dope bag data & comment Taurus 970 Tracker Rimfire Revolver

Despite the Model 970’s diminutive .22 LR chambering, it retains the same thick barrel diameter and full-length ejector shroud of its magnum center-fire counterparts.

970 TRACKER

MANUFACTURER: Forjas Taurus S.A., Av. do Forte 511, Porto Allegre, Brazil BR-91360 IMPORTER: Taurus Int’l (Dept AR), 16175 N.W. 49th Ave., Miami, FL 33014; s its name implies, .17 HMR. Taurus sent us a firer’s thumb. Pushing for- (305) 624-1115; www.taurususa.com Taurus’ Tracker is 970 in .22 LR for test and ward on the latch will allow CALIBER: .17 HMR, .22 WMR, A meant to be a pack evaluation. the cylinder to swing out to .22 LR (tested) gun for woodsmen and The rimfire Trackers the left into the firer’s weak TYPE: double-action, hunters. Although the share the same frame and hand for reloading. rimfire revolver FRAME: forged stainless steel 1 magnum chamberings double-action trigger sys- Although the ejector BARREL: 6 ⁄2" stainless steel meant for repelling preda- tem as their center-fire extends only a little more RIFLING: six-groove, 1:16" tors or delivering a coup counterparts. Although than an inch past the crane, RH twist CYLINDER CAPACITY: seven de grâce to large game some of the center-fire the shroud for the ejector SIGHTS: white outline rear have been available for Tracker models feature rod runs the full length of U-notch screw adjustable 1 for windage and eleva- some time now,Taurus has titanium frames and cylin- the 6 ⁄2" vent-rib barrel, tion; fixed front post with expanded this popular ders, all of the frames for resulting in the same thick orange insert line of double-action the rimfire Trackers are profile as the center-fire TRIGGER: double-action pull, revolvers by adding a matte-finished stainless models. However, consider- 12 lbs., 4 ozs.; single-action pull, 5 lbs., 3 ozs. number of rimfire models steel. The fluted cylinders ing the recoil of most rim- 7 OVERALL LENGTH: 11 ⁄8" 1 for small game hunting, of the rimfire Trackers all fire chamberings,Taurus WIDTH: 1 ⁄2" 5 short-range varminting or have a seven-shot capacity has sensibly dispensed HEIGHT: 5 ⁄8" WEIGHT: 47 ozs. informal target shooting. and, like the frames, are with the ports present on its ACCESSORIES: two keys for Taurus currently offers forged from stainless steel. center-fire magnum action lock; optional three rimfire caliber On the left-hand side of Trackers.The weight of the scope mount, $44 models including the 970 the frame is a cylinder latch Tracker’s thick barrel is SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $391 in .22 Long Rifle, the 971 that is dished and knurled more than enough to miti- in .22 WMR and the 17 in for better purchase by the gate muzzle flip of .22 LR

The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” at least since WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shooters do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolute- to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also ly necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents was a traditional marksman’s term for sight adjustment information, while page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. 70 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN May 2003 SHOOTING RESULTS

.22 LR Vel. @ 15' Energy Group Size In Inches (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average Federal Classic No. 712 1112 Avg. 105 2.56 3.89 3.02 38-gr. plated HP 17 Sd Win. Super X No. X22LR 1006 Avg. 91 2.78 3.82 3.15 40-gr. plated RN 40 Sd Remington No. 1600 938 Avg. 79 2.93 4.08 3.54 40-gr plated RN 37 Sd Average Extreme Spread: 3.23

1 Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 6 ⁄2" barrel. Range tem- perature: 82° F. Humidity: 8%. Accuracy for five consecutive, 10-shot groups at 25 yds. from a Ransom Rest. Abbreviations: RN (round nose) HP (hollow point) Sd (standard deviation).

