Third Party Press

PTR 44 purchase opportunity

Pete R.

Pete R.

Well-known member
I have the opportunity to purchase what appears to be a practically unused PTR 44 from a local seller, so I will be able to personally do an in-depth inspection of the rifle. I have already looked at it once briefly and looks new and comes with 2 mags, sling, no scope. I have a few questions: What would be a fair price in the current market? Will the value be strongly affected with the release of the Palmetto State STG44? I have read on previous posts that there are some issues with parts breakage. Are replacement parts readily available? What is the most common issue to look for? Is it worth the trouble and cost to own one and shoot one or should I just pass this up? I would love to have this in the collection but don‘t want to make an expensive mistake. Thanks!
 
First congrats! I would absolutely pick that up if it’s your first mp44 pattern rifle.

I personally wouldn’t pay more than $8k for one - but I know they have sold for much more. Saw one for $13k recently - and $9k. In the end what is it worth to you?

www.legacy-collectibles.com

SOLD - Rare, Mint Sport-System Dittrich Model PTR 44

12/16/19 - This is a very scarce and desirable limited production copy of an original WWII German MP43/44 Sturmgewehr assault rifle, manufactured in semi-automatic. These are current new manufactured rifles made in Germany circa 2012, by Sport-System Dittrich and imported by the PTR Company of...
www.legacy-collectibles.com www.legacy-collectibles.com

Sport-System Dittrich (SSD) Model PTR44 Semi-Automatic Rifle | Rock Island Auction

Extremely Rare Sport-System Dittrich (SSD) Model PTR44 Semi-Automatic RifleThis is a very scarce and desirable limited production copy of an original WWII German MP43/44 Sturmgewehr assault rifle, manufactured in semi-automatic. These are current new manufactured rifles made in Germany circa...
www.rockislandauction.com www.rockislandauction.com

The PSA mp44 rifle likely won’t see the market and if it does it is nowhere near the quality of these rifles, imho it won’t affect the price. What could affect the price is the slowly growing options available at DK - they have PTR44 kits with receiver flats for sale for much cheaper. Food for thought.

The bolt is where the heat treating has failed before. Recommend you purchase a replacement bolt/oprod from Dingo (who imports parts for these rifles). These new bolts I believe correct the errors in the original batch of imported PTRs.

D-K Production Group LLC, Kentucky

www.dkproductiongroup.com www.dkproductiongroup.com
 
I really appreciate you taking the time to give this feedback as it will help me make an informed decision. I feel it’s one of those opportunities that doesn’t come around often. I just want to make sure I can get out what I put into it and that I can use it without damaging the thing. I will look into those replacement bolts and oprods. Would be nice to have an extra set in hand for the just in case situation.
 
If you're going to shoot it, you're almost certainly going to have to do a LOT more work than simply switching out the bolt and carrier/piston. As to price, it's worth whatever the two of you agree on. There is no set market for these as only 200 came in and 50 of those were broken down into parts for various reasons.

Settle down for some light reading so that you know what you are getting yourself in for if you plan to actually shoot it:
www.k98kforum.com

SSD's PTR44 / BD44 In Detail The Semi Automatic MP44

To anyone who is interested in military firearms, the MP44 needs no introduction. It has been so well documented both in print and online that, like the P08, it is recognized even my many non shooters. Other than in a most general way and a few of my own musings, this is not an essay about...
www.k98kforum.com www.k98kforum.com
 
Great write up Wilhelm, this definitely gives me a lot to think about. With all this being know about potential issues are these rifles still desirable from a collectors point of view? My rational brain tells me to pass it up but my irrational brain,(the one that brings me happiness and joy) is telling me to get it as it will be the closest I will ever get to a real one. I want the option to pass it on one day to someone else and not have be seen as kryptonite and lose my shirt on the deal. I have a few weeks to decide.

Mostpeople- thanks for your input and value assessment. You are right the about the distinct differences in appearance between the two!
 
mostpeople said:
The PSA mp44 rifle likely won’t see the market and if it does it is nowhere near the quality of these rifles, imho it won’t affect the price. What could affect the price is the slowly growing options available at DK - they have PTR44 kits with receiver flats for sale for much cheaper. Food for thought.

The bolt is where the heat treating has failed before. Recommend you purchase a replacement bolt/oprod from Dingo (who imports parts for these rifles). These new bolts I believe correct the errors in the original batch of imported PTRs.

D-K Production Group LLC, Kentucky

www.dkproductiongroup.com www.dkproductiongroup.com
Click to expand...
As a guy who looked at and handled the PSA MP44 at the shot show this year.

It sucks. If someone wants me to, I can do a post on my qualms with it lol. I do not mean to high-jack, but I almost cut my hand based on how poorly put together it was.

Get the PTR, or get a parts kit and rebuild a StG-44 lol.
 
Justinian said:
As a guy who looked at and handled the PSA MP44 at the shot show this year.

It sucks. If someone wants me to, I can do a post on my qualms with it lol. I do not mean to high-jack, but I almost cut my hand based on how poorly put together it was.

Get the PTR, or get a parts kit and rebuild a StG-44 lol.
Click to expand...

This is particularly interesting to me, as I handled the original HMG test rifle at SHOT in 2010 (I think it was 2010), and my recollection was that it was poorly manufactured then! In fact I posted on here somewhere about it. Looks as though nothing has changed.
 
This has to be one of the toughest choices I have had to make regarding a firearm purchase. Wondering if it’s just wiser to wait until the new USA manufactured MP44 hits the market from DK productions. Do you think that the value of the original PTR44’s will stabilize or drop when collectors will have a choice to buy the older/problematic version vs the newly manufactured and hopefully problem free version? I don’t want to be in too deep and not be able to recoup my investment in the future. The agony!
 
mostpeople said:
This is particularly interesting to me, as I handled the original HMG test rifle at SHOT in 2010 (I think it was 2010), and my recollection was that it was poorly manufactured then! In fact I posted on here somewhere about it. Looks as though nothing has changed.
Click to expand...

Let’s just say when I picked it up, it felt really poor quality still.

I almost cut my hand on it, just because of how poorly built it was. Like it was neat for sure… but I really wasn’t impressed.

Youre better off getting the PTR or a kit build. Honestly. Or begging DK Production for it.
 
Justinian, do share your thoughts on the PSA rifle. I have argued for years against guys who wanted one in some other caliber than 7.92x33 till I’m blue in the face but it just doesn’t die. Then when HMC announced they were going to build it in 4 calibers I knew it was destined to fail.
7.62x39- get an AK clone
5.56- get an AR or HK93 clone
300 BO- get an AR

It’s just my opinion but I think shooting 7.92x33 is part of the experience. Plus there’s no need to redesign the wheel because MP44/STG44’s were already perfected in 7.92x33. That PSA went from a January 2023 announcement of the same HMC idea to recently “well, sometime later in 2024” release date tells me they’re having trouble trying to create a 4 caliber gun.
 
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