Leadslinger

I am looking for a couple of "go to guns", fertilizer in the fan kinda thing. I have owned AKs, ARs etc.. but want a .308 "black rifle", that won't "break the bank".
My LGS has a CETME .308 I have been eyeing. I like the overall design but have no experience with the quality. I would appreciate any first hand info you can give.
And if not the CETME then other "reasonable priced" options.
Thanks,

__________________
A LTTLE TRAINING IS A DANGEROUS THING ....

JT

I’ve never owned one, but I've heard mixed reviews on the CETME. Not surprising since many were assembled by Century. “A bunch of monkeys with hammers” was a common description of Century’s assembly process. Although I hear it has gotten better in the last few years. They have improved a lot on their AKs.

Basically, if you got a good one, it was a great buy for the money. If you didn’t get a good one, a little tinkering usually (but not always) could make it alright.

You may want to go through the old posts in the Main Battle Rifle Section of AssualtWeb. Back when CETME's were plentiful there were a lot of posts about the good and the bad you could encounter.


http://www.assaultweb.net/cgi-bin/ul...ubb=forum;f=16

__________________
Blessed be the Lord my rock who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

Si vis pacem, para bellum

JT

Another budget priced option would be the Saiga 308.

__________________
Blessed be the Lord my rock who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

Si vis pacem, para bellum

pgrass101

The Cetme is a good reliable rifle on the whole. Century arms is the only ones I have handled with frequnacy. Several of my friends have these and they work fine, One did need to be re-head spaced. Mags are cheap and aftermarket parts are plentiful.

That being said I passed up purchasing a Cetme and went for a FN-FAL also from Century. The Cetme charging (like the G-3) handle is located forward on the barrel making it hard to reach, and the sights on a Cetme are horrible IMO.

The FN-FAL has the same advantages as the Cetme plus it is easier to mount a scope on. I got my scope mount from DSA (http://www.dsarms.com/ ) I spent about $350 4 years ago on mine. 4 years and it is great I did have some teething problems with it but after about 200rds everything smoothed out.

Hope this helps

RSSZ

Would strongly reccommend that you take a serious look at the FN line before decideing on a .308. My FN will shoot right with my $2300. HK91.(although it's not as black) -------

BigEd63

You should be able to find a Century FAL/ L1A1 for around +/-$450.

Be sure to get one that takes metric mags and has the proper dual feed ramp on the reciever.

MNBurl

My CETME works great. For the money it can't be beat. It has very little recoil, accurate and fun to shoot. The Century Flash hider sure makes a big BOOM but I like it!

__________________
MNBurl

Side Guard Holsters

"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking" - George S. Patton.

Leadslinger

I apppreciate the feedback guys.

__________________
A LTTLE TRAINING IS A DANGEROUS THING ....

bones

I looked at every .308 / 7.62X51 NATO battle rifle imaginable.
I settled on two. And then bought them.
Indian Ishapore Model 2A1 Enfield bolt action, 12 rounds in the mag.
Springfield Armory Model M1A Scout Squad semiauto, 20 rounds in the mag.

__________________
"There is no such thing as too much ammo. Unless you're swimming!"

clemmac

CETME

I've never seen one that would make it through 2 magazines of good ammo without quitting. Sent one back for repair, that "repair" took a long time and the gun still didn't work.

You asked, that's my experience and I'm happy for the folks who must have been able to get a good one that works.