need opinions on Century G3 please

[geo57]

I'm seriously considering getting a G3 clone of some make ( NOT the CETME ) Century, FAC, etc....so i would appreciate any 1st hand experienced opiinions from owners / users of the above 2 makers of the G3, especially Century, given their spotty quality control on some of their CETME's. Generally are their G3's tend to be better made and less prone for initial function trouble? Thanks much for your help.

 

[ziadel]

exactly what do you think the difference between centuries CETME and their G3 is? as far as I know, its just a slightly different rear sight...


they are both the same spotty quality guns, you might get a ground bolt, you might get a cherry one tho.

I own a century CETME, if I had it to do over again, I would prolly just get a PTR-91. THAT is a quality firearm.

 

[Father Knows Best]

I would prolly just get a PTR-91. THAT is a quality firearm.

+1.

I have a PTR-91. It is excellent quality. Very accurate, and ultra reliable. At a street price of around $700, it's also a great value.

 

[itgoesboom]

Get the PTR-91.

If you go Century, you might end up with a really good one, (like mine), or just as easily you might end up with a piece of crap. More likely, you will end up with a rifle that works most of the time, and is fairly accurate, but has a couple problems.

Get the PTR91 and you will most likely end up with a very nice rifle.

I.G.B.

 

[wally]

If you know what to look for and are willing to pass until you find a good one, Century guns can be a great value -- you just have to be the final QA/QC inspector.
Lots of web sites to help you lean what to look out for.

I've had perfect function from my Century L1A1, 2 Romanian AK's, and CETME. I just wasn't in a hurry and not afraid to look at and reject many before finding a good one. OTOH, ordering one and having it be "yours" sight unseen is a really bad idea.

--wally.

 

[Monkeyleg]

If you like to gamble, get one.

I did. I lost.

 

[Molon Labe]

Do you also shop for the cheapest doctor when you need surgery?

Buy quality, and you'll only cry once...

 

[Onmilo]

After taking a hard look at everything G3/HK91 available, it came down to a genuine HK91 @ $2000 or a PTR-91 @ $750.
I chose the PTR-91 and do not regret the decision.

NONE of the other clone guns that I looked at and handled came close to the PTR-91 in quality.
Yes they are cheaper, in some cases half as much and what you get is cheap.

Save your pennies and choose the JLD Enterprise PTR-91 or save even more pennies and buy an overpriced original HK-91.

 

[Feanaro]

I have a CETME. I love it to death. It is currently dressed up as a G3. But they often require some TLC. G3 or CETME model, Century Arms isn't exactly Colt, Springfield, Bushmaster, etc. I bought my CETME with that in mind. I kinda like tinkering. I rolled the dice and came out ahead. But the PTR-91 is quality. You roll the dice a bit when you buy anything. But less so with the PTR.

 

[AirPower]

I'd like to get PTR, but that thing isn't really HK91/G3 clone, it has the heavy barrel and I believe the original barrel is more balanced. If only JLD would make their PTR in original G3 config and I'd jump on in a sec.

 

[davek]

I got a Century CETME. Very reliable, confortable to shoot...but shot eight inch plus groups at fifty yards consistantly. Tried tinkering with it, but eventualy gave up and got a PTR-91. I'm very pleased with the PTR so far.

The CETME was an educational experience, so when I got the PTR, I didn't have the learning curve to deal with, but in hindsight, I'da skipped the CETME and went straight for the PTR-91.

 

[ziadel]

I'd greatly prefer this over the SOCOM M1a....

http://www.jldenter.com/PTR-91kp Rifle.html


thats just me personally tho, they are both great weapons...

god I cant wait to get to montana

 

[Onmilo]

That heavy stable barrel on the JLD PTR-91 guns keeps groupability in the two to three inch average or better at 100 meter and I gladly accept the six inch three hundred meter average I get from my rifle.
Not shabby for a G3 clone.

 

[SIGarmed]

I don't have one but I'd like a JLD PTR-91 some day. Talk about a value.

They are really the next best thing to an HK because of the fact that they are made from licensed HK tooling.

