Doesn't seem like it's one of Century's disasters. However The C15 still suffers from Century's reputation.
Like I posted before, probably a good idea to do a hands on inspection before purchase. Check for upper/lower receiver fit, check the rear sight for looseness, etc.
Would appear that AR style weapons will have some degree of receiver play. The day I bought my Century, I also looked at half a dozen carbines(new, on the shelf). A few were relitively tight. The rest had some degree of "loosness". These were new AR style carbines mostly Bushmaster and Del-ton. Honestly seemed that the Del-Tons were tightest, but of the two or three of those on the rack, the receiver tightness still varied a bit.
True, the C15 is a Century refurbed M16. Probably used and abused in Columbia's(or some other) drug war. Does have wear on some parts thats noticable, even some refinished parts have noticable wear. My front sling swivel is noticably worn. The edge of my forward assist is slightly worn. Bolt and carrier is definately used. A close look at the receiver(upper) shows it to be bead blasted and refinished.
She's a refurb. Looks like a new rifle to most folks, preforms like a new rifle too. Mine seriously preforms beyond expectations. I would doubt a brand-new off the rack standard AR of whatever brand could do any better than the one I got. I doubt I could have built one for less money that shoots better(maybe with a match grade really fat barrel?).
If you just want a shooter without the hassle of scrounging up an upper, lower, maybe furniture and lower receiver parts, then maybe the C15 is for you. For about $150-200 more you can buy a brand new Del-Ton(my original choice until the Century came along).
Piecing one together was going to cost me almost exactly the same as the C15 cost, maybe just a bit more(the Century cost me $600 plus tax).
I now have an AR 15A2 heavy barrel sporter that for all intents and purposes does what I want, don't jam and is accurate.
It is true that possibly my bolt carrier screws could shear off(they look fine), my firing pin could break(may have fired tens of thousands of rounds), hammer might snap off(do they do that?), or whatever else failures may come from the used parts. However, I think it unlikely, the rifle works great. I do think I will get some parts just in case, but I would probably buy some spares anyway, commen sense demands it even for a new rifle.
I don't quite get the firecracker/dynamite thing, but don't give a hoot anyhow! My AR works and does it well. Looks fine, and every shooter I know who doesn't have an AR is envious. Thats all I need.
