[Daedalus]

Local gun shop has a brand new CETME for $399. I am thinking about going for it, but I figured I would ask the experts here first. Before I drop the money on it is there anything I should know about?

[cma g21]

I've purchased three, all CAI. One was reliable and accurate out of the box, but was poorly finished. The second needed quite a bit of work (especially the magazine well), and still wasn't as accurate as the first. I sold both. I currently have a newer synthetic stocked model. The finish was o.k., although not great, but it is accurate and reliable.
From what I’ve read and seen, it’s kind of a crapshoot. You may get a good one, you may get a lemon. The odds seem to be better on the newest models. YMMV.

edited to correct typo.

[MeatWagon]

Definite Crapshoot.

:)

[Dave R]

Yup. You need to be willing to either return the rifle, or tweak it, as some of them are not right. If you arewilling to go through the process, you can wind up with a reliable, accurate battle rifle for $400. It was worth it to me.

Here's the CETME forum.

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Headlines&BID=30&SID=1655538

[Maddogkiller]

There is one more thing that you should know. Buying a CETME for $399 will put you $399 further away from getting an excellent F A L for $200 more.

[Dave R]

But my $400 CETME working right will out-shoot your $600 FAL.

Just kidding. I don't wanna start a FAL vs. CETME war. My point is that a properly-running CETME is a fine battle rifle. I shopped FAL vs. CETME pretty heavily, and chose CETME. I liked the balance and feel of the CETME better. And the wood, which may not be available now, anyway.

I think we can both agree that there is better availability of parts and qualified 'smiths for FAL.

But there are satisfactory numbers of both for CETME.

CETME lovers will say CETME is more accurate than FAL. FAL lovers may disagree.

I'd better stop. I'm starting to sound like a CETME vs. FAL war.