Thoughts on a CAI C93 (hk93 clone)

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Century couldn't have been bothered to properly headspace these guns, so sometimes they ground the bolt face to get it to go into battery. The results are literal shredding of brass and FTEs abound. If you get one of those then you basically have to have the barrel re-spaced and the bolt replaced, at minimum. There are tutorials about inspecting a C93 to see if that's the case. I think all one has to do is inspect the bolt face for tool marks, but I could be wrong.
 
If you are going to install a registered sear, then you might as well spend the money for a quality HK 93. Converting a CAI C93 to full auto is like spending $10,000 on stero equipment and spinners for a Pinto with a worn out engine.
 
I have a couple of them and they work just fine..... they are also some of the very first C93s produced and are a bit different than the current guns. Both of mine took less than 5 rounds to "break in" and have been 100% reliable with several hundred rounds through each of them. They aren't perfect but for the price it's a great option as a sear host. If you don't mind having to possibly tweak them a little then go for it. Worst case scenario is you have bought a parts kit for $500.
 
For the money its close enough to an HK for me if its a range gun. As a host its ment to be burned to the ground. At least thats what I use them for. It seems like if you can get one with good bolt gap then they seem to hold up ok in general.
 
Get them from a store with a really good return policy as you might go thru three or four of them to get one that works.

BSW
 
I looked at them a while ago, and ended up going with a Vector V93 from Atlantic Firearms. YMMV, but I looked through six of them, and every one had some sort of issue (bolt gap space, rear sight broken or locked up tight, rough finish jobs on stocks, etc.) Probably all things someone more handy than myself could repair, but...
 
I think the vectors are a better guns this thing is going to see hard use and for what each vector cost that I had seen you are most of the way to a 2nd one of these. It clearly is a quantity rather the quality thing for my use. Not everyone is looking for a Beat On lead hose host.
 
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I looked at buying a C93, but I read too many reports of bolt gap loss...often an absurd amount within the first couple hundred rounds or less.
 
If you want a sear host go with a better quailty rifle like the Vector V-93.


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Please check out this brief You Tube Video on the V93


http://www.youtube.com/user/AtlanticFirearms
 
Ill have to give you guys at Atlantic a call and see what the dealer price is on one if its not alot more I would consider the vector, Im will to give it a 2nd look.
 
IMHO, get the Vector from Atlantic. It'll cost more, but I think you'll be very pleased. Here's some shots of my IGF build from Atlantic. It easily accepted a claw mount and Hensoldt scope, and a HK folding stock fit flush. The fit and welds were excellent. BTW, those are evil cat hairs in the closeups, not scratches...

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That paddle release on the Vector sure looks good. My HK-43 doesn't have it.
 
I purchased my C93 new from JG a few months ago to keep the round count lower on my HK93, took it to the range and was a single-shot and would FTE every round with three different types of ammo. I called up CAI and had an RA# by the end of the day. About two weeks later it was back at my door, took it back to the range and fired 400 rounds of mixed ammo flawlessly. Used XM193, PMC, Wolf, and Tula all without any problem, since then have close to 1000 rounds without a single FTE/FTF.

It’s too bad they could not get it right out the door and compared to the real thing it is crude to say the least but if functions 100% now and that’s what I cared about and their customer service was easy to deal with. Do check for canted sights and bolt gap as these seem to be other common issue with the C93’s, mine was good in this area and did not have a ground bolt so I figured it was a keeper if they could get it running right.
 
I just peeked over at the Atlantic Firearms site ... they list the V93 at $1,049. That is many hundreds less than what I bought my V93 for back 18+ months ago. Great price if its anything like the build that I got.
 
I bought a C93 for $500 from Century, it should be here later this week and I will see how it works. :D
 
I ran 80 round threw the gun and it worked great Bolt gap was .12.
 
I have a C93. It's a replacement for the first rifle I bought, which would not cycle even though everything looked good and the bolt gap was in spec. I sent the first rifle back to Century and they sent me a new rifle. This one now has 500 rounds through it with no malfunctions using Wolf, American Eagle, and Prvi Partisan ammo. Bolt gap is holding steady on the new rifle. I'm happy with it though annoyed I had to go through getting a replacement. Just be prepared to have to tweak it or get it serviced.

Mine:

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I haven't ever handled the aforementioned Vector version. However, I have handled the ones from CAI and was not impresses at all. Based on the close-up photos of the Vector it appears to be a much better assembled weapon. I would spend the extra money for a quality rifle.
 
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