PTR 91 VS AR 10 | Which Semi-Automatic Rifle Is Better?

Heckler and Koch manufactured the PTR 91 to be a battle ready rifle; in fact the PTR in its name stands for Precision Target Rifle.

Heckler and Koch are famous for manufacturing arms which are used by the elite military and paramilitary forces, so the PTR 91 comes with a heavy pedigree.

The AR 10 by Armalite needs little introduction because since its creation in the late 1950s it has been one of the most popular guns in America alongside its sibling the AR 15. Armalite has made a name for itself by manufacturing reliable and easy to use semi automatic weapon designs and the AR 10 is one of the best in the long range category.

In this article we will look at the details of what makes these rifles great and what their differences are so you can choose the best option for yourself.

So, let’s jump right into it!

Table of Contents

Specifications

Here’s a tabulated summary:

	PTR 91	AR-10
Mass	9.7 lbs	7.2 – 8.9 lbs
Length	40.4 inch	41.3 inch
Barrel Length	17.7 inch	20.8 inch
Cartridge	7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor	7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor
Action	Roller delayed blowback	Gas operated rotating bolt
Rate of Fire	Semi automatic only	700 rounds per min in automatic, variable in semi auto
Muzzle Velocity	2600 ft/s	2690 ft/s
Effective Firing Range	800m	700m
Feed System	20 round detachable magazine	20 round detachable magazine

Features

Both these guns might be rifles but they come with some key differences and features as we will see.

The PTR 91 is based on the KH G3 which means it can accept accessories from that model as well. The rifle uses a roller delayed blowback system which is considered very reliable. It also has a fluted chamber with a threaded barrel which can house a suppressor. The PTR also has a Picatinny rail system which makes it easy to attach accessories.

The AR 10 has a direct gas impingement system and a collapsible stock which can be adjusted according to the shooter’s preferences. The rifle also has ambidextrous controls and comes with a Picatinny rail.

Accuracy

The Heckler and Koch PTR 91 is an insanely accurate rifle. We tried it with different batches of ammo like Norma and Gold Medal Match and consistently got 1.2 to 1.3 MOA. With the Federal M80 149 grain ammo you can get 1.5 MOA on a regular basis. Some shooters have even reported sub MOA grouping at 100 yards.

The AR 10 with 18″ barrel did a great job with Federal 150 grain soft points and with the Hornady ELD-x 178 grain. You can consistently get sub MOA and 1.2 MOA from this gun.

While these two rifles are very accurate the end result will depend on the kind of load being used, experience of the shooter and the conditions and distance.

Reliability

Both these rifles have a well earned reputation for reliability and accuracy and that is important since you only want the most reliable weapons for home defense and hunting.

The PTR 91 is known for its reliability and can perform admirably in the harshest conditions and heavy use. The roller delayed blowback system is capable of functioning perfectly even when it’s dirty or has debris embedded in the gun.

The AR 10, although very reliable, still has the tendency to get clogged with carbon and other debris due to its gas impingement system. The gun can malfunction if not cleaned regularly and thoroughly.

Feel in Hand

The PTR 91 has a longer overall length than the AR-10 and is slightly heavier which can make it feel more solid in the hands. It also has a wider hand guard and a straighter stock, made of tough polymer which some shooters may find more comfortable for their hands and shooting style.

The AR-10, on the other hand, has a shorter overall length and a lighter weight, which makes it feel easier to handle and shoot for longer periods. It typically has a narrower grip and a slightly angled stock, which has a more ergonomic and natural feel for most shooters.

Recoil

While the recoil on the PTR 91 is not small by any means it is much better than some semi automatics and a 12G gun so anyone who has shot those before and is comfortable should be fine with the rifle. To further mitigate the recoil you can change the locking piece and if you use RCM’s #17 you can reduce recoil by 20%.

Recoil depends on configuration and an AR-10 braked 16″ has less recoil than an AR-15 which is ultra lightweight. The 0.308 will have a substantial recoil.

A couple of ways to reduce recoil is to go for the heavier weighted gun which will help balance more but lead to muscle fatigue and the other is a muzzle brake which will reduce recoil by 20% in some cases.

Muzzle Velocity

We used the Hirtenberger surplus 7.62 NATO ammo with the PTR 91 and the velocity came to around 2708 fps. For the PTR 0.308 16.5″ we used Wolf polyformance 145 grain and the velocity came to around 2520 fps.

We tested the AR-10 0.308 with Wolf Polyformance 145 grain and got a muzzle velocity of 2750 fps. With the 7.62x51mm NATO rounds the AR-10 regularly gets 2800 fps.

Accessories

Firearm enthusiasts love to add aftermarket parts to their firearms and if you are one of those then we have some suggestions for you.

For the PTR 91 check out the Parabellum Combat Systems extended HK21E style cooking handle. For the scope you should try the Vortex Diamondback 3-9×40, it might be a bit expensive but worth the buy. The HK Contract Bipod is also a worthwhile buy if you can find it.

For the AR-10 we definitely recommend checking out the Primary Arms Silver Series 4-14×44 scope. If you want a handguard do check out the SLR Ion Lite 16″ handguard. Another great accessory for the AR-10 is the Precision Armament M4-72 which can reduce the recoil significantly and make shooting easier and more precise.

Pricing

Some AR-10 models, like Great Lakes Firearms AR-10, can be found for a starting price of $1000 but usually the average price is around $2000. The pricing can go as high as $2700 depending on the model and accessories.

I would recommend going for the Armalite AR-10, if you wish to. You can either choose the 16″ Barrel or the more refined and better handling 18″ Barrel version. You can get both of them for close to two grands.

The price for the PTR 91 starts from around $1300 but can go as high as $1800, depending on which model and specification you go for. Usually you can find a PTR 91 at a slightly lower price than the AR-10.

If you ask me, the only variant worth buying is the PTR-91 A3sk, which boasts consistent handling and accuracy at a reasonable price of $1500. Nonetheless, you can check out all the available options by clicking here.

Conclusion

Both these rifles are excellent for home defense, hunting game and shooting in competitions. Even though the AR-10 goes neck and neck with the PTR 91 is most cases, it tends to be more high maintenance and the chances of it malfunctioning in extreme conditions are higher. What makes the PTR 91 stand out slightly ahead is its reliability, durability and accuracy even in harsh conditions.

In the end it depends on the shooter. Whether you want a light weight, modular design of the AR-10 or the heavy slightly bigger and bulkier PTR 91 you really cannot go wrong with either.

I would also highly recommend you subscribe to my email newsletter where I personally handpick and share exciting offers, rebates and disocunt deals on firearms, ammunition, accessories and gun parts.

Check out my other equally in-depth rifle comparisons: