Cetme's...good or bad...

Big Dog · 03-22-2005, 06:46 PM

Thanks for the correction, BRG! I had never quite figured out why Germany dropped the G1, as most other nations did quite well with the FAL system.
Since the CETME 7.62 kits are drying up, and the later CETME Modelo "L" in 5.56X45 has been replaced in Spanish service by an HK36 derivative - it would be great if the Century monkeys would start building the 5.56/.223 rifles for us! That would make an interesting alternative to the AR-15 design.

Cool looking guns too - kinda like the offspring between the Stoner 63 System and the CETME System!

The CETME family:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...yofweapons.jpg

The CETME L:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-1/93045/CETMEL.jpg

The CETME L folder:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...stockmodel.jpg

myarmor · 03-22-2005, 07:02 PM

I haven't had a chance to fire one, but I like the look and feel of the CETME's. From what I gather they seem pretty accurate for a semi-auto battle rifle.
What kind of accuracy could you get out of one with some modifications?
What kind of after market accessories(like target style barrels?) can you get for these?

Uncle Red · 03-23-2005, 11:14 AM

Befor the M14 was the M14 I believe it was theT-20 while undergoing trials along with the FAL design for the M1 replacement circa 1947. -UR

BattleRifleG3 · 03-28-2005, 03:52 PM

I would love to see a 223 CETME model L in civi semi-auto. I believe they use AR mags. I agree Century should do those next. Should make a good replacement for my soon departing AR-15.

Though the rear site makes this cetme resemble the Stoner 63 system, I believe their internal technology is all the same as the original.

Big Dog · 03-28-2005, 03:58 PM

Myarmor, a good CETME can do 1MOA with ammo it really likes, and inside 2MOA with good milsurp ammo, scoped. The iron sights aren't as good as an HK, so open sighted accuracy is decent at about 4MOA.

Most HK accessories can be installed, maybe with some reworking. There aren't any after-market barrels, and it requires a good 'smith to install a new barrel. He needs a good hyrdraulic press to press the barrel into the trunnion. Not nearly as easily done as an FAL!
But I have seen some pretty wild CETMEs, done up like the better HK rifles.

BattleRifleG3 · 03-28-2005, 04:35 PM

While I prefer the HK-G3/91 to the CETME C in every way, the CETME L looks much more to my liking than the HK-33/93.

acdalzell · 04-12-2005, 10:54 PM

I have a Century CETME with a stamped steel receiver and wood furniture (I swapped out the orginal plastic that came on mine). I had some of the common cleaning and tune up issues. I had a few Failures to Feed and some ejection issues. Cleaning and cycling took care of most of the stoppages. The ejector needed a bit of work but the cycling is now perfectly reliable. Sometimes you have to do a little work to get magazines to lock in and feed reliably. Many CETME's are great out of th box. Some are not.

Once they are cleaned up and tuned up they are great. Fun to shoot; low recoil; fairley accurate, big bang and an attention getter on the range. There is lots of help and advice on the CETME forum run by Perro...some real experts over there. I would not hesitate to buy one. There is lots of help available and Century will fix or replace arms that are not functional. There is some good point of sale inspection advice on Perro's site.

One last bit of advice: NEVER, NEVER BUY OR USE INDIAN SURPLUS AMMO. It is unreliable and occasionally dangerous.

:assult:

BattleRifleG3 · 04-14-2005, 11:07 AM

BattleRifleG3 · 04-14-2005, 11:15 AM

The more I see, the more I really would like a Modelo L.

Also thinking about setting up a "Modelo K", a standard Century CETME with a minimum length barrel. Wonder how hard it would be to move back the site and thus bayo lug, to fit a bayo and to better accommodate a muzzle attachment. I'd sure like something that allowed use of the short barrel without increasing the noise. I'm not talking about a silencer (NFA, ug), just something that would act like 6 more inches of barrel in smoothing out the noise.

Then I could individuate between my target setup G3-SG2 (which could perhaps have a JLD 22" barrel installed) and a G3ish tactical carbine.

Big Dog · 04-14-2005, 02:11 PM

Well, since there is no gas system to worry about, and the front several inches of the cocking tube is empty space (supposed to hold a cleaning kit) - shouldn't be too hard to back up the triple-tree. Just keep the barrel length legal, it's already fairly short. A couple guys on Gunboards have shortened their barrels. Maybe take a look over there and search on 'short barrel' or similar?

myarmor · 04-15-2005, 11:24 AM

Man I need to stop reading any more of this. You guys will have me buying one before you know it.

BigDog-1moa is great from what I hear about these. What kind of ammo does you CETME like best to get such a group?

MAX7.62 · 04-21-2005, 09:38 PM

Hey BR, Germany DID adapt the FAL for a while - it was the G1 - (or GAE EINS as the Scwarzwalders say).

BattleRifleG3 · 04-21-2005, 11:00 PM

Right, but the Belgian support wasn't great.

