Need advice - $350 for a CETME?

[Pancho Villa]

Have an opportunity to get a CETME for $350. Its a friend, he's not in a hurry to get rid of it and he's a cool guy, so if its a lemon he isn't gonna complain about taking it back, so there's 0 risk on that front.

Is it worth it? I've been wanting a semiauto .308 for a while, but not badly enough to drop the $1k+ on an AR-10. So, questions for the more experienced:

1. Is this a good deal?
2. Are CETME mags expensive/hard to find? I wouldn't want more than like 6, but if that means I'm dropping another $300 on the weapon I may as well go somewhere else I think.
3. What are my options for mounting optics?

[2ndChildhood]

:(
Why can't I have friends like this[Bang]

[Pancho Villa]

:(
Why can't I have friends like this[Bang]

So this is a bad deal, then? [ROFL1]

[Zundfolge]

CETMEs are just cheap Spanish clones of HK G3s, so they suffer from all the problems of the $2500 G3s plus lower quality control and poorer fit and finish.

CETME mags are cheap and plentiful (usually under $10 ... here's 10 for $45 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=227558128))

B Square makes a G3/CETME scope mount that can be picked up in the $50-75 range that I hear works well.

IIRC the biggest complaint about the G3 is that it destroys brass.

That said for $350 I don't think you could go wrong ... just don't expect it to perform like a PSG-1. But if you find you don't like it you'll be able to get more than your money back out of it (even if your friend doesn't take it back).

[Pancho Villa]

CETMEs are just cheap Spanish clones of HK G3s, so they suffer from all the problems of the $2500 G3s plus lower quality control and poorer fit and finish.

CETME mags are cheap and plentiful (usually under $10 ... here's 10 for $45 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=227558128))

B Square makes a G3/CETME scope mount that can be picked up in the $50-75 range that I hear works well.

IIRC the biggest complaint about the G3 is that it destroys brass.

That said for $350 I don't think you could go wrong ... just don't expect it to perform like a PSG-1. But if you find you don't like it you'll be able to get more than your money back out of it (even if your friend doesn't take it back).

Not reloading here, so destroying brass is OK by me.

What are the problems of a G3?

[Elhuero]

CETMEs are just cheap Spanish clones of HK G3s, so they suffer from all the problems of the $2500 G3s plus lower quality control and poorer fit and finish.


I thought it was the other way around, HK copied the CETME?

[Mtn.man]

My advice would be let me test it for you and give you a professional opinion.
Call me, I'll get back to you in a month or so.

[Fentonite]

Buy it.

The CETME is actually the predecessor of the G3, not a copy. Same man designed both weapons, I believe.

As Zundfolge said, mags are cheap and easy to come by. I have a clamp-on rail that works well (not sure if it's a B-Square or not), but I prefer open sights on this rifle.

Any rifle can have problems. Once I got rid of a couple problem-mags, I've had no problems. It's not a precision rifle by any means, but it's fun.

Buy it. If you don't like it, I'll give you $375 for it!

[Zundfolge]

I thought it was the other way around, HK copied the CETME?

Ah, that's right, I had it backward.

Not reloading here, so destroying brass is OK by me.

What are the problems of a G3?

All the problems I hear about them are the aforementioned brass destruction, along with poor ergonomics (apparently the rifle was designed for wood nymphs or brownies or other tiny people) and bad triggers. But then again most people expect this 1950s/60s milsurp rifle to shoot as well as a Stoner SR25.

[Uberjager]

For $350, even if it runs like fried s#!& you could get it running flawlessly without too much trouble.

[Rust_shackleford]

That's a good deal for a battle rifle. Like gold only going to go up in price. Dealer on them is closer to 500

[BlasterBob]

IIRC the biggest complaint about the G3 is that it destroys brass.


