FNFAL or CETME

[reddot223]

hi,
Having owned a few different 223's i am in the market for a 308 shooter. i want a decent battle rifle but am unsure as to which one to pick. Of the two mentioned above which is the better in terms of reliability, durability,etc. i have about $600.00 or so to spend. Knowing next to nothing about these two rifles i ask for your expert opinions. thanks

[bullbarrel]

No nothing about the Cetme rifle, so I can't give you an opinion. What I can tell you is that I am the very proud owner of one Austrian STG-58 FAL rifle and it has proved to be very dependable. Built mine from a parts kit, ( THE LEGAL WAY ) and really enjoyed doing it! The FAL rifle has been battle proven all around the world,so there's no question about reliability,plus there easy to maintain and parts and magazines are plentiful for the metric versions at the present time. Whatever route you take just have fun while your doing it!!!!!!!!! GOOD SHOOTING!!!! :rapid:

[reddot223]

should i go metric? whats the dif?

[bullbarrel]

Check out www.falfiles.com when you get there go to the bottom of the page and click on the old web site. I believe you will find the answers to all of your fal questions here!!! Enjoy!! :2guns:

[Pig Pen]

I have a CETME, and love the thing so far, especially considering the super low price. ($360. Don't pay over $400 for one) But there is a 50% (..or higher?) chance Century screwed up something. My particular rifle had a canted front sight, and mag catch mounted too high. All easy fixes since there is a great support community out there for CETME owners now. (Cetme Rifles forum (http://www.cetmerifles.com/forum/index.php)
Once you break them in, they run just like a typewriter, and usually decently accurate too. The roller lock series of rifles are extremely tough and just don't seem to break very often either.
Things I like about the CETME: Cheap. Dirt cheap, high quality, almost new, magazines. (G3 alloy $1.98 each. Fit better than original CETME mags) Looks and functions just like an HK, except it has a somewhat nicer trigger. Light recoil. Quite reliable once you iron out the bugs.
Things I dislike about the CETME: Uncomfortable and hard to cock charging handle. No auto bolt hold open. No windage adjustment on the rear sight. Needs 2 hands to change a magazine. (either install a paddle release, a taclatch, or do what I did. Make a bigger release button) Chucks spent brass about 40 feet with a vengence. Has a muzzle blast that would probably kill all low flying birds and insects in the immediate area.
As for the FAL, I think it has a bit of an edge over the CETME/HK rifles. The controls and ergonomics are a bit more user friendly. If you get one, go metric. It accepts the cheap metric mags.
Since you only have $600 to blow, your options are limited. Either build your own FAL, or buy a Century Arms FAL or CETME, and cross your fingers. (avoid Hesse and aluminum recievers) You're probably going to be doing some minor home gunsmithing either way. It's a good learning experience though!

[GREYBEAR]

I bought a CETME through an armorer that I met on falfiles. He called around to diferent suppliers and got one for about $300. with s/h included in price. Before I took it home I had him go over it and fix whatever problems the company that built it made. You can see it on his web site www.FrontLineArmory.com (http://www.FrontLineArmory.com). You can also go to gunboards.com website and check out the CETME forum. Both rifles are great, I've shot both, but the CETME felt better to me. It will always be a question of what you like. My suggesrtion is find a gunrange that has different guns to rent and shoot.

:beer: :rapid:

[SCCogswell]

FAL. No question. Isn't even close. I like my CETMEs, but I love my FALs. If you're only gonna get one 7.62 rifle, get a metric FAL. Haunt the FALfiles until you know what you're looking for, and find a good $500 used one (get mags and ammo with the other $100), or just go ahead and build one. It isn't hard, and chances are at least one of the 12,000 people on FALfiles lives near you to help. Besides, you get it your way, not Century's.
Then that little monkey on your back will whisper, "You really need another FAL. Something in the Congo, or Israeli, or Inch, or G1 line. Or mebbe one with all the best bits, yeah, that's it: the ultimate FAL! It's OK, just think about it. C'mon, at least get another kit; they really don't cost much, and you can get the other stuff as you get money. Food, schmood, you're too fat anyway. If you eat Ramen noodles, you could get that new light barrel Izzy furniture and the Inch selector..."

[reddot223]

where can i get some of that izzy furniture....looks so cool

[SCCogswell]

Try:

www.gunthings.com
www.falparts.com
www.tapco.com
www.gunsnstuff.net

for most any FAL parts.

Izzy furniture has increased markedly in price recently (as have most FAL things), but a high-quality FAL can still be built for $500 if you shop ($250 IMBEL receiver, $175 IMBEL kit, $75 compliance parts) and can borrow the tools.

[one good cop]

:D fal enough said .....cetmes are a crap shoot at best not even half the rifle that the fal is....go fal you won't regret it....the cetme I owned was very problematic and i got rid of it a week later...

[XLT]

OK, here's a little different point of view. I have a Cetme, and love it (after the break in period). Unbelievable light recoil for a 308, you can shoot all day! :D
But since it has a flutted chamber, you can only shoot 7.62x51 NATO ammo. Ya I know, others have had no problems with a few rounds, I'm not taking a chance with USA .308 ammo.
Now since I also wanted to use the rifle for deer hunting, I got a FAL a few weeks ago at a pretty good price at a gun show. I havn't had the chance to shoot it yet, just stripped it down and cleaned it up good. Easiest rifle to strip and clean comparred to the Mini-14, SKS or Cetme. :beer:
Pluses are: Easy cleaning, no flutted chamber, firing pin spring (no slam fires), light recoil (as I have read), and cheap mags. Plus you can use USA made .308 ammo for deer hunting.
I'm glad I have both! :D

[MoeMentum]

I prefer the FN-FAL.

[mikey66]

get both,I did and love them both!!!!

[108DRAGON]

Definately the FAL! I've owned A few HK91s. They weren't any more accurate than my standard chrome lined FALS.. nor were they any more reliable.. maybe a little lighter. I can't imagine an H&K imposter to be any better than the real thing. The armory finishes on the Century weapons are a definate turn off.
Fal parts are definately cheaper. The FALs are easier to build. They'll eat anything (ammo-wise). Stock sights kick ***. DSA has made building MOA accurate FALs childsplay. Best 6 bills you could spend.
Yes, you could buy a cheap FAL or CETME. But if you want something done right, do it yourself: Build one.