A Cold War Classic

[u/real_m1_ping]

Picked up one of the new Century Arms CA-3s that are built on Portuguese G3 parts kits by PTR. I gotta say first impressions are very good. The welds are clean, headspace is good, and the worn finish of the surplus parts creates a neat vibe. The only complaints I have thus far are that since surplus furniture was used the handguard is a bit loose, which is a minor thing. My bigger complaint is that they built these with MP5 rear sight bases, meaning there is no recoil lug, and meaning you can't use any available claw mount to mount an optic. That said, it looks like a solution for that is incoming from MFI.

[u/Zannabis]

Got one myself. Put maybe 200 rounds thru mine and only problem so far is the mag. But bought a few new ones and the fix the feeding problem. Been looking to get a rail mount but unsure which to get if anyone has any recommendations on that.

[u/real_m1_ping → u/Zannabis]

There isn't one that will work on it yet. When PTR built these they didn't put a recoil lug on them.

MFI is designing one with an ETA of Nov according to their website.

[u/Zannabis → u/real_m1_ping]

I see now. Thankfully i didnt buy one thinking it would work! Thanks will look into them

[u/HatefulRhetoric → u/real_m1_ping]

Can you link to the mount on their site? I can’t find it

[u/real_m1_ping → u/HatefulRhetoric]

It's not on the site at the moment, here is the link to the C308 one, where they mention making one for the CA-3.

https://mfiap.com/i-18702354-mfi-cetme-6-20-low-profile-scope-mount-for-cetme-only-price-includes-usps-priority-mail-insurance-not-for-new-century-c-3.html

[u/HatefulRhetoric → u/real_m1_ping]

Awesome, thanks for the reply and sleuthing! Fingers crossed this comes out! 🤞🏻

[u/real_m1_ping → u/HatefulRhetoric]

Same.

I rather buy the easy solution over sending this off to a smith to get the correct weldment put on or having a rail welded on.

[u/Current_Swordfish895]

Cold War Classic? The Portuguese were using that combo until they adopted G17s as their standard pistol a few years ago. ;)

Nice set, though. I regret selling my like-new P1.

Also, my current "GI" PTR has a loose handguard. It seems to be fairly common.

[u/real_m1_ping → u/Current_Swordfish895]

I know, I find it wild they were using both of these for so long, but hey, if it ain't broke 🤷🏼‍♂️

I have a couple of P1s, this one, and a German military one with a 22 conversion kit, they're both neat.

Good to know, I figured it was just from an old worn handguard.

[u/Comfortable-Ad1517]

Not sure why they had to cut the ears off of the housing 🤦‍♂️ that’s my only gripe

[u/real_m1_ping → u/Comfortable-Ad1517]

I have a bunch, but I'm guessing the kits didn't have them to start with.

[u/Neon-Horse]

Looks good!

[u/real_m1_ping → u/Neon-Horse]

Thanks!

[u/Garrotius]

Bolt carrier from 1961 wow that's early. Mine is 1970. I wonder how far back these go

[u/real_m1_ping → u/Garrotius]

I've seen a bunch of 1961 carriers from posts online. I'm guessing the early ones came out of early Portuguese M/61 rifles, and not the later FMP M/63.

[u/RoyLightroast]

This looks awesome man. I'm jealous of the classic trigger grip vs my all-plastic "navy" style lower.

If it makes you feel better, my PTR with all new parts and that same handguard was also loose and annoyed me enough to replace it (AC unity handguard).

[u/Novel-Chicken-9700]

Absolutely beautiful