Cetme

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Solinvictus70

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Has anyone had any experience with the CETME's that are out? If so, which ones are the better made? I've looked long at one and essentially love the HK91 type rifles, but I can not get a preban as the darn things have shot up over $1500. :confused:
 
There's a good CETME forum here. Search and ask. There are also a few CETME reports on THR, if you search here.

Here's my brief report.

I've had one for over a year. It has the cast stainless receiver, which is heavier (and less authentic) than the current stamped receivers. I haven't hears anything bad about he current receivers.

Mine had a build issue (as a significant number of these do) in that the triple frame was slightly canted and I didn't have enough windage adjustment to get on target. Decided to keep it and fix because it shot so well otherwise. Dealer made me a new front sight with more adjustment, and she's on target.

Very accurate. 4" groups at 200 yards with the iron sights (which are pretty good) and Portugese surplus ammo.

Recoil is amazingly light for a .308. Muzzle blast is significant. That muzzle brake must work.

Ergonomics are good. I shopped FAL pretty heavy and bought a CETME cuz I liked the balance and feel better.

Easy to clean, if your stock pins aren't too tight. If they are, getting them off is the hardest part. Clean the chamber flutes with a .45acp nylon brush.

Mags are great. The $3 G3 aluminum mags work in most of 'em (some variation in magwells). Genuine CETME mags are $6 or so.

I find it very easy to shoot well. It is stable platform. The sights just sit there on the target, and the holes appear right where they should.

I would recommend it, wit the caveat that, since Century built it, there's a 30%-50% chance there will be a build issue. If you're willing to tinker, or send it back if there's an issue, you can wind up with a fine battle rifle at a great price.

If it has to be good out of the box, get something else.
 
Thanks!!

I've REALLY wanted one because of the low price of the rifle, mags, and spares. I've wanted a HK91 since childhood, but even the Springfield SAR-8 is too expensive now. I will probably get the stainless receiver model and a set of parts. TAPCO has the mags dirt cheap too. I appreciate the info! :D
 
Get the Century G3 instead

I wanted the Cetme, but after I did my research and learned of the ground bolt problems, I got the Century G3 instead. A little more money, but fewer potential problems. (Same style rifle, but newer/better parts).
 
I did lots of research and then went through all the CETME's at Larry's before I found the one I wanted.

Once I got it home I had to clean it about 4x then took it out to the range.

Mags are cheap :) and plentiful. Plus it hold a good group at 100yds.

I'm very pleased with my purchase.

Johnny in Huntsville
 
The CETME sits on the right hand of god!

I love mine, I will never part with it. I got her for $269 from J&G.

Holds excellent groups, recoil is light, throws brass about '30 and I love the sights! I can hit anything all day long with it. I cannot say enough good things about this rifle. I will say this though.... BUY ONE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

any cetme post wouldn't be complete without the obligatory photgraph:

brian-cetme6.jpg
 
Nice pic, shweboner. But be careful. You'll wind up with a broken windshield. If you've seen CETME brass eject, you'll know what I mean.
 
Yep, wouldn't want to chip the glass. I've looked into price and individual reports on the G3 clone & the CETME. I'm probably going to get one of each as the price on the CETME is less than the SAR2 I was initially leaning toward. Anyone know about the degree of parts exchange between the two models?
 
The parts that will swap, without modification, are few. The gripframe/fire control assembly will swap, as will the p-grip. Other stuff requires some degree of modification.
 
Just had one arrive at my gunshop 7/15.
Only had time to get to the range and put 40 rds thru it to make sure
it put rounds on target. Without my touching anything, it is shooting about
12 in. high at 100yds, with decent horizontal grouping.
I didn't have time to adjust, as the front sight is TIGHT, and it got dark on me.
Mine has the synthetic furniture, which looks great IMO.
The overall quality seems good for a $350 gun. It was REAL tight to begin
with, but loosened up nicely after 10 rds or so.
Came with 4 20 rd mags and a 5 rd, mag pouchs and a sling.
Bought it from Shooters Wholesale in Idaho, and their service
was excellent.

Overall, I couldn't be happier.

Can't beat a new toy!!!
Steve.
 
the brass actually cleared the truck, it really throws it!

But that things got enough chips and scratches to where I dont even notice anymore.


~Brian
 
armedbut..., did you know there is a setscrew you have to loosen before you can adjust the front sight?

If you knew that, then the front sight is probably tight because Century painted over the sight threads.
 
Did any of you have trouble taking the rifle apart? The stock assembly on mine seems to be really tight and the 2 push pin is not going out unless i use a brass drift. Is that normal?
 
Yes, they loosen up with use. Or you can buy a set of solid HK pins, which I hear fir better than the cheap hollow ones Cenutury uses. I still use my Century pins and a wood dowel, cuz I'm too cheap to buy new pins.
 
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