L1A1 or Cetme?

[bsllvn]

Which is the better gun to buy from Century?? And, why?

Figured I start researching this puzzle now. I've got plenty of time for this since I won't have any money for the next f**king year. Hope my attorney enjoys his retirement! :mad:

Thanks for the advice.

[zouavexx]

I don't own either rifle from Century, but personally I prefer the classic lines of the FAL over the ungainlyness of CETME.

I used to have a HK 91 and hated it. (That was back in the days when an HK only cost $350)


However, Schuetzenman is really impressed with the CETME he picked up a few weeks ago.

http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115498

[PBR]

Being the kit junkie that I am I would say buy a FAL kit and Rich and I will help you build it. I have all the tools and dont mind driving over to New York as I do it every day anyway.

[Richard Simmons]

But having fired several FAL rifles and my own CETME I prefer the CETME in almost all regards.

[lpspinner]

I prefer the FAL. I like the way it looks, plus it was designed for the .308

:cents:

[smittylite]

Buy the CETME ($300)
















Buy a FAL kit ($150)














combined it should run you close to what Century wants for their L1A1. ($430)

And honestly, I don't know how much longer the CETME's will last.

[zouavexx]

In either case, the supply is drying up fast. Soon they will be all gone. :(

[bmh95]

I like my cetme a lot, but I've never owned an L1A1.

[PBR]

I have a CETME.....but it is in pieces as I have never gotten arounf to sending it out to be built....one of these days though.

[RetVet]

Got both, like both...... a lot. The FAL is more comfortable to shoot and feels good in the hands IMO. The pistols grip is what makes the difference there. I like the CETME too in that it's deadly accurate (mine is anyway) and the felt recoil is insignificant. My only problem with the CETME is getting a good sight picture while wearing ear protectors. Other than that it's a kick butt weapon.

I'd do as smittylite suggested. Get a CETME and FAL kit. You'll have a fun gun to shoot now and a kit to build a nice custom made FAL at your leisure.

[bsllvn]

Well guys - thanks for the advice.

This is what I found out today:

It seems that lots of guys are having trouble with their Cetmes - they seem to wear out over time.

Century is out of L1A1's and doesn't know if they'll get anymore.

Parts kits are drying up quick too.

So, with my situation, it seems that I'm shit out of luck in owning any semi .308 rifle.

This sucks.

Being broke and teased is depressing. I think I may have to take some time off. :(

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by bsllvn
Which is the better gun to buy from Century?? And, why?

Figured I start researching this puzzle now. I've got plenty of time for this since I won't have any money for the next f**king year. Hope my attorney enjoys his retirement! :mad:

Thanks for the advice.

Awe, you're just fucked then cause a year from now Century won't have any CETME's or L1A1's. They are both on the endagered species list thanks to ATFE. They won't let kits be built by an importer such as Century. So if they can't build em they don't seem to have much interest in bringing them in.

However on which shoots better. I've got 2 kit built FAL's that I did for myself and I've shot Century L1A1's. I've shot 5 different CETME's and own one. The CETME's smoked the FAL's and L1A1's by a WIDE margin. The CETME's were 1 to 2 MOA capable weapons, the FAL's were 3 to 5 MOA weapons. Accuracy rules with me and the CETME rules the roost for accuracy! My :cents:

[smittylite]

Here are the top 10 scores from the MBR postal match we had last year.

NEILWEST 0.778" CETME WW .308 SP
LIVE2SHOOT 1.662" MAS 49/56 7.5 INDEP
SKIP 1.900" GARAND WW 147 FMJ
SKIP 1.910" GARAND WW 147 FMJ
SHAR71 2.348" CETME SA .308
TOMOVICH 2.398" SAFN 49 61 LC MATCH
ALFAJIM 2.500" MAS 49/56 7.5 SURPLUS
NEILWEST 2.635" CETME WW MILSURP
CETME 2.943" CETME .308 FNM
REDSTAR 3.011" SAFN 49 YUGO 8MM

4 of which are CETME's. Now granted, Neil can hit a flea on a tick's ass at 100yds with his eyes closed.:D But it just shows you what these are capable of.

[cabinetman]

I just talked to my CIA rep this moring (before 0800!) and we discussed the L1A1s briefly. He did inidicate that they were at the end of the line on those. However, there are still quite a few at the dealers such as SOG and WGA, etc. So, grab one while you can.

