iamkris
February 5, 2003, 04:20 PM
I've been a sucker for the HK91 for 20 years but could never afford one. Recently, I've been turned on to the CETME's. It seems like a great main battle rifle with a rich history, but there are several factors against it. I'm not sure if the current "ground bolt" issue is a problem or not but frankly I don't like it. Basically, this makes me think that the parts pool is drying up and they are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
I went to the Milwaukee gun show last weekend and inspected a "handpicked" CETME there that was beautiful but it had a ground bolt.
The dealer also had a Century rebuilt G3 for $100 more than a CETME. Century has a 50/50 reputation for building rifles that are worn out or are welded crooked so I checked this one out thoroughly. The boltgap (headspace measure) was right about 0.016", chamfered unground bolt, shiny bore, good welds, cycles smooth. Parts mostly stamped with late 70s/early 80s manufacture. I plunked down cash (and got a better deal because of it) and walked out with my new beauty. I cleaned it up and took it to the range that afternoon with some surplus Port 308.
Out of the box, no FTE or FTF. Without being serious, groups 10-shot 2" at 50 yards (I think it will do better), 3" to right of POA with the 200 meter peep. HK designed a pretty user friendly (mind you not as good as the Garand but better than the FAL) rear sight so that won't be hard to fix. The trigger was so-so put that's easy to clean up. The ergonomics of the rifle aren't bad, though the LOP could be a hair longer and the selector lever would be nicer if you could reach it when in firing position versus just at port arms.
She really barks too. That comp is LOUD. It flings the shells fully 30 feet forward. I had an AR and AK guy come up and say "those cartridges are HUGE. Look at the size of that mag". Lots of comments at the range too...guess they don't get many G3's there...could have been because I was shooting my Win 92 at the same time...sort of spanning the centuries.
So, I'm swinging back and forth from guilt (spending money when I shouldn't have) and giddiness from entering the world of big bore modern MBR's. Can't wait to try her out rapid fire against an army of invading water-filled milk jugs.
I went to the Milwaukee gun show last weekend and inspected a "handpicked" CETME there that was beautiful but it had a ground bolt.
The dealer also had a Century rebuilt G3 for $100 more than a CETME. Century has a 50/50 reputation for building rifles that are worn out or are welded crooked so I checked this one out thoroughly. The boltgap (headspace measure) was right about 0.016", chamfered unground bolt, shiny bore, good welds, cycles smooth. Parts mostly stamped with late 70s/early 80s manufacture. I plunked down cash (and got a better deal because of it) and walked out with my new beauty. I cleaned it up and took it to the range that afternoon with some surplus Port 308.
Out of the box, no FTE or FTF. Without being serious, groups 10-shot 2" at 50 yards (I think it will do better), 3" to right of POA with the 200 meter peep. HK designed a pretty user friendly (mind you not as good as the Garand but better than the FAL) rear sight so that won't be hard to fix. The trigger was so-so put that's easy to clean up. The ergonomics of the rifle aren't bad, though the LOP could be a hair longer and the selector lever would be nicer if you could reach it when in firing position versus just at port arms.
She really barks too. That comp is LOUD. It flings the shells fully 30 feet forward. I had an AR and AK guy come up and say "those cartridges are HUGE. Look at the size of that mag". Lots of comments at the range too...guess they don't get many G3's there...could have been because I was shooting my Win 92 at the same time...sort of spanning the centuries.
So, I'm swinging back and forth from guilt (spending money when I shouldn't have) and giddiness from entering the world of big bore modern MBR's. Can't wait to try her out rapid fire against an army of invading water-filled milk jugs.