Yahoo, I Got A C93 That Runs

[A&S Conversions]

Hey guys, I bought one of those $500 C93s from J&G Sales. The bolt gap was low, so I put in some +2 rollers. I cleaned it and lubed it. I took it to a local shoot today. I only ran a couple mags through it, but not one problem so far. In fact it was sighted in close enough from the factory that I could hit a one gallon jug from 25 yards. No great feat, but I like that it starts out that close. This was also posted on HK Pro.

Scott

 

[chili17]

congrats! I keep debating about picking one up

 

[Nwcid]

Very nice to hear. I have been wanting one since they hit the $500 mark. I keep meaning to pick it up but I bought 2 other guns in the last month so didnt have the funds for that one. Not looking like I am going to be able to till after the first of the year either.

 

[nfafan]

These really are sweet rifles, had no idea what the whole HK fuss was about all these years. Still, paid less now than I would've for a '93 back in the 80's.

 

[A&S Conversions]

It is a "roll of the dice" whether you get a good one or not. So far, I'm lucky. Even if it goes south, it is not like it is a 53K or something else exotic. I'm sure I could replace the barrel, because I have a couple of spares from the $400 kits from Apex. The Apex kits come with Rim Country made barrels that are made from Green Mountain blanks. This weekend Apex still had some of those kits but I'm not going to be able to buy the US made parts for $100. I'm sure I can have the C93 barrel replaced for less than building the kit. Not including the cost of buying a receiver.

Scott

 

[henry]

I bought a hk93 in the 80s right at 600. later bought a hk94 and had it made to shoot fast for around 2600 later traded for a mp40 looking for a mp44 right now somewhere around17k

 

[LTWVARNG]

I have two and I love them. One is built on a hesse receiver the other on a special weapons. Both were made on like new parts kits. They run great. Paid 550 each. I think it's a steal at this price. The one built on a special weapons receiver...I'm not sure who built it...it came factory with a paddle mag release? Still says century.

 

[hagar]

Mine was dead on at 200 yards right out of the box, and I mean dead on. This rifle will give my NM AR a run for the money in the accuracy department. If I could have one of these with a Galil trigger, it might just be the perfect "to go" rifle.

 

[A&S Conversions]

"The one built on a special weapons receiver...I'm not sure who built it...it came factory with a paddle mag release"

It is not like I've followed every C93 thread, but I haven't seen a C93 with a paddle mag release. I was thinking of sending my C93 to Mike Turner and having the receiver altered like the SW93 AR receivers. I'm originally an AR guy. I've got piles of AR mags and drums. Buying a whole other set of 5.56X45 mags for the HK roller locked system put the HK style 5.56 guns low on my list. Since Special Weapons put out the SW93 AR receivers, I've had much more interest in the roller locked 5.56 guns.

When I have the C93 modified to take AR mags, I'll have a paddle mag release done at the same time. Then of course it'll need a refinish. I still need to put some more rounds through my C93 to make sure there are no other issues before I spend all that money on it.

I've read a couple of different threads talking about how Century made the chamber end of the C93 barrels smaller than HK spec so the barrels would be easier to press in. Some have said that after a couple of hundred rounds the smaller diameter barrels would move. It doesn't take much barrel movement in the trunnion to throw the bolt gap out. I already have +2 rollers in it now.

I've been on the fence as to what to do. If I'm going to spend the money on the the receiver/AR mag modification with the paddle mag release, how much more would I end up spending on a barrel change? If I'm going to have all that done, would I be better off just using one of the extra CA93 AR receivers I have and a 33 parts kit? I could use one of the spare the Rim Country barrels from the two parts kits I plan to have 53 AR and 53K ARs made from. The 53s will have RCM hammer forged 53 barrels used in the build. Once the 33 clone with the SW93 AR receiver is built, switch the US made parts and sell the C93 barreled upper.

If the barrel is okay in the C93, then I'd think the AR mag receiver modification and paddle mag would be less expensive than a complete build. But once the modifications are done, I'll always be wondering about the barrel. I could have the barrel checked before doing the modifications. But what would that cost? There is some piece of mind for a custom build without having any work on the C93. Money is tight right now, so I'll just keep shooting the C93.

