CETME or FN FAL?

[RaisedByWolves]

OK, like many people out there Im wanting to buy toys that may be on the ban list. Being both short on money and time Im looking to you guys for some help in choosing between these two rifles. Im wanting something in .308 and I believe these both come in this flavor. The main difference I can in these (knowing absolutely nothing about either) is price.




All things considered, which gives the most bang for the buck between these two? Any inherent flaws in either? If time permits I may wind up with one of each, but Im trying to decide which to buy first.



Your thoughts?


.

 

[halfbreed808]

PTR 91, instead of a CETME. It uses the exact blueprints that HK used to make the HK91. Last time I looked CDNN had a PTR91 for $899.99.

 

[HankC]

I have both CETME and FAL. More risk in buying a CETME. This site gives you good info what to look for. CETME parts are getting rare. You can find CETME at $400+, but if you get a bad one, it may be hard to fix.

http://www.geocities.com/miketheelectrician1/checklist.html?1011134301940

On the other hand, FALs usually cost a little more but you can find one $500+. Common problems are feeding issue and cant sight/barrel timing on earlier Century rifles. Most can be fixed reasonable easy, but watch out for the feed ramp. I would go with FAL first if only 1 rifle.

 

[rbernie]

I have both, and prefer to shoot the FAL due to its superior ergonomics.

The FAL will cost you more up front, but will have a higher resale value.

 

[db_tanker]

I have shot both...


I own a FAL.

 

[Robert]

FAL all the way.

 

[PFCLEE11B]

I own a CETME and really dont see what everyone is saying about them being bad or hard to scope or anything like that, i mean maybe i got a good one but mine is accurate has the lovely HK slap and i found a cheap mount that works great for it.

 

[rfurtkamp]

I own a CETME and really dont see what everyone is saying about them being bad or hard to scope or anything like that

You're lucky.

Most that I had to handle that were sold through the shop here wouldn't take a mount without permanently modifying the mount (i.e. wrecking it because the receiver is out of spec on the vast majority of them out there).

Rear sights on the CETMEs are *awful* compared to the PTR/91s - non-adjustable flip sights.

Bang for the buck, you're looking at a .308 semi - the days of good cheap milsurp-based semis are over unfortunately, as is the good cheap ammo.

Even the maligned Century FALs are over 650 these days, and the Ufixit-pricing on the Cetmes are long gone as well. At the $289 they sold for around 2000, they were almost worth fixing. Now it's not, since you're going to go through piles of ammo fixing little problems and should have just bought a PTR from the getgo.

 

[screechjet1]

FAL...

 

[Evil Monkey]

I'd only get a G3 variant rifle if it had the flap mag release. Since none have them, FAL it is.

 

[rfurtkamp]

I'd only get a G3 variant rifle if it had the flap mag release. Since none have them, FAL it is.

Pretty much. Thank god my Vector 51s and PDW came with them.

 

[HorseSoldier]

If you're talking actual mil-spec rifles, I'd go with the FAL but not by a huge margin.

If you're talking about the choice a civilian shooter here in the US has between a CETME built by Century and possibly all kinds of screwed up by them versus a reputable FAL build -- FAL by a huge margin. Century FAL vs Century CETME -- I'd still go FAL, unless I could shoot both poke around them to figure out which one of the two was better built.

 

[SLMPDcitycop]

I hated my CETME. I had to get rid of it. When I attempted a scope mount, I went with a claw mount. The claw mount was so tight that it prevented the reciever from cycling. Thus, scoping was out of the question. Go with the FN.

 

[HankC]

I have FALs first, 5 of them, and then get a CETME. Just came across one at a good price that wroth the risk. Still like my FALs better but you can easily put a folding stock on CETME, not FAL.

 

[taprackbang]

Stay away from CETME and buy a PTR 91F.
The FAL is awesome, but way beyond my budget and I would
put a new factory PTR against a FAL anyday. I have held both and ergos feelno different to me. (Charging handle is just further forward on a PTR and more centered on a FAL)

 

[anymanusa]

If you've put in any amount of time researching this comparison on this forum, you would find that the FAL wins this every time, by about a 2:1 ratio.

I have a FAL. I wouldn't mind a CETME, but I love my FAL.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Thanks for all the input guys!



Now I have to go figure out what a PTR 91F is.....



I was also going to ask about the Cent FAL as I saw this at the gun show last weekend, but this was covered also.


How many companys make FAL's? What should I stay away from?



.