CAI CETME, rear iron sight replacement?

K

Kimio

New member
I've been doing some research on the CETME as of late, and unfortunately nothing has really given me a conclusive answer. Quite a few posters here and on other forums talk about how the CETME's rear sight bothers them, and I too don't really care for them.

From the alternatives I've read about, the steps to replacing the rear irons may be a bigger hassle than it's worth, but I really like the H&K G3 rear cylinder style irons. The biggest issue is that if you wanted to replace the rear sight of the CETME with the G3 variant, you would need experience in welding. I don't own a torch nor do I even have remotely any experience in welding, the only alternative I can see is taking the rifle to a gunsmith and having him/her work on the rifle.

Considering that this sounds like a rather expensive procedure, I'd like to know how hard it really is to do this. I just don't know if it would be worth it in the end. Has anyone had this done to their CETME before? How much would you estimate this would cost if I were to have a smith do it? I know I need to get a base for the rear sight as well as the sight itself.

Some of you may ask "Why don't you just get an FAL or a PTR-91?", those rifles are just way out of my price range, and the CETME is the next best thing that is withing my budget. I would really only be using this rifle for fun, just to screw around with at the range slaying steel plates and paper.

any input on this subject would be appreciated.

EDIT: Nevermind, I researched a little bit more via google and found my answer from a roughly 3 year old post. Although dated, I will share this information for anyone else who might have questions regarding this.

The gentleman in this thread on this particular forum seemed well versed in modifying firearms, and had some links that led to the part that I personally would have liked to add to a CETME.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1231986

A few other links regarding parts for the H&K G3 style rifle and its clones

http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/HK-91-HK-G3-Stock-c114.htm
http://www.robertrtg.com/g3.html

If others wish to add their information please feel free to do so. It looks like I'll need to ask a local smith how much they would charge me to replace the rear sight if I provided him the H&K version. Hopefully it won't be bank breaking or anything.

EDIT: April 3, 2011

Ok, for those of you who have been following, I think I've found a reliable source for those of us who desire to reload for the CETME and G3/PTR91 rifles. The following website appears to carry once shot military grade .308 brass shells, they are currently out of stock at this time, but are expecting more within the coming weeks "Expect this item to be in stock the first week of April".

http://www.evergladesammo.com/308-military-brass-500-pieces.html
 
Last edited:
I love my ugly Cetme Sights, 3" @ 100 yds works for me. I lengthened the stock a couple inches for a better sight picture. Adjusted front post to use the #2 Peep, don't like the #1 V-Notch except low light conditions.
 
Hmm, according to my research the CETME from CAI is of course the bargain bin G3 style Rifle which makes sense. Thus far I've read many horror stories about this rifle, and as many of us know Century is not known for quality firearms unfortunately, however, reading elsewhere, if you come across one with Imbel stamped on the receiver, you've got yourself a good rifle apparently. There was mentioning of another name stamped on the receiver but I can't for the life me remember what it is.

The Cetme and the G3/PTR91 also is said to be really hard on brass, making them nearly unusable for reloading or shortening the amount of times you can reuse the brass considerably. Honestly what do you fin folks have to say about the CAI CETME? I guess I shouldn't expect too much from a $400 rifle, but, it is still a very attractive buy considering the caliber it fires and the price of the rifle itself. Right now it seems to be a buyers market on guns, considering the economy and all, but I don't want to be selling my soul to get a PTR91 or an M1A just yet. Those are just way to rich for my blood right now
 
Bought mine used, was nasty looking, took a little tlc. Fires and functions malfunction free hundreds of rounds now. I too would prefer any other 7.62's but can't afford them.

The only drawback is the bolt doesn't lock open after the last round, I asked here a couple weeks back if there was any after market solutions but no one replied.
 
speedyjerry said:
The only drawback is the bolt doesn't lock open after the last round, I asked here a couple weeks back if there was any after market solutions but no one replied.
Click to expand...

If you wanted to reengineer the weapon, I'm sure some type of hold-open mechanism could be devised.


As far as whether a CETME is worth buying, if you know what to look for and you find one for a good price, they aren't a terrible rifle. Mine has always been fairly reliable. I wouldn't carry a CAI built CETME into battle and I wouldn't rely on it for more than an afternoon of ammo burning. But it's battle rifle accurate and fun to shoot. And G3 aluminum magazines are still cheap. Mine shoots nothing but Berdan primed NATO surplus, so I don't care about the brass, and I wouldn't waste real ammunition on it anyways. It's just a big plinker.
 
Last edited:
The reason I was thinking of reloading is because .308 ammo is expensive, Even the surplus stuff is a bit pricey around $200 for 500 rounds give or take. Hell even Wolf .308 is still a bit pricey, I've heard that using military grade brass solves the problem for the most part of the CETME just chewing through the brass. Thing is I don't know where to go to buy military grade brass for this rifle. I've been looking around and I'm sure I'll find something eventually, but if someone actually has experience reloading military grade brass and can let me know where I can get some, it sure would save me some time, and you'd get my gratitude.

I'm not expecting to get sniper rifle accuracy out of this gun. As you said it's a big plinker, and I intend to use it as a fun project rifle, dressing it up in G3 sheeps clothing and such. It's a 400 some dollar rifle that will look like it's a couple grand perhaps down the line. I'm not sure.
 
Last edited:
If you do find some thick military brass be sure you reload to NATO spec and not .308win.

And to retrieve the brass, set a laundry basket about 20 yards to your 3 o'clock and hope your particular rifle doesn't gouge cases too much in addition to the standard CETME fluting.
 
Thanks nimble, I edited my first post, I think I found a reliable source for military grade brass. Now I just need to find out what the NATO specifications are for reloading them.
 
"If you wanted to reengineer the weapon, I'm sure some type of hold-open mechanism could be devised."

Magazine follower and a springloaded thumbrealeasedthingamabob isn't difficult, could be a market for it.

This is the best page I have found to date for the Cetme. Field strip and history info.

http://combatrifle.net/cetme.htm
 
Imbel was licensed by FN to build FALs. They never built a CETME or the later G3. Although these rifles served at the same time, they are vastly different.

The CETME came first followed by the G3 both of which are delayed blowback actions.

The FAL was developed around the same time but is a gas piston design.
 
Thankyou for the information Shootist, is it the norm for an FAL to go for around 1.5-2k in price? I've been looking at DSA and a lot of their FAL's look like modernized versions. The PTR91 also runs well into the 1k range, researching more on the rifle, I found that the amount it would cost me to have someone do the labor I'd like on this CETME, I may as well save it and by an FAL or PTR91 which are usually crafted to a much higher quality standard.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top