Opinions sought on Century HK-style rifles

[Spieler]

I'm looking to acquire an HK-style rifle to add to the collection and just want some input from those of you who have purchased the Century made/assembled CETME and newer C93.

Yes, I am well aware of Century's reputation on this and many other boards, but given that this will not be a serious 'social' rifle, but more of a wall hanger and sometimes fun gun, I'm not too hung up on how pretty or well these guns are screwed together.

I've also got plenty of .308 and .223 fodder for my other guns, so I guess it just comes down to personal choice. I know that G3 mags are a dime a dozen and that MKE now has new 30 round mags on the market for the HK93/V93/C93.

If you have purchased either one of these guns in the recent past I'm looking for your input and if you were in the market for one, which would you choose?

Thanks.

 

[wojownik]

I've handled a number of Century C93 clones, and found most of them to be wanting in terms of both critical and cosmetic factors. Bolt gap issues on several, overly loose or tight rear sights, poor finish on some, and so forth.

I went with a Vector v93 from Atlantic Firearms. It cost more, but has performed very well. And Atlantic Firearms will go out of their way to help you if there is an issue (contrasted with Century customer service).

The only problem I had with my V93 turned out to be related using a folding stock. My V93 has a buffered carrier, and the folding stock also has a buffer. That caused FTF/FTE issues. I switched back to the standard stock, and it has run like a top since (and is a lot more comfortable to shoot).

 

[DannyinJapan]

My new C93 is totally different from my Century G3. I really can't find anything on it that wasn't done properly. It looks good. For the price, I think these are a really good deal.

 

[nalioth]

but more of a wall hanger

Century makes the best wall hangers.


They do not have a good track record when rebuilding roller-locked rifles. There are many critical parts that they don't take the time to properly install (they tend to grind them to fit).

 

[Onmilo]

My opinion of most Century Arms builds is not very good.
On a bright note, most of the screw ups can be repaired or made right with some gunsmithing.

 

[rfurtkamp]

The CETME suffers from one basic flaw, even if it's put together right and runs out of the box: the rear sight frankly sucks compared to a HK-pattern gun.

The C93 and the other Century roller-locked builds suffer from the lack of a paddle mag release (which will run you $100+ installed), and generally poor fit and finish - we're not talking about $289 like the CETMES were back in the earlier part of the decade.

You're also talking about guns, should they require fixing beyond parts swap, are only serviceable by a relatively few number of competent gunsmiths, and none of them are particularly cheap.

Save yourself pain and spend a little more money to get something decent in a HK pattern gun (Vector, even PTR is better if you can stand the heavy-profile barrel).

 

[Girodin]

My opinion on purchasing the century CETME or C93 is this. There are two conditions that need to be met before one should buy one of these guns: 1) You need to be able to inspect the gun in person prior to purchase. 2) You need to know what things to look for and how to identify them. If you can find a gun that's put together right then why not buy it. Century has the reputation on this platform that they have for a reason.

 

[jdowney]

Wow.... whole lot of not actually reading the question before answering

So, I don't have a C93, never seen one. Heard both good and bad, standard story with CAI.... I am entirely happy with my cetme though, older build bought second hand, not old enough to be the cast ss receiver though.

I'd go with the cetme personally, I like guns that recoil and I like the older look of wood furniture, though of course that hardly applies to the newer cetme's coming from CAI. Pick up a US flash hider and one other part though and you can put on some nice surplus wood or really nice German wood from a G3... I have seen the odd 93 fixed up with G3 furniture here and there, they do look sweet too... but... added work on a gun that may need work anyhow.

Not sure how the parts situation adds up, I haven't seen a lot of 93 parts compared to 91 or cetme, but that could change any time. Cetme parts are a bit less common than a couple years ago I'd say, so if you need a new bolt head or locking piece you may have to scrounge a lot.

 

[wojownik]

Following up to what I said earlier, I had a CETME some years ago, and it was a total dog. Almost bought a C93, but as noted above, they are hit or miss. I couldn't recommend either in good conscience. Lots of folks are lucky enough to report that they have had no problems, lots of other folks document all sorts of problems.

 

[DannyinJapan]

My Century C93 seems perfect in every way. My old Century Cetme was a monkey-welded hack job.

 

[Girodin]

Wow.... whole lot of not actually reading the question before answering

Or people who read the question and are nicely trying to suggest that if he wants a functioning rifle without headaches he may want to add a third choice. Like I said earlier if you know what to look for and can inspect then you might be able to find one of those two worth buying. At a random draw I would probably get the C93. If we say arguendo that both would work I'd get the CETME, ammo is more but mags are much cheaper and the real reason for me is there are just way better .223 rifles for the money a C93 commands.

 

[THE MACHINIST]

my cetme sporter is 100 percent reliable and very accurate. magazines for it are only 97 cents from cheaper than dirt and 200 rounds are 85.00 so i shoot it alot....i highly recommend it.

 

[Kwanger]

If we say arguendo that both would work I'd get the CETME, ammo is more but mags are much cheaper and the real reason for me is there are just way better .223 rifles for the money a C93 commands.

I'd have to agree with that - a CETME is quite a bit cheaper than equivalent 308 "Battle" rifles.....the C93, not so much.

FWIW, my Cetme runs great, but did need some user fixes. My advice is only ever buy Century if you accept and understand you may have to do some messing around with it yourself. (Or, I suppose, pay somebody to do it....but that could quickly rack up costs to the point where you had wished you'd gotten something else).