Captain Rawles,
I would like to tell your readers about a piece missing on HK Model 91s and clones, except for some Vectors. This is the paddle magazine release [1]. With this latest skyrocketing of prices and the cheap availability of HK .308 magazines, you have suggested these type rifles. I have had my beloved PTR for years, but only recently had what I consider the most important upgrade added to it: My paddle magazine release. The G3 rifle (which all these are civilian copies of) had the paddle magazine release, but since it also used the pushpin mount/hole for the select fire trigger pack, HK did away with it when it released the HK 91 to make it harder for people to convert the weapon to a machinegun. This must be done carefully because if you drill a hole to mount the bushing for the paddle mag release and drill the hole [all the way through the receiver] then [legally] you have just created an unregistered machinegun [2] [in the United States], per the pronouncements of the BATFE.
It is recommended that a professional gunsmith do this, although parts are available on robertrtg.com [3] and hkparts.net [4]. My preferred gunsmith for this was Bill Springfield, in Colorado [5]. He also does tune ups for HK triggers. Having the paddle mag release not only makes the rifle more ambidextrous-friendly, but speeds up reload time and is just plain easier. The pushbutton release on HKs is just out of reach of my finger, so I had to shift my hand to push the button, forcing me to juggle the rifle around, making things clumsy, difficult, and slow. No more. If I ever get another HK, the first thing I will have done is have this important piece installed. It was somewhat expensive, around $200 for the work, plus parts and shipping, but well worth it. Turnaround time was about three weeks for me, and I did not like not having my rifle for that period of time, but again it is well worth it. I encourage your readers who have HK-91s or clones (or 5.56 or 9mm versions, HK93s and 94s respectively) to consider this important upgrade. – Allen in N.C.