OK...I subcumbed to the CETME trance!

Dale · 04-16-2005, 09:25 AM

I picked up a CETME yesterday and promptly went to the range with it.

I was surprised of the weight of the gun! Especially with a full 20 rounds hanging under it.

I was amazed that the recoil of it was similar to that of an AK only a lil beefier....yet not as heavy as the SKS.

I shot only some older military surplus ammo I had picked up so the accuracy could be better with better ammo, I guess, but I was only shooting 8 inch groups at 50 yards!

I also think part of my problem is that I can't get my big head down low enough on the stock to comfortably use the selection of rear sights. I have to work at getting them line up.

Does anyone else have that problem?

Although I like the peep sights on my 1903A3s, I find the CETME's to be much more difficult to contend with.

Overall I would give the gun a B grade and that is subject to change as I get used to it, shoot better, etc.

I'm now looking at the possiblity of putting a claw mount and scope on the girl.

I found it interesting the simplicty of breaking it down. Very simple, indeed.

I also found it interesting that the gun has a fluted chamber! Dang, I was surprised to see those black lines along the cases as I picked them up.

I'm curious why they chose that design...one that I personally have only seen in some machine guns?

Perhaps it has something to do with lessing the recoil...part of the recoil package...don't know.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

Anyway.....like I needed another danged gun...right? You bet I did!

myarmor · 04-16-2005, 09:32 AM

No.....No....I ...can't....listen..don't need another gun-don't need another........YES KEEP TELLING MYSELF ..YES

Big Dog · 04-16-2005, 10:21 AM

Dale, the fluted chamber works in concert with the roller-locks to make it work with out requiring dirty gas operation. The buffered recoil spring with the heavy bolt carrier helps keep the recoil impulse low, spread over a longer time than with a short-recoiling gas system. Easy to keep the CETME on target for rapid fire!
Keep the flutes clean, along with the rest of the action - it'll work well.
I have the stock fit problem with the FAL, but not the CETME. But a scope does help tighten the groups. :right:

Welcome to my world!! :cheer:

Dale · 04-16-2005, 01:31 PM

Thanks, BD..thanks.

GUNRUNNER · 04-17-2005, 08:41 AM

I'm still afraid to get one...I get mad at guns that don't want to work right out of the box! I'm afraid I'll get stuck with a klunker!

Dale · 04-17-2005, 09:09 AM

I've heard stories, too, Joe, about CETMEs having some bugs to work out.

And, on the other hand I've heard people say they have owned several and had no problems.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it was BRG3 who said CAI had worked out most of the rebuild problems and now problems aren't so plentiful.

At any rate there are only two gun shops I shop at and I know the workers well in both.

In this case the other day, JR at Prescott Valley Guns told me he personally knew the guy trading it in and that the gun shot well.

Knowing JR well I took his word for it and, as usual, JR didn't tell me wrong.

I can see hesitance, though, when not dealing with someone you can trust...but any gun buying...especially the Euro military semi auto guns (AK47, AK74, FAL, Cetme, etc.) you run the risk of getting crapped on at some point.

There is often no conscience when selling a gun especially at gun shows, over the internet, etc. where that 'personal caring' doesn't exist.

When it comes to buying guns the old statement, "Let the buyer beware" is very true.

Big Dog · 04-17-2005, 10:25 AM

Yep, just have to be careful. I bought mine at a gunshow, from a vendor I trust. I've bought a lot of other guns from him, mostly twentytwos, and he's never steered me wrong! He knows what I like.

I did have to tweak the rear sight a smidge, but that's no biggie.
Mine likes both the CETME and HK alloy magazines (one of the common problems is they like one or the other), and since mine was used, it didn't have the Monkey Crap in the action.
My bolt is unground, and though I haven't checked the bolt gap (not 'head space', as that doesn't apply to CETME/HK rifles), it performs flawlessly.
If you want one, get it now! Century has run out of kits, and the prices will go up! The day of the under-$300 CETME will soon end.

Mandy · 04-24-2005, 12:02 AM

:full: :full: :full: :full: :full:

Great gun indeed Dale, My only complaint is the heavy weight of the gun, for me is a bit dificult to shoot offhand, but benched with my 6x24x40 tasco, is dificult to beat.

Very powerful rnd, I've made holes in 3/8" steel plates at 25yds with ball ammo.

Just keep the flutes clean and shouldn't be any problems.

I like better my G3 Drum Sights over the CETMEs Paddle Sight, just my choice, since the Paddle works great too.

:flame: :flame: :flame: :flame: :flame:

GUNRUNNER · 04-24-2005, 12:50 PM

Gonna pass on a CETME like I planned...got a FR8 coming in a couple weeks.

