FAC CETME -- anyone have some experience with them?

[iamkris]

I'd love to complete a collection of 60's NATO arms that some friends and I have and like to get together and shoot as part of an annual bunny hunt in the fall (long story ... some other time).

Funds are a bit scarce right now but the only entry we don't have is a CETME / G3 right now. I see FAC has some CETME's for a range of prices. Right now, $350 is the limit for me to make an entry.

I've done a little research and know the basic differences. Am interested in trying one of their stainless receiver CETME's. The only thing that scares me a bit is the "too good to be true" price of $299 and the "good or better" condition description.

Does anyone have any direct personal experience with one of the FAC stainless or stamped CETME's (the $299 ones not the Century G3's or the Sporters).

Thanks...reliability, durability and basic shootability are of primary concern. Accuracy and looks are secondary.

 

[Wildalaska]

Junk.....

WildyougetwhatyoupayforAlaska

 

[Marko Kloos]

The Century Arms CETMEs started out with a less-than-stellar reputation, but the early problem guns were all based on their stamped receiver. They then went to a cast stainless receiver, which apparently works decently. The newest CETMEs are again built on a stamped receiver, and it looks like this run may have better fit and quality control than their first generation stamped receivers. Most CETME owners I know are fairly happy with theirs. I intend to pick one up soon...it's $300, it's a working HK-pattern battle rifle, and the mags can be had from TAPCO for $3 a pop.

 

[Ebbtide]

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/

This woulds answer most all your questions about the cetme and all the related reciever issues.

There is a whole section devoted to the SAR8 and Cetme.

I have a stamped version. It was pretty rough and dirty when I recieved it. After a very deep cleaning and "fluff and buff" all seems well. If you get one that runs it is not a bad FAL "style" .308, 20/30 rd. capacity auto loader. Actually, I can't think of a better deal out there ina large caliber battle rifle.

 

[iamkris]

Thanks

Good reference to the gunboards. Thanks. I am in fact looking for a shooter...not a tackdriver, not a beauty queen...just some history that can plink and P#$@#%SS off the GFW (gun fearing wussies)

WildAlaska -- will have to agree to the irrelevancy of your opinion...

 

[Dave R]

I've got one with the cast stainless receivers, and it is a fine rifle. No complaints. Accuracy is good. 2MOA with the iron sights. Never use the 100 yd battle V. Stick with the 200m aperture and zero as needed. Reliability is excellent. Recoil is very mild for a .308 (but muzzle blast is loud--that muzzle brake must be doing something). Good balance. Its an easy rifle to hold steady. Easy to clean. Use a .45acp nylon brush to clean the chamber flutes. That is all I have to say about that.

 

[DMK]

I'm going to get one too. Been doing a lot of reading up on them for a couple weeks now. Here's a couple things to look into while researching.

The mantra that seems to keep coming from owners is "take it apart, clean and lube it good before using it". Aparently, folks are finding all kinds of dirt and machining debris inside them .

Front sights off canter seems to be an issue too. It seems that CAI will fix them if you send it back though.

If you can find a copy of the Dec. 20 Shotgun News, there's a pretty good article about them in there.

 

[Sodbuster]

Most CETME owners I know are fairly happy with theirs. I intend to pick one up soon

Ditto on both counts. I had too much money wrapped up in an M1A and sold it. After shooting a couple within the last two weeks, I'm going with a CETME.

 

[Oleg Volk]

How do CETME flip-atyle sights adjust for windage? Does anyone make them with HK-type drum rear sight?

 

[iamkris]

CETME windage adjustment...

Oleg,

As I understand it from reading (experts please correct me), the windage adjustment on the CETME is accomplished by movement of the front sight with a tool. The stud that the front post is mounted on is oblong and moves the post left to right as it is roatated.

Kris

 

[gun-fucious]

here is a very extensive review of the CETME:

http://www.cruffler.com/review-july-00.html

Those Pesky CETME Sights

CETME sights are what we'll call "somewhat" adjustable._ That is to say, the rear sight has no adjustment capability whatsoever except for the indicated range leaves, and the front sight is adjustable for elevation by rotating it clockwise or counter- clockwise, much like an AK47 or FAL sight._ The problem with the front sight is that it requires a special spanner tool to make the adjustment, and the CETME rifle as distributed by Century does not come with this tool._

Enter into the picture a gentleman named Steve Dale._ Steve is a skilled machinist as well as a shooter, and set his considerable talents to producing just such a tool as needed to adjust CETME's front sight._ Starting with a quality nut driver, Steve mills the shaft to provide the two prong profile necessary to adjust the CETME sight._ He sent CRUFFLER.COM a sample of his work, which we found to be excellently made, as well perfectly suited for the task at hand._ For those interested in obtaining such a tool for either the CETME or MAS 49-56, you can contact Steve at [email protected]

one thing to note about the receivers
they were stamped by Todd Bailey at Special Weapons

 

[Midnight]

About adjusting the windage on a CETME....you pretty much don't. Now there is a little bit of adjustment in the front sight, but not much. Its best to see if you can test the rifle before you buy. If it's off by more than 2" at 50 yards, you'd better pass.

 

[Dave R]

Yup. Front sight offers about 4MOA of adjustment. The drill is, adjust elevation first, then adust windage by turning the offset front post less than 90 degrees in the appropriate direction.

If you don't have enough adjustment to get on target you either:

1) Send back to Century. Report are they'll fix it.

2) "Mill and fill" the rear sight to get where you need to be.

3) Grind off the post and install a new one with more offset (that's what I did)

4) Grind off the old rear signt and install an adjustable rear. Either a "turret" G3 style, or an AR-15 style rear.