mer, trigger and cylinder with a hex key supplied with the gun. The 970 Tracker in .22 LR shares the We tested the same frame and double-action trigger Tracker for accu- system as its center-fire counterparts. racy and function- The seven-shot cylinder is stainless steel. ing with a variety of high-velocity and keep the gun on target. rear sight assem- field loads from Sights include a broad bly is pinned to a Federal, rear blade with a fixed recess in the top Winchester and front post. The rear sight is strap. In addition Remington appro- screw-adjustable for to the supplied priate for hunting windage and elevation. metallic sights, frontstrap and backstrap. and plinking. Results The front and rear sights Taurus offers a base for Narrowly spaced soft hori- shown in the accompany- are finished in black to optics as a separate zontal ribs on the grip’s ing table compare well minimize glare. accessory.The unit exterior yield to the pres- with other double-action Additionally, the deep U- clamps to the vent rib of sure of the firer’s grip and rimfire revolvers we have notch of the rear blade is the Tracker’s barrel and thus conform to the con- tested. The sights of our outlined in white and the accepts most Weaver-style tour of the firer’s hand. test gun were well-regu- stepped front blade has bases and rings. The 970’s double- lated. At 25 yds., our test an orange insert for rapid The black rubber grip action trigger has a groups were only about 2" sight alignment. To reduce is a one-piece unit that curved blade with a high—well within the its height and bulk, the completely surrounds the broad, smooth face. In sights’ range of adjust- keeping with its intended ment. There were no fail- outdoor use, there is ures to fire when using enough room between the the trigger in either the blade and the trigger double- or single-action guard for shooting with mode. The cylinder a gloved finger. turned smoothly and Additionally, the wide indexed positively with- paddle of the hammer is out binding or overtavel. knurled for better pur- The Taurus 970 Tracker chase by the firer’s thumb .22 LR tips the scales at just for those who choose to over 47 ozs., which is a lit- shoot the revolver in the tle heavy for a back-up single-action mode. gun. One would definitely Given the Tracker’s feel the weight on one’s double-action system of hip or in the backpack. operation and the transfer However, the weight and bar safety mechanism bulk would not be a hin- under the hammer, it is drance if the Tracker was Sights for the 970 Tracker safe to carry the gun used in the role of a prima- include a stepped front afield fully loaded to the ry gun for small game post with an orange insert (r.) and a white cylinder’s seven-shot hunting, varminting or tar- outline rear U-notch capacity. get shooting. For hunters screw-adjustable for Additional safety fea- and shooters looking for a windage and elevation tures include the Taurus double-action revolver to (above). Security System that fill those roles, the 970 allows the user to block Tracker would certainly be the movement of the ham- worth consideration. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN 71 May 2003 dope bag data & comment Thompson/Center Omega Rifle