Getting one of these is a no brainer.

 

[Father Knows Best]

I'd like to get PTR, but that thing isn't really HK91/G3 clone, it has the heavy barrel and I believe the original barrel is more balanced.

True, the PTR-91 has a heavier barrel. It's also a much better barrel. While it isn't an exact clone in that sense, neither is anything Century makes. The PTR-91 is made on tooling that was originally used by Portugal to make H&K-licensed G3s. JLD actually has better welding and finishing than on many "real" H&K's I've handled, but other than that, the JLD receivers and other critical parts are identical in every dimension. Centuries can be way off.

So if you want something as close to a G3 as possible, you're much better off starting with a PTR-91.

Besides, JLD put the heavier barrels on for a reason. They are far more accurate, particularly in extended shooting sessions. In addition, the slight amount of extra weight is quite welcome in a rifle that has a somewhat heavier than typical recoil (compared to the gas operated .308 battle rifles).

 

[Feanaro]

In addition, the slight amount of extra weight is quite welcome in a rifle that has a somewhat heavier than typical recoil (compared to the gas operated .308 battle rifles).

The CETME actually kicks less than the PTR-91 and HK91, unless they have heavy buffers installed. The CETME buffer is very, very large. Some people even think the recoil "feels" better than the FAL. The only real advantage, IMO.

 

[another48hrs]

I went to a gunshow a couple days ago and always find myself going towards the ptr91ks. Awesome handy little rifle.

As for getting something close to original, you should get a JLD receiver and parts and get a smith to build one for you. I highly recommend IGF.

 

[ziadel]

anyone know how to get a PTR to kick the same amount as a cetme?

I love how controllable the CETME is...

 

[Onmilo]

Two things to do and this applies to any and all G3/Cetme/HK91 rifles,
Buy a PAST shoulder mounted Recoil Shield pad or the PAST Recoil Shield vest or buy a Simms Labratory small size slip on recoil pad.

I have tried the Buffer Technology buffers and they don't seem to do anything and I like the more secure fitting of the factory steel buffer anyway.

The Past Recoil Shield or a good slip on pad make HK rifles downright pleasurable to shoot. HTH

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I have a couple of hundred rounds through a CAI G3 clone. So far it's been good. The only tweak the rifle needs is getting some slop out of the rear sight.

I guess I lucked out.

Those PTR-91s sure look nice, though.

 

[Feanaro]

Ziadel: put a CETME stock on it or buy a G3 "heavy buffer".

Onmilo: Never, EVER use the Buffer Technology buffers. More than one person at cetmerifles.com has has welds crack after putting them in. Might be a fluke but the buffer doesn't work too well to begin with, as I understand it. A recoil pad for the G3 lines can be had at http://www.brasscatchers.com/recoil.htm. Though it might require their stock extension to work, I'm not sure.

 

[Father Knows Best]

I have a brasscatchers slip-on recoil pad on my PTR-91, and I don't use their stock extension. The small pad is the one you want. It softens the recoil considerably, is non-slip, and adds a welcome 1/2" to the LOP.

I also have a Cherokee cheek piece (http://www.cheekpieces.com), which is a must if you are putting a scope on your G3 clone. It's very well made, secure, sharp looking, lines your eye up exactly with a scope in a H&K claw mount, and even gives you a neat little waterproof storage compartment (nice touch). Unfortunately, the Cherokee cheek piece will not attach to the standard PTR-91 buttstock because it lacks the takedown holes that are found in G3 and CETME stocks. The solution is to get a G3 buttstock or full G3 parts kit and install it on your PTR-91. A set of black or green G3 furniture in very good used condition is dirt cheap -- like $20-30. Or you can spend about twice that and get a brand new G3 buttstock from someone like POF.

I also second the recommendation against Buffertech recoil buffers. The consensus opinion on the boards at HKPRO.com is that they don't work and will damage your rifle. There are heavy recoil buffers available from other H&K rifles (PSG1, for example) that you can use, but I found the brasscatchers.com recoil pad to be a better solution for me.