03-22-2005, 06:46 PM	#21
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,421	Thanks for the correction, BRG! I had never quite figured out why Germany dropped the G1, as most other nations did quite well with the FAL system. Since the CETME 7.62 kits are drying up, and the later CETME Modelo "L" in 5.56X45 has been replaced in Spanish service by an HK36 derivative - it would be great if the Century monkeys would start building the 5.56/.223 rifles for us! That would make an interesting alternative to the AR-15 design. Cool looking guns too - kinda like the offspring between the Stoner 63 System and the CETME System! The CETME family: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...yofweapons.jpg The CETME L: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-1/93045/CETMEL.jpg The CETME L folder: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...stockmodel.jpg __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables. Last edited by Big Dog; 03-22-2005 at 06:52 PM.

03-23-2005, 11:14 AM	#23
Uncle Red Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 554	Befor the M14 was the M14 I believe it was theT-20 while undergoing trials along with the FAL design for the M1 replacement circa 1947. -UR __________________ "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed"--Amendment II, Bill of Rights "He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."--Thomas Paine "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." - Jesus, Luke 22:36

03-28-2005, 03:52 PM	#24
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,475 Images: 13	I would love to see a 223 CETME model L in civi semi-auto. I believe they use AR mags. I agree Century should do those next. Should make a good replacement for my soon departing AR-15. Though the rear site makes this cetme resemble the Stoner 63 system, I believe their internal technology is all the same as the original. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

03-28-2005, 03:58 PM	#25
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,421	Myarmor, a good CETME can do 1MOA with ammo it really likes, and inside 2MOA with good milsurp ammo, scoped. The iron sights aren't as good as an HK, so open sighted accuracy is decent at about 4MOA. Most HK accessories can be installed, maybe with some reworking. There aren't any after-market barrels, and it requires a good 'smith to install a new barrel. He needs a good hyrdraulic press to press the barrel into the trunnion. Not nearly as easily done as an FAL! But I have seen some pretty wild CETMEs, done up like the better HK rifles. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-28-2005, 04:35 PM	#26
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,475 Images: 13	While I prefer the HK-G3/91 to the CETME C in every way, the CETME L looks much more to my liking than the HK-33/93. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

03-22-2005, 07:02 PM	#22
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	I haven't had a chance to fire one, but I like the look and feel of the CETME's. From what I gather they seem pretty accurate for a semi-auto battle rifle. What kind of accuracy could you get out of one with some modifications? What kind of after market accessories(like target style barrels?) can you get for these?

04-12-2005, 10:54 PM	#27
acdalzell Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio Posts: 11	Cetme's...good or bad... I have a Century CETME with a stamped steel receiver and wood furniture (I swapped out the orginal plastic that came on mine). I had some of the common cleaning and tune up issues. I had a few Failures to Feed and some ejection issues. Cleaning and cycling took care of most of the stoppages. The ejector needed a bit of work but the cycling is now perfectly reliable. Sometimes you have to do a little work to get magazines to lock in and feed reliably. Many CETME's are great out of th box. Some are not. Once they are cleaned up and tuned up they are great. Fun to shoot; low recoil; fairley accurate, big bang and an attention getter on the range. There is lots of help and advice on the CETME forum run by Perro...some real experts over there. I would not hesitate to buy one. There is lots of help available and Century will fix or replace arms that are not functional. There is some good point of sale inspection advice on Perro's site. One last bit of advice: NEVER, NEVER BUY OR USE INDIAN SURPLUS AMMO. It is unreliable and occasionally dangerous. :assult: Last edited by acdalzell; 04-12-2005 at 10:59 PM.

04-14-2005, 11:07 AM	#28
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,475 Images: 13	__________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

04-14-2005, 11:15 AM	#29
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,475 Images: 13	The more I see, the more I really would like a Modelo L. Also thinking about setting up a "Modelo K", a standard Century CETME with a minimum length barrel. Wonder how hard it would be to move back the site and thus bayo lug, to fit a bayo and to better accommodate a muzzle attachment. I'd sure like something that allowed use of the short barrel without increasing the noise. I'm not talking about a silencer (NFA, ug), just something that would act like 6 more inches of barrel in smoothing out the noise. Then I could individuate between my target setup G3-SG2 (which could perhaps have a JLD 22" barrel installed) and a G3ish tactical carbine. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

04-14-2005, 02:11 PM	#30
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,421	Well, since there is no gas system to worry about, and the front several inches of the cocking tube is empty space (supposed to hold a cleaning kit) - shouldn't be too hard to back up the triple-tree. Just keep the barrel length legal, it's already fairly short. A couple guys on Gunboards have shortened their barrels. Maybe take a look over there and search on 'short barrel' or similar? __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-15-2005, 11:24 AM	#31
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	Man I need to stop reading any more of this. You guys will have me buying one before you know it. BigDog-1moa is great from what I hear about these. What kind of ammo does you CETME like best to get such a group?

04-21-2005, 09:38 PM	#32
MAX7.62 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Classified Posts: 934	Uhhh? Hey BR, Germany DID adapt the FAL for a while - it was the G1 - (or GAE EINS as the Scwarzwalders say). __________________ The Second Amendment, it ain't about DUCK HUNTING! I feel more like I do now that I did when I first got here!

04-21-2005, 11:00 PM	#33
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,475 Images: 13	Right, but the Belgian support wasn't great. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf