CETME-L History & Disassembly

Published on July 18, 2016
Duration: 20:45

This guide details the field stripping process for the CETME-L rifle, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum. It covers the removal of the buttstock, recoil spring, bolt carrier group, and trigger housing. The video highlights specific features like the captive recoil spring and notes potential difficulties during handguard removal.

Quick Summary

The CETME-L is a Spanish rifle utilizing a roller-delayed blowback action, firing the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. Field stripping involves removing the buttstock pins, recoil spring assembly, bolt carrier group, and trigger housing. It differs from HK designs with its square cocking tube and unique magazine well angle, often requiring proprietary magazines for reliable feeding.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Title card: Spanish CETME-L (Original)
  2. 04:54External Features and HK Comparisons
  3. 07:30Field Stripping and Disassembly
  4. 14:21Range Testing and Performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the operating mechanism of the CETME-L?

The CETME-L operates using a roller-delayed blowback system, a design principle also found in many Heckler & Koch firearms. This mechanism uses locking rollers to delay the opening of the bolt, allowing for a smoother shooting experience and lighter components.

How do you field strip the CETME-L?

Field stripping involves removing two buttstock pins, then the captive recoil spring assembly. The bolt carrier group is removed via the charging handle, and the trigger group is removed by rotating the safety selector to a specific position before wiggling it out.

What are the main differences between the CETME-L and HK rifles?

While sharing the roller-delayed blowback system, the CETME-L has a square cocking tube (unlike HK's round profile), lacks the HK-style 'slap' notch, and has a slightly different magazine well angle that can affect magazine compatibility.

What caliber does the CETME-L fire?

The CETME-L fires the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. It was developed as Spain transitioned from the older 7.62mm CETME Model C to this more modern intermediate cartridge.

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