[Lucifaust]

Hey, I finally made an account after browsing for a while.

A couple days ago I ordered a c308. It's new, the type with PTR collab, not the older cetme model, and it is not my only gun. I have heard mixed reports with c308's but the newer ones have better consistency and I have seen a lot of positive feedback in recent years.

I was wondering if anyone who actually owned one and cares to share their experience? What parts are known to fail and should be replaced? Can you replace the stock and spring assembly with a different stock from hkparts? (Hkparts says it will drop-in fit but I'm not 100% on that).

Thanks.

 

[billwilla]

Hey, I finally made an account after browsing for a while.

A couple days ago I ordered a c308. It's new, the type with PTR collab, not the older cetme model, and it is not my only gun. I have heard mixed reports with c308's but the newer ones have better consistency and I have seen a lot of positive feedback in recent years.

I was wondering if anyone who actually owned one and cares to share their experience? What parts are known to fail and should be replaced? Can you replace the stock and spring assembly with a different stock from hkparts? (Hkparts says it will drop-in fit but I'm not 100% on that).

Thanks.

I always wonder why people buy a gun or car or whatever, THEN try to find out information on it. Wouldn't it be better to do that before you buy it? Maybe I'm just weird that way. :xeye:

 

[charliemeyer007]

Is this from Century? IIRC they are sorta iffy, Bubba types. I'm fond of fitting parts correctly, drop ins can be too loose for my tastes.

Mixed reviews? Well every firearm is different so you will just have to wait until you get yours and see for yourself.

 

[Lucifaust]

I always wonder why people buy a gun or car or whatever, THEN try to find out information on it. Wouldn't it be better to do that before you buy it? Maybe I'm just weird that way. :xeye:

I poured over everything I could find on the web about the c308.

Videos, articles, reviews. And then I went over them again.

I understand your attitude with foolish people but I was just wondering if anyone here had experience with this gun in an effort to gather MORE info.

:upsidedown:

Is this from Century? IIRC they are sorta iffy, Bubba types. I'm fond of fitting parts correctly, drop ins can be too loose for my tastes.

Mixed reviews? Well every firearm is different so you will just have to wait until you get yours and see for yourself.

I suppose that's what it boils down to.

I wonder if there are any problem parts that show a trend of being prone to breaking first or wearing out first for those who have owned them here? I'd like to buy extras of those anyhow :thumb:

 

[weapons_762]

biggest thing is to watch your bolt gap. other than that have fun. i dont have a C308 i have an older JLD PTR

 

[Camelfilter]

I poured over everything I could find on the web about the c308.

Videos, articles, reviews. And then I went over them again.

I understand your attitude with foolish people but I was just wondering if anyone here had experience with this gun in an effort to gather MORE info.

:upsidedown:



I suppose that's what it boils down to.

I wonder if there are any problem parts that show a trend of being prone to breaking first or wearing out first for those who have owned them here? I'd like to buy extras of those anyhow :thumb:

Had an early generation, which seemed to be a stereotypical century arms "Tuesday" build. Not a late Friday, nor hangover monkey Monday build, so at least there's that.

Would fire, and cycle. Intermittently. Not quite unsafe bolt gap wise, but just about there. A friend did some minor smith work on it & got it up to running reasonably well & safely so. Promptly sold it.

We have several PTR91's, and are rather pleased with the platform (G3 & CETME). Just not a fan of Century is all.

Your going to have to wait until you get yours, check the gap & run it for a bit & check again.

More than likely you should be good these days on a "new" one.

Recommended parts? Hmm dunno honestly. Spare firing pin & springs.

Upsized rollers, which you would need anyways some day. If you shoot it a bunch that is, even on a pristinely perfect build. That'd be a ways off though, if the gap is good.

Surplus CETME stuff should be fine. Its when folks want to, or try to use CETME stuff on G3's (PTR91's ex) where modification's are normally required.

Have fun & let us know how it runs!

 

[danthe727man]

Is this from Century? IIRC they are sorta iffy, Bubba types. I'm fond of fitting parts correctly, drop ins can be too loose for my tastes.

Mixed reviews? Well every firearm is different so you will just have to wait until you get yours and see for yourself.

I have seen a lot of youtube reviewers who have charged the C308 and it popped off a round. But of course that was a couple of years ago and it was the ones put out by Century Arms.

The only thing I did not like about the rifle is it dinged the brass on the way out and made it useless for reloads... but not a problem if all you want to use is steel or don't reload.