I, too, own both and, like your kids, enjoy both of them differently. When I got the CETME, it was the most "modern" of all my semi-auto rifle and I enjoyed it immensely. Then I purchased an L1A1 from Coles and just fell head over heels in love with it. Now, I look at it as the 'new rifle" but when it goes to the range, the CETME goes, too, since they both eat the Port 308 I've got to feed them.

I believe that the CETMEs will outlast the CIA L1A1s in the market place and also believe that the CIA L1A1s will appreciate in price as both they and the kits will dry up quickly, especially as the word gets out that they're going fast.

So, beg or borrow the money and buy an L1A1. You'll probably be able to sell it for more than you bought it in a couple of years........but you won't.

Rome

[bsllvn]

Hey - great news! (finally)

I worked out a deal with my FFL dealer to get a L1A1 :D :D



Do any of you guys know where I can get a couple of excellent condition inch mags for it???


Really appreciate your help - thanks!

[cabinetman]

Tapco. They've got the best prices for used L1A1 mags.

Two things about them you should know.

1) they will be dirty. Just take 'em apart, stick them in the dishwasher (when your wife is NOT home, please) and run them on the "pot scrubber" cycle. They come out clean as a whistle. Then slightly lube up the follower and you're golden.

2) The most current R1A1 CIA receiver has a mag well that is designed for the inch mags. Some have tried the metric mags but take my word for it.....they're too loose. Inch are the way to go.

The mag well has the proper detent carved in the front of the mag well to receive the large tit on the front of the inch mag. HOWEVER, the mags tit is a little too 'square' for the CIA detent. If you look closely, you'll see that it's an elipse rather than a square cut. No probelm, however. Just carefully grind off the edges of the mag tit to fit into the mag well detent. It'll take about 2 minutes. Grind and fit, grind and fit until it locks up perfectly.

If you try to fit the mags into the magwell without this very minor mod, you'll find the mag won't seat. It'll appear to be too big and the rear won't go home and it will be tempting to try to grind the rear of the mag. That would be bad. By slighly modifying that little tit you'll allow the mag to go the proper distance forward so the rear will lock up smartly.

All of the 10 mags I've purchased from TAPCO have this mod and each and every one funtions perfectly.

Just a heads up!

Rome

[bsllvn]

cabinetman -

Thanks for your help.

Here is my problem: I went to the Tapco website and all they list are the metric mags ... is there a part number I need to make a phone call? What am I missing here?

I also don't have a grinder :(

So now what?

[PBR]

PM Tony@tapco

[bsllvn]

PBR -

Do you know how much he is/was selling them for?

I'd like to get a few even if I can only afford 1 or 2

[PBR]

Again PM Tony@tapco

[bsllvn]

PBR -

Okay thanks.



P.S. - Someday I hope to get together with you & Rich and build one. Unfortunitely, I don't think I'll be able to do that for a while :(

[zouavexx]

Originally posted by bsllvn
Hey - great news! (finally)

I worked out a deal with my FFL dealer to get a L1A1 :D :D


Hey you took my advice! That's great news. I told you things would get better! :)

[bsllvn]

Yeah Rich. Now if I can get a couple of inch mags I can be a happy camper again. :)

How is your build kit coming along?

Are you going to do any turkey hunting this season?

[zouavexx]

I am just waiting on my receiver, then we will be in business!

No turkey hunting for me, I like white meat :lool"

[bsllvn]

Wild turkeys are 80% white meat.

You really should try it.

[Guinny_Ire]

Bill if you start mowing lawns, undercutting the local kids on price just think of gun money you make huh?:D

[bsllvn]

Hey Chris - good idea ... not.

I remember cutting my neighbors yards as a kid for $5.00 each. Made $20.00 - $25.00 a week mowing lawns. Not bad in 1970.

Most of my neighbors now have 1 - 1 1/2 acre lots and I'm not as young as I used to be.


PBR - Tony is out of inch mags.


Can somebody help me here?? I only want two (2).

Thanks,
Bill

[PBR]

Gunthings.com has good condition Inch Mags for $9.99

[bsllvn]

Thanks PBR

I sent them an email.

Are they a decent company to deal with? Quality parts/mags?

Bill

[PBR]

Inch mags are built like Sherman Tanks. Gunthings is a decent vendor. I have done business with them a few times without incident.

My first choice is always TAPCO:)

[Tony@TAPCO]

Thanks PBR

[RetVet]

Originally posted by PBR
Inch mags are built like Sherman Tanks. Gunthings is a decent vendor. I have done business with them a few times without incident.

My first choice is always TAPCO:)
Not inch mags, but I got some real nice Izzy marked mags from Gunthings recently. They should look good with the Izzy light barrel FAL I'm building.