CETME...Educate Me

[Ignition Override]

There is a Cetme forum listed on the main page at "Gunandgame".

 

[Duke of Doubt]

gotmine: "The Spanish craftsmanship is every bit as good as anything HK has produced...If ..."

Oh, Lord.

 

[bonza]

I see Classic Arms http://www.classicarms.us/index.html is currently listing CETMEs at a little under $700. Pretty sure they'd be CAI manufacture, but Classic Arms has a good reputation for customer service so I don't think you'd have any worries buying from them.

 

[SweetKnuckles]

I too, bought a Century 'Cetme' (think they called it a 91 sporter or something) about 5 yrs ago from JG Sales in Prescott. A little roughshod with the synthetic furniture, which had paint drips, but the rifle was pretty fun to shoot. Even though that .308 was a BEAST of a round and barked like a junkyard dog, the gas recoil system really soaked up that kick...I could fire that thing all day.

I recently saw a PTR 91 at the range and agree w/poster above. It was WORLDS better in terms of fit and finish...I asked the guy if it was a full on HK 91. Unfortunately, seemed like it came with a stout price tag. He told me he just bought it in Scottsdale for $1200.

One thing you should consider (maybe even more than the price of the rifle) is the price of the ammo. Which is why I sold mine a few years ago. With current ammo prices, plan on spending near $400 per case for Wolf Ammo.

 

[Shear_stress]

Pretty sure they'd be CAI manufacture

You'd be right. There are very few original Spanish CETMEs in this country. My 1969 Gun Digest lists the "CETME-Sport Auto Rifle", imported by Mars Equipment of Chicago. It retailed $219.95 (about $1230 in 2007 dollars) at a time when you could by a surplus Garand or M1 carbine for less than $100. I don't think the CETME sold all that well.

Here is a link to a "real" Mars CETME for sale on Gunbroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=121868232

 

[rbernie]

So what are my other options besides a CETME?

For the price of a CETME, you can also get a Saiga in 308. You can convert it to standard AK layout for about $130-$150, and then you'd have a 308-chambered AK. The only real downside to that is that magazines are much more expensive. The good news is that it's an AK design and will likely outlast you.

You can occasionally find CAI-modified FALs (R1A1 markings, mostly) that sell for $750 or so. If the receiver has the widows peak in the feed ramp, its likely OK or can be made OK. If its one that CAI ground the feedramp into a single 'U' shape, pass it by.