Which Reciever?

[Warwagon]

Alrighty fellas, here's the predicament... the Black Widow I purchased is now working VERY well thanks to you folks and the old board - THANKS PERRO for starting it, and all others who were willing to share their smarts - It is MUCH appreciated! Now I've got the bug to build a couple more....

I've got a couple of CETME parts kits with new Spanish barrrels on the way. I want to get ready to do the builds. I most definitely want to have the flexibility of using completely non-US magazines, so that limits my compliance parts count choices. I figure that I can go with these US parts so far: receiver, muzzle device, forearm, grip and buttstock. Now here comes the rub. I know that there are US made G3 grip frames, fire control boxes, sears, hammers, etc. that must be used together as the whole lower/FCG in a CETME. That would get the parts count up. I also know that there are many more US-HK parts out there that may work - like cocking handles.

I'm probably limited to using a CAI receiver, but now the question is; which one? They stock a receiver for: 1) stamped steel CETME, 2) Stainless cast CETME and 3) G3. Are these it, or do other options besides the PTR unit exist?

What I am interested in are the pro's and con's of each receiver, remembering that I have CETME parts kits which contain CETME trunnions and barrels, CETME cocking tubes, etc. I'm interested in putting together RUGGED, RELIABLE rifles at a REASONABLE cost. These will never be show queens! Mechanicals will be flawless (or at least as close as I can get them), fit will be nice, finish - well I'll probably park the whole shebang. What I'm interested in is the opinion of those who have BUILT these rifles, and can let me know what is good or bad about the options on the receivers.

Thanks much for your efforts in advance!:D

[nalioth]

Out of those choices, the cast stainless receiver is the most in spec.

[cimmaronkid]

Naolith is right in that the cast is the best choice. However, a nice rifle can be made using the stamped receiver as well. You just have to correct the problem with the mag well as this is what was usually the problem. There is nothing hard in doing this, it just takes time to file down the bottom of the well so that the mags will lock. However, by doing this on a build, you eliminate the problem of the mag sitting too low and causing a FTF issue. Also, be aware of the other problem, the FTE issue, where the ejector was not riding high enough in the ejector slot in the bolt. Nice thing about the builds is that you can fit as you go and not have to correct the CAI monkeys mistake and get a better rifle, especially with the new barrels.

[Milsurp]

I'm doing a build with the CAI cast receiver not to bad so far. I had to take about 1/8" off the back so the recoil housing would line up with the pin holes.The mag well needed a little fileing. The holes for the detent balls in the rear sight had to be reamed slightly to get a positive lock. No other problems so far. I'm almost done just a little more fitting and on to the finish. I'm thinking of going with duracoat in some camo pattern.

[Auto-5]

As a master of the obvious, I contribute the widely known fact that stainless will not take parkerizing. If this is your finish of choice you need the stamped steel.

Try to run down a PTR without a trunion or G3 sight base.

[Warwagon]

Auto-5,
+1 on the park not working on SS. There are some park looking coatings for stainless out there, that's what I might choose and park the rest. Then again, I might use Duracoat or something similar. I'm really not that far along to begin worrying about it yet. Seems like the consensus is to go with the cast SS receivers so that'll be what I order.

Another question: Will an HK trigger box (with HK guts) fit inside a CETME gripframe? I understand that I'll have to use an HK safety selector with it. I really prefer the safe on top/fire on bottom arrangement anyway.

Thanks again guys for letting me tap your knowledge base!:D

[rustypirate]

The trigger box and parts will fit into the CETME grip frame, but the selector stop depressions do not line up with the internal parts correctly.

Your best bet is just to buy the G3 grip frame and replace the entire lower assembly.

[Seattlefungus]

Rusty is right on the G3 frame. ammer spring and selector is totally dif. As to not being able to Park the stainless, Look up google for Black Oxide. There are some cold treatments now. WW2 US armorers used black oxide for 1903 and M1 parts that had gotten shiny in service. WOrks on stainless. The cast receiver I got had to be trimmed a bit on the end for stock seating too. But the mag well was CNC trimed and worked nice with G3 mags.

