CETME project is DONE! (long)

[Tread_Head]

As some of you know, I have been working at bringing a CETME sporter I bought back to the military configuration. After cleaning/staining the wood, it was time to remove the Century muzzle break. This will be easy!
http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/573/medium/P1010012.JPG
http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/573/medium/P1010010.JPG
Well...after some questions on the board, ignoring bad advice from my LGS, and one more try, the damn thing came off!
http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/573/medium/P1010013.JPG
Now I installed the new bayonet lug and US made flash hider. Last thing was to take the $6 CETME bayonet and refinish that. For those who have ordered these, they look like crap when you get them, but after a little bit of cleaning it came out really nice. I took foaming oven cleaner and sprayed down the blade and let it sit for 20 min. Then I scrubbed off all the black paint and yrs. of crud w/a old towel. I repeated this two more times and finally finished off the blade by lightly polishing with 0000 steel wool and applying Oxpho-blue. The results are below.
http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/573/CETME4.JPG
http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/573/CETME1.JPG
http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/573/CETME3.JPG
http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/573/CETME2.JPG

[hunter_la5]

looks great. definately worth the effort

[Rampager]

Great job! Looks brand new. Glad you stuck with it.

[jfowl31]

looks good! My bayonet was in pretty stinking good shape when I got it... do you have any before pics of yours?

The "paint" on mine is unblemished, and I thought they all were pretty much this way.

The scabbard does have a few nicks and scratches, but thats about it.

[Tread_Head]

Unfortunately I don't have any before pictures of the bayonet. When it arrived, the bayonet looked like it was painted black w/a think coating. Under the coating it was rough, like their were little grains of sand stuck under the paint, and there were two or three small spots of light surface rust. After cleaning though, it looks like new. Now the only thing I need to figure out is if there is a way to blue all the metal so the flash hider is the same shade as the barrel. Not a big deal, just a slightly noticeable cosmetic thing.

[rep30cal]

You did a fine job, now give yourself a pat on the back for saving
a sporter.

[Smokehouse69]

Great job! I was worried when you had the problem with the flash surpressor.. but you perservered and got through it, and now it is a fine looking military rifle!

[NavajoNPaleFace]

Good going! I hope it shoots well for you.

[Reloader_26D]

Congratulations! Now comes range time, and a full report. I'm following in your footsteps; Thanks for breaking trail!

[Tread_Head]

Thanks for the replies, full range report to come this weekend. :g3: