Century AR
- Thread starter Mr.Barty
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northark147
Member
Somehow this reminds me of something my mother has told me all of my life.... You get what you pay for..
JustinJ
Member
I'd just buy one of the M16 parts kits and build my own for around the same price. Plus you get the joy of knowing you built it yourself.
I just don't see the reason for this price that you'd go with a Century built kit. I'd take one of a handful other new rifles in the $600-$700 price range that have known parts that are new and to spec than whatever CAI decides to build. I'm sure a few of their rifles turn out well, but I'm also sure many will be built poorly. I'll take my odds with a Smith or CMMG or DPMS etc over CAI.
This.
While I don't have a Century AR, I do have a CETME. It's been a great fun project gun at a cheap price, but I had to do a bit of work to get it running very nicely - mostly simple stuff they should have caught at the factory. However....I'll cut Century some slack as they put out some interesting stuff at cheaper prices than anyone else - you just have to be prepared to do some work yourself, IMO.
With an AR however (i.e. the most common rifle in this country), there is absolutely no need or point in getting one from Century - Waaay too many other better options out there for a similar price.
I bought ine when they were wholesaling for $500. I wish I would have bought three of them so that I could have resold them after the Obama election scare added 50% to all military style semiautos.
There will come a time, soon when many of us will wish we had bought several spares when they were cheap...
There will come a time, soon when many of us will wish we had bought several spares when they were cheap...
atblis
Member
Perhaps, but the point is there's no reason to buy the Century. If you want an AR, buy something else. Too many other quality choices for the same price.
kwelz
Member
Or you could just buy quality and not need to worry about a "spare".
Still no pictures of the bad century AR's tore up by angry beavers...yet my pics that show one is great shape... If seeing is believing?
M16 parts Kit over $500
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NySgIM3sycc
Buy the proper parts and replace the broken used parts in the kit?? $90 New lower reciever $130 plus delivery on everything. Barrel tool, vice block, time, parkerise barrel, and ...
Or get a grear CAI for $629 delivered... you choose.
I already have a bunch of AR 15's but I wanted the M16 style.
M16 parts Kit over $500
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NySgIM3sycc
Buy the proper parts and replace the broken used parts in the kit?? $90 New lower reciever $130 plus delivery on everything. Barrel tool, vice block, time, parkerise barrel, and ...
Or get a grear CAI for $629 delivered... you choose.
I already have a bunch of AR 15's but I wanted the M16 style.
Zach S
Member
Why would we have pictures? We didn't buy the ARs ground on by drunken monkeys...
R.W.Dale
Member
We're supposed buy a mangled rifle from a FOURTH tier manufacturer so we can save $70 and be able to post pics of the horror show innards.
Tapatalk post via IPhone.
atblis
Member
Thank You! Exactly what I was going to say, just couldn't quite formulate it.
Sorry. I guess I have to drink the koolaid. Oh Yah...
\Century Arms Retro AR's are horrible mangled junk. Just like my pictures I posted.
I'll take your all words for it because you all are experts and know. Sorry I am just a lowly gun collector with only a few guns to my name. Do a posts check on me.
\Century Arms Retro AR's are horrible mangled junk. Just like my pictures I posted.
I'll take your all words for it because you all are experts and know. Sorry I am just a lowly gun collector with only a few guns to my name. Do a posts check on me.
What's to say that those they saw weren't junk? It's the same as for you to say yours is great. The idea that rifles using recycled parts from a company known to cut every corner possible, it seems pretty likely that some will happen to have good parts and others to have mangled parts.
Look at the S&W M&P15 sport. $600 with a rifle with new parts from a company with a great reputation and quality new parts. CMMG bargin bin gets you a new rifle with new parts for $600. A delton rifle kit, a stripped lower, and a set of punch pins will run you $525 or so and again be of known quality new parts. If you are willing to spend a little more, you can get into a Spikes or BCM rifle, both of which have shown to use high quality parts and not skip many corners. If you want accurate you can get into a WOA/CLE upper and a complete lower for around $800 or so. That's not to say your rifle won't work well for you or most others, just that for similar money you get something with a MUCH better reputation and for a little more money you get something with a HUGE reputation. Why would you risk it on a CAI rifle even if it looks good from the start? Its a vastly competitive market right now with everyone making a rifle. Picking from the guy with the worst reputation seees like a risky move at best, even if some/many are coming out made decently well.
Look at the S&W M&P15 sport. $600 with a rifle with new parts from a company with a great reputation and quality new parts. CMMG bargin bin gets you a new rifle with new parts for $600. A delton rifle kit, a stripped lower, and a set of punch pins will run you $525 or so and again be of known quality new parts. If you are willing to spend a little more, you can get into a Spikes or BCM rifle, both of which have shown to use high quality parts and not skip many corners. If you want accurate you can get into a WOA/CLE upper and a complete lower for around $800 or so. That's not to say your rifle won't work well for you or most others, just that for similar money you get something with a MUCH better reputation and for a little more money you get something with a HUGE reputation. Why would you risk it on a CAI rifle even if it looks good from the start? Its a vastly competitive market right now with everyone making a rifle. Picking from the guy with the worst reputation seees like a risky move at best, even if some/many are coming out made decently well.
atblis
Member
Not worth the effort.
R.W.Dale
Member
Arguing that century is a quality trustworthy manufacturer tells us all we need to know
Tapatalk post via IPhone.
Zach S
Member
After nine posts, I've seen enough...
