As billfrombyron noted already, the first thing to look at is the bolt and bolt carrier from the bottom through the empty mag well. Making sure it's unloaded and following all safety rules, of course, cock the rifle and look underneath. The bolt head should be snugged against the bolt carrier. When I first got mine I fired it and I had a single shot CETME, having to pull back the charging handle every time. That was with 5 different mags still to the same end result. I saw in the field that the bolt would not fully close in recoil on the next round - it left a 1/4 inch gap between the bolt and bolt carrier, and also between the bolt face and the chamber, so nothing would happen when I pulled the trigger.

I brought it home and completely dismantled it twice, cleaning every part I could find. I didn't realize this needed a complete detail cleaning first due to all the metal shavings you will find throughout a "new" CETME. I mean, I did wipe it out and gave it a good once-over, but nothing like I found I needed to. Even after this I still had the gap.

I spoke with a gunsmith acquaintance of mine who agreed with my thought that something was pinching the bolt head or bolt carrier and preventing it from closing. I dismantled it again, and marked the receiver rails that carry the bolt mechanism with a black marker, then reassembled the rifle and worked the bolt manually about 30 times. I dismantled again, and sure enough I found where the bolt carrier was rubbing against a rail. Some tapping, polishing, and fitting later and it closes perfectly. I even close the bolt to about two inches of closing, place the charging handle in the stow away position (latch down) and release the bolt and it fully engages the chamber nice and tight. I confirmed this weekend that all was well when I fired 200 rounds through it without a single problem.

I found www.cetmerifles.com that gave me a lot of info on my rifle, and got me pointed in the right direction. Apparently it is very uncommon for a "new" CETME to work right out of the box. But now mine does, mags and parts are dirt cheap right now, and I have no intentions of trading it any time soon. The price for mine was $325 off GunsAmerica, with a wood stock, so I think I did okay.

Good luck.

Steve -

That's awesome! You had no issues at all with it? You are the first person I've heard of that had that. Good job.

A buddy of mine really wants one and I'll correct my words to him that I now have heard of one being okay. Hopefully there are more.

Thanks and have a good one.