T/C OMEGA

MANUFACTURER: Thompson/Center Arms Realtree Hardwoods the rear of the barrel and Co., Inc. (Dept. AR), P.O. camouflage stock is the stainless steel breech Box 5002, Rochester, NH 03866; (603) 332-2394; another option.We plug, which has a recess www.tcarms.com hompson/Center received a blued model for a 209-size shotshell CALIBER: .50 Arms (T/C) com- with black synthetic stock primer. After a propellant ACTION TYPE: closed, swing- bined decades of for test and evaluation. powder charge and bullet ing breech, in-line muzzle- T loading rifle firearm manufacturing The Omega has a are seated in the barrel, a RECEIVER: blued carbon expertise with a clean unique, patented “lever” primer is placed in the steel or satin stainless sheet of paper to create a action with four moving recess on the breech plug BARREL: 28" RIFLING: eight grooves, 1:28" completely new in-line parts operated by pulling and the breech pivoted RH twist muzzleloading rifle for the a small knob on the trig- into the locked position SIGHTS: click-adjustable modern blackpowder ger guard downward. That by pushing the trigger fiber-optic rear, steel ramp front with Tru-Glo shooter seeking perfor- motion causes the swing- guard upward. That holds fiber-optic insert; receiver mance instead of tradi- ing breech to pivot the primer securely in drilled and tapped for tion. Called the Omega, downward, place and aligns it with scope mounts TRIGGER: single-stage; this .50-cal. muzzleloader exposing the firing pin. For safety, pull, 4 lbs. is designed with all the the hammer then remains STOCK: black synthetic, latest modern features, in the “at rest” position synthetic Realtree Hardwoods or gray lami- such as 209 shotshell out of contact with the fir- nated wood: length of 3 primer ignition, saboted ing pin and held firmly in pull, 14 ⁄16"; drop at heel, 3 3 bullets and up to 150-gr. place by an automatic 1 ⁄4"; drop at comb, 1 ⁄8" OVERALL LENGTH: 42" powder charges or three hammer block in the fire WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 10 ozs. 50-gr.-equivalent control mechanism. ACCESSORIES: cleaning jag Pyrodex Pellets. Both To fire the rifle, the tip, breech plug wrench, stainless steel and blued hammer is pulled rear- priming/depriming tool The breech plug is removed SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: steel models are offered easily for cleaning using the ward to the fully cocked $406 to $517 (depending with laminated wood or supplied wrench without position. That causes the on finish and stock) black synthetic stocks. A disassembling the rifle. hammer block to disen- 72 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN May 2003 Factory sights on the T/C SHOOTING RESULTS Omega consist of high-visibility Load (.50 Cal.) Vel. @ 15' Energy Group Size In Inches front and rear fiber-optic units, (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average with the latter adjustable for T/C Mag Express Sabots 2050 Avg. 1,885 2.65 4.22 3.50 windage and elevation (l.). 240 gr. XTP 100 Sd With the stainless steel breech Three 50-gr. Pyrodex Pellets plug removed, cleaning or T/C Mag Express Sabots 1370 Avg. 1,000 3.21 5.61 4.66 clearing the Omega rifle is a 240 gr. XTP 36 Sd snap (below, l.). Two 50-gr. Pyrodex pellets T/C Break-O-Way Sabots 1364 Avg. 992 4.50 9.00 6.04 240 gr. HP 18 Sd simple and safe. 90-grs. Wano FFg blackpowder Although the Omega Average Extreme Spread: 4.73 rifle comes equipped with Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 28" barrel. Range tem- perature: 73° F. Humidity: 31%. Accuracy for five consecutive, five-shot high-visibility, fiber-optic groups at 100 yds. from a sandbag. Abbreviations: Sd (standard devia- front and rear sights, the tion), XTP (Extreme Terminal Performance), HP (hollow-point). latter adjustable for windage and elevation, loose powder if so spent primer cap would the receiver is drilled and desired. The barrel has drop down inside the tapped for scope mount the T/C Quick Load action when it was gage and the trigger to bases.We chose to mount Accurizor (QLA) system opened. To clear the cap pivot rearward inside the a T/C 3-9X scope on our that over-bores the bore then required the guard. The breechblock test example as the for approximately 3" unloaded rifle to be held cannot be lowered when Omega rifle is a modern inside the muzzle allowing upside down and shaken. the hammer is fully design that appeals to easy starting with virtually After firing each shot, we cocked, and the hammer non-traditional shooters. all types of bullets.With a ran a patch moistened cannot be fully cocked Loading the Omega twist rate of 1:28", the with Simple Green down when the breech is in the rifle incorporates all the Omega is optimized for the bore to remove accu- fully lowered position. modern conveniences if use with lighter weight mulated fouling then The breech plug is you choose to use them. bullets from 180 to 250 reloaded. In this manner threaded into the rear end For example, the 209 grs. Nonetheless, full bore we were able to fire 25 of the barrel. It is easily primers are easy to insert diameter bullets such as rounds before the rifle removed using the provided or remove with your fin- the T/C Maxi-Ball can also needed a more thorough breech plug wrench or a gers alone. T/C does pro- be used. In the spirit of cleaning.We found it a 7/16" socket wrench. Once vide a primer insertion/ modernity, we limited our good idea to wipe out the removed, unobstructed removal tool, but we found testing to saboted bullets. primer pocket with a soft access to the Omega’s bar- it completely unnecessary. Pyrodex Pellets were used cloth after about 15 rel makes cleaning an easy The Omega is rated for for the T/C Mag Express rounds to remove soot and chore. Alternately, it makes three 50-gr.-equivalent sabots and Wano FFg unburnt powder. removing misfired propel- Pyrodex Pellets, however, blackpowder for the T/C We particularly liked lant and/or bullets both it can also be loaded with Break-O-Way sabots. All the smooth, intuitive action loads were ignited of the breech system and using Winchester 209 in-line breech plug design To open the breech shotshell primers. In for rapid, simple cleaning of the Omega our test firing, it and the QLA muzzle sys- muzzleloading rifle, became obvious this tem that made bullet start- pull the knob on the rifle provided best ing easy.The capping sys- trigger guard down- ward. That exposes accuracy with heavy tem also garnered praise. the rear of the barrel loads and lightweight The only adverse com- and the primer bullets. ments were related to the recess in the breech Handling and bal- shape of the trigger bow plug for priming. ance are very good, that felt unnaturally angu- and we found the per- lar when the hammer was ceived recoil moder- at full cock. ate with all loads of The Omega rifle’s mod- 100 grs. or less of pro- ern styling and operation pellant. Perceived will appeal to the non- recoil with 150-grs. of traditional blackpowder propellant was heavy, hunter seeking ballistic but not severe. performance using sabot- The only difficulty ed bullets, pelletized we experienced in Pyrodex powder charges, testing this rifle was reliable ignition and fast, that, occasionally, a easy cleanup. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN 73 May 2003 dope bag data & comment Sauer 202 Rifle

