Century Arms hate

[Jack Package]

So I hear this a lot that Century Arms is the worst company in the firearms world that you should never buy an AK, Mosin, etc from them because it will probably be junk. I know most of their weapons are from parts kits, surplus etc... I have three century arms rifles in my collection. A Mosin Nagant, a scoped Mosin Nagant, and a Bulgarian AK74 and they all work like they should. I have heard that AKs from Century Arms are the worst but my 74 has worked like it top shape after tons of abuse and near 7,500 rounds in just three years. So I want to know if anyone here has had bad experiences with them or has been shafted by them. Did I just get lucky or is it all hype from haters. Would appreciate any feedback.

 

[R.W.Dale]

The key is to only buy guns (as you have) that century has ONLY imported and stamped.

Buy anything they've actually built or modified at your own risk

 

[dogtown tom]

In short, they earned a less than stellar reputation because buyers found that Century AK's had a higher rate of canted sights than AK's from other companies. Century customer service also leaves a lot to be desired.

Not all Century products have problems, because Century doesn't build all of the firearms they sell or import. Moisin Nagants for example are not built or modified by Century, just imported by them.

 

[newfalguy101]

My Century built FAL has run from day one without issue.

My SAR-3 .223 AK that was Century built, has also run from day one without issue.

That being said, I have read enough, and seen enough pics to justify only buying a Century gun with an in person inspection.

When its right its right, when its wrong its wrong, and the name of the importer/builder is irrelevant at that point.

 

[nathan]

My SAR 1 bought 12 yrs ago has had 2000 rds into it . I changed the crappy trigger group wtih Tapco G2 and its been smooth . It feels rough but it shoots like a good AK.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I have a GP-1975 AK that had a crooked gas piston and a trunnion that wasn't welded on straight. Seized up solid after every shot - there's no way that gun could have passed a test firing. Customer service was awful, and it took a month before my warranty was even cleared to process. The entire process was just a giant headache. I'm not doing business with Century again.

 

[wojownik]

Had a CETME years ago. I dubbed it my "up-CETME." Had an early WASR canted so bad it was unusable. Was one of the unlucky that got a Tantal with a 5.56 barrel, instead of the correct 5.45. Sat with a vendor going through a dozen C93 rifles - every single one had both major functional and cosmetic issues - couldn't find one that didn't obviously need work.

OTOH, I have many milsurps from Century - just imports, no monkeying. That's where Century excelled, or at least used to. Since they have been putting enormous import stamps on their receivers and slides, I have pretty much stopped buying from them altogether.

 

[akarguy]

Seems like they had issues at some point with a couple builds. But honesty, read some reviews on their zastava opap and npap AK variants. People are raving about them. Even the WASRs they are producing now are spoken positively, and we all know how variable the quality of a WASR can be.

 

[GBExpat]

My Love-Hate feelings about Century are like those about Verizon. No matter what sleaziness, dishonesty or stupidity I find when dealing with Verizon, it is still they who raised me out of Modem Madness in 2005.

Over the years, Century has provided us with a LOT of Good "Stuff" ... and provided us with some, often, shoddy workmanship as well as sometimes maddening "customer service".

I have one, each, cast & stamped Century CETME builds from over a dozen years ago that were done reasonably well. I also have one of the Century FrankenFALs from the same period which is also dependable & accurate (but fugly ). The FrankenFAL is my favorite serious Beater for walking the woods & hills.

I also have many wonderful milsurps that Century imported for us to enjoy.

 

[NMCCW]

I bought a Century AK and it jammed like crazy. I finally determined that because the magazine release assembly allowed the bottom of the magazine to move forward so much that the bolt couldn't pick up another round from the mag unless I pulled the loose. Sent it back to Century and they repaired it. Within 10 rounds the repaired mag release assembly literally fell off the rifle. Sent it back again and they replaced the rifle with a new one that runs flawlessly.

Although I wasn't a happy camper with their "repair," I have to admit that their customer service was excellent and turnaround times were fast. I would buy from them again.

 

[NMCCW]

Sorry, I meant "unless I held the mag to the rear."