Dave Markowitz
Member
What's big and black and sitting next to me? Why, my new Century Arms G3, of course. I think I'll name it "Shaft." 
Yup, I got into the trading mood again. I went up to Surplus City today and worked out a swap whereby I acquired a new pseudo-G3 rifle built by Century Arms using surplus parts and a new receiver. The guns I no longer own are the Spanish FR-8 Mauser, S&W Brazilian 1938 contract "M1917," and the Colt New Service. (WTH Dave? You just go that one a couple months ago! Yeah, I know. So what. I wanted a battle rifle.)
SC actually had both CETMEs and a the G3s in stock. They feel similar, as the G3 is actually derived from the CETME. I went with the G3 because I like the rear sight better -- for one thing, it's adjustable for windage. Also, the safety on the G3 works the way us Americans are accustomed to it, down for fire and up for safe. The CETME's safety works the other way.
It's a big sucker, weighing in around 10 pounds. Combined with the delayed blowback action and the muzzlebrake, it should be a mild kicker for a .308. I've shot a friend's CETME and an HK-91, and both times was really pleased with how gentle they were to shoot.
Aesthetically, it's pretty good, so long as you like black. The US-made buttstock, pistol grip, and forearm are black plastic. The receiver is finished with a black baked on enamel paint. There are a couple parts, such as the receiver cap, which are a dark grey. The only variations on this theme are the markings on both sides of the receiver for the selector settings. "S" in white and "F" in red.
I ran a patch through the bore and it looks new. I haven't yet stripped it down but looking through the ejection port, the innards appear to have seen some use. That's OK, as the G3 has a reputation for durability.
Ted at SC gave two HK 20 round alumninum mags along with the rifle. One is dated 1963, the other is fron '69. One thing which attacted me to both the CETME and G3 is the current availability of spare parts and mags at _very_ reasonable prices. E.g., TAPCO has used G3 mags for under $10 a pop. The only mags that are comparably priced these days are for the FAL, and I've already decided that the FAL's ergonomics sucks big time for us lefties. (BTDT with a Century L1A1.)
Speaking of ergos, I rather like them on the G3. A lot of folks have bashed HK's ergonomics but they work for me. The gun is heavy but balances well for me, and I can actuate the safety with my left hand. The magazine is inserted pretty much straight-in, rather than the FAL's or AK's rock-in motion. And the magazine catch is easliy operated with my right hand, something I found to be awkward with the L1A1 that I had.
I'd rather the rifle not have a muzzlebrake as it's going to make the gun a lot louder. It appears to be the same brake as on my friend's CETME, which wasn't ear-splitting. Hopefully I'll luck out with my G3. And if the gun shoots and functions well, and we can get the AWB to sunset next year, maybe I'll get to replace it with a flash suppressor.
As on my L1A1, Century neglected to install a sling swivel on the buttstock. Duh. So, after I verify how the gun runs, I'll add one. I'm thinking about mounting it on top of the butt to facilitate use of an "assault" sling.
I picked up a 140 round battlepack of South African 7.62mm so that I have something to shoot.
Once I've verified that the gun works I plan to pick up a bunch of mags and ammo, and work on the sling situation. A full report will follow after I try it out.
Yup, I got into the trading mood again. I went up to Surplus City today and worked out a swap whereby I acquired a new pseudo-G3 rifle built by Century Arms using surplus parts and a new receiver. The guns I no longer own are the Spanish FR-8 Mauser, S&W Brazilian 1938 contract "M1917," and the Colt New Service. (WTH Dave? You just go that one a couple months ago! Yeah, I know. So what. I wanted a battle rifle.)
SC actually had both CETMEs and a the G3s in stock. They feel similar, as the G3 is actually derived from the CETME. I went with the G3 because I like the rear sight better -- for one thing, it's adjustable for windage. Also, the safety on the G3 works the way us Americans are accustomed to it, down for fire and up for safe. The CETME's safety works the other way.
It's a big sucker, weighing in around 10 pounds. Combined with the delayed blowback action and the muzzlebrake, it should be a mild kicker for a .308. I've shot a friend's CETME and an HK-91, and both times was really pleased with how gentle they were to shoot.
Aesthetically, it's pretty good, so long as you like black. The US-made buttstock, pistol grip, and forearm are black plastic. The receiver is finished with a black baked on enamel paint. There are a couple parts, such as the receiver cap, which are a dark grey. The only variations on this theme are the markings on both sides of the receiver for the selector settings. "S" in white and "F" in red.
I ran a patch through the bore and it looks new. I haven't yet stripped it down but looking through the ejection port, the innards appear to have seen some use. That's OK, as the G3 has a reputation for durability.
Ted at SC gave two HK 20 round alumninum mags along with the rifle. One is dated 1963, the other is fron '69. One thing which attacted me to both the CETME and G3 is the current availability of spare parts and mags at _very_ reasonable prices. E.g., TAPCO has used G3 mags for under $10 a pop. The only mags that are comparably priced these days are for the FAL, and I've already decided that the FAL's ergonomics sucks big time for us lefties. (BTDT with a Century L1A1.)
Speaking of ergos, I rather like them on the G3. A lot of folks have bashed HK's ergonomics but they work for me. The gun is heavy but balances well for me, and I can actuate the safety with my left hand. The magazine is inserted pretty much straight-in, rather than the FAL's or AK's rock-in motion. And the magazine catch is easliy operated with my right hand, something I found to be awkward with the L1A1 that I had.
I'd rather the rifle not have a muzzlebrake as it's going to make the gun a lot louder. It appears to be the same brake as on my friend's CETME, which wasn't ear-splitting. Hopefully I'll luck out with my G3. And if the gun shoots and functions well, and we can get the AWB to sunset next year, maybe I'll get to replace it with a flash suppressor.
As on my L1A1, Century neglected to install a sling swivel on the buttstock. Duh. So, after I verify how the gun runs, I'll add one. I'm thinking about mounting it on top of the butt to facilitate use of an "assault" sling.
I picked up a 140 round battlepack of South African 7.62mm so that I have something to shoot.
Once I've verified that the gun works I plan to pick up a bunch of mags and ammo, and work on the sling situation. A full report will follow after I try it out.
