CETME vs. PTR91?

[leadcounsel]

What are the differences...? They appear the same. I have the PTR91 and like it. Found a CETME for $500 with wood furniture. A good price?

Are mags interchangable?

 

[nalioth]

There are subtle differences in the bolt geometry and works.

The Cetme has less apparent recoil than a G3/PTR91/HK91 for the above reason (more of a push than a smack).

As far as price, if it's a Century, no price is worth it. They don't like subtlety and use grinders to fit the parts together. The Cetme / G3 rifles do not have a "headspace" per se, but the grinding makes them give off "safe" dimensions, when they may not be.

Mags are interchangeable, but you might have to adjust your G3/PTR91/HK91 mag well slightly to use Cetme mags

 

[leadcounsel]

It is a Century.

In the past I've heard a lot of negativitiy about Century builds.

 

[lipadj46]

As nalioth said if it is a Century CETME you need to proceed with caution and really know what you are looking at. If i is a real CETME, spanish or whatever like this one:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=117744096

Then $500 is a good deal but it is probably a Century. Most people on Gubroker won't even come out and say it's a Century so look at the pictures or ask.

 

[nalioth]

If i is a real CETME, spanish or whatever like this one:

Auction link removed.

Then $500 is a good deal

If it was a real Spanish Cetme for $500, it'd be hot or so mangled up that it'd not be usable for anything. Real Spanish Cetmes go for 2K and up. They are the only Cetmes allowed to have the three hole receiver, and they're entirely made in Spain (not frankensteined back together as Century is wont to do)

 

[Shear_stress]

As folks have said, stay away from the Century CETMEs. If you are interested in a PTR-91, you can get a brand new one for less than a grand from CDNN.

 

[armoredman]

The Spanish CETMEs all came in in 1969. The Century CETMEs are garbage, mostly, needing complete bolt and roller replacement. Had one, won't do it again.

 

[Shear_stress]

After cracking open my 1969 Gun Digest, the Mars Equipment-imported original Spanish CETMEs retailed for $219.95, or more than 1200 of today's dollars. Probably sold like cold-cakes at the time. They were are worth considerably more than that now.