PTR 91F - History

History

The weapon is based on the Heckler & Koch G3/HK91 design widely used around the world, which itself is a variant of the Spanish-made CETME rifle. The assault weapons ban of 1994 (which expired in 2004) prohibited certain cosmetic features of the HK91, meaning that it could no longer be manufactured and sold to the US civilian market in its original configuration. Furthermore, the German-made HK91 was specifically prohibited from importation under the 1989 Import Ban. Subsequently Heckler and Koch ceased manufacture of the semi-automatic HK91, and since then civilian versions of the G3 have increased in collector value. The PTR-91 was developed to fill the void, as the two rifles are almost identical.

JLD Enterprises ("JLD") began manufacturing ban compliant PTR-91 rifles in 2002, after purchasing prints and tooling from Fabrica Militar of Portugal - an HK licensed factory. The ban compliant models did not have a threaded barrel, bayonet lugs, adjustable stocks, or "high capacity" magazines. Very early models, being produced directly from the purchased prints were nearly identical to the HK91 with the exception of modifications for compliance with the assault weapons ban. After the ban's expiration in 2004, JLD began offering a wider range of PTR-91 models, many of which featured more of the original military features. JLD also began investing in research and development, and debuted many new improvements and modifications to the original HK91 design. Initially, JLD produced rifles relied heavily on imported military surplus components for G3/HK91 rifles. In fact, most parts between the HK-91 and the PTR-91 are interchangeable.

In 2005, the major assets of JLD Enterprises were purchased by the newly formed PTR-91 Inc. Mr. Jose Diaz (JLD Enterprises' founder and owner) stayed on with the new company as a major partner. Mr. Diaz left the company in late 2010. Subsequently, the remaining partners and new management changed the strategic direction of the company. PTR moved from a business model of surplus part importation and assembly, to that of a true manufacturer - physically producing the components of the weapon in house. The company added significant machining and fabrication capabilities over the course of 2011 and 2012 to accomplish this change. Currently PTR is capable of producing every machined part on the rifles at its own plant in Bristol, CT - and sources other items (plastic, etc...) locally in the United States on tooling that it owns and produced. As a result, the current PTR rifles are actually made in the U.S. rather than simply assembled in the U.S. In order to represent the change in direction and capability of the business - the company recently adopted its current name, PTR Industries, Inc.

Today the company offers more than 25 different model variations, and has expanded into the law enforcement and military markets as well.