breakin in new cetme's

stangman · 01-02-2005, 09:59 AM

I've had my cetme's for 2 weeks now, but because of work I just got to take them out to break them in yesterday. Awesome rifles! Accurate, easy shooting and light on recoil, AWESOME! I got 1 in natural wood & 1 in battle black wood w/ a tapco multi-mount. For this session I took off the mount & I'm glad I did, I might have lost an eye. My only complaints- short buttstock & the charging handle is hard to break loose. I took my 2 sons w/ me to the range as they believe for some reason that they own the rifles, well after letting them go through 100 rnds. each I have to say that they diffenantly own those rifles! They had accuracy problems at 50 yrds. but at 200, 250 & 300 meters they owned the range! We had several of the range members watching, mostly because young boys should not be using highpowered assault rifles. They changed their minds fast! My youngest started @ 50 yrds w/ 5 rnds., 2 slow fire, then he got that impish look in his eye an let loose, 3 rnds. fast as he could, all on paper. Long ranges he missed the gong once out of 95 shots, my oldest son missed about 2 shots a mag, but he was keeping the rifle supported on his elbows only. Oh by the way, my son Matt is 8 & James is 12. I guess I'll have to pick up more for the rest of the family & myself.

Big Dog · 01-02-2005, 10:52 AM

Welcome to the world of the CETME! Excellent rifles, despite those relatively few owners who have serious problems.
This rifle has a softer recoil than many .308 and similar rifles, that it's easy to shoot even for younger and smaller folks. Just keep the flutes clean and the rollers lubed, and you should enjoy it for a long time!
I've been very pleased with the accuracy, in what many percieve as a "slap together cheapo" gun.

practical · 01-02-2005, 11:28 AM

Where did you get them from?

stangman · 01-02-2005, 05:21 PM

My local contact is a pawn shop. jim charges $10 over cost + tax, new or pawned. I believe he got them thru century arms- not sure tho. I got the 2 of them plus 700 rnds. of reloadable mil-surp ammo & 4 20 rnd. mags each for $600 OTD. Has anyone else had a sticky/hard to move charging handle? Does it just need to break/wear in? I'll you posted on how they function over the course of my shooting.

practical · 01-02-2005, 05:57 PM

How much to set me up with one and 1000rds of ammo?

Uncle Jaque · 01-02-2005, 10:00 PM

Sounds like a sweet deal! I just ordered a stainless reciever version with muzzle brake for $299 from Century, and my Dealer charges $30 for the paperwork / transfer fee - which seems to be about the going rate here in New England.

Most of my purchaces come under my C&R - not this one, though. I sure wish I had your Pawnbroker pal just down the street !

My CETME should be rolling in sometime later this week - and I'm like an overgrown kid waiting for Santa Clause!

Strangman - now that's what I call good quality Family time!
Hope you got some pictures of that!

Big Dog · 01-03-2005, 05:53 AM

Stangman, you might to go by the Gunboards CETME/FR8 forum site. Great bunch of CETME enthusiasts, and they have helped many new owners of these fine rifles. Their advise on the stiff charging handles is generally,
"Sit down, watch TV, and work it manually a couple hundred times"!
By then, it's loosened up, and you have a stronger arm. Probably, the cocking tube might be just a tad off center, and working it like this will wear it in. Also, make sure the recoil spring guide rod is straight. A bent one can make it stiffer.
I cleaned mine and gave it the Militec-1 metal conditioner treatment inside. Makes it smooth, and cleaning afterwards is easier too. Too my mind, the CETME is one of the easiest rifles to clean, once you have the process down pat. Very nice, not having a gas system to worry about!

Gunboard's CETME/FR8 forum site:

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=47

stangman · 01-04-2005, 09:07 AM

Hey BD, thanks for the link to gunboards, great bunch of people-just like here. You're right it is very easy to clean, after I broke it down to do the initial cleaning I had the boys do the range cleaning and had my daughters watch so they would know how too. The hard part for them was the buttstock, but I beleive that'll ease up with time. Something else about these rifles they do mangle the mouths of the brass when ejecting, but again easily fixed. I'm thinking of pick one up a adjustable stock for one, saw them in SGN for $30. I'll have to check the FAQ section to figure out how to post pic here as I've never done it, but I'ld be happy to post them.

vonmeer · 01-16-2005, 08:53 PM

I like my CETME but it lacked style so I customized the handle and one of the mags. Like how she looks?

It's a good shooter once you get the gremlins out.