SAUER 202 MANUFACTURER: J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Sauerstrasse 2-6, D-24340, Eckernforde, Germany IMPORTER: SIGARMS, Inc. (Dept. AR), 18 Industrial Drive, Exeter, NH 03833; (603) 772- 2302; www.sigarms.com CALIBERS: .22-250 Rem., .243 Win., .25- .06 Rem., .270 Win., .308 Win., .30-‘06 Sauer’s 202 switch-barrel rifle allows owners to quickly Sprg., also 6.5x55 mm and easily change barrels and/or calibers. Switch-barrels are popular Swedish and 7x64 mm among shooters who own only one rifle, but need more than one caliber. Brenneke (barrels only); 7 mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag., .300 Wby. Mag., .300 RUM, .375 H&H Mag. witch-barrel hunting Model 202 rifle for test and to .375 H&H Mag. Extra bar- ACTION TYPE: bolt-action, rifles allow owners to evaluation with three bar- rels require no fitting, but repeating, center-fire rifle quickly change bar- rels, one in .22-250 Rem., must conform with the rifle’s RECEIVER: blued carbon steel S BARREL: interchangeable, rels and/or calibers as one in .300 Win. Mag. and bolt face. Sauer offers extra blued, cold hammer needed. A popular rifle of one in .375 H&H Mag. barrels in two caliber forged carbon steel; this type is the Sauer 202. Sauer offers the 202 in 11 groups—standard rimless 24", standard calibers; 26", magnum calibers We recently received a calibers from .22-250 Rem. cases and belted magnum (.375 H&H, 24") cases.Within those cal- RIFLING: six-groove, 1:10" RH iber groups, barrels are twist interchangeable. MAGAZINE: three- or four- round, detachable, The Sauer 202 receiver single-column polymer is not stressed as the bolt SIGHTS: none, receiver locks directly to the bar- drilled and tapped for scope mounts (.375 H&H rel.The inside front has iron sights) receiver ring is smooth TRIGGER: single-stage; and split on the bottom. pull, 3 lbs., 4 ozs. STOCK: two-piece, black syn- Barrels are held in place thetic or walnut: length of 1 by the clamping action of pull, 14"; drop at heel, 1 ⁄4"; 13 three screws and an index drop at comb, ⁄16" 3 OVERALL LENGTH: 45 ⁄4" tab on the front stock bolt WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 11 ozs. The three-lug bolt (above, r.) that keys into a cut in the ACCESSORIES: take down barrel to prevent rotation. tools (three) locks directly into the barrel SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: extension. The magazine is Six lugs on the bolt head $1,259; extra barrels: removed after depressing its in three rows of two lock $489 (standard calibers) release (r., arrow). into corresponding $540 (magnum calibers) recesses in the barrel. As 74 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN May 2003 SHOOTING RESULTS

.22-250 Rem. Vel. @ 15' Energy Group Size In Inches Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average Black Hills 52-gr. BTHP 3671 Avg. 1,556 0.55 0.95 0.78 16 Sd Norma Diamond 55-gr. HP 3643 Avg. 1,621 0.69 1.02 0.89 18 Sd Winchester 40-gr. BST 3966 Avg. 1,397 0.71 1.18 0.96 SBST22250A 11 Sd Average Extreme Spread: 0.87 Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 24" barrel. Range tem- perature: 55°F. Humidity: 43%. Accuracy for five consecutive, five-shot groups at 100 yds. from a sandbag. Abbreviations: BST (Ballistic Silvertip), BTHP (boattail hollow-point), HP (hollow-point), Sd (standard deviation).