[Seattlefungus]

As far as the trigger pack frame, look at the JLD. It's US made and counts as 1 compliance part.

[Seattlefungus]

I do have a question about Century receivers tho. How come none of them have the barrel pin hole predrilled?

[SSwee]

That's a good question since they have them jigged for the other mill work.

[rustypirate]

The stamped receivers are supposed to have the hole punched in the blank before forming, but the Century receivers are not made on true HK machinery, and did not have that hole in their stamps. The cast receivers had similar issues.

The folks at Century don't repress the barrels on the CETME/HK rifkes that they build, they just take the barreled trunions and weld them into receivers, so they don't need access to the barrel pin, and left the holes out.

[Warwagon]

Seattlefungus,
The Black Oxide finish was one of the ones I was thinking of. Any of you fellas have any experience with it? Some of the spray on finishes require baking to cure them. Anyone have info on the oven cured variety of finish, either pro or con? I have baked "other than food-stuffs" in our oven before, while doing restorations of one type or another. My wife doesn't seem to mind;) I'm sure she won't in this case either - since one of these ranch rifles will end up being hers. I'm tellin' you fellas, when you've got a good wife that likes to do the things you like to do, the married road IS the high one and MUCH SMOOTHER!

If I wouldn't have married the right gal, I could NEVER get away with doing a lot of the things I do around here! Could you imagine giving one of our beloved tools to the wrong spouse ..... :eek:

Thanks again gents for your insight!:D

[Seattlefungus]

Most of the spray on finishes advise blast prep then spray and bake. Duracoat you don't have to bake, it cures over 48 hours. Black Oxide comes in various types, usually a bath, it gets into the service of the stainless and darkens it. Check MidwayUSA.com or Brownells. For spot coverage the Army used a paint brush. All of the high end finishes like Gun Kote and Dura Coat and a few others will set better is baked. about 300 degrees for various times depending on the finish used. All of them are Mil spec and to get it off you have to blast. If you do decide to blast, Aluminum oxide is the recommend agent. Glass blast leaves a residue that interferes with the bond. To spray the bond type finishes, you have to use an low volume air brush or a HVLP type paint system. Dry air is also important. With most of the other finishes, if it's over baked, the color can be "off" and the gun blasted to start over. Duracoat is m ore forgiving, the baked finish need only 200 degrees. Check out http://www.lauerweaponry.com/ they have a lot of info.

[Seattlefungus]

About the barrel pin, I had wondered after examining the two CAI rifles I have. I could not believe they'd take the time to fill the holes then finish them. On the stamped receiver, they dont even take the time to weld close the trunion rail stops and leave them open. Looks sloppy.

[franks71vw]

Dumb question but where do you get the cast receivers....

[rustypirate]

you have to get a local dealer to order them from Century

[Smokehouse69]

Does Century sell stamped steel receivers? If CAI doesn't sell stamped receivers, who does? I have questions and concerns about welding on Stainless, all I have is a cheap-azz flux-wire Mig welder. It worked fine for welding in rails on my AK builds, but the receivers were mild steel. If I can't weld the receiver I don't wanna have to ask one of my beer drinking buddies to Tig weld it for me.

[SSwee]

Century sells them but can't say if they have in stock now.
SS

[drhall762]

I logged into CAI under my account and they do not have any stamped receivers for the CETME or G-3 available at this time. I querried Customer Support as to the possibility of some in the near future. Will keep you posted.

Dave :sniper:

[drhall762]

And now the much anticipated reply from CAI to the question, "Are you going to produce any more stamped receivers in the near future?"

"Very possible. They have just been focusing on other pressing projects lately. No one has told me we will not be carrying them again."

Dave :sniper: