Thinking about buying a CETME .308...

[EVEgreen2001]

I'm looking to possibly purchase one of these .308s next gun show. I've been doing my "homework" on it and so far, it sounds pretty good, but I would really like some information from experienced owners.

Thanks guys,
Erron

 

[zoom6zoom]

I like mine. Can be a bit frustrating if you're a reloader, as it's pretty hard on brass - if you can even find it. Mine seems to launch it into low earth orbit never to be seen again.

 

[hipoint]

I used to go shooting with my chemistry professor in college, I used fal's and he used cetme's.... they would both jam occasionally, I guess that's the nature of using less than "top grade" weapons, but neither one was any more prone to failure than the other. The only complaint he had about his cetme's were that when the were new they had a bit of texture on the bolt that caused some issues, but after a couple hundred rounds of cheap milsurp ammo they smoothed up nicely.

I would love to have another fal or a cetme, I wouldn't be choosy at all. any assault rifle in .308 has my endorsement (for what it's worth coming from a guy with 'hipoint' as a screen name )

 

[hipoint]

I must say though, that I am now very tempted by the .308 saigas... I'd like to get my hands on one before I dropped a bunch of cash.

I can't remember if the cetme rifle has the adjustable gas port or not, but that was VERY VERY useful on my FAL to get absolutely all I could from whatever round I was using.

 

[trueg50]

The gas issue won't be a concern as far as I know because the CETME/G3 are Delayed Blowback firearms.

Flip around Youtube and AGI (American Gunsmithing Institute) has some great snipe's the CETME/g3 film. After seeing the full version, it made me want to run out and get a CETME/G3 type rifle (a new PTR91 GI actually) right away.

 

[6x6pinz]

I have had my CETME for many years now. Shoots great right up until the magazine stops get a little worn. Buying those used magazines can cause some problems but if you keep an eye on the stop so the magazine doesn't ride up too far they are fine shooters. My buddy bought one from a guy for $60 buck because it would not work properly. Once I showed him how to fix the magazine his has been working for a little over 5 years without any issues. Nice bun but a bit heavy.

I really like the Saiga in 308 though. With a compensator on it, it has become my favorite 308.

 

[dogmush]

I like mine. I did the 922 dance to put wood back on it and really enjoy shooting it. It's kinda fun to put down the AR's once in a while and shoot a big, heavy, wood and metal rifle. Century did me wrong on the bolt gap, but a new bolt head and some rollers and it's been running great for several cases of old milsurp 7.62. They're fun rifles, I'm actually considering another for a project or build.


ETA: FWIW, mine doesn't jam. Or rather hasn't ever. Extraction and ejection is ......lets say positive. I run surplus G3 mags that I bought for a $1 from CTD (I think) and it just gobbles crap right up. Sights are eh, but it runs great.

 

[lobo9er]

I used fal's and he used cetme's.... they would both jam occasionally, I guess that's the nature of using less than "top grade" weapons,

hmm i dont know about cetme's but i wouldn't conder a fal "less top grade"

 

[Buck Kramer]

Don't buy one if you plan on reloading if flutes the cartridge.

 

[mortablunt]

As a battle rifle owner, I give this advice: Century's quality s inconsistent. Don't buy a gun you can't fondle and inspect beforehand.

 

[451 Detonics]

Don't buy one if you plan on reloading if flutes the cartridge.

I reload brass from HKs all the time. It does shorten brass life to about half. Mostly tho I shoot non-reloadable surplus through my CETME so I don't worry about it.

The CETME is a great rifle with, I think, Great ergonomics. The manual of arms does require a learning curve but if all those German Troops could learn it I am sure you can too. Also while the cheap HK mags are tempting many CETMEs don't like them, if you by a CETME let me know ans I will send you a free HK mag to try before you invest money. I use all CETME magazines, $8.95 each in steel from J&G Sales.

The biggest things to look at on a CETME will be the bolt gap.



Ideally this gap will fall between .010 and .015 with the hammer down.



If it is off of the ideal .013 it can be adjusted some with new rollers but not a huge amount



If you are looking at one of the new CIA guns do not buy it off the shelf at a dealer without knowing when the dealer bought it. The reason is CIA warranties the gun for 12 months ofter it leaves their warehouse so if the dealer has had it 10 month you only have 2 months of warranty left. Find a dealer who will order one in for you. Check the bolt gap before you buy it.

Not all HK parts will fit the CETME but some will. However CETME parts are available as well. My brother bought one that new rollers would help so I installed a new bolt, the new bolt cost $30 and with that I got his gap to .014 and it runs great. I have to admit to an advantage with these guns...I am an HK schooled trained armorer but it simple to work on.

Stay away from the cheap scope mounts. If yu plan on using a scope for the most past buy the HK low mount, the claw mount prevent a proper cheek weld without a cheekpiece. I also had to add a stock extension to gain eye relief on mine.

