Confused about CETMEs, Saigas

[Col. Plink]

OK, I was making this a really thoughtful, well-worded post when the power went off here at work (uh, heh, yeah..) Anyway, trying to plan my entry into .308's...

Long question short, which is preferable in terms of accuracy (thinking Saiga 22"?), are CETMEs imported by Century only or does Century import AND assemble them? Any insight appreciated!

 

[Girodin]

I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong but it is my understanding that Century assembled them, and did not always do a first class job of it. Unless you are familiar enough with CETMEs to know what to look for and you are able to inspect it in person I would be very wary of buying a century cetme. I do not know what the typical accuracy for a CETME is. The saigas seem to produce 1.5-3" groups. Obviously ammo and shooter will affect it. I consider the saiga to be a 2-2.5" gun given decent ammo and a shooter with exceptions. The factory trigger IMO makes it hard to ring the most out of a saiga. A new FCG goes a long ways.

As a side note the 22" saiga is not forcedly more accurate than the 16". It will offer more velocity and move the blast away from you a bit.

 

[arjppj]

If i'm wrong somebody correct me---- Cetmes were all full-auto spanish rifles, so they were chopped up and Century imported and reworked them as semi-auto rifles for the peoples.
Some are great, some look like 3 year olds welded on the barrel. Saigas are just imported as is. I had a Cetme and it shot great, but it was more fun to shoot than it was a 1000yd rifle. Saigas are probably a bit more accurate as they are manufactured fresh so they have a "better base to work with" I guess would be the term.
Now, if you have the money and want a GREAT .308, look at a PTR-91. They are simply amazing.

 

[Choctaw]

As a side note the 22" saiga is not forcedly more accurate than the 16". It will offer more velocity and move the blast away from you a bit.

The barrel of the 16" Saiga is more rigid and less prone to whip. Or so they say.

 

[Col. Plink]

Well, I guess I'm still looking at a 'best .308 semiauto for the money' issue, which is perhaps how I should have started...

I like the 22" Saigas in wood, anybody have a line on the best method of procurement? Thanks!

 

[Rshooter]

Respectfully if you are looking for the best .308 semiautomatic for the money you have missed a few.

PTR 91 - great MBR
M1A - my favorite
AR-10 - ar-15's big brother
DSA FAL - Free world's 7.62

 

[Col. Plink]

From what I know of those they're out of my range. If I could I'd go FN-FAL or a Garand in .308 or M1A more likely...

I guess I should have stated my price range but I'm pretty much down to Saiga's now. Considered a Remington 7400 briefly but I don't think it'll stand up to what I'd like to put one through...

 

[parolebear]

If you are conviced that because of money the Saiga is the way to go, go there. My experience with Remingto autos 742's and 7400's have not been good. Now that is my experience only.

I have a Century Cetme and a 16" Saiga. For me the Saiga is the more accurate (even with crappy sights). The Cetme is more fun that a barrel of moneys as the muzzle blast and noise is great. (Stand to the side when someone else shoots it). I have read all the bad things about some of the Cetmes and I have been lucky with two as they both shot well. I did measure the bolt gap and they both were in the acceptable range. The Cetme is heavier and the mags are a heck of alot cheaper. I usually only shoot 7.62x51 NATO ammo in my Cetme where I will shoot factory 308 and NATO ammo in my Saiga.

Bottom line, get what you can afford (Saiga) as you still have to feed the baby.

 

[Col. Plink]

Saiga can do 7.62NATO or .308, correct?

 

[kmcintosh78]

Yes, the Saiga can do either. I have a 308, and love it. I am shooting groups at 100 yards within the 1.5 to 2 inch range. Mine, in plastic, cost about $500.
I would say try to get it locally, or used.
Check out the saiga forum http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?

 

[Col. Plink]

Looking at a 22"er in plastic (bleh) for $539...

 

[Rshooter]

I apologize for busting your budget. Within your budget I would go with the Saiga by all means unless you are getting the CMTE from someone who knows them and has worked all of the bugs out. Just the thought of a Century rifle scares me.

 

[chris in va]

Get the Saiga, plus you have the option to 'unconvert' it to the AK platform and everything will be brand spanking new.

 

[North Texan]

I have a CETME and it is a very nice rifle. The wild hogs probably haven't enjoyed it near as much as I have.

 

[Rmac58]

Sadly, I need to thin the heard. I have a mount and scope and a bunch of ammo too.
PM me if interested.