Scott

 

[nfafan]

"The one built on a special weapons receiver...I'm not sure who built it...it came factory with a paddle mag release"

It is not like I've followed every C93 thread, but I haven't seen a C93 with a paddle mag release. <snip>

When I have the C93 modified to take AR mags, I'll have a paddle mag release done at the same time. Then of course it'll need a refinish. I still need to put some more rounds through my C93 to make sure there are no other issues before I spend all that money on it.

I've read a couple of different threads talking about how Century made the chamber end of the C93 barrels smaller than HK spec so the barrels would be easier to press in. Some have said that after a couple of hundred rounds the smaller diameter barrels would move. It doesn't take much barrel movement in the trunnion to throw the bolt gap out. I already have +2 rollers in it now.

I've been on the fence as to what to do. If I'm going to spend the money on the the receiver/AR mag modification with the paddle mag release, how much more would I end up spending on a barrel change? If I'm going to have all that done, would I be better off just using one of the extra CA93 AR receivers I have and a 33 parts kit? I could use one of the spare the Rim Country barrels from the two parts kits I plan to have 53 AR and 53K ARs made from. The 53s will have RCM hammer forged 53 barrels used in the build. Once the 33 clone with the SW93 AR receiver is built, switch the US made parts and sell the C93 barreled upper.

If the barrel is okay in the C93, then I'd think the AR mag receiver modification and paddle mag would be less expensive than a complete build. But once the modifications are done, I'll always be wondering about the barrel. I could have the barrel checked before doing the modifications. But what would that cost? There is some piece of mind for a custom build without having any work on the C93. Money is tight right now, so I'll just keep shooting the C93.

Scott

True, never seen a paddle mag release on a C93, and I fondled many at Dunhams and gunshows...
Just keep shooting and checking your bolt gap, if it holds up, your golden for a loooooong time. Plus I would think after that when your confident to do the AR mag/lower mods, the 'smith can undo the bbl welds, re-pin/re-press it and your even better.

 

[A&S Conversions]

But that is the "rubb". I'd hate to spend a bunch of money on the receiver to convert it to AR mag use with the paddle mag release, then have the barrel start moving. I've seen one post on another board where the guy's barrel didn't start moving until he'd put 4 or 500 rds through it.

Even with my sear, putting 500 rds through the C93 with the single mag that came with the gun could take some time. There is also the $200 in ammo cost to test it to see if the barrel moves. Or I could spend the $200 on having the Rim Country barrels that came with the kits I'm building the 53 and the 53K from, pressed into the C93. So with the cost of the receiver modifications and the barrel switch, I'm getting close to what a custom build would cost. I guess I should just flip a coin.

Scott

 

[416Rich]

But that is the "rubb". I'd hate to spend a bunch of money on the receiver to convert it to AR mag use with the paddle mag release, then have the barrel start moving.

Scott

I would just shoot, and enjoy the rifle like it is.if you put 1000$ into the gun on modifications,you will still have a 500$ C93 rifle.just my opinion .
Richard

 

[nfafan]

I would just shoot, and enjoy the rifle like it is.if you put 1000$ into the gun on modifications,you will still have a 500$ C93 rifle.just my opinion .
Richard

True that.

Let's say you bought it at your LGS, paid tax, etc.; even if all you want to do is break even, folks are convinced they'll get a gem of C93 for 499.99 plus shipping and xfer fee by buying off the 'net. Never mind that you have a runner that is maybe $20.00 more - as far as they're concerned - they got a deal.

So no, you'll be lucky to get your money out of your used C93.

 

[LTWVARNG]

Here is the mysterious C93 with factory paddle mag release. It also came with red lettering on the receiver! Very very low serial number. Bill Springfield does an amazing job on the triggers on these for cheap. Too bad he couldn't install a paddle release on the hesse receiver, he tried.

 

[TobyHKnut]

I would just shoot, and enjoy the rifle like it is.if you put 1000$ into the gun on modifications,you will still have a 500$ C93 rifle.just my opinion .
Richard

+1

Well said

 

[nfafan]

Here is the mysterious C93 with factory paddle mag release. It also came with red lettering on the receiver! Very very low serial number. Bill Springfield does an amazing job on the triggers on these for cheap. Too bad he couldn't install a paddle release on the hesse receiver, he tried.

Seen a post on another board where the guy got a C93 with an installed paddle release. Kewl.
Saves time and money from having to send the C93 to an HK smith to have the work done.
Mine didn't have a paddle, but it does have a solid .014 bolt-gap!