PTR GI vs DSA Voyager

DoctorDeath · April 1, 2017, 09:34 PM

I see a few older threads that go over this but I would appreciate some fresh opinions! I keep going back and forth between these two and I can't decide. Which would you choose and why?

ttarp · April 2, 2017, 06:03 AM

I don't have any experience with FAL's, so I won't vote, but everything I've read leads me to believe:

Reliability should be about the same, maybe a slight edge to the PTR

Accuracy should be similar, but maybe a slight edge to the PTR

I've never heard anyone say they preferred G3 ergonomics to the FAL, so FAL wins there

Optics mounting gives a slight edge to the PTR

G3's get filthy very quickly, so win for the FAL on cleaning

G3's are very rough on brass unless you add a clip on port buffer, so in stock configuration, a win to the FAL on reloading

Price goes to the PTR by one or two bills depending whether or not you get the model with the optic rail

I would pick the PTR because I like the modularity and simplicity of the design, I actually like the ergonomics(yeah I'm weird), and I think the iron sights are the best in the business for a "battle rifle". But like I said, I don't have any experience shooting FAL's, so my opinion doesn't really count for much.

smee78 · April 2, 2017, 09:46 AM

It will depend a lot on what you want to do and what do you expect from these rifles? I have an FAL and a G3 type rifle and they are both nice rifles, they each have their own pros and cons. Are you looking at putting and optic or are you going open sights?

DoctorDeath · April 2, 2017, 12:27 PM

I do plan on putting an optic on it because I'll be replacing my bolt gun with whichever I choose. I would also like to run irons pretty often though, to make sure I don't become dependent on optics. The gun would primarily be a range toy, but I might also use it for home defense eventually. My expectations are pretty high since these are $900+ rifles. I expect good fit and finish, no malfunctions, and good accuracy.

Model12Win · April 5, 2017, 08:07 AM

Get a PTR that comes with the attached rail on top. Don't screw around with the overhyped claw mounts, they're not "all that" and my 2013 vintage PTR might have out of spec mounts for them. I'm having a time getting the claw mount fitted to mine properly. If I could do it all over again, I'd get the one with the rail. As is I'll probably ditch the claw mount if I can't get it to work and go with one of the clamp on Brugger and Thomet pic rail mounts and slap on an RDO and call it good.

But the base rifle is well made, quite accurate, and very rugged and reliable. The DSA guns are hard to find and when you do it's some souped up tacticool model that they want like $2K for.

The PTRs are widely available good quality battle rifles for a good price. The GI model is basic but quite affordable and will give you good service. Also they now come with paddle mag releases and metal GI style lowers from the factory which is a huge plus. There is no better time to but a PTR-91 GI IMHO.

ozarkhillbilly · April 7, 2017, 08:55 AM

Also mags are much easier to find for a PTR and cheaper as well. I know these are $900 guns but keep in mind they are copies of $1500 guns. I have a PTR and it's great but it is heavy and unwieldy, but I would buy it again.

precision_shooter · April 7, 2017, 12:44 PM

I solved the "heavy and unwieldy" issue by making my PTR a short barreled rifle G3K clone, with approval from the ATF of course. Much more maneuverable and rides nice in a 3-point sling.

View Poll Results: PTR GI vs DSA Voyager
PTR GI	9	90.00%
DSA Voyager	1	10.00%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

April 1, 2017, 09:34 PM	#1
DoctorDeath Member Join Date: May 30, 2015 Posts: 55	PTR GI vs DSA Voyager I see a few older threads that go over this but I would appreciate some fresh opinions! I keep going back and forth between these two and I can't decide. Which would you choose and why?

April 2, 2017, 09:46 AM	#3
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	It will depend a lot on what you want to do and what do you expect from these rifles? I have an FAL and a G3 type rifle and they are both nice rifles, they each have their own pros and cons. Are you looking at putting and optic or are you going open sights? __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

April 2, 2017, 12:27 PM	#4
DoctorDeath Member Join Date: May 30, 2015 Posts: 55	I do plan on putting an optic on it because I'll be replacing my bolt gun with whichever I choose. I would also like to run irons pretty often though, to make sure I don't become dependent on optics. The gun would primarily be a range toy, but I might also use it for home defense eventually. My expectations are pretty high since these are $900+ rifles. I expect good fit and finish, no malfunctions, and good accuracy. Last edited by DoctorDeath; April 3, 2017 at 06:16 PM.

April 7, 2017, 12:44 PM	#7
precision_shooter Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,475	I solved the "heavy and unwieldy" issue by making my PTR a short barreled rifle G3K clone, with approval from the ATF of course. Much more maneuverable and rides nice in a 3-point sling. __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." - Thomas Jefferson, 1776

April 2, 2017, 06:03 AM	#2
ttarp Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2013 Posts: 888	I don't have any experience with FAL's, so I won't vote, but everything I've read leads me to believe: Reliability should be about the same, maybe a slight edge to the PTR Accuracy should be similar, but maybe a slight edge to the PTR I've never heard anyone say they preferred G3 ergonomics to the FAL, so FAL wins there Optics mounting gives a slight edge to the PTR G3's get filthy very quickly, so win for the FAL on cleaning G3's are very rough on brass unless you add a clip on port buffer, so in stock configuration, a win to the FAL on reloading Price goes to the PTR by one or two bills depending whether or not you get the model with the optic rail I would pick the PTR because I like the modularity and simplicity of the design, I actually like the ergonomics(yeah I'm weird), and I think the iron sights are the best in the business for a "battle rifle". But like I said, I don't have any experience shooting FAL's, so my opinion doesn't really count for much.

April 5, 2017, 08:07 AM	#5
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Get a PTR that comes with the attached rail on top. Don't screw around with the overhyped claw mounts, they're not "all that" and my 2013 vintage PTR might have out of spec mounts for them. I'm having a time getting the claw mount fitted to mine properly. If I could do it all over again, I'd get the one with the rail. As is I'll probably ditch the claw mount if I can't get it to work and go with one of the clamp on Brugger and Thomet pic rail mounts and slap on an RDO and call it good. But the base rifle is well made, quite accurate, and very rugged and reliable. The DSA guns are hard to find and when you do it's some souped up tacticool model that they want like $2K for. The PTRs are widely available good quality battle rifles for a good price. The GI model is basic but quite affordable and will give you good service. Also they now come with paddle mag releases and metal GI style lowers from the factory which is a huge plus. There is no better time to but a PTR-91 GI IMHO.

April 7, 2017, 08:55 AM	#6
ozarkhillbilly Member Join Date: July 17, 2005 Location: MO Posts: 85	Also mags are much easier to find for a PTR and cheaper as well. I know these are $900 guns but keep in mind they are copies of $1500 guns. I have a PTR and it's great but it is heavy and unwieldy, but I would buy it again.