Century G3 finally works!

[Monkeyleg]

After all the problems I've described over the last few months with my "new" Century G3, the drunken monkeys seem to have gotten it right.

Took it to the range, and shot 100 rounds without a single malfunction. Prior to my sending it back to Century, it was a single-shot rifle.

Accuracy was decent, but not great. Somebody had put some small (~6") balloons at the 100 yard backstop, and I was able to pop them, but it took five or six shots each to do so. Guess the aperature rear sight is going to take some getting used to.

Recoil was more than I remembered. My shoulder's still a bit sore.

Now it's time to buy a used HK stock set and get some paint.

 

[P95Carry]

Glad things are (seem!) fixed ... those can shoot quite reasonably tho no way sub MOA - at least not in std trim. However - if talking BGCOM - not a problem!

Very useful gun tho nonetheless - I'd have mine out more if not for still waiting for the rearsight I want!

 

[Monkeyleg]

Thanks, P95Carry. I'm fairly certain that the rifle will behave from now on. Granted, 100 rounds isn't a lot, but the design is so simple that I think I would have experienced a hiccup if something was wrong.

My next "big" decision is whether to buy some used HK91 furniture and do a Desert Camo paint job on it. The THR member (sorry, friend, but I forgot your name) who did that to his G3 did a fantastic job. Problem is, there's no turning back.

Anyway, this was always going to be a "gimme" rifle. Meaning that, if there's some social unrest, and a neighbor needs a gun, I'll give him the G3, along with mags and ammo. My AR, my 700P, the Benelli M1S90, all the other rifles, and all the good handguns are for protecting my wife and me.

Still, though, it's fun to shoot. Maybe because I don't expect serious groups out of it, so I can just shoot away and not worry about getting sub-MOA groups.

 

[itgoesboom]

Glad things are (seem!) fixed ... those can shoot quite reasonably tho no way sub MOA - at least not in std trim. However - if talking BGCOM - not a problem!

Ahem.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=111175&highlight=cetmes+suck

My next "big" decision is whether to buy some used HK91 furniture and do a Desert Camo paint job on it. The THR member (sorry, friend, but I forgot your name) who did that to his G3 did a fantastic job. Problem is, there's no turning back.

Definatly a good idea, especially if this is a SHTF type rifle. I did mine a few months back, and I am pretty happy with it.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=127077&highlight=painted+cetme

I.G.B.

 

[Monkeyleg]

itgoesboom, thanks for the reminder. Your rifle is beautiful.

Years back, I took a rustbucket XKE and turned it into a show car. Did the paint myself, and it was mirror-finish black. And now I'm afraid of painting a $300+ rifle.

Here's what the seller says is an authentic HK 91 in desert camo finish.

Any tips on how to make it look like HK-factory?

Don't ask me why I'm obsessing over the cheapest gun in my safe. But your desert camo paint job really caught my eye.

 

[itgoesboom]

Monkey,

Thanks for the compliment. I painted my rifle to match my area as closely as possible, while still blending in while in other environments.

About the best tip I can give is to go slow, use thin coats to prevent drips, and blend the colors into each other. And just remember, it's a beater gun, so if you mess up the color the first time, just try again.

And make sure to take photos to show us after you are done.

I.G.B.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Make sure you clean the surfaces you are painting with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any oil that would prevent the paint from sticking.

 

[P95Carry]

IGB - bakatcha dude!

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Monkeyleg,

Glad to hear that CAI finally got your G3 up and running. I guess I lucked out with mine, as it's run like a top from day one.

One thing about replacing the furniture, though. I *think* that the CAI furniture is there for 922(r) compliance. I don't see why they would've used it instead of original furniture otherwise. You may need to replace some internals if you swap out CAI's stock, grip, and forearm for HK parts.

Does anyone know for sure on this issue? I wouldn't mind putting original furniture on my CAI G3.

 

[Feanaro]

The plastic furniture counts as US parts. You can usually find out whether a part is US made by looking for a small C stamped on the parts. Check the back of your trigger, if solid then it's US made. If not, it is imported.

 

[Monkeyleg]

I really don't feel like counting parts.

Isn't there a US company that makes aftermarket HK91-style stocks and wide foregrips? I've seen many of the slim foregrips, but I'd like this to look as much like an 91 as possible.

 

[itgoesboom]

Monkey,

You can always just buy a couple thermolds for $10 each, and use those, exclussivly with the rifle , and they count as 3 US parts.

Check CDNN for em.

I.G.B.

 

[Feanaro]

Well, Top Notch Parts may have some US parts in stock. http://www.top-notchparts.com/G3whatshot.htm

It is owned by Todd "Toad" Bailey. You may look up his record at various boards. I dislike Speschul Weapunz and Toad. They are the only place other than Century Arms to get US parts though.

 

[itgoesboom]

I would take my chance buying parts from Century rather than buying from "Toad".

I.G.B.

 

[24kshooter]

Depends on your rifles configuration from CAI what parts you can put on - check this site for specific info.

http://www.cetmerifles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1636

It is always a compromise - the US magazine replacement is the easiest and least expensive.

 

[.45&TKD]

You can always just buy a couple thermolds for $10 each, and use those, exclussivly with the rifle , and they count as 3 US parts.

If you do this can you still keep the HK mags and just not use them, or do you need to get rid of the HK mags?

 

[itgoesboom]

You can keep them. Just keep the old rifle stock and forearm as well. That way you have two configurations you can have.

Imported stocks with US mags

Or

US stocks with imported mags.

I.G.B.

 

[.45&TKD]

So are the G3 Thermolds reliable?

I have some AR15 Thermolds that are reliable, but I thought that they were nicknamed Thermelts by the Canadians at one point for reliability issues.

And aren't Thermolds Canadian? (or used to be?)

Do the mag lips spread out if left loaded for extended periods?

Where can you buy US made G3 Thermolds?

 

[itgoesboom]

1. Don't know. Don't have any.

2. Some are canadian. Some are US.

3. Don't know, since I don't have any. I installed enough US parts in my rifle that I don't need them.

4. www.cdnninvestments.com Some people over @ CETMErifles.com report that CDNN told them that their thermolds are canadian, but when they recieved them, they were US made.

I.G.B.

 

[Monkeyleg]

OK, I just bought a used HK91 stock set over on Gunbroker.com for $20.95. But it has the slim foregrip. I want the wide foregrip that itgoesboom has.

Any suggestions on where to look?

Y'know, I really regret passing on a real HK91 for $700 back in the late 1980's. Not to mention all the other stuff the seller had at bargain prices: HK93, HK sniper rifle, Python Hunter (complete with Halliburton case), Anaconda Hunter (same, with case), and more. With the exception of the HK sniper rifle, everything else was under $800.

Oh, yeah, and some really fine Class III stuff, too.

I did at least walk out with a Colt Delta HBar for about $750 or so. Like new.

 

[itgoesboom]

OK, I just bought a used HK91 stock set over on Gunbroker.com for $20.95. But it has the slim foregrip. I want the wide foregrip that itgoesboom has.

http://www.pof-usa.com/hk91pl.htm

You are going to have to do a little dremel work. There is a ring on the triple frame that isn't on the HK91 and G3. You will have to dremel it off the rifle so that the forearm will fit.

Military Gun Supply had a small amount of them a bit ago. They were used and beat up, but they were cheap @ $25. Thats what I got, since I was planning on painting it anyways.

I.G.B.

 

[Feanaro]

If you want a wide forearm you can try gunbroker again. Look under "Firearms Parts and Accessories" and then "for Heckler and Koch." Search for "wide". If you catch it in time http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=32467938 is a steal.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Shoot! I missed it!