04-16-2005, 09:25 AM	#1
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284 Trader Rating: (0)	OK...I subcumbed to the CETME trance! I picked up a CETME yesterday and promptly went to the range with it. I was surprised of the weight of the gun! Especially with a full 20 rounds hanging under it. I was amazed that the recoil of it was similar to that of an AK only a lil beefier....yet not as heavy as the SKS. I shot only some older military surplus ammo I had picked up so the accuracy could be better with better ammo, I guess, but I was only shooting 8 inch groups at 50 yards! I also think part of my problem is that I can't get my big head down low enough on the stock to comfortably use the selection of rear sights. I have to work at getting them line up. Does anyone else have that problem? Although I like the peep sights on my 1903A3s, I find the CETME's to be much more difficult to contend with. Overall I would give the gun a B grade and that is subject to change as I get used to it, shoot better, etc. I'm now looking at the possiblity of putting a claw mount and scope on the girl. I found it interesting the simplicty of breaking it down. Very simple, indeed. I also found it interesting that the gun has a fluted chamber! Dang, I was surprised to see those black lines along the cases as I picked them up. I'm curious why they chose that design...one that I personally have only seen in some machine guns? Perhaps it has something to do with lessing the recoil...part of the recoil package...don't know. Perhaps someone can enlighten me. Anyway.....like I needed another danged gun...right? You bet I did! __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

04-16-2005, 10:21 AM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,071 Trader Rating: (0)	Dale, the fluted chamber works in concert with the roller-locks to make it work with out requiring dirty gas operation. The buffered recoil spring with the heavy bolt carrier helps keep the recoil impulse low, spread over a longer time than with a short-recoiling gas system. Easy to keep the CETME on target for rapid fire! Keep the flutes clean, along with the rest of the action - it'll work well. I have the stock fit problem with the FAL, but not the CETME. But a scope does help tighten the groups. :right: Welcome to my world!! :cheer: __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-16-2005, 01:31 PM	#4
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks, BD..thanks. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

04-17-2005, 09:09 AM	#6
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284 Trader Rating: (0)	I've heard stories, too, Joe, about CETMEs having some bugs to work out. And, on the other hand I've heard people say they have owned several and had no problems. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it was BRG3 who said CAI had worked out most of the rebuild problems and now problems aren't so plentiful. At any rate there are only two gun shops I shop at and I know the workers well in both. In this case the other day, JR at Prescott Valley Guns told me he personally knew the guy trading it in and that the gun shot well. Knowing JR well I took his word for it and, as usual, JR didn't tell me wrong. I can see hesitance, though, when not dealing with someone you can trust...but any gun buying...especially the Euro military semi auto guns (AK47, AK74, FAL, Cetme, etc.) you run the risk of getting crapped on at some point. There is often no conscience when selling a gun especially at gun shows, over the internet, etc. where that 'personal caring' doesn't exist. When it comes to buying guns the old statement, "Let the buyer beware" is very true. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

04-17-2005, 10:25 AM	#7
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,071 Trader Rating: (0)	Yep, just have to be careful. I bought mine at a gunshow, from a vendor I trust. I've bought a lot of other guns from him, mostly twentytwos, and he's never steered me wrong! He knows what I like. I did have to tweak the rear sight a smidge, but that's no biggie. Mine likes both the CETME and HK alloy magazines (one of the common problems is they like one or the other), and since mine was used, it didn't have the Monkey Crap in the action. My bolt is unground, and though I haven't checked the bolt gap (not 'head space', as that doesn't apply to CETME/HK rifles), it performs flawlessly. If you want one, get it now! Century has run out of kits, and the prices will go up! The day of the under-$300 CETME will soon end. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-16-2005, 09:32 AM	#2
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147 Trader Rating: (0)	No.....No....I ...can't....listen..don't need another gun-don't need another........YES KEEP TELLING MYSELF ..YES

04-17-2005, 08:41 AM	#5
GUNRUNNER Guest Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NRAJOEVILLE...A crazy, happy little place. Posts: 450 Trader Rating: (0)	I'm still afraid to get one...I get mad at guns that don't want to work right out of the box! I'm afraid I'll get stuck with a klunker!

04-24-2005, 12:02 AM	#8
Mandy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico Posts: 1,639 Trader Rating: (0)	:full: :full: :full: :full: :full: Great gun indeed Dale, My only complaint is the heavy weight of the gun, for me is a bit dificult to shoot offhand, but benched with my 6x24x40 tasco, is dificult to beat. Very powerful rnd, I've made holes in 3/8" steel plates at 25yds with ball ammo. Just keep the flutes clean and shouldn't be any problems. I like better my G3 Drum Sights over the CETMEs Paddle Sight, just my choice, since the Paddle works great too. :flame: :flame: :flame: :flame: :flame: __________________ :assult: :assult: :assult: :assult: :assult: Better be judged by 12 than carried by 6. _________________________________ If you gonna die, die with your boots on ! Iron Maiden _________________________________ The deeper you go, the better it feels ! Divers Motto :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi:

04-24-2005, 12:50 PM	#9
GUNRUNNER Guest Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NRAJOEVILLE...A crazy, happy little place. Posts: 450 Trader Rating: (0)	Gonna pass on a CETME like I planned...got a FR8 coming in a couple weeks.