Rollis R. Karvellis
Member
As far as the lack of a brass deflecter go's, Norinco, and China Sport, hurt the most.
The CMMG bargain Bins used to be $599 non chromed and $650 with chromed barrel (they may be sold out now but I bought 2). Del-ton sells brand new for $699 I think and for around $850 you can purchase a Spikes. All of these are well made ARs backed by good companies. Sometimes a deal can be had on the used market. Doublestar had a deal a couple of months ago for a complete AR for around the $600 mark. Look and don't get in a hurry; something will turn up. I talked to a manufacture today and he is back ordered for 3 weeks so sales seem to still be doing well for him.
OOPS!! Sorry Benzy2 did not see your post! Great minds do think alike?
OOPS!! Sorry Benzy2 did not see your post! Great minds do think alike?
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amd6547
Member
I believe that several participants in this thread have gone far astray of the principles of The High Road.
the bargain bin rifles were a great deal, I bought two of them. I also liked my century and it shot great for the 350 rds I shot through it before I sold it to upgrade to a chrome bore rifle to fill the A2 spot in my collection.
I have duplicate rifles because I have 2 sons and I want to be able to leave them a mostly complete collection when I retire.
The difference in quality between manufacturers is less now than it has ever been. The manufacturers don't actually make there own parts, they just contract out to have them made and there names are added to the CNC program. The century barrels and recievers are identical to those used in any number of other manufacturers. The used parts came from military rifles that actually exceed quality of the guns made for the civilian market.
My Century was every bit as solid as the M16A2 that I used before we were issued M4s. Hell, it may have been made fro the same rifle.
There is a tendency for people to look down on a product because it costs less. Wit AR 15s, you are often looking at the exact same product with a different brand name on it, kind of like name brand fruit loops and store brand "fruit rings".
I once dated a woman who refused to buy any generic/store brand groceries. Instead, she'd run out of groceries and go to the food bank around the end of the month. I know, it sounds stupid. We didn't date long.
I'd rather have an off brand rifle and 500 rounds of ammo than a name brand rifle (made with the same parts) and not have any ammo.
I have duplicate rifles because I have 2 sons and I want to be able to leave them a mostly complete collection when I retire.
The difference in quality between manufacturers is less now than it has ever been. The manufacturers don't actually make there own parts, they just contract out to have them made and there names are added to the CNC program. The century barrels and recievers are identical to those used in any number of other manufacturers. The used parts came from military rifles that actually exceed quality of the guns made for the civilian market.
My Century was every bit as solid as the M16A2 that I used before we were issued M4s. Hell, it may have been made fro the same rifle.
There is a tendency for people to look down on a product because it costs less. Wit AR 15s, you are often looking at the exact same product with a different brand name on it, kind of like name brand fruit loops and store brand "fruit rings".
I once dated a woman who refused to buy any generic/store brand groceries. Instead, she'd run out of groceries and go to the food bank around the end of the month. I know, it sounds stupid. We didn't date long.
I'd rather have an off brand rifle and 500 rounds of ammo than a name brand rifle (made with the same parts) and not have any ammo.
1stmarine
Member
Just an example DTI ... $465
http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt101.htm
Add a lower from any decent mill (it doesn't matter unless you want to pay premium for one with a skull design) lets say $100 and presto!. Around the $600 a new AR all new parts with many parts that come from the same mill as the actual Colt (GI issue) in case this is important to you. MP tested never found one out of spec. Same with others like RRA, Bushy,etc...
Externals do not matter that much if they are up to mil spec measures.
So what is critical to an AR? everyone knows this... BCG (properly stacked, shrouded firing pin, MP bolt,etc), then a decent barrel with a chamber up to spec and properly gassed with squared block. Chrome is better for durabilty but no chrome is a tad more accurate. In the end barrels are cheap compare to the cost of all the ammo you need to burn them.
Keep it simple and keep it real.
E.
http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt101.htm
Add a lower from any decent mill (it doesn't matter unless you want to pay premium for one with a skull design) lets say $100 and presto!. Around the $600 a new AR all new parts with many parts that come from the same mill as the actual Colt (GI issue) in case this is important to you. MP tested never found one out of spec. Same with others like RRA, Bushy,etc...
Externals do not matter that much if they are up to mil spec measures.
So what is critical to an AR? everyone knows this... BCG (properly stacked, shrouded firing pin, MP bolt,etc), then a decent barrel with a chamber up to spec and properly gassed with squared block. Chrome is better for durabilty but no chrome is a tad more accurate. In the end barrels are cheap compare to the cost of all the ammo you need to burn them.
Keep it simple and keep it real.
E.
I have one experience with Century. It isn't the gun you asked about, but I did hand pick it from a local shop. It is a VZ2008.
I have shot 300 rounds through it. All went bang. I sighted it in @ 25 yards. Was shooting potatoes with it using Wolf MC 124 grain HP standing @ 50 yards without effort. I think with all manufacturers these days you win some and loose some. I would search for one to hold and inspect if it were me. If it is the gun you want that is.
I cannot vouch for Century as being the best or the worst. Mine has worked fine so far. Again. It is not the model you're asking about though.
I have shot 300 rounds through it. All went bang. I sighted it in @ 25 yards. Was shooting potatoes with it using Wolf MC 124 grain HP standing @ 50 yards without effort. I think with all manufacturers these days you win some and loose some. I would search for one to hold and inspect if it were me. If it is the gun you want that is.
I cannot vouch for Century as being the best or the worst. Mine has worked fine so far. Again. It is not the model you're asking about though.
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