.300 Win. Mag. Vel. @ 15' Energy Group Size In Inches The Sauer 202 is a totally Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average modular design (above). Federal No. P300WT4 3307 Avg. 3,642 1.58 3.18 2.57 The rifle’s primary button-type 150 gr. TBBC 6 Sd safety is mounted on the Hornady No. 8202 3059 Avg. 3,428 1.40 2.26 2.00 165 gr. BTSP 9 Sd tang while an auxiliary is in the trigger guard (r.). Winchester No. SBST300 2969 Avg. 3,523 2.40 3.90 3.00 180 gr. BST 17 Sd the locking lugs are smaller Average Extreme Spread: 2.52 than the bolt’s 0.848" body .375 H&H Mag. Vel. @ 15' Energy Group Size In Inches diameter, there are no lug made by a factory-trained Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average raceways in the receiver. gunsmith.We found the Winchester No. X375H1 2715 Avg. 4,420 1.85 2.65 2.22 The action cocks on open- trigger pull of our test rifle 270 gr. PP 20 Sd ing and has an internal a consistent 3 lbs., 4 ozs. Hornady No. 8508 2868 Avg. 4,932 1.57 2.61 2.25 extractor and plunger ejec- with virtually no take-up or 270 gr. SP-I 17 Sd tor in the recessed bolt face. overtravel. Federal No. P375D 2515 Avg. 4,214 2.43 3.27 2.85 300 gr. FMJ 6 Sd Two gas relief holes in Since the 202 is the bolt allow high pres- designed for a two-piece Average Extreme Spread: 2.70 sure gases to escape if a stock fastened to the Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 26" barrel (24" .375 H&H). Range temperature: 59°F. Humidity: 37%. Accuracy for five consecutive, case head fails. The two- receiver by longitudinal five-shot groups at 100 yds. from a sandbag. Abbreviations: Sd (standard position safety button on bolts, bedding is not a con- deviation), PP (Power Point), FMJ (full metal jacket), SP-I (spire-point Interlock), BST (Ballistic Silvertip), TBBC (Trophy Bonded Bear Claw), BTSP the tang blocks the sear. cern. Standard features (boattail spire-point). There is a cocking indica- include a solid recoil pad, quick-detachable sling tor tab on the bottom rear coarse pebbled texture was plains game where one rifle swivels and a schnabel of the bolt shroud. employed in lieu of check- with dual caliber capability fore-end tip. Our test rifle’s A single-stage trigger ering. Coloring of the syn- cut down travel weight and black synthetic stock had a unit inside the rear tang is thetic stock is integral so eliminated the need for a matte, pebbled finish protected against dirt and the finish will never crack, second rifle. On arrival, we except on the sides of the dust.While the trigger is chip, peel or rub off. found the zero of the .300 fore-end and pistol grip. On adjustable, Sauer recom- Iron sights are not Win. Mag. barrel had not those gripping surfaces, a mends adjustments be furnished, shifted.That barrel was then however, the used to take an oryx at 200 To change the barrel, after removing the fore- 202’s receiver yds. A day later, the .375 end, turn out the three barrel-tensioning screws is drilled and H&H Mag. barrel was used and stock bolt socket (l.). Slide the barrel out of tapped for to take a kudu at 60 yds. the receiver. Insert the new barrel making certain scope mounts Perceived recoil was to align the small slot with the receiver slit. Insert and the drop at heavy,but manageable.The the stock bolt so that the rear tab keys into the barrel slot. Reinstall the the comb was detachable magazine allows three tension screws correct for easy loading and unloading, and fore-end. optical sights. and the rifle proved well- We found that balanced and comfortable after changing to carry during long treks. A barrels, bullet sudden rain storm com- impact pletely soaked the rifle, but remained on had no effect on accuracy or paper, which point of impact.The Sauer made rezero- 202 rifle, then, will appeal to ing easy. hunters seeking a high qual- We field ity rifle—with or without the tested the 202 flexibility the switch-barrel on African feature can provide. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN 75 May 2003 dope bag data & comment Century Int’l Arms CETME Rifle

The CETME rifle was one of the first successful military rifle designs of the 1950s. Designed by Ludwig Vorgrimler and adopted by , the CETME owes much to the German StG 44 (background) and the later-designed StG 45. The new Century CETME is among the most economically priced .308 Win. semi-automatic rifles commercially available.

lthough many are Estudios Técnicos de early 1950s.Vorgrimler Heckler & Koch began familiar with the Materiales Especiales,a adapted the roller-locked, producing a modified ver- AH&K series of roller- government-run design retarded- mecha- sion of the CETME known locked, retarded blowback and development estab- nism from an earlier as the G3. That is the rea- semi-automatic rifles, men- lishment in Spain. It was design developed at son for the strong familial tion of a CETME will likely there where Ludwig Mauser—the StG 45—to ties between the CETME draw a confused stare. The Vorgrimler, a former engi- the new CETME rifle. and the G3. name CETME is actually an neer with Mauser, devel- When the rearmament The operating mecha- acronym for Centro de oped the CETME in the of West Germany began, nism of this rifle is notable

