Century Arms C-15 (AR15A2 Clone)

[telewinz]

After combing the WEB for hard to get information on the C-15, I was finally able to locate an evaluation from the January 2003 issue of S.W.A.T. magazine. In short their review was quite favorable with perfect functioning (300 rounds) and excellent accuracy at 100 yards with S&B 55 grain FMJ, 1.25 inches. These rifles are former Colt A2's obtained in excellent condition from South America. The Colt lowers (full-auto configuration)were replaced with forged DPMS receivers (about 3000 were ordered) and new A2 barrels were installed along with used stock sets as needed. Fit and finish on mine is excellent as was the SWAT test piece. I have yet to test fire my C-15 but since its 90% Colt, I don't expect any problems. The C-15 might be a diamond in the rough, a poor man's Colt A2. I remember about a year ago seeing ads about the C-15 and IIRC, SOG had them for sale ($600?). Its unusual that there is so little info on this gun after such a brief time off the market, even Century Arm's web site doesn't mention them and AR15.com had only two comments about it and only one of those was from an owner!

 

[Dave R]

Wow, this sounds tempting. Century can't mess up the build of an AR, can they? Just add the upper to the lower...

And the parts sound good. What's Century's price on 'em?

 

[Ebbtide]

Century can't mess up the build of an AR, can they?

You have to ask?

 

[Dave R]

Ummmmm, yeah. Haven't found a rifle yet that they can't mess up.

OTOH, I own 2 couple of Century-built rifles that I really like--now that I have the bugs out of 'em.

But they can't assemble a gas block or triple frame crooked on an AR...is there anything else they can mess up?

You folks who have built an AR--what could Century mess up?

 

[4v50 Gary]

I wonder what company provides the trigger group for Century? Is it also DPMS?

BTW, we had one member at TFL who use to work at Bushmaster. He told us that all these firms contract out to each other for parts. When Oly had a big fire, they all helped out to get Oly back on its feet.

 

[telewinz]

Since Century only has to destroy 1 part (the Colt lower receiver) and assemble the remaining pieces, I have great confidence in their ability to do this within specs and not scew it up. My rule of thumb with Century Arms remains the same, NEVER buy sight unseen! The tester from SWAT magazine did note that the A2 he purchased through normal commercial channels did have the old A1 type handguards (tri-angle) instead of the A2. They de-watted the GI issue slective fire trigger group assembly and the bolt carrier then refinished the parts. I guess if a novice can assemble an A2 in his modest workshop, then CAI can probably do it right also. The only annoying aspect of this C-15 was the 30 round magazine that came with it. The floor plate was painted with a thick coat of white enamel paint, and rather than throw it into a box and forget it I decided to use my trusty paint remover. Lo and behold its a Colt magazine! Why would some South American paint the bottom of his magazine white? And why would CAI pass it on to a customer in that condition? They could learn from Walmart about customer relations.

Again their is VERY LITTLE information on the C-15 and I don't believe its offered by CAI anymore. Anyone who ownes one or has shot one, I'd be interested in your views. I'll shoot mine this weekend but my views pro or con aren't enough to judge the entire production. Since DPMS made 3000 lowers for CAI, there must be close to 3000 C-15s out there somewhere. Again, Even AR15.Com has little to offer on the subject. Where are those 3000 C-15s buyers?

 

[Stinkyshoe]

yikes

The c15 was my first AR type rifle. I found that I could hit beer cans at 100 yards with it and I never had any jams. Needless to say I sold it. The hammer was causing an unusually high amount of wearing on the bolt carrier and the bolt carrier just fit really tight. When I got it, there was a sharp wire edge on the bottom two rails of the bolt carrier. It took it to the gun smith and one look at it and he said ,"find some poor sucker to buy this from you". I did and bought a Bushmaster 20' A3. I wish that I would have just bought the bushy to start with, but the c15 was good while I had it. I learned to love that style rifle and it caught my eye because I just had to have it. I believe the price tag on it was $675 and I traded two guns worth a total of $200. I guess it came to right under $500 for the gun. While they are good guns, I am now biased to like Bushys. For one thing, in a Bushy you don't need the accuwedge because the machining is so tight that it doesn't wiggle.

The owner from AR15.com quite possible could have been me as I dabated and asked questions there. Don't get me wrong, it is a functional gun that will be very fun to shoot. I just wish I would have bought something better from the start.