Century M53 semi

[Cpt_Kirks]

What would the MSRP be, I wonder? Gun dealers seem to usually have a 50 to 100% markup, from what I have seen.

So the actual purchase price will be in the $3000 range? That still blows BRP's $5500 out of the water!

[-M60_Gunner-]

What would the MSRP be, I wonder? Gun dealers seem to usually have a 50 to 100% markup, from what I have seen.

So the actual purchase price will be in the $3000 range? That still blows BRP's $5500 out of the water!

Agreed. Further, I think BRP screwed the pooch when they pretty much abondon us for two years and then when there is the first wiff of competition they come running back.

I mean Brian gives this excuse of "We weren't making much profit from the 42 side of things so we aren't in any big rush to jump back into it.." , then returns some 2 years and some monthes later saying they will have a GB on new receivers (which means he will be making LESS then he was on the parts before..) it's a bit rediculous. :mad:

[TOM R]

as far as a pricethe brp website says about 6k for a semi so if they are significantly less then i don't see brp ever selling more of these, i also think 6k is outragous for a semi but thats just me, definitly would like to see some pics of this

as far as century trashing recievers that is a definit no brainer since all the kits sold by almost al the vendors came from century, elemenate the home builder then sell it yourself , a%#hole thing to do but i guess buisness is buisness just my .02

[FAL_specialist]

Since I don't have a dog in this fight I think I might make a few comments.
If a business is making multiple items or selling multiple items you concentrate on what brings in the bucks. Yes, if a company has a interest in mfg'ring a item, you try to bring it to the market first before the competition does.
You may not even have time for it, but you will be forced to act once competition is known of especially if you already have the ability to mfg'r the item. Some profit is better than no profit.

I cottage industry mfg'r some small FAL parts pretty close to hand made. One project set on the shelf for years before I heard a rumor I had competition which forced me to dust off the tools and finish designing and mfg'ring the item. The item is not a big money maker, but I already have time involved in tooling mfg'r so I would have hated to have lost this time invested. Back too a little profit is better than no profit. A company can only spead so thin. If they (BRP) step on toes they will loose business too. Would it have helped the 42 interest if they had not made a effort in this product line at all?

Sounds like competition in the 42 market is good for us as it will offer options and reduced prices. If BRP cannot keep up on mfg'r and pricing they may have to shelve their 42 line completely reducing them as a competitor in this market.

As far as the angry metal grinding beavers at Century, watch out!! They generally can't even screw a FAL barrel into a receiver without screwing it up. There are/were even gunsmiths who offered Century FAL/ L1A1 rebuild programs as many of Century's weapons didn't even operate reliably off the line.

Larry

[-M60_Gunner-]

As far as the angry metal grinding beavers at Century, watch out!! They generally can't even screw a FAL barrel into a receiver without screwing it up.

Larry

[charlienco]

I am a dealer with an account at century arms. Yes, its true..... century does have a m53 semi auto for sale. Here is the info:

Product ID: RI1399 Condition: Excellent
M53 Belt Fed Semi-Auto Rifle, Cal. 8mm Details & Associated Product Family

Can you imagine the looks as you take this baby to your lane at the range? Open the bipod, slip in a 100 rd. belt of 8mm and let ‘em fly! Your buddies will throw their “mouse guns” aside and beg to give her a try. Comes with 100 rd. belt and can.
Price: $XXXX.XX

They do have dealer pricing listed. But I can't post it here, because I don't know what the msrp is. But looking at dealer pricing its going to be around 2250.00 to 2500.00 range.

This is going to really affect the guys out there trying to get 1500.00 -1800.00 for a cut up receiver and a parts set.

If there is any who wants one of these let me know. my e-mail address is: charlienco@aol.com

[Sledge303]

[quote=" As far as the angry metal grinding beavers at Century, watch out!! They generally can't even screw a FAL barrel into a receiver without screwing it up. There are/were even gunsmiths who offered Century FAL/ L1A1 rebuild programs as many of Century's weapons didn't even operate reliably off the line.

Larry[/quote]

Two things I need to point out. Century has two BATFE approved de-mil patterns. Folks on this list who have bought Yugoslavian M53 parts sets from SOGI and CFS own examples of both. They don't have a "hidden" pattern that is only used on the receivers of the guns they intend to build. So, the Century Yugo M53 is constructed using the same cut barrel shroud and parts that many folks on this list have in hand.
Point two, Century has no gunsmiths on the payroll in Vermont. As stated, check their FALs, CETME's, UZi's etc... However, they can hire an outside company to build for them the firearms they want to sell.
I completely expect the Semi-auto M53 they sell to be a sucess right out of the "start gate".

[FAL_specialist]

Sorry, my comments about Century have nothing to do with how the receivers were cut.

My only experience with Century offered built rifles are the FAL/ L1A1 type rifles.
I have been around these rifles since the early 90's. These seemed to be mass produced, BF hammer, bench grinder fitted weapons! Barrels were peened to fit tight, Surface hardened head space shoulders were ground to fit, but eventually lost headspace. The offset loop of the spring steel carry handles were ground flat to drop in fit into the receiver rather than taking a minute to fit it in with the slight tension it needed to keep from flopping around. Lower units, etc were blasted then parkerized with sights and internal parts still installed. These assemblies when received by the end user had to be dismantled (sometimes with a hammer and punch on frozen up assemblies) and the blasting media cleaned out. There was also a continual problem with the crusting of leaching out phosphate solution on assemlies until they were dismantled and cleaned.

