Range trip concluded. The new PTR 91Â functions very well, though I must admit that I am a bit disappointed in the sights. I’m investigating as to what else to do with them, seeing as how the closest I can get to a zero with them is 8MOA high and 8MOA right.
In Boston’s Gun Bible, the author warns that some of the front posts on the CETME guns are 5-6 degrees off center and that he has seen them being anywhere from 12-24 MOA off because of it, but everything here arpears to be in proper order, so I’ll be taking it to the smith to see if he can find something wrong and also getting a scope, probably a 4x Hensoldt, as soon as possible.
In the meantime, I may just use the cheesy B-Square mount that came with the gun (w/lots of Loctite) and put a spare 6x (w/the MP8 Recticle) I have laying about on it and go back to the range next weekend for sighting in duty again.
I put each of the seven mags through their paces to try and discover any feeding issues that the previous owner had spoken of. Only one had a difficulty, with it attempting to feed the last two round simultaneously. It only happened once and I couldn’t replicate it with any of the other mags, or even with that one a second time. But, it has been quarantined so as to not give any of the other mags any ideas and I’ll continue testing next weekend.
In other gun news, I took the 30mm red dot optic that had come with the PTR 91 off, thinking that putting a red dot on a .308 was like dropping a Geo Metro 3-cyinder engine in a Cadillac. Silly me.
But no matter, I found a very good use for it by sliding it onto my 10-22.
The dot only goes down to 8MOA in diameter, but at 50yds it is a solid “Minute of Rodent” accurate. Plus I still have room on the scope base to side-mount a small light for after daylight pest control.
All in all, not a bad day at the range.
I had heard from numerous individuals that the G3 was a bit of a meanie when it came to recoil. I did not find this to be the case, with the gun giving the kickback of an average Garand. Nonetheless, I have taken these folks’ advice and have ordered myself a BufferTech recoil buffer this morning and it should be here and installed by next weekend’s range trip.
I also keep reading reviews of some people thiking that G3 is heavy. Those guys need to start working out or something because the rifle handles quite well for me (though I don’t think I’ll be telling them that since their sights work and mine don’t as of yet).
So, did anyone else go shooting this weekend?
JLD has a rear sight adjusting tool, but it’s usually out of stock. It’s used to set basic elevation. I’ve read that you can do it with a pair of tweezers as well. It only needs to be done once.
If you like red dot sights, you might check out the PK-AS Russian sight. It’s a black dot/red dot, doesn’t need batteries for daytime use. It gives a 1 moa black dot, and 1.5 moa red dot. I have them on my AKs. I also like the Kobra holosight. Both the PK-AS-W and Kobra come in Weaver base versions. Here’s a link:
http://www.freedomoptics.com/comersus/store/comersus_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=26
Freedom Optics, Kalinka Optics, and Tantal are all good sources for Russian optics, if you’re into such things. They’re ruggedly built, and a fraction of the price of comparable American optics.
I wound up putting a Bushnell Elite 3200 10×40 on my PTR, with a claw mount. Works for me.
I wanted to go shooting yesterday but had to go get a Christmas tree. No excuses though, I’m going this afternoon.
Nice 10/22, mine’s similar- I just upgraded the barrel and stock. Did you upgrade the innards of yours?
Thanks for the range report. After the Bolshevics seized power and you set about securing defensive rifle, I have been following your saga. I appreciate you keeping us up to date.
I spent yesterday teaching at a winter camping seminar for boyscouts but today I think that the wife and I will make a trip to the range for some handgun practice (which will probably include the male offspring and the middle daughter).
It’s nice to hear the range report. I didn’t get to go shooting this weekend, but I did do a bunch of reloading.
I tried the buffertech buffer in my PTR, I didn’t like it. It didn’t seem to work any better than the stock buffer. It’s surely better than nothing, but unless your stock buffer has problems I doubt you’ll see a difference. JLD makes a “comfort zone” buffer which is coming on the new PTRs. I have no experience with it but it’s worth a try seeing how heavy buffers are very hard to find.
Good luck with your continued sighting-in adventures. Were you the original purchaser, JLD would warranty that, but since you’re not… who knows, maybe the previous owner whacked the front sight or something.
Have fun cleaning out the chamber 🙂
Doesn’t the G3 clone have one of those “carousel” sights on it? If so, you adjust it for elevation by selecting one of the other apertures.
The front sight is an eccentric post, that adjusts by loosening a set screw and moving the post in it’s circle to get the effect of moving it right or left. There’s a tool for that, also. Look on the CETME boards for all these sight adjustment tools.
BTW, thanx for making me look at the spare stock and buffer, Phil. While digging around in that box, I discovered that the previous owner had thrown in a claw mount! When my Aimpoint 512 comes in for the Mini-30, I’m going to try it out now on the CETME….
A 4x Hensoldt? Not a bad choice, but the 6x w/ MP8 reticle (gotta love IOR, I know I do) is a better choice for target/precision shooting.
For an American alternative to the Hensoldt, ever consider an ACOG? http://www.riflescopes.com/products/TA01B/trijicon_4x32_acog_rifle_scope.htm
http://www.riflescopes.com/products/TA11E/trijicon_3.5x35_acog_rifle_scope.htm
The glass on an ACOG is almost on par w/ IOR/Zeiss/Hensoldt.
Jimro