I've ordered a 30 round mag from the G3 as I've used G3 mags before without a problem, I'm looking forwards to see how it will improve the lines of the gun.

Big Dog · 01-17-2005, 04:56 AM

Nice CETME, Vonmeer. Is the PG painted? A bunch of us over on Gunboards were able to get custom-made wood PG's on a group buy from one of the members. He did a great job. The slightly fatter wood grip fits my big hand better.
I bought one thirty round mag off a guy on Auction Arms, but the box has a dent in it - doesn't feed smoothly. I kept it rather than return it - one of these days I'll pull the pesky dent out. I have fourteen good twenty rounders, so I'm not hurting for mags.

Here's my baby, with a rather bad wood finish job. She's wearing camo now.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...deloC_Pic4.JPG

MAX7.62 · 01-17-2005, 07:59 PM

One other problem that causes a stiff charging handle is not remedied by "cycling it a few hundred times while watching TV". On some Cets, the clearance between the charging handle and bolt carrier tube is too much. Basically it's just like an HK in this sense - when the charging handle is folded out, the cam action against the bolt carrier should unlock the rollers & bolt as it is pulled out. If the action is not unlocked by the time the charging handle is swung out, it takes quite a bit of force to finish unlocking the action. As best as I can remember, the clearance should be no more than like 0.2 (two tenths) of a millemeter - which is about .004. The best results I have had repairing this problem has been to lengthen the bolt carrier - which I won't go into detail about right now - it's a fair amount of machine work and fitting.
What it boils down to is that on some Century Cets I have seen, the front of the bolt carrier has been ground off to make the bolt fit - and they take off too much.

vonmeer · 01-17-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dog

Nice CETME, Vonmeer. Is the PG painted? A bunch of us over on Gunboards were able to get custom-made wood PG's on a group buy from one of the members. He did a great job. The slightly fatter wood grip fits my big hand better.
I bought one thirty round mag off a guy on Auction Arms, but the box has a dent in it - doesn't feed smoothly. I kept it rather than return it - one of these days I'll pull the pesky dent out. I have fourteen good twenty rounders, so I'm not hurting for mags.

Here's my baby, with a rather bad wood finish job. She's wearing camo now.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...deloC_Pic4.JPG

Yes it's painted , sort of. It has a redish undercoat then it was treated with a cellophane rub with a overcoat of brown to give the leatherish marblization.A bunch of coats of sealer and it was done. I'd like to build new all wooden grips for it in time, perhaps I'll dremel out a set. I looked at your CETME's wooden grip, I like it...I might copy it

01-02-2005, 09:59 AM	#1
stangman Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 64	breakin in new cetme's I've had my cetme's for 2 weeks now, but because of work I just got to take them out to break them in yesterday. Awesome rifles! Accurate, easy shooting and light on recoil, AWESOME! I got 1 in natural wood & 1 in battle black wood w/ a tapco multi-mount. For this session I took off the mount & I'm glad I did, I might have lost an eye. My only complaints- short buttstock & the charging handle is hard to break loose. I took my 2 sons w/ me to the range as they believe for some reason that they own the rifles, well after letting them go through 100 rnds. each I have to say that they diffenantly own those rifles! They had accuracy problems at 50 yrds. but at 200, 250 & 300 meters they owned the range! We had several of the range members watching, mostly because young boys should not be using highpowered assault rifles. They changed their minds fast! My youngest started @ 50 yrds w/ 5 rnds., 2 slow fire, then he got that impish look in his eye an let loose, 3 rnds. fast as he could, all on paper. Long ranges he missed the gong once out of 95 shots, my oldest son missed about 2 shots a mag, but he was keeping the rifle supported on his elbows only. Oh by the way, my son Matt is 8 & James is 12. I guess I'll have to pick up more for the rest of the family & myself.

01-02-2005, 10:52 AM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,359	Welcome to the world of the CETME! Excellent rifles, despite those relatively few owners who have serious problems. This rifle has a softer recoil than many .308 and similar rifles, that it's easy to shoot even for younger and smaller folks. Just keep the flutes clean and the rollers lubed, and you should enjoy it for a long time! I've been very pleased with the accuracy, in what many percieve as a "slap together cheapo" gun. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

01-02-2005, 11:28 AM	#3
practical Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA/Casper, WY Posts: 736	Where did you get them from? __________________ Eric "The secret to life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made"

01-02-2005, 05:57 PM	#5
practical Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA/Casper, WY Posts: 736	How much to set me up with one and 1000rds of ammo? __________________ Eric "The secret to life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made"

