Century Arms Synthetic Cetme or G3?

[Kaxter]

Ok, here is the new dilema for the day.

I went to the local gunshop and talked to my favorite dealer. He is an older guy a few years away from retirement. I saw a great looking G3/Cetme and asked him how much, and he said 350. I asked him "So is this a G3 or is it a Ceteme with a Synthetic stock?" He says "I dont have any idea son, I normally dont sell those things" Now im not mad because hes a great guy and he cant know about every rifle on the market, but I do want to know what it is and seeing as how I am still very new to rifles myself (I have 6 pistols and that is my entire gun collection), I just need to know If that is a good deal and if the gun is a G3 or a Cetme or if they are the same thing?

This is exactly what the gun looks like except it has a differnt magazine on it.

Also, are ALL the parts on this gun (besides the reciever) HK parts?

The serial number of the gun is C36803

Sorry for being so "newbie" but I searched all over and couldnt find anything on the site, and couldnt search "G3".

Thanks guys.

 

[Arkady]

I would guess that for $350 you're getting a CETME clone, not a G3 clone. So no, the parts will not be factory H&K parts.

I think the Century G3s start a hair over $400.

 

[Soap]

I've found that the most immediate way to tell is to look at the rear sight. If you look at the one above, it has the HK type. If you go to http://www.southernohiogun.com , you can notice that the rear sight on the CETME is different.

 

[iamkris]

Actually I've seen a couple o CETMEs that have a G3 sight base welded on...not that common though. The sight is a good place to start.

The other thing to look for is the selector switch. G3s have the conventional:
up=safe
down = semi
all the way around = FA (pin keeps you from going there)

while CETMEs (I think) are:
middle = safe
up=semi
down=FA (pin keeps you from going there)

My $.02 is go for a G3. I went through this decision process last spring and came home with a $420 G3 from a gun show. $350 is a good deal if its in good shape. Make sure you check the bolt gap. Here's the bible of what to look for...much applies to G3s as well http://www.cetmerifles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120

* Better parts generally
* More spares available
* Little / no chance of ground bolt (jury is still out on whether this is a bad thing)
* Better sights
* Selector switch is conventional

The CETMEs are cool though. If you decide to get one, PLEASE don't try to make it into a G3. I would search for some good wood and restore it to the original config, like the Spanish intended.

 

[blfuller]

Another way to tell a CETME from the G3 is the front sight. The G3 has a fixed post that is encircled by a ring, this goes in a slot in the triple frame and a roll pin goes in at the 6 o'clock position to secure it.

The CETME front sight has an adjustable sight post that is screwed into the triple frame. The sight post is not centered on the screwed portion which gives you windage adjustment and elevation by screwing up and down. There is a hole directly above the sight for an adjustment tool to access the sight for windage and elevation changes. There is a set screw in the Triple frame to lock the sight post in position. Also the sight ring is not as large in diameter as the G3 ring.

The picture you show is the G3 version. The G3 versions are most likely a conglomeration of HK licensee parts. Some may be German, Portuguese, Greek, Pakistani.

 

[blfuller]

Another way to tell a CETME from the G3 is the front sight. The G3 has a fixed post that is encircled by a ring, this goes in a slot in the triple frame and a roll pin goes in at the 6 o'clock position to secure it.

The CETME front sight has an adjustable sight post that is screwed into the triple frame. The sight post is not centered on the screwed portion which gives you windage adjustment and elevation by screwing up and down. There is a hole directly above the sight for an adjustment tool to access the sight for windage and elevation changes. There is a set screw in the Triple frame to lock the sight post in position. Also the sight ring is not as large in diameter as the G3 ring.

 

[Soap]

Good info guys! I didn't know some of that stuff.

 

[Kaxter]

Thanks so much for the information. This has helped me out a ton. I am going to go buy my new G3 tomarrow for 350

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I have one of the G3s and like it quite a bit. If the rifle your dealer has for $350 is one of the G3 clones, then that's a very good price.

Note that if it's a G3, it will actually be marked "C91" on the receiver, not "G3".

 

[outdoorman63]

front sight

i have a cetme that doesnt have the adjustable front sight or the hole...and mine has a c starting serial number...not sure if that helps