with.? I couldn't make it out in the pics. Nice reviews and pics. Good to see someone enjoying themselves.

[Mistraven]

Looks like your dialed in. Sweet looking stable you got there. I have always loved the looks of the P9's. Your a lucky guy to have one. For me maybe one day. Which cheek rest did you go with.? I couldn't make it out in the pics. Nice reviews and pics. Good to see someone enjoying themselves.

The cheek rest is from Robert RTG, made by Cherokee.

HK91 Cheek Piece, G3 Cheek Piece, PTR91 Cheek Piece, CETME Cheek Piece, HK Cheek Piece, RTG Gun Parts

The cheek rest works really nice if you are primarily using the Stanag mount on the rifle and not wanting to co-witness the iron sights since naturally the cheek rest elevates your vision plane past the sights. Once you take the rest on and off a few times, it loosens up just a little bit and it is pretty easy getting it on and off while staying secure. I usually bring it with me and it fits perfectly in my range bag for the PTR but I just don't find myself using it that much currently. I've spent more of my time developing the "chin" rest method when co-witnessing with the Hensoldt since I am utilizing both sighting methods at the time dialing in.

Hope you find a nice P9S sometime, it is such an interesting lovely pistol. They are out there!