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What are the opinions of the Cetme/Century Arms versions? What about other knock offs?


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Marcus Cady

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Posts: 3426 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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The Cetme is the original version of the H&K 91, not even close to an FN. Century Arms build quality can tend to be spotty, either you get an OK one or you don't. I have one that was a gift and it actually shoots well and has never malfunctioned. That said, if I were buying a HK clone, I would buy the PTR-91, it has a good reputation.
As to FAL's, The same thing applies when it is a Century. I seem to remember that some of the early ones might have had Imbel Receivers and if it has an Imbel marked receiver , it would be the one to get. Imbel was a Brazilian licensee of FN and is a quality forged receiver. Many of the FAL's found at gunshows are homebuilds and you have to watch and make sure that they have the requisite 10 American made parts to be legal. If you want a quality FAL, check out DSA arms, they are a top rated manufacturer. When looking at gunshows, the first thing to look for is the receiver manufacturer. Imbel, Coonan(investment cast but very good) Century's had dimensional issues at different times, again, if you get a good one, it is OK.
If the price is right, I would give one a shot, but most sellers are asking 8-1000 and I would never give that for a Century, too risky. To me, they are a $500 gun and only if I inspected it first.


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Posts: 2246 | Location: Houston, TX. | Registered: 18 May 2004Reply With Quote
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In my limited experience, if you have any plan to load your own ammo, the CETME is a poor choice. Between the fluted chamber and the proclivity for flinging your now battered and abused cases 50' or so, it wouldn't be my choice.

Your mileage may vary.


Doug Wilhelmi
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Posts: 7503 | Location: Texas Hill Country | Registered: 15 October 2013Reply With Quote
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What Lee said is right.
But I do have 2 or 3 Fns built on Century receivers, and one L1A1; they work fine. Imbel receivers are the best, and so are DSA; as Lee said.
As for the CETME, and HK91; I have had both, and also a SIG-AMT. Yes they do put grooves into the brass, and yes, they to fling brass 50 feet, but the cases are definitely reloadable. They are very reliable, and very dirty as they are blow back, the rollers just slows the bolt down; they are not locked. If you have the rubber bumper, the brass won't be bent or dented.
So, get the one you want, or best, get both. They are very different rifles but highly representative of cold war military hardware. And you need an M14/M1A too.
 
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And you need an M14/M1A too.



archer


Doug Wilhelmi
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Posts: 7503 | Location: Texas Hill Country | Registered: 15 October 2013Reply With Quote
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If I were buying a 308 battle rifle and were not familiar with the different types, Hands down, I would buy a new Springfield Armory M-1A. Palmetto Arms has had the rifle version on sale lately for $1100. One of my very favorite rifles. A quality AR-10 would be next. To me, a 20" min BBL length is mandatory, as I don't want the equivalent of a hot loaded 30/30.


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Posts: 2246 | Location: Houston, TX. | Registered: 18 May 2004Reply With Quote
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Yes, I forgot the AR-10; another classic old school 308. I have the first one made, from the post 1960 Arma Lite company.
Those will be the most accurate 308 semi auto, by far.
 
Posts: 17011 | Location: USA | Registered: 02 August 2009Reply With Quote
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Hard to beat a real FN FAL or Enfield or BSA L1A1.


What force or guile could not subdue,
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Is wrought now by a coward few,
For hireling traitor's wages.
 
Posts: 249 | Location: Montana | Registered: 17 January 2018Reply With Quote
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Sorry about the misinformation with the different makers of knock off .308 battle rifles. I have liked both the FAL and 91 for a long time.

DPCD, I agree the real thing would be better in the case of either rifle, but the cost is prohibitive for a “fun gun” in with configuration. Should I enjoy the copy, a genuine may be down the line. It’s too bad I didn’t snap one up when the time was right.


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Marcus Cady

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Posts: 3426 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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I've had an FN-FAL + I loved it. A friends son fell in love with it + I sold it to him under the condition that I could buy it back. But he loves it so much I don't have the heart to ask him. I had an H+K 91 as well,but you're right it trashes the brass.I'm pretty happy with the M1A + SOCOM.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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Maybe my HK-91 clone was better or something but I never had much trouble reloading the brass. Once in a while it would nick the case mouth and I would put them aside for a time when I wanted to tinker. I still have some of those in a box.... Be Well. Packy
 
Posts: 2140 | Registered: 28 May 2002Reply With Quote
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As I said, reloading the brass from the fluted chamber blow back rifles is no problem. The little marks left on them from the flutes, or even dents sometimes on them, cause no problems. I have reloaded hundreds of them.
The problem is finding them due to the distance they fling them.
 
Posts: 17011 | Location: USA | Registered: 02 August 2009Reply With Quote
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Originally posted by ismith:
Hard to beat a real FN FAL or Enfield or BSA L1A1.


Lucky enough to have one of the original Browning imports. Wink

Grizz


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Posts: 4211 | Location: Alta. Canada | Registered: 06 November 2002Reply With Quote
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dpcd,You're right about that.On my range I built a steel frame + covered it and 1 side with that greenhouse shade fabric. When shooting any of the semis,the brass hits the fabric + then just drops straight down.Lets you shoot in the shade as well.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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Well, I just “won” a Century HK clone for $500. It seems like a fair deal. I’ll report back after I get it.


I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills.

Marcus Cady

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Posts: 3426 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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Sounds like fun + the price was right.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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Originally posted by NormanConquest:
Sounds like fun + the price was right.


Agreed. I didn’t think my bid would get it, but boom.


I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills.

Marcus Cady

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Posts: 3426 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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Congrats on your purchase! Clean and lube it and run about 100 rounds of Nato-spec ammo through it as fast as you can after sighting it in. You might as well find out how reliable the function is. Hopefully you got more than one mag with it, so if you had any feeding problems, you will know if they are mag related or not. Until about a year ago, you could get surplus, like new, H&K aluminum mags for as little as $1 each, but they have steadily been going up in price. The factory aluminums are pretty good, but the factory steel H&K mags have to be one of the toughest mags on earth and would be my first choice. Remember, mags are consumables, and you can never have enough. Prices keep rising steadily and the surplus will eventually dry up. Let us know how it shoots and how you like it! Lee.


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Posts: 2246 | Location: Houston, TX. | Registered: 18 May 2004Reply With Quote
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Yes a follow up would be nice to hear. Also as to the magazine issue;one can only imagine what will happen if there is a change in administration in the next election.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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Thanks fellas. I will update once I get it. It only comes with one magazine, but I will likely add more. A major storm had me out of business until just not long ago.


I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills.

Marcus Cady

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Posts: 3426 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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That was a bad storm. I heard on the news how bad it hit Dallas. It came down here + although the winds were 80 MPH in gusts it was no where as severe as ya'll got it.Next day was nice though with northerly winds.Welcome change.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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I completed the transaction and the gun is already on its way to SWFA.


I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills.

Marcus Cady

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Posts: 3426 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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Looking forward to a report.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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I finally picked it up. It’s a little crude and the trigger is terrible, but I wasn’t expecting a Wiebe made gun. I need to get to the range for this one and a few others. The guys at SWFA said they are very hit or miss, echoing what was said here.


I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills.

Marcus Cady

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Posts: 3426 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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Considering the trigger/ sear assembly being a bit rough. That is what honing stones are for. You got a bird's nest on the ground; a bit of handwork fitting won't kill you.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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