[BattleRifleG3]

Wow, for a guy called Teachmeaboutgun, you seem to already know quite a bit!

My G3 is Century built on an FA-91 aluminum receiver. I've never had a problem with the recoil myself. But I'm generally not recoil sensitive. I've considered having a 24" heavy barrel by JLD installed. I paid $500 + fees for mine about four years ago. I probably could have done better had I waited and looked around, but mine came with a wide handguard adapted for the thicker receiver. I think I did ok. Nowadays they're harder to find and that price is pretty good.

JLD Enterprises makes the PTR-91, a heavy barreled version of the HK-91 using new US and HK parts. That sounds like what you were talking about at $700.

For a lighter tactical carbine, I'd lean towards a build by Ohio Rapid Fire for a little less money. They also build FALs for I think comparable prices.

The big selling point of G3s these days is the fact that military mags can be had for as low as $2. Can't beat that even for new post-expiration manufacture.

Regarding the pin holding the original G3 receiver to the trigger group, I believe that's one of the criteria that distinguishes a full auto from a semi, so it would be illegal to add to a current semi-auto G3 derivative.

Regarding the CETME, practically all are Century assembled, and you have the same problems as any other Century build. Only thing is that I think the FALs are easier to fix if Century makes a boo boo.

I don't really know that much, but am happy to share what I can. Though my screenname is BattleRifleG3, I've since become far more familiar with the AK system. Another thing about me is, though my guns are many, my money is nill, as I'm a poor college student. I suspect that when I'm employed full time without any wife or kids, I'll be covering other areas of the spectrum, like DSA FALs and more G3s. I currently have no FAL, one G3, and five AKs. The balance probably won't be so tipped when I have more money.

My advice as someone who has never thought he had enough money to buy the best out there is just buy what you want and don't try stopping along the way to buy what you don't want as much. If I'd bought a $1000 gun four years ago I wouldn't have spent several times as much since then on lesser guns. I knew better by the time I bought my first handgun. If I'd settled for an Arcus or a Makarov (no offense to either) I'd still be buying handguns. But I can't think of a better handgun overall than the one I have. Any more handguns I get will be specialized, ie target, CCW, hunting, but none will be as good for all of the above than my Steyr M40.