Century Arms C308

TrueBlue711 · November 8, 2017, 10:27 AM

Just curious if anybody has one of these and how they like it. For those who haven't heard of it, it is pretty much the PTR 91 (image of C308 attached). I'm seeing the C308s for around $500, which is crazy for a 308 semi-auto. I know they're fairly heavy, but so are a lot of .308 semi-autos. Hoping to hear about experiences with reliability and accuracy. For $500, I'm not expecting awesome accuracy. But reliability is still important to me no matter what the price.

jersurf101 · November 8, 2017, 11:51 AM

I had one and it is one of the few rifles I have sold. You need to be able to touch three rifle and check some things. The cobblers at Century are hit and miss. There are some very poorly built rifles out there.

Bolt gap should be around .12 and no less than .08 checked with a feeler gauge. Check for a ground bolt head that is a no go. Over all I found the ergonomics of the rifle poor, safety placement especially. Mine was not overly accurate and sent beat up .7.62 brass into the next county

If that isn't enough look uop case head separation with delayed roller blowback rifles and how it is unwise to use commercial.308 brass in these. Just my .02.

Model12Win · November 8, 2017, 12:04 PM

Had a PTR-91 and sold it. The C308 is basically a cheaper version.

I'd avoid them for all the reasons Jersurf said.

T. O'Heir · November 8, 2017, 03:46 PM

Would touch any rifle Century had anything to do with myself. They're well known for assembling rifles out parts bins with zero QC. Not even checking the headspace to ensure the rifle is safe to shoot.
The C308 is "cobbled"(Kind of insulting to real cobblers. That's a guy who fixes shoes.)together out of new U.S. made and Cetme milsurp parts.

hodaka · November 12, 2017, 06:55 AM

I've owned an HK-91 a PTR over the years and recently traded for a new Century 308. Actually, I'm pleased. The rear sight is the main flaw but with a nice welded rail it scopes easily and is very useable with a dot. With a scope I could put my reloads into a 2" group @100 all day. It does throw brass but you can reload them if you can find them. The stripes are simply cosmetic. I'm planning to use it for some of our local 3 gun matches. Not a bad choice for a 308 battle gun, especially at a $5-600 price point. There are some detailed reviews on the web that are pretty honest.

wild cat mccane · November 12, 2017, 08:58 AM

Watch out for the Century Slam Fire model

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUE1l-2yR3M

5:15.

No. When they were 450, I still didn't buy. PSA AR10

gshayd · November 13, 2017, 04:06 AM

You would be better off with a PSA AR 10 with an 18 or 20" barrel.

November 8, 2017, 03:46 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Would touch any rifle Century had anything to do with myself. They're well known for assembling rifles out parts bins with zero QC. Not even checking the headspace to ensure the rifle is safe to shoot. The C308 is "cobbled"(Kind of insulting to real cobblers. That's a guy who fixes shoes.)together out of new U.S. made and Cetme milsurp parts. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 8, 2017, 11:51 AM	#2
jersurf101 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 553	I had one and it is one of the few rifles I have sold. You need to be able to touch three rifle and check some things. The cobblers at Century are hit and miss. There are some very poorly built rifles out there. Bolt gap should be around .12 and no less than .08 checked with a feeler gauge. Check for a ground bolt head that is a no go. Over all I found the ergonomics of the rifle poor, safety placement especially. Mine was not overly accurate and sent beat up .7.62 brass into the next county If that isn't enough look uop case head separation with delayed roller blowback rifles and how it is unwise to use commercial.308 brass in these. Just my .02.

November 8, 2017, 12:04 PM	#3
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Had a PTR-91 and sold it. The C308 is basically a cheaper version. I'd avoid them for all the reasons Jersurf said.

November 12, 2017, 06:55 AM	#5
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I've owned an HK-91 a PTR over the years and recently traded for a new Century 308. Actually, I'm pleased. The rear sight is the main flaw but with a nice welded rail it scopes easily and is very useable with a dot. With a scope I could put my reloads into a 2" group @100 all day. It does throw brass but you can reload them if you can find them. The stripes are simply cosmetic. I'm planning to use it for some of our local 3 gun matches. Not a bad choice for a 308 battle gun, especially at a $5-600 price point. There are some detailed reviews on the web that are pretty honest.

November 12, 2017, 08:58 AM	#6
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,627	Watch out for the Century Slam Fire model https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUE1l-2yR3M 5:15. No. When they were 450, I still didn't buy. PSA AR10

November 13, 2017, 04:06 AM	#7
gshayd Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2017 Posts: 123	You would be better off with a PSA AR 10 with an 18 or 20" barrel.