So it's not quite a G3...

[Marko Kloos]

...but it's close enough, especially for a fifth of the HK91's asking price.

Picked up one of the newer synthetic-stocked CETME rifles from Century Arms at the K-town gun show today. These are definitely better in the fit and finish department than the previous offerings from CAI. The bolt isn't ground, the sights are on straight, and the receiver gap isn't big enough to toss a No.2 pencil through. The furniture is black plastic, and looks like the furniture on a G3, although the handguard doesn't have a metal heat shield underneath it like the one on the G3.

I brought it home to clean it, and learned that the CETME bolt has a different field assembly procedure than the G3 bolt. Also, the rear receiver cap with the shoulder stock was on so tight that I literally had to hammer it off the receiver, with a nylon punch and rubber hammer. After a liberal cleaning and oiling, it's somewhat better, and I hope it'll break in some more as I use the rifle.

Other than that, I was pleasantly surprised by the fit and finish. These new CETMEs are much better looking than the previous batches.



Hey, it's a battle rifle for less than $400, and as close as I'll get to a HK91 any time soon...

 

[4v50 Gary]

Proof is in the pudding. How does it shoot? BTW, I like those slim fore-end over that bulky one designed to take a bipod. I have both along with both bipods - the light bipod for that triangular fore-end and the heavy bipod for that slim fore-end.

 

[Marko Kloos]

Tam's HK91 has the fat bipod handguard, but I prefer the slim one, since that's what was on our service G3s. This one looks and feels exactly like the service handguard, only without the metal heat shield on the inside.

 

[Snowdog]

That's a smart looking rifle, that's for certain. Good photography.

I've been looking in the Cetme as well, but since I already have a Springfield Armory FAL clone, I don't know what I'd do with another .308win battle rifle.

Be certain to give us a range report when you can get around to it.

 

[hksw]

Got one too not long ago. Also have an earlier wood furniture one. (They were so cheap and I had great results with the first one that I couldn't pass up buying another.)

Only concern I have with it is that what looks like holes (as they should be) in the forearm aren't. My wood CETME and 91 (wide handguard) get pretty hot after a short while. I'm thinking this one will get even hotter. Simple solution to improve cooling is, of course, drill holes into the faux-'holes'.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Should have mentioned that the fat handguard was called the tropical handguard. I always thought those were uncomfortable to shoot. The slim one with the heavy bipod looks meaner. With two HK-91s, I can have one of each. The first bought (kinda like first born) wears the MG-21 1200 meter drum along with the HK scope sight and Springfield ART IV scope. The second bought has a collaspable stock and has a ARM scope along with a matte Leupold 3.5x10 with target knobs.

BTW, if you want to make the HK look menacing, remove the fore-end and prop it up with the heavy bipod. Gives it a sinister MG look to it.

 

[iamkris]

4v50

Where'd ya get the heavy bipod? Is it the one that fastens back in the trunnion area, like this?

http://www.moneypit.net/~bhinton/Heckler_Koch/HK%20Heavy%20bipod%20attach.jpg

The onlyt ones I've seen like this cost upwards of $350-375 !!!!!

 

[Steve Smith]

Marko, I have one from CAI that is similar (one made on the Fed Arms receiver) and I was very surprised at how well it works. I am able to hit very well with it, even on moving targets.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Kris - That's the heavy bipod I've got but I think I spent no more than $150 on mine. It may have been Paragon that I bought it from many years ago (before the parts kits came into the country).

 

[Schuey2002]

1) Will this gun take HK91/G3 mags, or are the Cetme mags proprietary??

2) Can you 'easily' swap HK furniture onto these rifles?

3) How's the bore on your Cetme, Marko? Any pitting?

 

[Marko Kloos]

1) Will this gun take HK91/G3 mags, or are the Cetme mags proprietary??

The CAI CETME takes HK91/G3 mags without problems.

2) Can you 'easily' swap HK furniture onto these rifles?

It'll take HK hand guards without modification. The HK buttstock and recoil spring guide needs a very minor alteration to work with the CETME...you just need to shave down the plastic spring guide a little so it fits into the CETME bolt carrier tube.

3) How's the bore on your Cetme, Marko? Any pitting?

The bore is squeaky clean, bright and shiny, with sharp lands and grooves.

 

[Dave R]

"I hope it'll break in some more as I use the rifle."

It will. You'll find it easier to disassemble after a few more cleanings.

Its not a G3, but I'll bet the accuracy is mighty close. Let us know how it shoots. I predict 4" groups at 200 yards with Portugese surplus...

 

[Marko Kloos]

Well, the CETME came on its first range trip today.

The rifle went through a few magazines of mixed surplus ammo without any issues. Recoil is very mild, easily the softest-recoiling .308 I've shot to date. I was only able to shoot the gun at 15 yards, but the holes on the paper plate appeared where I pointed the sights.

One noticeable difference between this CETME and my old issue G3 is the heat buildup under the forearm. The G3 has a steel heat shield underneath the plastic handguard, the CETME handguard is unshielded plastic. After two magazines in fairly rapid succession, the handguard got a bit toasty. I think I'll swap the furniture with olive green G3 parts. Other than that, no complaints about the rifle whatsoever.

A friend of mine (renaissancemann) graciously gifted me a cast alloy claw mount complete with Norinco scope, along with another half dozen brand new CETME magazines. This is not the STANAG claw mount with Hensoldt scope, but rather the Marui airsoft mount. I've heard from numerous sources that these mounts hold up well, and I certainly can't complain about the price. Now I have a pretty spiffy scoped MBR that runs like a top, all for a good deal less than $500.

 

[T.Stahl]

Schnief.

 

[Geech]

How do you pronounce CETME? Whenever I see it, I think of something like "seat me", is that correct?

 

[Marko Kloos]

Herr Stahl,

du kannst das CETME nach Herzenslust schiessen, wenn du mal auf Besuch kommst.

I pronounce CETME "set-mee", but I can't vouch for the authenticity of that pronunciation.

 

[Nando Aqui]

CETME - Spanish acronym for Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales. In Spanish, it would be pronounced 'set-meh' with the emphasis on the first syllable. I imagine it should be pronounced the same way in English.

Alex