Ahern Under the Gun: Shooting Century’s C93 & Taurus’ … · Unlike the CETME, the C93 is set...
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By Jerry Ahern, Photos by Sharon Ahern I have recently tested two terrific firearms, each a true bargain considering value offered. One is a rifle, the other a pistol. Both are excellent pieces of equipment in calibers compatible with U.S. military and police hardware, meaning, of course, there would be enhanced potential for finding ammo for these firearms in a disaster scenario, since this ammunition would tend to be more abundant. The first of these is from one of my favorite gun compa- nies, Century Inter- national Arms (cen- turyarms.com). It is a variation on one of my favorite styles of rifle. Called the “C93 Semi-Auto Rifle,” it is a 5.56 x 45 (.223 Remington) caliber sporter using the delayed roller locking system pio- neered by the Span- ish CETME rifles and subsequently incor- porated into some of the world’s most well respected assault rifles. Prior to the idiotic Clin- ton-era assault weapons ban, mer- cifully allowed to sunset on President George W. Bush’s watch, high quality German produced rifles incorporating the system CETME pioneered were readily available in this country, in both 7.62 x 51 (.308 Winchester) and 5.56 x 45 (.223 Remington). These original weapons and associated accessories command a significant bounty these days, despite wider availability of military-style sporters. Not long ago, I mentioned in this column the CETME Rifles from Century International Arms, these in .308. Excellent rifles! I was elated to sub- sequently learn that Century is also offering a .223 that incorporates the same outstanding features. And, the rifle is sensational! As a gunwriter – con- trary to the opinions of some – you discover that most firearms are pretty well made and perform just as they should. There’s the occasional lemon, of course. If you’re a mature, responsible person, as a writer you do exactly what a retail purchaser would do. You notify the manufacturer of the problem and get it rectified. To keep honesty on your side, you mention the experience in whatev- er you write concerning the firearm. Sometimes, too, you’ll encounter a firearm to which you take an instant liking. This new .223 sporter from Cen- tury is one of the latter. Unlike the case of the CETME in .308, to my knowledge there is no source for inexpensive spare magazines. The CETME takes H-K 91 and G3 magazines, as well as CETME magazines. The C93 would take H-K 33, 53 or 93 magazines, if you can find them. That said, the C93 does come with two 40-round magazines, but I’m one of those guys who likes having several spare magazines. So, I’ll explore the possibilities and, eventually, spend more than I want for some additional magazines. At the moment, prowling the Internet yielded no source for maga- zines at any reason- able price. This would suggest that the C93 is proving to be a popular gun! As the rifle comes from Century, the C93 features the same delayed roller locking system found in the CETME, a fluted chamber. The barrel is 16-1/4” long and features a flash suppressor. The barrel is American made, as is the receiver. There is a carrying handle that folds out of the way when you wish. The rear sight is adjustable for various yardages. Disassem- bly of the weapon is really quite simple. The C93 is very “shootable.” Its pistol grip is comfortable and operation of the left-side mount- ed safety with the right thumb is easy and reliable. Some will quarrel with the cocking handle being mounted on the left side of the weapon, but I’ve always found this arrangement quite convenient. Unlike the CETME, the C93 is set up from the factory to handle a sling, although no sling comes with the rifle. The stock is impact-resistant plastic, a deep black in color. All metal surfaces are Park- erized. Magazine interchange is easier than on some other rifles – like the AK types and Rugers, for example – and the magazine release catch, which is found on the right hand side, is positive. The accompanying magazines are not new production and show – at least with my sample – some signs of honest wear. Loading a C93 magazine is easily accomplished without the use of tools and without destroying your thumbs in the process. 20 Ahern with the Century C93 rifle, a weapon with which he was extremely impressed. Note carrying handle in raised position. Ahern Under the Gun: Shooting C April 10 Blue Press Section 1 2/15/10 8:19 AM Page 20
Transcript of Ahern Under the Gun: Shooting Century’s C93 & Taurus’ … · Unlike the CETME, the C93 is set...
