CETME C part kits in 308 are still plenty and rather cheap but seems like not many builders out there these days. Century stop selling CETME either. Any reasons? Once popular but I decided to pass thinking parts will be getting hard to find, 10+ years passed, part kits still plenty and cheap. CETME part kit was about $100 (with barrel) 10+ years ago, same as AK part kits but now CETME still $125 (no barrel) at Apex and AK kit is $450+!
CETME builders?
- Thread starter HankC
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zaitcev
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Perhaps just not as many builders anymore period. Kids these days just use their pocket knives to carve P80s.
CETME requires welding. Again, who even has welders? I had to buy one just to complete the CETME, and then used it once to repair cheap Chinese garden windmill post.
CETME requires welding. Again, who even has welders? I had to buy one just to complete the CETME, and then used it once to repair cheap Chinese garden windmill post.
illinoisburt
Member
I suspect the answer is cheap AR builds. I watched the videos Ian did years ago to finish a cetme parts kit. They used a cheap flux wire welder and commercial jig to bend the flat. There are plenty of plans for making a decent jig for about $50 in parts. The problem I see is people need a lot more shop skills and may not be guaranteed a working gun after investing 500-600 with the kit, barrel, mags, jig, and US compliant parts. Multiple steps involve fitting, pressing, and welding which are more challenging for novices than turning bolts and pushing pins.
GBExpat
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I still have G3 Kit on the shelf from ~15 years ago.
G3s are the direct descendants of El Chopo so the build requirements are fundamentally the same.
As I recall, one must cut, bend and weld the trigger group housing and the barrel is also spot-welded to the receiver.
I have ~10 AK Parts Kits of the same vintage (w/barrels) as well as one proper StG58 Parts Kit and enough parts for several more "FAL"s, if I had enough receivers (only 2 on-hand).
My order of building preference is FAL, AK, G3 which directly reflects the relative Ease of the Builds.
I think that zaitcev & illinoisburt are on the right track ... cheap and easy to build ARs probably have a large effect on the paucity of CETME Kit Builders.
G3s are the direct descendants of El Chopo so the build requirements are fundamentally the same.
As I recall, one must cut, bend and weld the trigger group housing and the barrel is also spot-welded to the receiver.
I have ~10 AK Parts Kits of the same vintage (w/barrels) as well as one proper StG58 Parts Kit and enough parts for several more "FAL"s, if I had enough receivers (only 2 on-hand).
My order of building preference is FAL, AK, G3 which directly reflects the relative Ease of the Builds.
I think that zaitcev & illinoisburt are on the right track ... cheap and easy to build ARs probably have a large effect on the paucity of CETME Kit Builders.
zaitcev
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FAL is the hardest, right? I haven't completed one, but I heard you must set your own headspace in it. In CETME, if the barrel is to spec, the military kit includes a matching bolt and trunion, so you never even have to change the rollers. Just press it in, pin, and it's good to go (still have to check of course).My order of building preference is FAL, AK, G3 which directly reflects the relative Ease of the Builds.
GBExpat
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IMO, FALs are the least difficult of the 3. Screw it together, measure for the shoulder pin dimension, order a pin from GunThings (IIRC) and when it is delivered, check the size, pop it in re-check the headspace and head for the range. No cutting, welding, pressing, etc.
I remember one time shortly after Dad stroked but could still (mostly) manage on his own (meaning I could still keep my job), I had to burn a Sick Day when he woke up one day suffering from what I called Mr. Dizzy. After getting him fed, settled in bed and reacquainted with the alarm button, I headed downstairs and spent, perhaps, an hour in the basement putting together an FAL. IIRC, that also included determining the pin-size for proper headspace (at that time I was using a Moses Rod to accomplish that measurement). The only delay was in ordering the shoulder pin.
Come to think of it, that was probably the FAL that I later decided to modify into my "carbine", my favorite FAL (see below). After chopping and recrowning the barrel all that was required was opening the gas hole (in careful stages) to account for the loss of ~4" of barrel.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
If you just need a CETME fix, Marcolmar's L model is fantastic and, IMO, a steal at $1400 considering the quality.
I actually had a G3 part kit, a tig welder but switched to build FALs after I finished my 2 Romanian AK builds, sold my G3 kit and tig welder when I lost my job many years ago. Now seeing the CETME part kits are still cheap made me itchy again! I actually had a CETME many years ago, but sold it, it was a Hayes (?) build with front trunion welded cooked that I had to reweld the rear sight to hit the target, but it was cheap! It was a fun rifle watching the spent cases flew 20-30 ft away.
with front trunion welded cooked that I had to reweld the rear sight to hit the target, but it was cheap! It was a fun rifle watching the spent cases flew 20-30 ft away.
GBExpat
Member
You may be thinking of a Hesse receiver. Hesse FALs developed quite a bad rep.... I actually had a CETME many years ago, but sold it, it was a Hayes (?) build
Bcwitt
Member
Most cetme kits have cut barrels. Not sure where to source these, or how to cut flutes in chamber
zaitcev
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https://www.apexgunparts.com/cetme-c-barrel-7-62-x-51-18inch-fluted-5-8x24-threaded-us-made.html
Already fluted, everything. Just press in, drill, and pin. In stock at the time of this post.
Holescreek
Member
I've built a lot of cetmes, a couple FALs, PSLs, etc. Cetmes are simple once you've tooled up, same as any other platform.
US made parts for 922r can mostly be taken from FCG parts from HK suppliers.
There are some "average" barrels available from Apex and Sarco occasionally. I like mine to shoot better than average so I turn and chamber flute my own from blanks.
Parts kits are so cheap one can afford to experiment.
From the top down, oldest build at the top newest (at the time of the photo) at the bottom.
1. Target Cetme with aluminum 3 section stock stock and forearm. Recently replaced the barrel with a Douglas.
2. Standard Cetme with a 16"+ barrel and Collapsible stock
3. Standard(ish) Cetme used for testing new components I made back then. It has a forward assist and shortened mag in the pic.
4. 7.62x39 Cetme using an RPK barrel, AMD style forearm, folding front sight and cone flash hider.
5. Target Cetme patterned off of the original PSG1 configuration with a few additions (all parts home made). McGowen barrel blank used for this one.
6. short stroke gas operated .243win Cetme.
7. Cetme bullpup 16"+ barrel made from parts left over from other builds.
Rifles 1 and 5 are sub MOA shooters with handloads.
US made parts for 922r can mostly be taken from FCG parts from HK suppliers.
There are some "average" barrels available from Apex and Sarco occasionally. I like mine to shoot better than average so I turn and chamber flute my own from blanks.
Parts kits are so cheap one can afford to experiment.
From the top down, oldest build at the top newest (at the time of the photo) at the bottom.
1. Target Cetme with aluminum 3 section stock stock and forearm. Recently replaced the barrel with a Douglas.
2. Standard Cetme with a 16"+ barrel and Collapsible stock
3. Standard(ish) Cetme used for testing new components I made back then. It has a forward assist and shortened mag in the pic.
4. 7.62x39 Cetme using an RPK barrel, AMD style forearm, folding front sight and cone flash hider.
5. Target Cetme patterned off of the original PSG1 configuration with a few additions (all parts home made). McGowen barrel blank used for this one.
6. short stroke gas operated .243win Cetme.
7. Cetme bullpup 16"+ barrel made from parts left over from other builds.
Rifles 1 and 5 are sub MOA shooters with handloads.
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