These are great rifle, accurate and reliable...use a little care picking one out and you will be happy...

Mine in green HK furniture with extension and cheekpiece...

 

[animator]

I'm up to 6 built cetmes so far, and a handful of FALs thrown in too. None have given me issues as far as reliability goes. They're fun to build and fun to shoot. I just wish the price of 7.62 would drop back down a bit...

 

[hipoint]

after reading this it very well could have been the mags in my fal that caused the issues as it was always a feeding problem and never an extraction problem...

and by "less than top grade" my fal's were all century guns, so yeah, they were less than top grade

 

[tx_pistolero]

I had a CETME for about 2 weeks. It was a jam-o-matic. I tried several different mag types, and ammo types, including NATO FMJs. It would never do a full mag, EVER. Ripped cases in half, mangled the ones it didn't.
I researched it and saw horrible reviews on it. I wished I had done that first, but it was a stupid good deal (CETME plus claw mount and scope for $475)

It wasn't even a good deal at that price. I had really wanted one, I think they look cool and are a neat design, and wanted to like it. Century Arms version, btw.

 

[451 Detonics]

a $30 dollar bolt would likely have cured your CETME, sounds like the bolt wasn't fully locking and while the flutes were holding the brass the bolt was trying to rip it out. It is a delay system with the rollers locking in to provide the delay till pressures drop. Your bolt was cycling too early.

 

[henschman]

The CETME was actually the first .308 I ever had. After getting experience with most of the other .308 battle rifles out there, I decided that I don't really like the CETME. They are too heavy, have rather poor sights, and are hard to properly mount optics on. They are accurate though, and mine was quite reliable. It was very loud though, with the 18" barrel and muzzle brake. The trigger was nothing to write home about.

I greatly prefer an M-14 pattern rifle or a .308 AR of some sort. As cheap as some of the lower-end .308 ARs are nowadays, I would definitely go with one of them over a CETME if money is a concern.

 

[EVEgreen2001]

For me, money is a concern. I'm only going to the gun show with so much, ya know? I'm having a really hard time between buying either of these: WASR 10, C 93, Yugo SKS, CETME, or a Saiga .308. There are alot of differences to tell between them all, but a good solid accurate and long lasting shooter is what I want. Decisions, decisions...

 

[henschman]

I'd look into something like the DPMS LR-308 or the Bushmaster ORC if you're a little tight on cash. You should be able to find a LR-308 in the $800-$1000 range. They are just SO much easier to put optics or decent iron sights on, and they are at least as accurate. They are much more ergonomic too, and more customizable.

Or here's another idea if money is really tight... how about an M-1 Garand from the CMP? They are only $500 or $600 depending on which grade you get, and I consider it to be a better rifle than the CETME. I would definitely grab my M1 before I'd grab a CETME if I actually had to go out and take care of business. The sights and trigger are just so much better. Its .30-06 not .308, but if you buy your ammo from CMP, the price is pretty much a wash versus NATO surplus .308.

Yeah the CETME might look cooler, but its just one of those things where you have to run them both on a full distance range and see which one you can get more hits with. I may be being a little presumptive, but I think most people who have both would probably prefer to have the M1 with them if things got nasty.

 

[EVEgreen2001]

My budget this time I $550 tops! I've been considering getting a Yugo Mauser or a K98 for even longer than this.

 

[tx_pistolero]

To the OP: What are your objectives? That might help us make some recommendations for you.

To 451 Detonics: Very well might have. The big problem for me, is that I don't really have any experience with the platform. So for me, it was just not worth the effort. I have my ARs, and I can solve most any problems that comes up, didn't feel it was worth it to tackle a new platform, and the prerequisite learning curve that comes with it. Sounds like you know your stuff about it, and I am sure when you do you can get it operating properly.

BTW, just my opinion, but I think Century Arms is really giving CETME's a bad reputation, with the stuff they have put out.

 

[seasmoke]

Consider a CAI CETME to be a project gun. You may have to put some time and minor $ into it. Mine runs great with 6.5 bills into it. You can move up to a PTR or Vector or HK with the price incrising along the way. Custom builds are another option. As to the weight of the CETME/G3... these are de-milled select fire weapons. Nuff said.

 

[seasmoke]

Re-try pic

 

[EVEgreen2001]

My objectives are finding a good, solid, and very dependable semi-auto in that price range that I can pass down one day. I love target shooting and I'm not a hunter...yet. Small game would be a start maybe. I'm mostly into military types. I've got a 1925 Nagant (ex- dragoon) and a Benelli Nova. Now I want a semi auto.

 

[EVEgreen2001]

Those look great! I'm not opposed to starting with a basic CETME platform and improving from there.

 

[seasmoke]

Thanks. On the left is my CETME with G3 furniture and mag.(Mags are [email protected] ea) G3 stuff is pretty cheap and built to last. Just watch your 922r count. The other is my C93(de-milled HK-G33) Both are great fun.