Century Arms Cetme

[Aragorn243]

I have the opportunity to look at a Century Arms Cetme. The rifle has a wood stock and from outward appearances appears to look like the original Spanish rifle. This is classified as a Century Arms Sporter.

Price is not cheap, $600+ so I don't want to rush into this. I've looked around and it seems that Century did one of two things with these rifles. Did an outstanding job or built a non-functional piece of crap. The seller claims he has fired it a few times with no issues so that at least gets it out of the non-functional category. He also is willing to allow me to test fire it at his range.

Also seems like a subject not really addressed here yet either.

It seems I've managed to acquire most every other major Spanish weapon over the years so it is appealing for that reason but it's not real high on my priority list which isn't very big these days anyway.

Anyone have any experience with these they could share. Assume I know almost nothing about them and you will be pretty close to the truth. I've watched a couple of videos and read through a few discussions on other boards.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Cetme24]

I have one and ran into the notorious ground bolt face. It would eject the brass off the side of the gun. Ordered a new bolt head and rollers and no problem since. If I were to do it again I would get the PTR 91. Better overall quality. It was one of my favorite guns though.

[Sunray]

Wouldn't touch any rifle Century had anything to do with myself. Their record of having no QC whatsoever and assembling rifles out of parts bins is well known.
However, $600 is the currently going retail price for one of 'em with a 5 round and 2 20 round mags. There's one on Gunbroker with 4 20 round mags and a sling for $500.

[dezzertrat]

The current production Century C-308 has a better reputation than the old Century CETME Sporter, which was discontinued years ago.

I bought a new C-308 on Gunbroker last year for $540, including shipping and FFL transfer fee from the local gun store. I've fired about 100 rounds of handloads using once fired GI brass and surplus M80 bullets with no malfunctions. Was even able to get the notorious 5 round mag to work after tweaking the bent feed lip and some careful sanding. The 5 round mags come from the factory with a bent feed lip that prevents them from functioning.

[browningautorifle]

The 5 round mags come from the factory with a bent feed lip that prevents them from functioning.

Are they done deliberately?

[mrclark303]

Are they done deliberately?

Thinking the same question as Jim, why do they ship non functional magazines?

[ArizonaBeagle]

I have two of them and have been shooting them at The Big Sandy shoot for years.
Thousands of rounds with no problems except a stuck case on occasion.

I only shoot milsurp surplus or reloaded tracers in them as the beat up the brass
including fluted chamber scoring to where they are virtually unusable for reloads.

In retrospect, there was a broken weld on the trigger group a few years ago but
that was repaired and has been fine ever since.
Here's why.......

Attachment 93192


AZB

[mrclark303]

That's hilarious,

[Aragorn243]

I have no interest in the C308 because it's been modified to the point of having little to do with actual military. The only appeal to the Century Sporter to me is that it is close to the original Spanish issue. The price does seem a bit high to me based on what I see them selling and for that reason and the two hour drive to see it, I will most likely let this one go. I do appreciate all the opinions and who knows, if it doesn't sell and the guy lowers his price I may revisit it.