Starting a G3 project

[Badgersmilk]

With individual pieces and full parts kits being a dime a dozen, and the hundreds of possible variations that could be built...  

Anybody done this?  Or know of a reason it's a bad idea, or a poor project to start???

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MAG304-36.html 

[Badgersmilk]

What I'm finding for anyone interested.

The hard way.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=688219

http://www.robertrtg.com/receiverflat.html  /  http://www.robertrtg.com/g3.html

Much easier.
http://www.weaponeer.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5794&PN=1

And finally, when you start doing the math...  JUST LET THIS GUY BUILD IT!  
http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/smith/rifle/hk/pagesmithhk.shtml
Buying a pre-bent receiver alone is $200, an unbent one and proper tooling will be double that.  

Could all the end result really be worth it?  Now I'm really wondering... 

[tombogan03884]

If you don't have a barrel with a fluted chamber you have a very expensive single shot. HK will not sell you one and the only 2 makers in the world were charging around $600.
Guy I worked with at T/C tried that, but he had a custom barrel made at the shop.
He was about $1500 into it when his wife cut off his allowance. (He paid around $200 for a PSG 1 pistol grip)

If you are going to build a rifle build an AR 10. The design is more builder freindly.

"Proper tooling" for bending a receiver is a Press break and will cost $1500. You can get the job done with 2 2X4's 2 C clamps and a soft face hammer, can even use a chunk of fire wood if you don't have a hammer  

There is also the issue of welding the trunnion, this has to be right, the righter it is the better, what good is a scoped rifle if the barrel has a half degree of kink in it's base ?

If you have to find out for yourself, try an AK first, it's much cheaper.

[fightingquaker13]

If you don't have a barrel with a fluted chamber you have a very expensive single shot. HK will not sell you one and the only 2 makers in the world were charging around $600.
Guy I worked with at T/C tried that, but he had a custom barrel made at the shop.
He was about $1500 into it when his wife cut off his allowance. (He paid around $200 for a PSG 1 pistol grip)

And that's about four bills more than a brand new M1-A1. Sorry, but no. $600 used? I'll take it and upgrade, maybe.... $1500 to start? I can buy a better out of the box rifle, a DPMS AR-10 or an M1-A1. Hell, you might find a used FAL or Galil for less. Either way, unless you have a hard on for a G3, I'd pass.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

FQ, the last time I priced one in a store a new H&K 91 (Civvy G-3 )  was in 2005 it was $3000 then .
The H&K 95 (MP 5 clone ) was around $4500 .

I figure you will try this any way, I don't blame you but I would do pretty much any other rifle because of that damn chamber,
It doesn't work without it, you couldn't find the barrels anywhere, and they are darn hard to make.

I would strongly restate my advice on trying an AK or 2 to get a feel for what you need. The receivers are shaped different but built the same way, Sheet metal and pins.

Good luck on it, REMEMBER  Brownell's is your friend    

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

FQ, the last time I priced one in a store a new H&K 91 (Civvy G-3 )  was in 2005 it was $3000 then .
The H&K 95 (MP 5 clone ) was around $4500 .

I still stand by my post. If you are looking for a functional battle rifle, I'll take the M1-A1 or the AR 10 on an even money trade any day of the week. The collecto'rs value? That's all in your head and only you know what its worth.
FQ13 who will not say you nay on any gun you choose to buy or build (Lord knows I'd be the world's boiggest hypocrite if I did), but I'm a practical guy. Buy the best gun for the least money, beyond that? Its all you.

[kilopaparomeo]

For the cost and trouble of bending and welding required for an HK pattern, I'd just buy a PTR91 like I did...unless you want a config they don't offer.



I also would have to agree that I prefer other rifles in the MBR class.  M1A (hey FQ...M1A1 is a tank or a Thompson) or a FAL.

[Badgersmilk]

Actually found the flutted barrels for between $159 & $219.  Depending on what length / finish / muzzle you want.
This is the one I'd go for.  http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/HK-91-G3-18-U-S-Made-Barrel-119p1136.htm

The other parts add up to around $350 for the configuration I like, so total cost is fine considering it's .308 cal.  Got the welder, getting a hyd. press isn't an issue (harbor freight  ), and I'd actually make a form for bending the reciever out of wood (done it before in other applications).  Sooooo....

What's stopping me at this point is that even based on H&K built rifles reliability and feed issues I keep reading about.  Some say accuracy is hitting the broad side of a barn, some say you can shoot the wings off a fly at 400 yards (call me a pecamist here  )

Already got the AK thing down.  AR10 as well...  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.   

[Solus]

Actually found the flutted barrels for between $159 & $219.  Depending on what length / finish / muzzle you want.
This is the one I'd go for.  http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/HK-91-G3-18-U-S-Made-Barrel-119p1136.htm

The other parts add up to around $350 for the configuration I like, so total cost is fine considering it's .308 cal.  Got the welder, getting a hyd. press isn't an issue (harbor freight  ), and I'd actually make a form for bending the reciever out of wood (done it before in other applications).  Sooooo....

What's stopping me at this point is that even based on H&K built rifles reliability and feed issues I keep reading about.  Some say accuracy is hitting the broad side of a barn, some say you can shoot the wings off a fly at 400 yards (call me a pecamist here  )

Already got the AK thing down.  AR10 as well...  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.   

Tom mentioned barrels with fluted chambers, not fluted barrels.   just want to be sure you are talking chambers and not the barrel itself that is fluted.

Take care.

[tombogan03884]

Solus, it says the barrel is for a "G-3", they all have the fluted chamber so he should be OK.

BM, I'll say again, because of the barrel/chamber issue I would have picked a differant rifle, but it sounds like you have THAT covered.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Happy building, if you run out of cuss words PM me, I've got a bunch of them