build or fix? (CETME)

[cetme]

Is it better to buy a CIA goober job CETME or build your own? I'd like a spare CETME or 3 but I don't want to work too hard at it, I have enough guns to work on without adding another if I don't have to but I'm not made of money either.

[texlurch]

Since the parts kits seem to be drying up, and CETME compliance parts are drying up, your best bet is probably to start with a complete one and fix.

It would have to be pretty f---d up to be unrepairable.

[Rampager]

I'd buy one complete nowadays. Best to buy one off a board member that has the bugs worked out.

If you do find one you want in a gunshop, take a good set of feeler gauges with you and check the bolt gap and check for a ground bolt before going any further.

[mprtech]

The freshly released black widow that I bought in Jan 07 was built properly. It had poor pitted barrel but it was built well.

[okie shooter]

Just a few years ago you could find cetmes for under three hundred, I doubt you can find the parts kit, receiver and compliance parts anywhere near that. That said I would build a G-3 over a Cetme due to the plethoria of compliance parts available. Its kinda of like building a l1A1 vs a FAL.

[bspring]

+1 for getting a built one, building one is expensive. Barreling rates start at $250+++. Compliance parts are just about non existent. I have around $900 in mine, but it was assembled on an unissued parts kit, built by IGF.

Bill

[vista461]

If you scrounge around and get lucky you can build one cheap.
Mine cost so far:
Receiver:$140
Kit from Century:$140
US mag $5 at gun show
US furniture set $25 on ebay
So I am at $310 for a legal gun, just have to finish building it. Of course it'll cost more when I change some other parts so I can us G3 mags, but the buy in was low anyway:lol3:

[M1 Tanker]

No, thats $310 if you want a G3/Cetme bastard job.

For a correct looking Cetme, you will not be able to find enough US Parts. I would buy one that I could go over really well first.

Even if you have to do major work, its work you were willing to do anyway in a build. You will have US parts already and have the ability to use any magazines you wish, along with imported furniture. If it were my money and I wanted a Cetme, I would buy and fix.

Now if you want a G3 clone, build it. Parts are readily available.

[7.62-chunker]

I would say Buy, after building 2 kits, {G91- and FAL} the cost is getting worse than the build, My first build had to be sent to a REAL builder to be fixed, and it cost me as much as the kit, receiver, and PITA,

[Darkwatch]

+1 for buying one...mine was missed by the monkeys and has been a-okay and so was the one my friend Mike got (mine cast SS his stamped).

[GearShanty]

I bought my Cetme at a pawn shop in January for $400. Only problem I had was a sightly bent recoil rod. Mine functions fine now and takes every G3 mag I put in it.

[vista461]

No, thats $310 if you want a G3/Cetme bastard job.



:eek: I guess you're right I didn't think of it that way

[jfowl31]

best bet is to find one that has a separated case in the chamber from someone firing commercial brass... you can usually get those for cheap, and a few guys HAVE lately.

Id buy for sure... but when buying, Id make sure to get one with wood furniture so you know its got plenty of US stuff on it.

[texlurch]

Id buy for sure... but when buying, Id make sure to get one with wood furniture so you know its got plenty of US stuff on it.


Sad thing is, that isn't even a guarantee anymore. So many people have put wood on theirs without a thought that I would have to check it out real good before I bought.

[jfowl31]

true...... not everyone is compliant. But isn't a gunshop required to check everything they sell for legality? It seems they would have to even if it was consignment, just to make sure nobody's buying FA or anything like that.

[M1 Tanker]

true...... not everyone is compliant. But isn't a gunshop required to check everything they sell for legality? It seems they would have to even if it was consignment, just to make sure nobody's buying FA or anything like that.

No Jfowl, they don't....

There is a US Compliance parts sticky that identifies US parts on a Cetme. I think any buyer can handle counting US parts while looking at the rifle. Go in informed and knowledgeable.

[SteelCore]

definitely. In most cases 20-100USD worth of parts and some time will be all that is needed to get a CETME going good. lotsa ppl bought them and had no idea what the rifle was or how it functioned, or that some are better described as "90% complete" rifl kits. If you add that last 10%, it can be a good shooter.

I have two vuddies who recently bought CETMEs, one for 300USD (it has probs and we've been putting time and parts in it) one for 500USD that has an awesome clean build and like new bbl, still have to check it ovr for real probs or not.



"US mag $5 at gun show"
->Really? plastic or metal?