Hi, and a few questions!

[zul448]

Ok so lets get right down to it. I've narrowed my next purchase down to a CETME-style rifle. I've wanted a .308 autoloader for a while and M14's are too expensive, FALs are too ugly (ok they arent THAT bad... but when compared to a CETME or M14 they're on the bottom of the list heh) and AR10s... well AR10s are just an AR, if i wanted one of those i'd build an AR15 :)

My guidelines for purchasing a new firearm are price and reliability. Visual condition is second. In fact i prefer used guns... i'm a milsurp fan so i love a rifle that looks like it has HISTORY!

So my question to you is... where should i be looking? Gunbroker seems to have the century ones for around $600. But i've heard some horror stories about reliability issues with the century built CETME... I found a place that is selling PTR91's for $900, which i've heard is a steal based on their performance, but thats still about 300-400 more clams than i'd like to spend. From what i've read here, a kit requires a fair bit of gunsmithing ability and more tools than i have laying around the house so thats out.

Any comments are appreciated, and thanks for reading!

[SCGrotz]

the century ones arent that bad, just make sure to get the seller to give you a pic as proof that the bolt is unground, and if you can the bolt gap measurement.

i got mine on gunbroker, blind and I lucked out, to be honest.

you're going to love it, theyre great guns.



welcome to the forum, by the way.

[turbothis]

welcome, maybe someone will pop up with one and no flaws here.....

[zul448]

Thanks for the replies! And excuse my ignorance but what does it mean to have a ground bolt? Does the bolt gap have anything to dowith headspacing or is it something else?

[turbothis]

the back of the bolt body will be shaved down the get better delay out of the action. this is the mcgyver route instead of replacing parts.

there is no solid headspace only gap to establish the delay amount. that is the amount of time the action is closed to fire and then the action barely beats it and the thing recoils.

[Planning]

:America: welcome :airtight:

[Milsurp]

Welcome. I have had great luck with my Cetme. Just a few small things. That has been after many rounds thru her. A few people have said it was the most troublesome weapon they have owned. That said. I would probably go for a PTR if you like that style but it is around the same price as a m-14. Just my 2 cents.

[SCGrotz]

Thanks for the replies! And excuse my ignorance but what does it mean to have a ground bolt? Does the bolt gap have anything to dowith headspacing or is it something else?

what turbo said.

the action works by delaying the force of the case against the bolt with locking rollers, it takes a certain amount of force to lock them in.

you measure the bolt gap to make sure that the bolt wont open up too early or too late. there are entire threads dedicated to this aspect of the CETME.

grinding the bolt head gives a false reading on the bolt gap and usually means century f****d up

that having been said its one of my favorite guns, low recoil, accurate, and no other action like it, not to mention it flings brass a country mile, which usually impresses or angers everyone next to you. always remember to take the furthest spot right that you can, with no walls next to you (I have had hot steel cases land in my shirt...OUCH!)

[jettag]

but don't take it badly Zul, I ain't perrty either!

seriously though...even if your first CETME is a turd...

you'll have the knowledge and support of a fine bunch of afficianados and the satisfaction of getting it right yourself (priceless).

You'll then find yourself aquiring mates and parts for more,
Then you'll get over your hangup with the FAL and build some of those.
Then you'll have to get an M1A cause you're a Patriot...

Dude, you better start stockin up on ammo!!!!:thumbup:

[deth502]

imo, dont count the fal out. especially on looks alone.

[Beprepared]

I have owned both. The real H&K 91 and the FAL. I currently own two FALs (and none of you are talking me out of my C2!!!).

I respect the Cetme/H&K design. It is robust, tough and real bitch to MAKE it fail. It has the cool points for style and agressiveness.

But...

If you reload you will go broke buying new brass. The design ensures the rifles operation, not the quality of the brass. I can get three reloads out of H&K brass (once you notice the flute, you know its H&K) before the seams at the neck start to fail. It also take two grown men and a genie to get the bolt back togther.

I have my FAL because I wanted to try one. I got a POS (althought I didn't know it) and have replaced most of the gas system with FN parts. The fact that I can take the weapon down to its arsenal basics with a leatherman and a small punch impressed the hell out of me.

Its lighter than the H&K (Cetme)
Its just as reliable
And I can use the brass over and over and over.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not slaming the Cetme design. Just IMO the FAL is better.

[brewskzilla]

Lets not turn this into another FAL vs G-3 thread, PLEASE!!!
Welcome to the site, CETME rifles are awesome, Not to mention inexpensive AND cool looking. I would venture at least 80% of the members here own one, and we all love them, Fals are good too, blah blah blah... have a heart, guys...

[jfowl31]

Century seems to have their act together for the latest batch of Cetmes, and MUCH less problems are being reported, though little things still pop up from time to time with certain rifles.

Your best bet is going to be buying one of the new Century builds OR picking up one on the trader forum here. Most of the rifles sold on this trader have already been tweaked and fixed up to good working order, and typically better deals can be found here than on gunbroker.

IMO, a cast SS receiver is preferable, but some prefer the stamped...... also IMO, stay away from the chunky cast ALUMINUM receiver FAC rifles.......... and once again IMO, if you find a PTR for a decent price, nab that sucker. I still stand by that Century Cetmes are great rifles once the bugs (if any.... mine came 100% perfect out of the box) are worked out. Sometimes that takes 1 or 2 $5 parts, sometimes a little elbow grease.

As far as assembling the bolt being hard............ huh? Mine goes together like a hot knife through butter.

[zul448]

Century seems to have their act together for the latest batch of Cetmes, and MUCH less problems are being reported, though little things still pop up from time to time with certain rifles.

Thats good news. A question on buying a century rifle though - they do not sell directly to non-FFL consumers, so where would be the best place to get a recently-constructed CETME?

[jfowl31]

I think Classic Arms was carrying the new batch of CAI Cetmes and maybe a couple other dealers. Maybe one of the other members here can give you a more solid answer than that.

[jmikey]

Welcome to the forum zul, I think Gunbroker is probably your best bet at the moment for a CETME.

[Beprepared]

Lets not turn this into another FAL vs G-3 thread, PLEASE!!!

*Hands up* Don't shoot! :2pistol: I did not mean to sound that way.
I meant to imply that the FAL is just as good.

[jfowl31]

*Hands up* Don't shoot! :2pistol: I did not mean to sound that way.
I meant to imply that the FAL is just as good.

No worries..... it's just that every time a thread gets posted around here about 7.62 battle rifles, it almost surely turns into a debate about which is better, usually detracting from the subject of the OP greatly.