Century Arms C308

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Intox

Intox

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I've wanted a FN FAL since childhood (I'm an 80s baby, sue me). But with other firearms on my radar and me planning out my buys over the next year, I'm considering an economical approach with Century Arms C308. Bear in mind, as one who appreciates the finer members of the AK world and is an owner of a pre-ban Polytech AKS762 with the side folding stock....well, that means I associate Century Arms with POS AKs hence firearms.

So, as I'm sure Century Arms has more to offer than their venture into the AK world, can anyone give some input? If it's with the C308 that's even better.
 
Century arms has a spotty reputation with virtually all the parts kits rebuilds they've done over the years, so beware. That said, my old century fal was a great gun with no issues the several years i owned it. I also have a trouble free early CETME rifle from century ( stainless reciever). So my advice would be to inspect the specimen you want carefully, and proceed if you feel confidence. I would not buy one sight unseen though.
 
I would not risk a C308 (built on CETME, not G3) even cheap, if any problem with Century build, which is common, G3/CETME is not a platform that you can fix easily yourself. Barrel/receiver are welded together. Century screw up big time in the past and caused bolt gap, cant barrel, charge handle gap issues. CETME parts are getting hard to find as well. I had a CETME at one time, the barrel was cant, I fixed it by moving the rear sight base and reweld. Had 3 Century FALs at one time, 2 needed fix and the other was a thumb hole stock FAL, they all have reasons to be cheap but at least I can do the FAL myself!
 
Worth it to pony up another bill or two for a PTR, better build quality, better warranty if you need it, better customer service if needed, don't have memes about drunken monkeys as employees. Thats my opinion anyway, the new C308s receiver and barrel are done by PTR, so they aren't as likely to have issues as the earlier Century CETMEs, but still...
 
I also had problems with my Century C308, the windage couldn't be moved far enough to zero.

I had ordered a CETME, a C308, and an FAL from Century, and had problems with all 3. I sent two of them back, and they were returned in worse condition than I sent them. Century would not accept them a second time for repair.

As for the C308, I didn't send it back, but I was able to Dremel away enough material from the various pieces of the sight to make zero finally. I debated about removing and re-welding the sight base, and opted for the 1/16" of material removal from the sight instead.

A last note about the G3 rifles, they are welded construction, and are not easily user serviceable. Other than that, mine runs great, and I like shooting it, but does beat the hell out of the brass (I have heard that a clip-on deflector helps). Maybe a PTR if you like the rifle
 
33041968463_bba0836b6c_o.jpg
I've owned several Century guns before and their quality is hit or miss. I wouldn't buy one from them unless it was a straight import.

I'd be more apt to just pony up the $200 to $300 and get a PTR-91.

(Which is exactly what I did expect I got mine in a trade)
 
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I've stated in another post about the C308 that I have one, foolishly bought it a couple years back. Somehow it jammed tight, just sitting there, had to send it to Century to fix. They sent it back with a snarky note saying 'owner should learn how to disassemble/assemble rifle.'
I had never disassembled it....I'd never fired it!
So, I recommend you STAY AWAY!
Just my two bits.
 
PTR assembles the C308 for Century. The C308 has a mix of surplus and new PTR parts. For example the C308 uses surplus forend, buttstock, bolt carrier group and charging handle with a new polymer lower built by PTR. Since you can buy PTR 91 GI for less than $900 why take a risk on the Century just to save some money upfront? Once you fix any problems with the surplus parts on the Century it will end up costing more than a PTR model.
 
MAKster said:
PTR assembles the C308 for Century. The C308 has a mix of surplus and new PTR parts. For example the C308 uses surplus forend, buttstock, bolt carrier group and charging handle with a new polymer lower built by PTR. Since you can buy PTR 91 GI for less than $900 why take a risk on the Century just to save some money upfront? Once you fix any problems with the surplus parts on the Century it will end up costing more than a PTR model.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that PTR just manufactures the receivers and then Century assembles them using surplus parts like how you were saying.

At least that's what I recall the article I read on them saying.

Century can jack up almost anything.
 
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Tommygunn said:
I've stated in another post about the C308 that I have one, foolishly bought it a couple years back. Somehow it jammed tight, just sitting there, had to send it to Century to fix. They sent it back with a snarky note saying 'owner should learn how to disassemble/assemble rifle.'
I had never disassembled it....I'd never fired it!
So, I recommend you STAY AWAY!
Just my two bits.
Click to expand...
All rifles pistols Etc will jam up tight eventually if they're never used.
 
Stormie said:
All rifles pistols Etc will jam up tight eventually if they're never used.
Click to expand...
Really? I have a number of guns I rarely have used and none have ever jammed up at all.
Even if there was something to what you said, this was a new rifle that I'd only owned a short while. No.....there was absolutly something else going on with it.
 
Tommygunn said:
Really? I have a number of guns I rarely have used and none have ever jammed up at all.
Even if there was something to what you said, this was a new rifle that I'd only owned a short while. No.....there was absolutly something else going on with it.
Click to expand...
If you live on the beach side the Salt will destroy anything that is not protected including turning aluminum to white powder
 
Intox said:
I've wanted a FN FAL since childhood (I'm an 80s baby, sue me). But with other firearms on my radar and me planning out my buys over the next year, I'm considering an economical approach with Century Arms C308. Bear in mind, as one who appreciates the finer members of the AK world and is an owner of a pre-ban Polytech AKS762 with the side folding stock....well, that means I associate Century Arms with POS AKs hence firearms.

So, as I'm sure Century Arms has more to offer than their venture into the AK world, can anyone give some input? If it's with the C308 that's even better.
Click to expand...
i was going to buy it used from some guy over my saiga but the reviews seems spooky and had some issues so i didnt go with it
 
ttarp said:
Worth it to pony up another bill or two for a PTR, better build quality, better warranty if you need it, better customer service if needed, don't have memes about drunken monkeys as employees. Thats my opinion anyway, the new C308s receiver and barrel are done by PTR, so they aren't as likely to have issues as the earlier Century CETMEs, but still...
Click to expand...
I agree with the PTR.
Although I might be mistaking, I thought that PTR 91s where on the cheaper side anyways...did they increase in price on the market?
 
What do people think about the rail welded on the receiver? Obviously it would be good if you plan to use a scope but it seems to take away from the classic look.
 
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