01-02-2005, 10:00 PM	#6
Uncle Jaque Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Yarmouth, Maine Posts: 18	Sounds like a sweet deal! I just ordered a stainless reciever version with muzzle brake for $299 from Century, and my Dealer charges $30 for the paperwork / transfer fee - which seems to be about the going rate here in New England. Most of my purchaces come under my C&R - not this one, though. I sure wish I had your Pawnbroker pal just down the street ! My CETME should be rolling in sometime later this week - and I'm like an overgrown kid waiting for Santa Clause! Strangman - now that's what I call good quality Family time! Hope you got some pictures of that! __________________ For God and Country; "Uncle Jaque"

01-02-2005, 05:21 PM	#4
stangman Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 64	My local contact is a pawn shop. jim charges $10 over cost + tax, new or pawned. I believe he got them thru century arms- not sure tho. I got the 2 of them plus 700 rnds. of reloadable mil-surp ammo & 4 20 rnd. mags each for $600 OTD. Has anyone else had a sticky/hard to move charging handle? Does it just need to break/wear in? I'll you posted on how they function over the course of my shooting.

01-03-2005, 05:53 AM	#7
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,359	Stangman, you might to go by the Gunboards CETME/FR8 forum site. Great bunch of CETME enthusiasts, and they have helped many new owners of these fine rifles. Their advise on the stiff charging handles is generally, "Sit down, watch TV, and work it manually a couple hundred times"! By then, it's loosened up, and you have a stronger arm. Probably, the cocking tube might be just a tad off center, and working it like this will wear it in. Also, make sure the recoil spring guide rod is straight. A bent one can make it stiffer. I cleaned mine and gave it the Militec-1 metal conditioner treatment inside. Makes it smooth, and cleaning afterwards is easier too. Too my mind, the CETME is one of the easiest rifles to clean, once you have the process down pat. Very nice, not having a gas system to worry about! Gunboard's CETME/FR8 forum site: http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=47 __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

01-04-2005, 09:07 AM	#8
stangman Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 64	Hey BD, thanks for the link to gunboards, great bunch of people-just like here. You're right it is very easy to clean, after I broke it down to do the initial cleaning I had the boys do the range cleaning and had my daughters watch so they would know how too. The hard part for them was the buttstock, but I beleive that'll ease up with time. Something else about these rifles they do mangle the mouths of the brass when ejecting, but again easily fixed. I'm thinking of pick one up a adjustable stock for one, saw them in SGN for $30. I'll have to check the FAQ section to figure out how to post pic here as I've never done it, but I'ld be happy to post them.

01-16-2005, 08:53 PM	#9
vonmeer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 8	I like my CETME but it lacked style so I customized the handle and one of the mags. Like how she looks? It's a good shooter once you get the gremlins out. I've ordered a 30 round mag from the G3 as I've used G3 mags before without a problem, I'm looking forwards to see how it will improve the lines of the gun.

01-17-2005, 04:56 AM	#10
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,359	Nice CETME, Vonmeer. Is the PG painted? A bunch of us over on Gunboards were able to get custom-made wood PG's on a group buy from one of the members. He did a great job. The slightly fatter wood grip fits my big hand better. I bought one thirty round mag off a guy on Auction Arms, but the box has a dent in it - doesn't feed smoothly. I kept it rather than return it - one of these days I'll pull the pesky dent out. I have fourteen good twenty rounders, so I'm not hurting for mags. Here's my baby, with a rather bad wood finish job. She's wearing camo now. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...deloC_Pic4.JPG __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

01-17-2005, 07:59 PM	#11
MAX7.62 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Classified Posts: 934	One other problem that causes a stiff charging handle is not remedied by "cycling it a few hundred times while watching TV". On some Cets, the clearance between the charging handle and bolt carrier tube is too much. Basically it's just like an HK in this sense - when the charging handle is folded out, the cam action against the bolt carrier should unlock the rollers & bolt as it is pulled out. If the action is not unlocked by the time the charging handle is swung out, it takes quite a bit of force to finish unlocking the action. As best as I can remember, the clearance should be no more than like 0.2 (two tenths) of a millemeter - which is about .004. The best results I have had repairing this problem has been to lengthen the bolt carrier - which I won't go into detail about right now - it's a fair amount of machine work and fitting. What it boils down to is that on some Century Cets I have seen, the front of the bolt carrier has been ground off to make the bolt fit - and they take off too much. __________________ The Second Amendment, it ain't about DUCK HUNTING! I feel more like I do now that I did when I first got here!