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Posted: 2/2/2012 7:48:17 PM EDT
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A buddy of mine just bought himself a Century CETME clone, and wants my help with checking it over before he shoots it.
Had he bought an AR-15, I'd be able to take the thing apart down to each individual piece, inspect it, and then correctly re-build the rifle. Unfortunately, while I have a general understanding of how HK or CETME pattern rifles work, I don't know jack about what effects the tolerances have or how to properly correct them. I'm also sort of ashamed to admit it, but I'm thinking about getting a Century clone for myself now.......It's about the only "HK" I could afford too. 
Basically what I'd like to understand are the following: 1. What happens if the bolt gap is too large? Similarly, what happens if it's too small? 2. What options do I really have to correct out of spec bolt gap? The only methods I know of that are used to correct bolt gap are to change the rollers or locking piece, or to "re press the barrel", though I don't understand how re-pressing the barrel would help. 3. I have read that re-pressing the barrel is the only "permanent" way to correct bolt gap problems? Is this true or not? For example, if bolt gap is too small, I understand that larger size rollers can be used to increase bolt gap, but that bolt gap either may or will decrease over time. If this were to occur, would replacing the worn rollers with the same size restore the bolt gap, or would I need an even larger set?? Sorry for all the questions guys but I don't really know a better place to ask! 
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If you do nothing else, before you buy one for yourself read the sticky's in the cetme/hk section on militaryfirearm.com. You don't have to join or hang out if there's nothing for you, but that board specializes in the science of these weapons. The diagrams and pictures are already in place to make you feel comfortable (or maybe not) with your choice. No one will try to sell you on anything and all questions get answered. It's kind of a historical data type place. Link to the section is here:
http://www.militaryfirearm.com/Forum/forumdisplay.php?23-Cetme-HK |
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I read through those forums, and followed a bunch of links there and here. I've got some good ideas now about how to fix the bolt gap, if it's a problem.
I'm still on the fence about getting an HK type rifle for myself. I want one, no doubt about it. The C93 is within my price range, and I'd prefer a 5.56 rifle over 7.62 due to the cost of ammunition. I could afford a bit more, but not four digits. The problem is that the more I learn about the thing and the problems reported, the less I feel like it would hold up over the years, and if I bought one I'd intend to shoot it... 
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| I just got a kit in the mail I need to put together and I'm looking forward to it. It seems like a lot of the countries that don't survive by getting hand outs from the US are OK with using them, and they apparently hold up well in FA fire so it ought to out last me. I'm not particularly excited about the caliber but already have too many cetme variants in .308 and a home built one in 7.62x39. I haven't touched any of my AR's in over 3 years except to move them out of the way since I started building these things. |
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