Blog

So here’s an interesting situation…

I live in Tennessee, and my dad lives in Michigan.  We’re both into guns and own multiple firearms.  I have a gun sitting in my safe collecting dust that I know he’d be interested in.  One would think that I could just decide “hey dad, here, take this from your loving son and enjoy it in your good health.*”  Unfortunately, there are laws in the way.  First of all, it is my understanding that transfers of handguns across state lines (even a gift between family members) requires a NICS background check.  I’ve also been told that, while there is no “handgun registration” in the state of Michigan, there is a “handgun buying permit” (which incidentally includes the make a model of the handgun) that is required even for a gift between family members.  These two things means that this gift is going to have to go through an FFL.

So, here’s the question.  I drive up there on a semi-regular basis.  If I were to drive with the pistol up to Michigan, could my dad and I simply walk into a gun shop and have them do the NICS check, or is there something that mandates that I send the pistol from somewhere down here through whatever is the preferred delivery service?

Of course, I could go with what I’m guessing most folks do and ignore that, but… uh… I’m too pretty for jail.

* If I actually said that to my dad, he would probably check to make sure it wasn’t some sort of bomb or other death trap.

Last weekend I traveled up to Kentucky to participate in a private range session put on by one of my co-workers. It was specifically for folks that work in our business unit, and came about after a conversation that a database administrator had with a mid-level manager about Call of Duty. The manager’s teenage son is in to first person shooters, and so they came up with the idea of having this range day and inviting a bunch of folks.

Epic fun. James, the gentleman who arranged everything, has several NFA toys. His father has more. Everyone brought something, and a great time was had by all. I also got to put some faces to names I’ve known for years.

I also got to put some rounds through my brand new M&P22 with the Gemtech Outback II-D on it, as well as trying out the suppressor on the M&P15-22. The rifle is still finicky about ammo unless I coat the bolt carrier in WD-40. I also tried out some of the new CCI Low Noise .22, which was an epic fail in my autoloaders. That was my fault, as even a short Google search would have revealed that.

My favorite part of these kind of events is always when people bring their kids.

And here is their mom shooting an Uzi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIBzAWr7xxo

(More videos of that day on my youtube channel)

On Friday, I did something that makes the anti-gun nuts skin crawl.  I met a stranger in a parking lot and paid cash for a “high powered assault weapon.”  No paperwork done.  I inspected the rifle, handed him the cash, and we both went our separate ways after a hand shake.

This particular acquisition is a Century Arms CETME.

For those of you who don’t know, the CETME was designed by the Spanish government in the 50’s based on the German STG-45.  It’s a roller delayed semi-auto .308 with a 20 round detachable magazine.  It’s easy to see the similarity of this rifle and several H&K rifles.  H&K actually had a hand in its development, and would use it as the bases of the G3 to the point that a large number of parts are interchangeable.

Most of the CETMEs you see on the market (including this one) were imported in pieces by Century Arms.  To get around import restrictions, Century Arms imported parts kits and built enough parts in the states to be compliant with the import laws (including, I think, the lower receiver).  Century Arms doesn’t have exactly the best reputation in doing this well.  Some of their rifles come out great, and some… well… not so good.  Even though this one was in good shape, the seller included some spare parts from where he’d replaced a few bits.

My initial impression of the rifle is that they went with the philosophy of “go big, or go home.”  While the barrel is only a 16.5″ barrel, it’s set so far forward, that it feels like it’s much longer.  This does have the benefit of a very long sight radius, considering that they placed the rear sight as far back as they could.

The receiver itself is not small by any means either.  Anyone used to being able to reach over with there index finger and pressing the mag release will be disappointed with this design.  I found that I have to completely rove my hand from the pistol grip to reach it, which is just as well, as the magazine does take some rocking to remove.  The original design had an AK style lever mag release, and I’m not clear if the change to a button release was a Century Arms decision or if this was a CETME originating modification.  Since you still have to rock the magazine in a little, it requires some practice before insert the magazine becomes a smooth operation.  The safety is also oddly designed in that easy to engage the safety from a firing position, but disengaging it is awkward.