By Jerry Ahern, Photos by Sharon AhernI have recently tested two terrific firearms, each
a true bargain considering value offered. One is arifle, the other a pistol. Both are excellent piecesof equipment in calibers compatible with U.S.military and police hardware, meaning, of course,there would be enhanced potential for findingammo for these firearms in a disaster scenario,since this ammunition would tend to be moreabundant.
The first of theseis from one of myfavorite gun compa-nies, Century Inter-national Arms (cen-turyarms.com). It isa variation on one ofmy favorite styles ofrifle. Called the“C93 Semi-AutoRifle,” it is a 5.56 x45 (.223 Remington)caliber sporter usingthe delayed rollerlocking system pio-neered by the Span-ish CETME rifles andsubsequently incor-porated into some ofthe world’s mostwell respectedassault rifles. Priorto the idiotic Clin-ton-era assaultweapons ban, mer-cifully allowed tosunset on PresidentGeorge W. Bush’s watch, high quality Germanproduced rifles incorporating the system CETMEpioneered were readily available in this country, inboth 7.62 x 51 (.308 Winchester) and 5.56 x 45(.223 Remington). These original weapons andassociated accessories command a significantbounty these days, despite wider availability ofmilitary-style sporters.
Not long ago, I mentioned in this column theCETME Rifles from Century International Arms,these in .308. Excellent rifles! I was elated to sub-sequently learn that Century is also offering a .223that incorporates the same outstanding features.And, the rifle is sensational! As a gunwriter – con-trary to the opinions of some – you discover thatmost firearms are pretty well made and performjust as they should. There’s the occasional lemon,of course. If you’re a mature, responsible person,as a writer you do exactly what a retail purchaserwould do. You notify the manufacturer of theproblem and get it rectified. To keep honesty onyour side, you mention the experience in whatev-er you write concerning the firearm. Sometimes,too, you’ll encounter a firearm to which you take
an instant liking. This new .223 sporter from Cen-tury is one of the latter.
Unlike the case of the CETME in .308, to myknowledge there is no source for inexpensivespare magazines. The CETME takes H-K 91 andG3 magazines, as well as CETME magazines. TheC93 would take H-K 33, 53 or 93 magazines, ifyou can find them. That said, the C93 does comewith two 40-round magazines, but I’m one of
those guys wholikes having severalspare magazines.So, I’ll explore thepossibilities and,eventually, spendmore than I want forsome additionalmagazines. At themoment, prowlingthe Internet yieldedno source for maga-zines at any reason-able price. Thiswould suggest thatthe C93 is provingto be a popular gun!
As the riflecomes from Century,the C93 features thesame delayed rollerlocking systemfound in the CETME,a fluted chamber.The barrel is 16-1/4”long and features aflash suppressor. Thebarrel is American
made, as is the receiver. There is a carrying handlethat folds out of the way when you wish. The rearsight is adjustable for various yardages. Disassem-bly of the weapon is really quite simple.
The C93 is very “shootable.” Its pistol grip iscomfortable and operation of the left-side mount-ed safety with the right thumb is easy and reliable.Some will quarrel with the cocking handle beingmounted on the left side of the weapon, but I’vealways found this arrangement quite convenient.
Unlike the CETME, the C93 is set up from thefactory to handle a sling, although no sling comeswith the rifle. The stock is impact-resistant plastic,a deep black in color. All metal surfaces are Park-erized. Magazine interchange is easier than onsome other rifles – like the AK types and Rugers,for example – and the magazine release catch,which is found on the right hand side, is positive.
The accompanying magazines are not newproduction and show – at least with my sample– some signs of honest wear. Loading a C93magazine is easily accomplished without the useof tools and without destroying your thumbs inthe process.
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Ahern with the Century C93 rifle, a weapon with which he wasextremely impressed. Note carrying handle in raised position.
Ahern Under the Gun: Shooting Century’s C93 & Taurus’ PT809
April 10 Blue Press Section 1 2/15/10 8:19 AM Page 20
