Cetme or AK Clone

[itgoesboom]

My wife and I have been negotiating for months about me getting a new rifle. At first I was hoping for an AR or FAL, but since we ended up owning on our taxes :banghead: we won't be able to afford one of those untill better jobs come around.

So I am currently looking at getting either a Cetme or an AK.

The way I see it, the AK is more reliable, and uses cheaper ammo, but the Cetme is more accurate (and looks darn cool).

One of the gunstores that is fairly nearby stocks SAR-1s and WASRs all the time, so I would be able to examine before purchasing. None of the nearby stores carry Cetmes anymore, so I would have to order it and hope for the best.

What do you think?

I.G.B.

 

[jobu07]

I'm not so sure that the CETME is unreliable. All this talk of reliability is just hogwash. If your anything like many of the posters on this board, you keep your rifle clean and the chances of a malf are slim anyway. It's usually the ammo's fault and not the rifle. If you can squeeze out a few extra bucks, buy the CETME and some surplus ammo. I've got an AK as well, but the CETME is more of an eye catcher and more fun I think.

 

[bigmtnman]

SAR-1
I've been really happy with mine. I'd recomend that since your dealer stocks them to look at several. They have been known to have canted gas tubes and front sights. Find a straight one and then put in a trigger group from TAPCO. It will end any trigger slap and reduce the pull weight. I'd also get the little plate that Red Star arms sells to replace the shepherds crook spring; it will keep you from using a lot of bad language.
I hate to have to change out parts on a new gun (why? if it's new?) but I think that these two changes will make the SAR-1 a keeper.
I haven't shot a CETME. The only one I looked at seemed too toylike in it's construction.

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomf...mp;ampTest=1&remove_url=http://www.tapco.com/

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomf...Test=1&remove_url=http://www.redstararms.com/

 

[Coronach]

If you are looking at the economics of the situation, you have only done half the job if you stop at the price of the rifle. Have you priced .308 ammo and 7.62x39 ammo? HINT: one is really cheap. One is not.

Each rifle has its advantages and disadvantages, and neither of them is bad. If you are on a budget, however, the AK is hard to beat.

Mike

 

[NevadaPistolero]

Ive owned both and still own AKs...if your wife plans on shooting the gun go with the AK....lighter and less recoil. cetme is heavy and has quite a bit more recoil. Ammo for the AK is real cheap, .308 is getting more expnsive. You can buy a 1,000 rounds of good Wolf polymer coated for under $100. Canted sights were found on the earlier models, never heard of it on 2002-3 models. AKs lots of accessories...cetme no accessories. My vote is for an AK.

 

[itgoesboom]

Coronach,


I have figured in the price of ammo. But while the 7.62x39 is cheaper, it has less potential for accuracy.

Also, I already have a SKS that uses 7.62x39.

Maybe I should go for a Saiga, either in .223 or .308. Hopefully someone will make good mags for them when the ban sunsets.

I also might go hunting for the first time later this year, and a Saiga in .308 would probably be a better choice than my SKS.

I.G.B.

 

[Marcus]

I was asking myself the same questions a couple years ago. AK or CETME? I finally decided on a 7.62x39 Saiga 16" carbine. The SARs and WASRs I looked at at the time were just plain junk. Horrifying fit and finish,crooked parts,rough and clunky. The Saiga was (and is) very well made,clean and smooth. Before anyone gets their feathers ruffled,I`ve seen much nicer SARs and WASRs from more recent batches. I may very well have gone that way if the ones I`d looked at then looked like these. At any rate,I like the Saiga very much. It shoots great,ammo is CHEAP,so what more could I want? Heh,more power! The Saiga is fun but it still goes "boom" instead of "BOOM!!!". I ended up picking through a bunch of CETMEs until I found one I was happy with and it`s been great! Surplus 7.62x51 ammo is still pretty cheap and for me it`s worth it. IMO the CETME just looks,feels ,sounds and shoots like a much more serious weapon. It`s really hard to beat as a cheap,fun range blaster. Marcus