CETME rifle

[Gil Martin]

I have read about these rifles for a number of years. All the ones I have encountered were either overpriced or beat up very badly. I stopped in a gun shop today and was roaming the used gun racks. They had an 1891 Argentine full military and matching for $150, but I have one and passed on it. Coming to the end of the racks I saw a gas gun hiding among some others. Turns out it was a CETME in mint condition. I cautiously looked at the hang tag and it said $369. The shop owner let it go for $340 with three spare 20-round magazines. I cleaned it up and plan to go to the range tomorrow. I'll let you know how it shoots. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

I would not mind having a CETME to round out the collection, but I read that the Spanish used a lower pressure .308 round (less than NATO standard) to accomodate that action. If you see a nice L1A1 or M1A, give me a call.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

Adam,
As you know there were several CETME models during the development of this fine rifle. The A Model used a special cartridge, the B Model used a lighter than standard 7.62x51mm NATO bullet at reduced pressure. However, the C Model was set up to use full powered .308 rounds. I have the C model. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

Thanks for the info; I now know my ABCs. How do you know you have the "C" Model CETME? I did not know there were A B C models and would like to stay with the "C" once I know how to determine same.

Adam

[gumpokc]

Gratz Gil, you shoudl enjoy it quite abit.

I have one that i am havign a ball with.

a few tips, #1 get one of those brass/brnze bore scrubbers, mounted on a long wire handle, bend the end just before the scrubber to about a 45 deg angle. you'll need it for cleaning the flutes in the chamber, and using that little tool works better than just about anything else.

be careful of the indian surplusammo, there's alot of speculation on it right now, as to causing some KB's. Not alot of hard evidence, but enough to say, don't use it in your CETME unless you have too.

there some good info, over on gunboards.com, cetme/fr-8 forums.

and btw your correct models and cartridge specs you mentioned earlier, the "C" models have no problems with standard milsurp 7.62x51.

One other thing GIl, thought i am sure you are aware of the differenc ein 7.62x51 and .308win.

stick to milsurp or handloaded milspec brass. The .308win brass is usually softer and the CETME has a rep of head seperations with soft brass.

[Gil Martin]

Adam,
Do a web search on "CETME rifles" and look at the vast amount of reliable information that pops up. I sent you some web pages and links for education purposes. I know I have Model C because it is so marked and the pictures coinfirm it.

gumpokc,
Thanks for the information. I had the folks at the gun shop field strip the rifle since they were very familiar with it. This is one heck of a rifle. I did some reloads using Remington brass which is pretty heavy compared to Winchester or Federal. All the best...
Gil

[gumpokc]

Nods Gil, they are good rifles, and far underestimated IMHO.
after all, it is the "daddy" of the G3.

Just keep those chamber flutes clean, they designed them to use the gas to help "float" the cases out of the action, but if cruddy enough, that can also case the extractor to rip the head off the case.

I personally think that the rep the CETME has with head seperations, is letting the action get too dirty with older dirty milsurp, and havign it rip it off on extraction, but thats just me, take it with a grain of salt.

If you need more mags, CETME mags aren't that expensive, and on some rifles g3 mags will work as well, but on others it won't without a little tweaking, just depends on what your rifle likes, and what kind of condition the mags are in.

all in all i think you'll enjoy her, mine is more accurate than i thought it would be, and rather pleasant to shoot.

My Hakim of course still is my fav, though the Ljungman may give her a run for her money, but the CETME still gets regular usage as well