 

[Camelfilter]

...The only thing I did not like about the rifle is it dinged the brass on the way out and made it useless for reloads... but not a problem if all you want to use is steel or don't reload.

FYI anyone whom may be interested in a future CETME/G3 type rifle:

A rubber port buffer bumper can be added onto CETME’s & G3 type rifles pretty easily. This removes the crease from the ejection port. May leave a simple depression on brass, however supposedly makes brass suitable for reloading.

Have the bumpers on our PTR’s, and save the brass. Haven’t reloaded rifle yet...

Another misnomer with CETME/G3 type brass is that the chamber fluting ruins it. A run thru a wet tumbler with media cleans such nicely, having done so. No idea on vibratory.

 

[Spirewalk]

Apologies for the thread necromancy.

I bought one in 2018, and it's been a very good rifle, with some caveats:

There was a deformed cocking lever spring that would cause it not to go completely into battery everytime it was cocked. I went looking for answers online, and all of the HK guys were adamant it was a bolt gap issue. Some said it was the recoil spring. I tried oversized rollers and everything else before finally just disassembling the whole thing and inspecting everything and systematically replacing all of the springs, starting with the recoil spring. The stronger recoil spring made the problem. But as said above, when I replaced the cocking lever spring, the problem ceased.

Bottom line, you're dealing with a parts kit build from Century with springs that are probably 60 years old. Don't get frustrated with any of it. If there's a problem, trace it to its component and replace it. I still ended up with a fairly accurate battle rifle for hundreds of dollars cheaper than I would have spent elsewhere.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Century has a terrible reputation for weapons they are involved in building. The C308's were an exception and a screaming deal at around $500.after the price dropped a bit due to slow sales from the Century connection.

The C308 should not be confused with Century's earlier CETME offering that was crap.

 

[DisgruntledPatriot]

Only problem with mine (other than the trigger) is that the throat is so tight, if I chamber a round I have to fire it, because sometimes, depending on the ammo, it pulls the bullet from the casing.

I even called century and ptr, and mine is made with a ptr receiver and barrel.

 

[ajole]

I just bought a Ruger SFAR. Partly because threads like this exist.

The gun is great, as long as you don’t do X, and it’s a Y but not a Z model. Oh, you have
The gun is great, but make sure you have spares, you’re going to need them.
My gun runs fine, after I replaced A, B and C. But hey, I can buy cheap mags!

Even my cheap DPMS Oracle .308 was perfectly reliable from day one. I built a 6.5 CM upper to go with it, cheaper than buying a Savage Axis, also works just fine.

So today, in 2023….specifically which .308 CETME/G3/PTR version should one buy to get a solid rifle, no worries, it will run and not require much beyond cleaning? And let’s keep the price under $1300.

 

[Jlrhiner]

I bought mine a couple of years ago, and its been flawless. (PTR-91 basic, with rail). The only thing I changed out was the plug to allow a bayonet to be installed. (Gotta have my bayonet).

I think most of the problems from the early Century guns have been fixed, and from my example, PTR makes a solid firearm.

I paid just under $1,000.00 dollars for it.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Only problem with mine (other than the trigger) is that the throat is so tight, if I chamber a round I have to fire it, because sometimes, depending on the ammo, it pulls the bullet from the casing.

I even called century and ptr, and mine is made with a ptr receiver and barrel.

That would be a warranty issue. Are you the original owner?

PTR was doing the warranty stuff for the C308's but I don't know if that is still happening.

 

[DisgruntledPatriot]

I have to check with different ammo to see if it was one out of spec round, or an issue. I haven't fired it since.

 

[DisgruntledPatriot]

Honestly I wish I could find a wide handguard with the bipod so I could get my 90’s Val kilmer on...

 

[Jlrhiner]

Honestly I wish I could find a wide handguard with the bipod so I could get my 90’s Val kilmer on...

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[Steve_In_29]

Honestly I wish I could find a wide handguard with the bipod so I could get my 90’s Val kilmer on...

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https://mpdepot.net/product/heckler-koch-factory-bipod-g3-hk91-hk93/

 

[bubbatime]

I have a Century C308. It was cheap, like $550. It’s a cool blaster. I wouldn’t use it for serious purposes. That new Ruger SFAR .308 looks very nice.

 

[Steve_In_29]

I have a Century C308. It was cheap, like $550. It’s a cool blaster. I wouldn’t use it for serious purposes. That new Ruger SFAR .308 looks very nice.

As long as bolt gap is in spec the C308 would be as good a choice as any other.

I wouldn't want to depend on the SFAR until reports come in from the field with large round counts. That thin walled bolt face gives me pause.