CETME rifle

The CETME (Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales) rifle was designed primarily by the German engineer Ludwig Vorgrimler, who based his design on the experimental German StG 45(M) and the French-made AME 49. The StG45 used a roller-delayed blowback mechanism somewhat similar to the roller-locking system patented by Edward Stecke in the 1930s in Poland and used in the MG 42. The MG42 locking system actually locks completely and requires a short-stroke barrel that travels backward to unlock, compared to the StG45(M) system that never completely locks and does not require a moving barrel. The CETME design inherits the StG45(M)'s fixed-barrel. However, the CETME Model 58 introduced a novel solution to the problem of cartridges sticking in the chamber, namely, a fluted chamber—horizontal grooves in the chamber—that allows the cartridge cases to float on a layer of gas to aid extraction. The CETME series of battle rifles were manufactured in four basic models; the A, B, C and E models. The primary difference in the production models is the modes of fire, the absence of bipod and lighter weight for later models. Trials The Spanish CETME A was tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground in July 1954. The CETME Model A in 7.62 CETME and 7.62 NATO was also demonstrated to the French, Swedes and Italians in 1955. From 1957, the Dutch company Nederlandse Wapen en Munitiefabriek also demonstrated the CETME/H&K Model B rifle to the Royal Netherlands Army, the Netherlands Marine Corps, Finland (chambered in 7.62×39mm), Ecuador and Dominican Republic, but no gun was produced nor ordered. ==Models==

Model A The Model As were the developmental prototypes. These models were unusual in that they fired from the closed bolt in semi-automatic and from the open bolt in full-auto mode. Later production models fire from only the closed bolt. The Model As are easily identified by the position of rear sight and bipod folded back to form the fore-stock. In 1954, the rifle saw limited introduction in the Spanish Army. They used the 7.92×41mm CETME. Model B The Model B was the first production model. It had a perforated steel handguard and chambered for the 7.62×51mm CETME round. The 7.62×51mm CETME differed from the standard 7.62×51mm NATO round by having a lighter full-metal-jacketed, plastic-cored lead bullet and a reduced propellant charge. The parts for the Model B are for most part interchangeable with the later Model C rifles. The Spanish Army adopted a variant of the Model B re-engineered for the more powerful 7.62×51mm NATO round. The reliable functioning of roller-delayed blowback mechanisms is limited by specific ammunition and arm parameters like bullet weight, propellant charge, barrel length and amount of wear. The Model B could be converted to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO round if the bolt group and return spring were replaced with that of the Model C. These modified rifles were known as Model 58-64-C and by 1971 all the Spanish CETME B rifles had been upgraded. Model C The Model C was a lightweight version that was chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round and had wooden fore-stocks. The Model C is virtually identical to the Model B. However, certain components had been strengthened to better deal with the increased forces and stress exerted by the application of the standard 7.62×51mm NATO round. It had become the Spanish standard rifle by 1974. Model E The CETME Model E replaced the wooden parts of the stock with plastic and the steel components with aluminium. After a short period on the production line, it was discovered that they were weaker than the previous models and that continuous fire deformed the firearms rapidly. Due to this, relatively few were produced and they were quickly discontinued. Model R The CETME R was a derivative of the CETME B without buttstock, intended to be used aboard armored vehicles. ==Variants==

CETME L and LC The CETME Model L was a downsized variant of the CETME system, chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It was adopted by the Spanish Army in 1984 and was in service until it was replaced by the Heckler and Koch G36 rifle in 1999. ==Civilian versions==

In the 1960s, the Mars Equipment Corporation of Chicago imported into the USA Spanish-made semiautomatic versions of the CETME B and C rifles. Available accessories included a 1" scope mount, a plastic snap-on rifle cover, and the stock CETME magazine loading tool. The model-B rifles included the standard integrated bipod. These rifles can be identified by a large MARS import mark on the right-hand side along with a prominent "MADE IN SPAIN". They are prized by collectors far above the US-made "parts kit" rifles. In the late 1990s, Century Arms International (CAI) began offering semiautomatic only civilian versions known as the CETME Sporter, which are manufactured from assembled military surplus and US made parts. Although largely built from Model "C" parts, there have been reports of model "B" parts in the Model "C" Century built rifles. Due to the restrictions against importing receivers of select-fire weapons, all receivers for these civilian versions are made in the US. Earlier receivers were of cast aluminum, while later receivers were made from stamped and welded steel. Earlier rifles retained the wood furniture of the originals while later examples were available with Heckler & Koch style composite stocks. Due to state and local laws restricting weapons with assault weapon features, earlier models of the CETME Sporter featured a permanently pinned muzzle brake rather than the original flash hider. After the 1994 Assault Weapons ban expired in 2004, Century produced models with a removable muzzle brake. NATO 7.62×51mm ammunition may safely be used in the CETME sporter, while commercial .308 ammunition is not recommended for use due to the tendency of the extractor to tear off the rims of the softer civilian brass. The CETME delayed roller lock design has a violent extraction and ejection process that flings the empty brass far from the weapon. The brass generally cannot be reloaded due to denting during the ejection operation, this is of no consequence when using mil-spec surplus ammunition with Berdan priming. ==Users==

Frontline service • : Biafran Armed Forces • : 1,500 Model C rifles acquired for army reserves in 2003, in use with Grupo Delta of the Policia Nacional • • • • • • • : Commandos Marine used CETME-B rifles seized aboard a smuggling boat during the Algerian War, and kept them in limited service until the 1990s. • • : Most rifles disposed of in 1981 • : Lebanese Armed Forces • • • Guardia Civil stored Cetme Model C rifles reintroduced to replace worn out Cetme Model LC rifles • Trials only • : CETME Model A Non state users • ==Gallery==

File:CETME-Bajonett-FR8 mit Scheide.jpg|Bayonet for the Cetme Rifle and the FR8 Rifle File:Colección Museográfica de la Legión en Almería 024.jpg|Cetme Rifle in the Museográfica de la Legión en Almería ==See also==

• Manual del soldado de Infantería de Marina (1985). Marine Corps soldier Manual Edited by the Spanish Ministry of Defence. • Manual de instrucción básica de la Escuela Técnica de Seguridad y Defensa del Aire (ETESDA) (2002). Basic instruction Manual of the Technical School Safety and Air Defence (ETESDA) (2002). Edited by the Spanish Ministry of Defence. • Centro de Documentación y Publicaciones del Ministerio de Defensa. Publications and Documentation Centre of the Ministry of Defence. • CETME: 50 años del fusil de asalto español. (CETME: 50 years of Spanish assault rifle). José María Manrique García and Lucas Molina Franco. Edit. La Esfera de los Libros. (The Sphere of Books). . • ==External links==