Over the years, I have had a couple CETME rifles and a couple HK91's. Although they do put some creases/indentations on the shoulder of the brass, I have reloaded that brass fired it again in the CETME and other .308 rifles and never had a problem with that brass. Maybe someone will contradict me on this with some bad luck they may have experienced.
Most folks who are very familiar with the CETME will usually recommend that the bolt be closely checked to see if it has been ground down somewhat. This grinding was sometimes done to correct some potential headspace type problems, if I remember correctly.
Finally, if you can locate them, get yourself some good authentic CETME original magazines. Most people will wind up using the HK91 magazines which are very easily obtained and are very reasonable in price. The CETME magazine has a gentle curve to it where the HK is a straight mag. Also, watch to see if the sights are straight and are not canted somewhat!!!
That $350 is a very decent price for a GOOD functioning CETME.

[roberth]

I think it is a good deal - buy it and try it, you'll get your money back out of it when/if you sell it.

[SAnd]

I love my Cetme. That's a good price. I just picked up a brass deflector that is supposed to stop the dents and drop the brass next to you and not in the next county. I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

Centerfire has new Cetme mags for $15 each. J&G has good used for $10 each or $9 each for three or more.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Get it!! You wont be dissapointed! I paid $550 for mine, functions flalessly!! And mags are cheap and a dime a dozen, 30 rounders!!

[SideShow Bob]

If you don't want to take a chance on it, hook me up with your "friend" and I'll take it !

[BPTactical]

CETME is in fact the precursor to the G3. I believe that I read somewhere that HK went to Spain right after the war and built the CETME. When they went back to Germany they tweaked the design and the G3 was born.
CETME's are a typical Century crapshoot. If you get a decent one they aren't bad but they do have their maladies.
Bolt gap- take a set of feeler gauges with you when you check it out. With the bolt completely closed and locked insert the appropriate sized feeler and check the size of the gap between the bolt carrier and bolt. I believe the gap range is the same as a G3: .1-.5 MM, if a .5MM or larger feeler will slide into the gap the headspace is excessive and will need either roller replacement or bolt/carrier replacement. Where Century effed up was if the headspace was too tight instead of correctly changing the rollers they just ground the face of the bolt carrier.
The standard rear sight (paddlewheel) sucks bigtime.
Triggers can be cleaned up a bit but not as well as a G3. I have heard some say that a G3/91 trigger pack can be adapted but I don't know for a fact.
G3 mags may or may not fit.
Parts availability can be hit or miss depending on what you may need.
They are OK for a truck rifle or such and if you get a good one they are quite reliable.

[spyder]

Not reloading here, so destroying brass is OK by me.

What are the problems of a G3?
G3? Nothing if you haven't beaten the shit out of your rifle. The G3 is just an automatic version of the 91. Mine has been around 20 plus years, and still functions flawlessly. There are Hk haters out there that will talk shit about them, but there is a reason I can still sell mine and build a top notch AR with the money. [Tooth]

I thought it was the other way around, HK copied the CETME?
BP was right on this topic. Still, the Cetme is an alright gun.

Does the gun run properly? If it does and your friend only wants $350 out of it... If you don't buy it, tell him I will.

[Marlin]

I'd agree with BP.

I had one, picked it up from a friend that had already worked out the "issues" with it. So while I had it it was flawless. Plus, I believe that Century has gotten rid of a few of the monkeys that used to put them together, so they aren't as hit or miss as they use to be.

Wish I still had mine, but, I made a heck of deal for it and, personal preference, I like the FAL just that much more.

I never thought it "destroyed" brass, at least from what I saw of mine. Though I didn't reload for it, since when I had mine Milsurp was way cheaper than even reloading. Finding the brass was the thing.[ROFL1]

[palepainter]

That is a great deal. Snag it. I bought one new last year and have put about 200 rounds through it flawlessly. I do like the HK mags the best. They are still pretty cheap. I have been considering the collapsible stock for it, but haven't done it yet.

You will not regret the purchase, other than the price of ammo. :)

[ChunkyMonkey]

Hell no. DO NOT BUY CETME!!!!

So, pm me your buddy info.. I ll take care of it. [Tooth]

[funkfool]

Hell no. DO NOT BUY CETME!!!!

So, pm me your buddy info.. I ll take care of it. [Tooth]
I'm so glad we have MB888 to watch out for us...
Sheesh - he was there for me to make sure I didn't go for that 500.00 Kimber...
[LOL]