Now that the 1994 "Assault Weapon Ban" has gone the way of the proverbial Dodo Bird, CETME and G3/HK91 owners probably would like to upgrade their "post-ban" rifles to something more like "originals."  That being said, here's what you can do to make your PC rifle to look more like its battle rifle ancestor.

 

Probably the the best source of parts for your project is either a CETME or G3 parts kit.  FAC of America has both (as well as U.S. 'compliance' parts kits).  Since you are starting with a compliant firearm, you probably won't need to add more, but they're there if you need them at www.gunsnstuffonline.com.   The CETME kit is $110.00, no. KI123-PF; a U.S. compliance parts kit is $46.90, no. CETMEUSP; the GE parts kit is $198.95, no. KI403; and the U.S. compliance parts kit is $62.95, no. G3USPARTS.  FAC also sells individual parts at reasonable prices.

 

The BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) has said that as long as the pivot pin that connects the full auto trigger group to the receiver cannot be installed, a modified "pinned and cliped" trigger group is acceptable for CETME and G3 semi-auto look-alikes.  What this means is the full auto trigger group is modified by thinning the "ears" for the pin; cutting and brazing the ends of the cross-pin in the pin holes, and installing the FAC "G3 fire control conversion kit @ $17.95, no. G3-MOD. 

 

BATFE has also said the CETME or G3 can be modified to use the "flapper" type magazine release as long as the pin that retains the parts cannot be removed.  This means that the back of the magazine well is modified by opening it up for the installation of the release, drilling the pin hole, installing the flap-type magazine release, installing the pin, and brazing the pin in place.  Once this is done, you will have TWO magazine releases -- just like the original rifles -- the flap-type and the button-type.

 

I chose Mark Galla, 6915 East Gary Circle, Mesa, AZ 85207-3741, to do the modifications on both my CETME and G3 clones.  I sent mark the parts from my parts kits to be modified [CETME or G3 trigger group and pin], the FAC compliance parts as required, the stripped, barreled receiver of the rifle, and the HK91-style trigger housing assembly that came with the rifle.

 

[NOTE:  The safety selector positions on the CETME and G3 are different and so are their trigger pack components and locations.  The CETME selector positions are T (semi) - S (safe) - R (auto) and the G3 selector positions are S (safe) - E (semi) - F (auto).  Because the CETME trigger pack differs from the G3, Mark will convert your CETME trigger pack from select fire to semi-auto only and pin and clip the T-S-R trigger housing.  The HK91-type trigger pack that comes with your G3 clone can be used "as is" and only the S-E-F trigger housing will have to be pinned and clipped.]  

 

At this time you may want to re-install the "evil" flash suppressor that had to be removed under the now defunct 1994 AWB.  This part is in your parts kit.  How much more you want to do to make your CETME and G3 clone to look like its military counterpart is up to you.  I can tell you that pinned and clipped trigger housings and flap-type magazine releases really make the rifle look sharp and help with magazine changes.

 

FAC also has very good to new replacement parts to upgrade your rifle.  TAPCO (www.tapco.com) has brand new CETME stocks and handguards.

 

Contact Mark at [email protected] to discuss what you want converted and a quote for the costs of the modifications.