Anyone familiar with the charging handle on the G3, MP-5, etc, should feel at home with the one on this rifle.  The handle folds away nicely when not in use.  Of course, since you’re pulling against the massive recoil spring, it is a bit of a work out to pull it back.  To hold the bolt open, you simply pull the charging handle back and shift it into a hold open notch.  There is no hold open on last round option, so you have to manually charge the rifle when replacing an empty magazine.

I did manage to hit the range on Sunday and try this beast out.  It was a beautiful day, and it wasn’t nearly as hot as it has been.  I started by trying it with the aftermarket (I think UTG) bipod that the seller threw in as part of the deal.  I must say, considering that this was designed as a battle rifle, it is very accurate.  It’s no sniper rifle, but I would say that it would be good enough to work as a deer rifle if you happen to live in a state where the authorities wouldn’t piss there pants at the sight of you hunting using a rifle with a 20 round magazine attached to it.

The recoil is very manageable.  I was actually surprised at how little kick it has.  I was expecting it to be similar to my Ishipore Enfield, but it was much more of a firm push than a kick.  I attribute this to its weight (they claim 9.5lbs, but it feels heavier), and the semi-auto action of the rifle taking the bite out of it.  Even off hand, it was a pleasure to shoot and very easy to quickly reacquire the target after shooting.  The Cetme (along with the G3) has a reputation for mangling its brass.  I inspected a number of the cases after firing, and, for the most part, I failed to see any damage that I would think would cause the case to no be reloadable.

One thing I do need to comment on is the speed at which the brass is ejected.  The range I went to has chicken wire partitions in between lanes, so that the ejected cases don’t wind up hitting the guy next to you.  The guy to my right was very happy that they were there.  I had several round bounce off the partition on my right, then on my left, then hit my arm!

All things said and done, I’m pretty happy with this rifle.

Wow! That was easy! Why haven’t I done this before?

I mentioned a while back that I bought an AR lower kinda by accident. I decided to make it a Magpul Fanboi Rifle after input from folks at the gunblogger_conspiracy.

Also, in case you’re wondering, subsonic 300blk out of a 20″ barrel has a 44 foot drop at 400 yards. Not recommended.

I bought the AR lower locally. The lower parts kit I got from Palmetto State Armory because they have one that includes some Magpul stuff. They were out of the lower build kit I wanted, which included a stock and buffer tube and all that goes with that, so I had to go elsewhere for those parts.

Because I’m impatient.

I’ll be building the lower over the next couple of weeks (or months depending on how the kids act) using various guides floating around. I’m starting here, and seeing where it takes me.

I hit up Brownells.com and CTD looking for parts, but as it turns out you can build an entire rifle, minus the lower, from Amazon. And it seems to be slightly cheaper.

I’ll be building the lower first, then figuring out what I want to do about an upper. The bad thing about being a Dave Ramsey guy is that you can’t buy something until you have the money for it*. CURSE YOU DAVE RAMSEY!
So here is what I have so far:

ATI Mil-spec buffer tube kit, which I may or may not have overpaid for.

Magpul STR Mil-Spec in Flat Dark Earth because, you know, OH LOOK A SQUIRREL!

Magpul ASAP Sling Plate for when I operate in operations.

I also took the opportunity to buy some tools that I didn’t already have, but need. If this goes well, I’m afraid I’ll constantly have one or two of these in various states of build.

Lower Receiver Magazine Vise Block because, hey, if you’re building one, you might as well build several.

Wheeler 711016 Nylon/Brass Hammer. Coulda used one of these when I was installing my Apex parts in the M&P9.

I already had an Ar15 Stock Combo Wrench that I picked up a few years ago. I don’t actually remember buying it, but I’ve had it for years.

Again, build time is going to be dependent on me actually getting some time when 1)the baby is asleep, 2)the dog is asleep, 3)I’m not worn out from dealing with both of them and 4)all the other stuff I have to do is done.

As far as the upper….what do you think? Buy, or build?

*See, the rule in my house is that I can spend whatever I want on guns, but mrs wizardpc gets the same amount for jewelry, unless I come up with the money myself via selling old guns or saving up my allowance or from revenue from this site. So it takes a while.