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G-3 CETME .308cal vs STG-58 .308cal
- Thread starter Mic
- Start date
A distinction must be drawn between the CETME and the HK G3/91. The Spainards used a .308 which was lesser power than the 7.62 x 52 Nato and why the Spainards did this escapes me. We do know that the G3/HK-91 requires its brass to be a certain hardness - less the rim gets torn off during extraction. So, while the G3/HK-91 share a common lineage and design, they are somewhat dissimilar.
Turning to the issue at hand, my personal preference is for the G3. The German made HK-91 is more accurate and it's easier to scope (but more costly too). The FN design has its advantage in that the gas port is adjustable for a various range of cartridges - something the G3/CETME cannot by design do. Magazines are also plentiful and cheaper for the FN.
So while I prefer the HK-91/G3 over the FN, because of the cartridge issue and present day magazine cost, it would be FN over CETME.
Turning to the issue at hand, my personal preference is for the G3. The German made HK-91 is more accurate and it's easier to scope (but more costly too). The FN design has its advantage in that the gas port is adjustable for a various range of cartridges - something the G3/CETME cannot by design do. Magazines are also plentiful and cheaper for the FN.
So while I prefer the HK-91/G3 over the FN, because of the cartridge issue and present day magazine cost, it would be FN over CETME.
From what I've seen and heard, CETME really dings up the brass on extraction as compared to the FAL; not sure if G3 is the same, but expect it is. If reloading is a primary consideration, this is obviously important. With the FAL, you have an adjustable gas system, so you can set it up for minimal extraction force / damage for the ammo you're using (Hirtenberger?).
While the CETME's are a good deal right now, and the ones I've seen were nice arms, the FAL wins big on ergonomics, mag prices, parts availability, and knowledge base availability (see http://www.fnfal.com for this last) vs. G3
While the CETME's are a good deal right now, and the ones I've seen were nice arms, the FAL wins big on ergonomics, mag prices, parts availability, and knowledge base availability (see http://www.fnfal.com for this last) vs. G3
Destructo6
New member
I believe that only CETME model A used the odd 7.62 cartridge (shortly before NATO standardized 7.62), with the later models using standard 7.62 NATO loads. All of the "new" CETMEs on the market use standard 7.62.
It's easier, and less expensive, to put together a FAL than it is a CETME or HK-91 clone.
The only parts I had to pay a gunsmith to do on my FAL were to barrel/headspace and braze the muzzle brake in place. Everything else I could accomplish in a few minutes with a screwdriver or no tools (fire control parts). There are a lot of FAL competent smiths out there, and if push came to shove, you could do it yourself with a receiver wrench being your only special tool. I've paid as little as $7 per mag.
On my HK clone, I had to pay a smith to do all of the above plus clip and pin the gripframe and modify the fire control parts to semi-only. There don't seem to be as many HK competent smiths out there and those that are truly competent are pretty expensive. New or even just decent used barrels are hard to come by. The least I've paid for a mag is $20.
It's easier, and less expensive, to put together a FAL than it is a CETME or HK-91 clone.
The only parts I had to pay a gunsmith to do on my FAL were to barrel/headspace and braze the muzzle brake in place. Everything else I could accomplish in a few minutes with a screwdriver or no tools (fire control parts). There are a lot of FAL competent smiths out there, and if push came to shove, you could do it yourself with a receiver wrench being your only special tool. I've paid as little as $7 per mag.
On my HK clone, I had to pay a smith to do all of the above plus clip and pin the gripframe and modify the fire control parts to semi-only. There don't seem to be as many HK competent smiths out there and those that are truly competent are pretty expensive. New or even just decent used barrels are hard to come by. The least I've paid for a mag is $20.