Century horror stories...let's hear em'
- Thread starter kristop64089
- Start date
I bought a CAI imported Savage Mk1 Mod 4 and it was missing the safety catch. I found one but I had to pay $20 for one the little part shipped. What is really upset me off is that I had to pay $150 for the rifle which is in very good shape with matching serial # bolt, bayo, and reciever.
The Romy SAR guns were IMPORTED by Century, not built by them, hence the low complaints. Its when Century has to actually BUILD them that we run into problems...
I have a Golani (built by CAI), it, like most Golanis, has the low feed ramp problem, resulting in failure to feed issues.
I have a Golani (built by CAI), it, like most Golanis, has the low feed ramp problem, resulting in failure to feed issues.
kristop64089
New member
I actually appreciate CAU effort. They take guns that are either, expensive, or in parts, and release them to consumers at an affordable price. Sure they don't get it right all the time, but they do get it close
No Problems Here!!
I have a CAI CETME that I absolutely love. Recoil about the same as my AR's, powerful, fun to change furniture (very inexpensive), bought 30 mags for $2 each, have a collapsable stock, better than 3" groups at 100 yds from a rest. It didnt have a flash suppressor/ compensator when I got it but I borrowed a threading tool from an old CETME web site, threaded it and installed an original flash suppressor myself. Everyone that shoots it wants one. I have bought spare rollers of different sizes and a new locking piece (brand new from Spain dealer off GunBroker) and the bolt gap is terrific.
Such success with the CETME encouraged me to buy a YUGO M70 AK47 from Cetme, I have had several AK's and this is by far the most solid, accurate, secure magazine, tight and also heaviest AK I have had. I love it too. Two of my favorite guns!
When I say favorite, that includes a variety of fine rifles including M1A Springfield, Colt AR, Rock River Arms Varmint AR, Pristine M1 Garrand and a Kahr Thompson Tommy Gun. The Century models are fine by me!!!
I have a CAI CETME that I absolutely love. Recoil about the same as my AR's, powerful, fun to change furniture (very inexpensive), bought 30 mags for $2 each, have a collapsable stock, better than 3" groups at 100 yds from a rest. It didnt have a flash suppressor/ compensator when I got it but I borrowed a threading tool from an old CETME web site, threaded it and installed an original flash suppressor myself. Everyone that shoots it wants one. I have bought spare rollers of different sizes and a new locking piece (brand new from Spain dealer off GunBroker) and the bolt gap is terrific.
Such success with the CETME encouraged me to buy a YUGO M70 AK47 from Cetme, I have had several AK's and this is by far the most solid, accurate, secure magazine, tight and also heaviest AK I have had. I love it too. Two of my favorite guns!
When I say favorite, that includes a variety of fine rifles including M1A Springfield, Colt AR, Rock River Arms Varmint AR, Pristine M1 Garrand and a Kahr Thompson Tommy Gun. The Century models are fine by me!!!
wayne in boca
New member
I have a lot of Century rifles.Some are just fine (the ones they imported and didn't build).The others,not quite right.
Let's start with my Cetmes.Both of them had crooked triple frames and could not be sighted inI had to unsolder them from the barrel and straighten them with a jig I built.Then put new sling eye rivets in.One had a zero bolt gap and needed a new bolt and firing pin.The other had a ground bolt and a pitted bolt face.
My FAL L1A1 had the dreaded "unibrow" feed ramp that would let bullet tips hang up between the barrel and the ramp.Almost brought it to a gun show to sell it cheap,then got mad and decided to damn well fix it.Finally found a smith willing to give it a try,and he did it.Feeds perfectly now.I was a happy man.It was even accurate.Then the Assault Weapons Ban ended.I decided to take off the Century muzzle brake and install a real flashhider.Cut the brake off and discovered the monkeys had drilled too far into the barrel when they were pinning the brake on,and had almost broken through and dimpled the barrel.Had to cut the barrel off an inch,recrown,and machine out the inside of the flashhider to fit farther back on the stepped barrel. It will never cease to amaze me how that rifle could shoot that well with a dimpled barrel.