CENTURY CETME MANUFACTURER: Century Int’l Arms, Inc. (Dept. AR) 1161 Holland Drive., Boca Raton, FL 33487; (800) 527-1252; www.centuryarms.com CALIBER: .308 Win. ACTION TYPE: delayed blow- back, semi-automatic rifle RECEIVER: powder coated, stamped 1008 steel 3 BARREL: 17 ⁄4" RIFLING: four-groove, 1:10" RH twist MAGAZINE: detachable, double-column, 20-round-capacity SIGHTS: hooded post front; aperture/V-notch rear TRIGGER: two-stage; 3 pull, 9 ⁄4 lbs. STOCK: European hard- 1 wood; length of pull, 13 ⁄2"; 3 drop at heel, 1 ⁄4"; drop at comb, 2" 3 OVERALL LENGTH: 40 ⁄4" WEIGHT: 9 lbs., 11 ozs. SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $450 As with most military-based designs, the CETME breaks down easily into its main components. Simplicity is key with this design. The rifle has a U.S.-made receiver and many original CETME parts. 76 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN May 2003 SHOOTING RESULTS

.308 Win. Vel. @ 15' Energy Group Size In Inches Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average Remington R308W7 2498 Avg. 2,329 1.86 3.22 2.61 168-gr. HPBT 30 Sd Hornady 8091 2561 Avg. 2,185 1.78 3.58 2.38 150-gr. BTSP 8 Sd PMC 308 SMB 2356 Avg. 2,071 1.12 3.86 2.84 168-gr. HPBT 30 Sd Average Extreme Spread: 2.61

3 Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 17 ⁄4" barrel. Range tem- perature: 75°F. Humidity: 21%. Accuracy for five consecutive, five-shot groups at 100 yds. from a sandbag. Abbreviations: HPBT (hollow-point boattail), BTSP (boattail-soft point).

tion of the original, with the with open sights. The differences being the sights are a post front and a inclusion of Century’s unique “paddle” rear. The domestically produced, paddle is rotated to reveal stamped receiver made several apertures and one from 1008 steel and the simple V-notch.The necessary U.S.-made parts CETME performed well in for legal compliance. the accuracy department The Century Arms considering that iron sights CETME is visually impres- were used, but an unfortu- sive, sporting an attractive nate problem did appear powder coat finish and the during firing. Despite get- optional Mossy Oak cam- ting very good groups, all ouflage pattern on its shots were hitting to the wooden stock set and right beyond the range of plastic pistol grip. sight adjustment. A call to Handling the CETME Century resulted in the revealed a tightly fitted CETME being returned for rifle. Disassembly was a inspection and a second chore with the buttstock rifle being sent for testing. section being very tight That rifle did not exhibit on the receiver. After con- the same problem and per- siderable force is applied, formed very well. During the buttstock section can testing, there were be removed to reveal the absolutely no failures to The CETME utilizes a roller-locking system rather than a rear of the receiver. The function, and its accuracy more familiar gas system. Rollers on each side of the bolt trigger group can then be was better than the first. head (top) engage detents inside the “trunnion,” requir- pulled down and away The CETME from ing a great deal of force to unlock. That resistance from the receiver and the Century appears to offer a keeps the action locked until pressure drops to safe bolt assembly pulled out great deal of rifle for a levels. To open the action of the CETME, the cocking piece (middle, arrow), located on the forward, left rearward. competitive price. For section of the upper tube, is extended open and pulled Since we did not have those with an interest in rearward. The CETME’s rear sight is a distinctive paddle the special “claw mount” historically unique military wheel design (above). To switch to a different aperture, required for mounting pieces, or who just want a simply rotate the wheel until you see what you want. scopes on CETME/G3 lot of rifle for the money, rifles, all testing was done the CETME fills the bill. in that it does not utilize a the action closed until pres- gas system. It uses a twin sure has dropped to a safe roller lock to lock the level. Due to a tendency for action. Two “rollers”—one fired cases to stick in the on each side of the bolt— chamber of such designs, roll/lock out of the bolt and the chamber is fluted to into corresponding detents help it release fired cases in what Century refers to by allowing gases to flow as the “trunnion.”The force around them. The permanently attached muzzle brake performed admirably. required to push the rollers The Century Int’l Arms It effectively tamed perceived recoil and made the CETME back into the bolt keeps CETME is a faithful rendi- more controllable during rapid fire. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN 77 May 2003