Dear experts, your advice is much needed.

[Tigerclaw_x]

I appologise in advance for this silly question and for my ignorance. After the last message, (thank you very much for all of your advice) I have narrowed down my choice of .308 rifles to only 2:
VEPR .308 (I heard that a 20 round mags will be here soon)
HK/CETME clone.
I will be getting BOTH. I have a strong personal dislike of AR-10 rifles, so I won't even consider them. M14 clone lost to a G3 clone.
Now, the issue is to choose which HK/CETME clone should I get.
I am well aware of the great reputation that PTR-91 has. I, however, can't spend 1100 dead presidents for a rifle.
What other GOOD versions of G3/Cetme are out there? I really don't care about which furniture they have, wooden or plastic, in fact, I like wooden furniture MUCH better. Which versions should I stay away from? I have heard mixed reviews about Century Arms and Vector versions. Any suggestions as to which version should I get?
Thank you in advance for your, and once again, I would like to appologise to you all if my questions show my ignorance.

Thank you

 

[MD_Willington]

The latest imported VEPR are not the same as the older VEPR...

The Newest VEPR appears to be a fancy SAIGA, may as well buy a SAIGA and get the FBMG mags for it.

Who knows, maybe the new SAIGA 20 rounder will fit the older VEPR? You could PM Correia and ask.

 

[GCW5]

I really think you should look at an M1A insted. Much better trigger than any G3 I've ever seen, 20 round mags, and reload the brass if you want (G3 VERY HARD ON BRASS).

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Tigerclaw_x]

Trigger is not an issue, a trigger job will cure any problems that G3/CETME clone might have.
I chose the G3 clone for several reasons:
1) Roller block delayed blowback system is inheritly very accurate then gas operating system.
2) I like the balance of a G3 better
3) I like G3 sights better.
4) Mags are cheaper.
5) I do not plan to reload, since I do not have reloading equipment, besides, you can still, sometimes, use the brass from a G3, it just won't look good.

My main question is to which clone of G3/HK91/CETME should I choose so it will be around $800.

 

[Correia]

The Vepr takes an 8 round proprietary magazine. The new Veprs are expensive enough that I've decided not to stock them, though I'll special order them.

The Vepr currently does not take the same magazine as the Saiga .308. There is a 20 round magazine available for the Saiga. I'm the guy that makes it.

I know of no plans by anyone to make a 20 round Vepr mag.

 

[Onmilo]

I am going to be brutally honest at the risk of sounding biased because I do own a PTR-91.

DO NOT buy any of the HK91 clone guns that are on the market unless it is a PTR-91.
If you insist on buying a clone then look specifically for a Century Arms rifle that was assembled using a stamped steel receiver.
Completely field strip the rifle and reassemble it twice, then insist on shooting the rifle before you purchase it.
You might, MIGHT, get a fairly decent rifle, they were the best of what I had the opportunity to inspect and that really isn't saying much, and you may look long and hard before you find one because the guys who got the 'good' ones don't appear to be letting them go.

I looked long and hard at a number of different G3 clone rifles before the PTR rifles came on the market and none of them met my expectations.
All showed problems of one form or another from poorly cast receivers,(real HK-91/G3 receivers are made from specifically dimensioned stampings), crude stampings, poor bolt gap/headspace issues, incorrectly aligned trigger groups to receivers, loose press fit barrels, misaligned trunnions, misaligned receiver locking pins, pitted barrels, epoxied rear sight assemblies, tack welded front sight discs, it goes on and on.
Case in point, just try fitting an H&K Mil-Spec scope mount to any of the clone gun receivers.
I guarantee it will fit and index on the PTR, as for the others,,,,,,
Most of these issues the owner will not notice on first inspection, it takes trying to shoot or function test the rifle or diassemble and then attempt to reassemble the rifle to note these faults.

When I had the opportunity to actually handle, inspect and then shoot a PTR-91 I ordered one the next day.
There is no clone gun worth the money asked besides the PTR rifle.

If you choose to buy anything else you will, in all likelyhood, find that your money was not well spent.

I know that PTR rifles are going up in price while other clone guns that are available in gunshops are coming down in price.
Stop and think a bit on exactly why that might be,,,,

 

[Tigerclaw_x]

Thanx for all your advice.

I definitely then would like to wait for a PTR-91. Those things are DAMN expensive. I have yet to find one even used for under 1000 bucks.
I mostly see Century Arms Steel Receiver G3/CETME clones on Gunbroker.com. The sellers claim that the guns are working fine, and most of such sellers have high number of positive feedbacks. This makes me even more confused. If they would be selling a sub standard rifles, would they not get negative feedbacks? Still, considering how much negative feedback I hear about Century Arms G3/CETME's I would much rather wait for a PTR.
Such negative feedback for their G3's is surprising, considering that their M70 Yugo AK's versions are considered to be VERY good.