The infamous exploits of the angry, metal grinder, beavers who produced Century FAL rifles is endless!
Larry

[Bil]

Sledge303-What does Vermont have to do with it? I'm the only one that I know of here from Vermont,and I said nice things! We have enough people maging fun of us,what with civil unions,Howard Dean,and that sheep thing.Just for that,no rivets for you!! ---bil

[propos]

Over on the Cetme site they have a sticky about what to look for when buying a Century Cetme. Ground rollers, misalignment of the barrel, etc. I bought one before I was aware of the problems that one may encounter when buying a Century Cetme. I got lucky and got one that was built right. It was a good shooter too. Wish I had it yet. But somehow I was turned off by the receiver. I think they were made by Hesse but I'm not sure. But I never had a problem with the gun. Ran like a champ. But boy would it sling those empties. I just didn't have confidence in that receiver.

[Cpt_Kirks]

I guess we will have to wait and see if the Century guns run well. Since we all know the SA can be a bitch to get running right, this should be interesting.

As to hurting people selling kits, yeah maybe (Yes, I do have a dog in that fight). However, people who want to build their own, or want want a REAL GERMAN WWII MG42 (semi or post-sample full auto) will still pay for a good kit with a good, three or four cut receiver.

They won't pay $1800 (that was too high, I admit), but they will pay for a nice kit.

Oh, BTW, I still have a VERY nice three cut and kit for sale...

[Bil]

I think you are right.I personally would rather have a gun that was actually used in WWII,with real history behind it.The century is a nice gun,and I may buy one someday.But I like the challenge of making something that is classified as junk into a running machine.I am also into street rods and feel the same about fibreglass bodies.They are nice,look right,and are affordable.Buy the real thing is the real thing.I just bought a 42 kit ,for a bit more,I could have the Century.Not the same.Building and shooting are two differant parts of the hobby.I feel there is plenty of room for both sides.I personally dont think the prices of kits will go down much ,if at all.The price of the Century gun is very attractive,though.Maybe if I get a second job..... ---bil

[charlienco]

Concidering all the new info........ M53's from Century for 2200.00+, this is real guys I ordered two this morning, the wiselite and cold steel receivers comming soon. (By the way I got a e-mail from cold steel today....they tell me that they will be taking orders for mg42 receivers on January 15th.)......What is a fare price to pay for a 3 cut receiver? How about a four cut?

[Bil]

with or without a kit included? ---bil

[charlienco]

How about a price with and with out, also german and yugo?

[Cpt_Kirks]

Good questions.

What would be a good price for a three cut German WWII receiver with 8mm kit?

For the same with a four cut receiver?

[charlienco]

Well Bil..............Tell us!!

[Sledge303]

Sledge303-What does Vermont have to do with it? I'm the only one that I know of here from Vermont,and I said nice things! We have enough people maging fun of us,what with civil unions,Howard Dean,and that sheep thing.Just for that,no rivets for you!! :D :mrgreen: ---bil

Vermont only comes up in my post because Century International Arms is located in Georgia, Vermont. They used to be in a bunch of separate warehouses in St. Albans, but a few years back they consolidated into a huge new facility.
I spent most of my youth in Southern New Hampshire. I wouldn't live there now, too built up. Vermont looks like a great place to live, good "carry" laws to boot!

[Sledge303]

Sorry, my comments about Century have nothing to do with how the receivers were cut.

My only experience with Century offered built rifles are the FAL/ L1A1 type rifles.
I have been around these rifles since the early 90's. These seemed to be mass produced, BF hammer, bench grinder fitted weapons! Barrels were peened to fit tight, Surface hardened head space shoulders were ground to fit, but eventually lost headspace. The offset loop of the spring steel carry handles were ground flat to drop in fit into the receiver rather than taking a minute to fit it in with the slight tension it needed to keep from flopping around. Lower units, etc were blasted then parkerized with sights and internal parts still installed. These assemblies when received by the end user had to be dismantled (sometimes with a hammer and punch on frozen up assemblies) and the blasting media cleaned out. There was also a continual problem with the crusting of leaching out phosphate solution on assemlies until they were dismantled and cleaned.

The infamous exploits of the angry, metal grinder, beavers who produced Century FAL rifles is endless!
Larry

OOPS, sorry, I was responding to your post and a separate post (about the de-mil) in one entry.
I too have witnessed and read plenty of Century FAL stories. A friend and I each ordered one in the early ninties on his FFL. They were built on parts sets exported out of India. MAN, what a rough bore! The sights were leaning left on one and right on another. After checking them closely they were both returned and the money was spent on other items. I used to have a friend here who is a Canadien Forces Armourer. He fixed and rebuilt several FALs from Century and other builders. One Century gun came to him built SO bad that it was totally ruined (from shooting) and had to be scrapped. Only the furniture was recoverable.
Century built FAL's and CETME's for years and did work to address some of the problems. Later production was a better product, compared to the first ones that went out. The numbers of CETME's built is very high. One Denver dealer says to have sold 500 just thru his shop!

[Bil]

"Well bil,tell us"? I dont know how I got to be some source of knowledge,but it all depends on the gun.I try to look at the cuts,is the bushing a fig mess of slag,is the camming section butchered,does it look like all the parts are there ,or did someone cherry-pick several kits and put together one out of leftovers.plus,is it mostls German parts,or a mix.The ease of rebuilding should be a bic consideration.I think all things considered,a goo 3 OR 4 cut receiver with desirable parts is worth up to 1500.I think that is also the high end right now.Just because I have bought some stuff lately doesnt mean I know what I am doing.Ask again after I'm back on my meds,and reality sets in. Capt kirks 42 is a very nice kit,I think well worth the price.If he had come down 1 day earlier,It would have been a better deal than the 4 cut I bought.Both are very nice.compare to what you get for $200! The real thing is what will be collectable in years to come.All just opinions. I was un-aware century was in Vt.,and will try to make a field trip,and will report.I am in SE vermont,near Mass. sledge,where were you from?