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My initial PTR 9CT Review

5.5K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  GK_8041  
#1 ·
I'm a type 7 FFL, SOT 2. I enjoy trying out a variety of firearms and my son suggested a PTR. I purchased a 9 CT.

I did an initial cleaning of the bore. It seemed plenty wet with lube from the factory, so I left that alone. I wanted to break it in firing it semi-auto so I took it to the range with some handloads with 124gr Montana Gold bullets that I had loaded for a JP PCC. The very first shot ended up being followed by a FTF. I took the bolt out, ran a patch through the bore, cleaned the chamber area and bolt and reapplied some Lucas lube. In the 300 semi-auto rounds that followed there was not another failure of any kind. After 20 rounds and some additional cleaning I decided to start shooting a bit more for accuracy. Shooting with the stock sights at a standard USPSA target at various ranges the accuracy immediately impressed me. Very soft shooting, and double taps impacted very close to each other.

I did a thorough cleaning of the firearm, and lubed again with Lucas lube. I installed a SEF trigger housing and a G3 trigger pack modified to work with the PTR. I used what I purchased as a .308 trigger pack, and replaced the hammer and ejector. I have a 9mm hammer spring, but at the suggestion of a friend, I'm currently running the .308 spring. The SEF trigger housing didn't want to seat anywhere close to fully forward. The rear pin hole wasn't close to lining up. I had purchased a pinned/welded housing. I had to remove some material to the rear of the pin location to allow the SEF housing to properly mount. A little fiddling and fitting and it goes on nicely, but snug, now. I used the 9mm ejector from the PTR trigger pack, and the selector that came with the PTR. I installed a HK tropical foregrip and a A2 stock.

I try to go into testing after modifications with a bit of pessimism. I don't expect things to function perfectly right away. Every now and then I'm pleasantly surprised, but am not disappointed when something doesn't work as expected right away. I put 6 rounds in a mag and put the selector on semi. All 6 rounds fired with no problems. I put in 6 more rounds, put the selector to the grin inducing setting, and held the trigger back. Suddenly I was having visions of John McClane as the MP5 clone did a quick full auto dance with no hiccups. A few more mags fired flawlessly.

The next round of testing will involve a Gemtech Lunar 9 being mounted. I know there have been some problems with using the stock locking piece suppressed. Hoping with this late production PTR there isn't a problem. If there is, I will address it and post about it.

So far, I impressed by the PTR. I personally don't like the mags it came with, but they seem to function fine. I will be acquiring some steel ones. The case is nice. Once a stock is added it isn't really functional for the firearm, but it's a nice case with other uses as well. The welds on the firearm are all very nice. I like having the top rail. The stock foregrip is nice, I just prefer the aesthetics and feel of the wide tropical. It is very soft shooting with the impulse you expect from a delayed roller action. Accuracy has somewhat surprised me. I look forward to getting an optic on it and checking out accuracy at practical ranges. I plan to load some subsonic 147 grain to try out with the suppressor. I'll post my impressions as I continue to get more rounds through this gun. So far I am very happy with it. It is advertised as sear pack ready, and that has certainly been my experience.
 
#2 ·
Nice review.

Despite the few bad user experiences, as well as some shade from HK purists, PTR puts out a nice product.

I've been nothing but pleased with my Full Sized and K.

Be nice if they would build a Reverse Stretch as well, but I think they are flat out producing existing models.

YMMV.
 
#5 ·
This one will see a lot of full auto use. If anything will reveal a weakness, it's a bit of sustained full auto fire. Based on what I have heard and read from folks that have done extensive FA shooting with them, the PTR's seem to hold up very well. I think the decisions to sell them with the FA bolt carrier and the shelf to prevent a FA G3 pack from just dropping in were good ones. Not going to keep anyone from buying one, and it's attractive to those that want to convert them.
 
#6 ·
One thing I appreciate about PTR is they made the 9's pretty much FA ready, for those of us that can take advantage of it. I believe their quality is very good, and they offer enough that it is a good firearm on it's own, as it's delivered. Somebody isn't going to not buy one because it's FA ready, but they are probably picking up sales because it is.
 
#8 ·
The HK also requires more work to convert to FA. I also prefer the welded on rail opposed to using something like a claw mount. I've tried a variety of ammo through the PTR, and it has digested everything. For FA I mostly shoot my own loads. I can own, or manufacture, any NFA item I want to. I have pretty much unlimited financial resources, and the type 7 and SOT 2. The PTR impresses me in many ways. I think they represent a good value, even for semi-auto use only.