I look at a Century gun as a project gun.I have learned a lot of my home wannabe gunsmithing skills by working on them,and they all work well now.
Let's start with my Cetmes.Both of them had crooked triple frames and could not be sighted inI had to unsolder them from the barrel and straighten them with a jig I built.Then put new sling eye rivets in.One had a zero bolt gap and needed a new bolt and firing pin.The other had a ground bolt and a pitted bolt face.
My FAL L1A1 had the dreaded "unibrow" feed ramp that would let bullet tips hang up between the barrel and the ramp.Almost brought it to a gun show to sell it cheap,then got mad and decided to damn well fix it.Finally found a smith willing to give it a try,and he did it.Feeds perfectly now.I was a happy man.It was even accurate.Then the Assault Weapons Ban ended.I decided to take off the Century muzzle brake and install a real flashhider.Cut the brake off and discovered the monkeys had drilled too far into the barrel when they were pinning the brake on,and had almost broken through and dimpled the barrel.Had to cut the barrel off an inch,recrown,and machine out the inside of the flashhider to fit farther back on the stepped barrel. It will never cease to amaze me how that rifle could shoot that well with a dimpled barrel.
I look at a Century gun as a project gun.I have learned a lot of my home wannabe gunsmithing skills by working on them,and they all work well now.
I have a WASR-10 and it has functioned flawlessly. Ashamedly I admit I have not been as vigilant in cleaning it as I should and it still has been as reliable as anything else I have ever owned.
I guess i can sum up my feelings about this rifle with this...If I could find another at the same price I paid for this one, $369, I would definitely buy one.
I guess i can sum up my feelings about this rifle with this...If I could find another at the same price I paid for this one, $369, I would definitely buy one.
Tucker 1371
New member
I've got an SAR2 that I absolutely love.
Here's the horror story: While I was away at college there was a fire at my house at home. Only one room burned but the rifles were in the next room and got a healthy dousing of soot. They have been sitting since February waiting to get refinished and the guy who was supposed to be doing it JUST STARTED this week. It will be another 4 to 5 before I see my gun again
.
Here's the horror story: While I was away at college there was a fire at my house at home. Only one room burned but the rifles were in the next room and got a healthy dousing of soot. They have been sitting since February waiting to get refinished and the guy who was supposed to be doing it JUST STARTED this week. It will be another 4 to 5 before I see my gun again
.C. A. I. M1 Garrand
Nobody has mentioned the garrand. Today, at a gun show, from people I know, frequently talk with, and have happily purchased from in the past, I bought a Century M1 garrand for $550. They explained the difference between an original military M1 and the C. A. I., which is a rebuild. They added that it was a good shooter nevertheless, if not an original. Should I be concerned? Anything I should be wary of? I've wanted an M1 for sometime, but didn't want to spend a grand on a garrand.
Nobody has mentioned the garrand. Today, at a gun show, from people I know, frequently talk with, and have happily purchased from in the past, I bought a Century M1 garrand for $550. They explained the difference between an original military M1 and the C. A. I., which is a rebuild. They added that it was a good shooter nevertheless, if not an original. Should I be concerned? Anything I should be wary of? I've wanted an M1 for sometime, but didn't want to spend a grand on a garrand.
SAR-3, when I went to shoot it the first time, the trigger would not function. Would not trip the sear. Apparently, no one at the factory tried it. The problem was the trigger space in stamped recever wasn't quite to spec, and the trigger would run into interference on the receiver before it went far enough to trip the sear. I filed the opening out, and then it would shoot fine.
It was assembled a bit crooked, and I had to move the front sight post quote a bit to the right to get the sights on. Sight picture is kinda funny.
Other than that, I really like the gun...
Second try, a CETME. This one was also assembled a bit crooked, and had the infamous "not enough windage" problem. (Seeing a pattern here?) Even with the windage maxed out on one side, it was not enough to get on target. It was about 6" off at 100 yards.
