Century Cetme vs. Century FAL

[davek]

It seems that when ever a discussion comes up regarding "best shtf battle rifle" or something similar comes up, FAL is always offered as an option, but a Cetme or G3 clone rarely does.

I'll have circa $500 to spend in the next few months, and would like a nice .308 battle rifle. I'm leaning towards a Cetme, but the FAL seems much more popular.

Now I'm not talking about a high dollar DSA or Ohio Rapidfire FAL. I'm wondering which is the better $500 battle rifle...a Cetme or Century FAL...or the Century G3 clone for that matter.

Thanks.

 

[Rotty]

IMOHO
go for the fal
easier to fix if century screws it up, more stuff you can do with it, doesnt kill brass, etc...

 

[jobu07]

I've heard that the century FAL's have some POI problems. Is this true? or is just kind of a crapshoot from century?

 

[DonNikmare]

Ask your question here http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=47 and you'll probably get a lot of detailed help.

Nik

 

[atek3]

If you are really poor, build your own FAL. Buy an imbel parts kit ($125), type III receiver ($200), US made parts (~70) and you'll have your own FAL. You might need a few basic tools, so go to www.falfiles.com 400 for a great rifle is a good deal.

atek3

 

[Logan5]

It's going to end up being a different answer on a rifle to rifle basis, I think. You're going to need to research both types and carefully check out whatever you're looking at if you want to eliminate most of the risk. I ended up with a CETME that I'm really happy with, but I didn't buy the first one I saw. Generally, CETME components are good, but Century's assembly can leave them needing repairs or occasionally even rebuilds.
That's not really a do it yourself job, unless you have a hydraulic press it'll need to go off to ORF or someplace that fixes them up. Some of them are also pretty filthy and need major cleaning.
With the Century R1A1 and the like, as long as you get a decent reciever, you could theoretically rebuild the whole thing yourself from mail order parts, although you'll need some tools (less formidable ones) as well. Many Century recievers are Imbel gear logo marked, but the unmarked ones I'm suspicious of.

 

[davek]

Thanks for the input!

Logan5,

Suppose I were to go to my local FFL holder and ask him to order a rifle from Century. Would it be inappropriate or unrealistic for me to ask him to specify that all parts must be marked?

 

[Feanaro]

A CETME is an excellent rifle... if it works. And there is the problem. I love mine but Century workers got the title "Monkeys" for a good reason. The FAL is just as susceptible but it will be easier to fix. Usually. In either case, keep in mind that it is a crap shoot. There are many perfectly fine CAI CETMEs and FALs... and a disturbing number of bad ones.

And given the choice, I would take the G3 clone. The safety is normal and the rear sight is better. Parts are cheaper and easier to find. The only thing the CETME has over the G3, IMO, is the front sight. It tapers, rather than just being a rectangle.

 

[Logan5]

davek,

I'm not sure if they do that, I suppose you'd have to call and ask, maybe they (CAI) would as something sort of like hand select. If joe customer service rep said he would and then didn't, I don't think you'd have any additional practical recourse beyond their normal return policy:
(All Semi-Automatics (ie. L1A1's, SAR's, Dragunov's, WASR-10's) have a 90 day repair/replacement period from the day the product was sold to the dealer and have 30 days for refund. If the merchandise is returned to our warehouse in “as advertised†condition, the customer will be charged a 10% restocking fee and will not be reimbursed for the shipping charges.)
As far as I can tell, your best bet is to just browse a lot of dealers who have some CETMEs or FALs in stock, and let the dealer bear the risk of getting something nasty from CAI. It takes a little longer, but time spent in a gun shop is rarely torture...

 

[gaven]

I cant comment on the other rifles by Century but i do have a L1A1 from
century and have put over 2000 rounds out of it with no problems.
maybe i was just lucky with the one i got i didnt know anything about them at the time when i bought it.

 

[telewinz]

I have (had) both from Century Arms and quality was not an issue since I was able to hand inspect both rifles before I bought. The G3 is not to my liking when compared to the FAL, I still have the the Century FAL. At $330 I can almost be talked into getting the CETME but the FAL would still be my favorite.

 

[cwalker3]

Like Feanaro said, the Cetme is a great rifle, if it works. I bought one that Century cobbled together. Unfortunately mine has one of the infamous ground bolts that Century saw fit to install. (Check out this forum: http://www.gunboards.com/forums/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Headlines&BID=30 for lots of info on this issue.) Anyway, it shoots great and is very accurate, but I have never shot a single mag without either a FTF or FTE problem. And that's with using roughly 20 different mags, both brand new and used. I'll never buy another Century-made product unless I can get a smith to inspect it first.

As for the FAL, I bought one of Entreprise's Government models when they were on sale for $700. A beautiful rifle that functions flawlessly and is more accurate than either of my AR's. Though the sale is long gone, they still have their standard model for sale for $700. May be worth a look. Go here if your interested http://www.entreprise.com/frames/EAmain.htm.

 

[boofus]

I'd spend a little more money and get something from a quality outfit instead of Century. The PTR-91 and FALs from www.ohiorapidfire.com are a little more expensive but they don't look and function like they were built by a tribe of drunken mentally handicapped 1-armed monkeys. Occasionally I've seen DSA FALs on gunbroker for around $750 too.

I bought a Century L1A1 brand new and it would Failure-to-feed on every single round. This was with 3 different magazines. Finally I decided to just load it 1 round at a time through the ejection port and shoot it that way. After about 10-11 shots the bolt jammed, part of the firing pin fell out of the bottom of the gun and you had to beat on it with a sledgehammer to make it unjam. Needless to say I got a refund on that Century POS right away, and I stay away from FAL variants altogether now.

 

[telewinz]

I'd spend a little more money and get something from a quality outfit instead of Century

Yea but thats the easy way, the thrill is picking up a perfect FAL for $500. Anyone can "cheat" and just spend more money to solve the problem.

 

[Foreign Devil]

Go ahead and "cheat" and spend more money on a gun from a quality company.

It's going to take me a "century" or two just to get my damn CETME to work without an FTF in every 20 rounds.

I'll never buy from them again.

 

[Treylis]

I'd spend a little more money and get something from a quality outfit instead of Century. The PTR-91 and FALs from www.ohiorapidfire.com are a little more expensive but they don't look and function like they were built by a tribe of drunken mentally handicapped 1-armed monkeys. Occasionally I've seen DSA FALs on gunbroker for around $750 too.

According to ORF's website, though, they're out of FALs for now. Hmm...