I was ready to return it, but the retailer had a 'smith who built me a new font sight post with more windage, and that got it on. Again, the sight picture is a little funny.
I also had a problem with it dropping mags while shooting. Turned out to be a burr on the receiver (seeing a pattern here?) that prevented the mag catch from seating fully. Once I filed that burr off, mags function properly.
So, yeah, two out of two were assembled crooked and required some filing of the receiver to work properly. And both require off-center sight pictures to be on target.
It was assembled a bit crooked, and I had to move the front sight post quote a bit to the right to get the sights on. Sight picture is kinda funny.
Other than that, I really like the gun...
Second try, a CETME. This one was also assembled a bit crooked, and had the infamous "not enough windage" problem. (Seeing a pattern here?) Even with the windage maxed out on one side, it was not enough to get on target. It was about 6" off at 100 yards.
I was ready to return it, but the retailer had a 'smith who built me a new font sight post with more windage, and that got it on. Again, the sight picture is a little funny.
I also had a problem with it dropping mags while shooting. Turned out to be a burr on the receiver (seeing a pattern here?) that prevented the mag catch from seating fully. Once I filed that burr off, mags function properly.
So, yeah, two out of two were assembled crooked and required some filing of the receiver to work properly. And both require off-center sight pictures to be on target.
MagnumWill
New member
I own two Century rifles, ye olde Mosin Nagant 91/30 that I converted into a PU sniper and my AES-10B RPK. Both function flawlessly, and the sniper's action is pretty smooth. I have a Tula '34 hex that's a TGI import that has the notorious sticky bolt, but so far, I'm two for two with Century. 
Tikirocker
New member
One of my local dealers in Australia buys from Century but he flies to the U.S and hand picks the stuff himself - never had a problem.
Tiki.
Tiki.
IZinterrogator
New member
Yugo M70AB2, canted front sight. Unable to zero the sights because of it. I'm considering sending it off to Rifle Dynamics to get their full upgrade package just to get rid of the original front sight block altogether.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
viciouskitty
New member
I have a century cetme and a galil. My cetme has had a few issues stemming from older worn out parts I replaced the bolt head and now my bolt gap is in spec and the gun shoots great and to point of aim, I did buy it used so maybe that's why it was worn. My galil has run great and I have had no issues with it
spyderdude
New member
I had a Romanian WASR10 which was a decent rifle but I had trouble hitting anything past 50 yards with it. I tried adjusting the elevation on the front sight but the stupid thing wouldn't budge and I broke the front sight tool that came with the gun. I had a few misfires with it but other than that it was fun to shoot.
About two years later I bought a Century Arms Polish 1960 which had a milled receiver. It was a much better constructed rifle than the WASR but after a few shooting range trips with it, the milled receiver made the whole thing needlessly heavy for me. It never gave me any problems except I had trouble keeping it shouldered without my arms getting sore. I ended up selling it and am going to be picking up an Arsenal SGL21 next this coming week.
I'd say CAI builds decent guns for the budget minded gun owner out there but for me I'd rather spend the extra coin and buy quality even if it does put a serious dent in my bank account.
About two years later I bought a Century Arms Polish 1960 which had a milled receiver. It was a much better constructed rifle than the WASR but after a few shooting range trips with it, the milled receiver made the whole thing needlessly heavy for me. It never gave me any problems except I had trouble keeping it shouldered without my arms getting sore. I ended up selling it and am going to be picking up an Arsenal SGL21 next this coming week.
I'd say CAI builds decent guns for the budget minded gun owner out there but for me I'd rather spend the extra coin and buy quality even if it does put a serious dent in my bank account.
madcratebuilder
New member
Lot of folks pick on Century and some of it is well deserved. Considering the number of guns they sell I'm glad they are around supporting the 2nd A.
Mrgunsngear
New member
I've had three CAI guns. 2 WASRs, one Yugo M70AB2. 0 issues. I still have one of the WASRs and it's got thousands of crap ammo rounds through it and it always goes bang. Is it an Arsenal? No, but it functions just fine.
