CETME rifle vs Mk 13 rifle: Specs Compared

FORCETALLY

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ASmall arms

CETME rifle

Battle rifle

Credit

Ismael Olea · CC BY 4.0 · Resized · CC BY 4.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

BSmall arms

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

CETME rifleLength

1.016 m

Length source ↗

Mk 13 rifleLength

1.207 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

CETME riflelarger figure on 0 of 3

None

Mk 13 riflelarger figure on 3 of 3

Length+19%
Mass+15%
Barrel length+50%

Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.

Measured figures

Head to head

12 of 41 rows sourced on both sides

1.02m

1.21m

Length+19%

All recorded figures & sources

1.016 m

Length

Single source

40 in (1,016 mm)^[source]

1.207 m

Length

Single source

Configuration

Details

CETME rifle and Mk 13 rifle configuration
Specification	CETME rifle	Mk 13 rifle
Type	Battle rifle^[source]	—
Place of origin	Francoist Spain / Spanish transition to democracy^[source]	—
In service	1961–present^[source]	2001–present^[source]
Used by	See Users^[source]	United States^[source]
Wars	Ifni War Basque conflict Algerian War Congo Crisis Nigerian Civil War Zemla Intifada Sahrawi insurgency Western Sahara War Lebanese Civil War

Designer	Ludwig Vorgrimler^[source]	Accuracy International / Remington Arms^[source]

Designed	1948–1950^[source]	—

Manufacturer	Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales (CETME)^[source]	Accuracy International^[source]

Produced	1950–1983^[source]	—

Cartridge	7.92×41mm CETME (Model A) 7.62×51mm CETME (early Model B) 7.62×51mm NATO (other models)^[source]	.300 Winchester Magnum^[source]

Action	Roller-delayed blowback^[source]	Bolt action^[source]

Feed system	20-round detachable box magazine^[source]	5-round magazine (MOD 5)^[source]

Sights	Iron sights^[source]	Nightforce Advanced Tactical Riflescope^[source]

Role	stamped-steel, select-fire battle rifle^[source]	—

Source measurement	The CETME Model 58 is a stamped-steel, select-fire battle rifle produced by the Spanish armaments manufacturer Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales (CETME) . The Model 58 used a 20-round box magazine and was chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round (although originally designed for the 7.92×41mm CETME cartridge and later for the reduced power Spanish 7.62×51mm cartridge). The CETME 58 would become the foundation of the widely deployed German Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle. Semi-automatic variants were also produced for the civilian market.^[source]CETME rifle · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The requirements for the original design specified that the rifle weigh no more than 4.1 kg, had an effective range of 1,000 metres and a large magazine capacity. This required an ambitious development of rifle technology but the CETME engineers, based on earlier German experiments, believed this would be possible using an unconventional projectile.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Thus the 7.92×41mm CETME, CA-001 cartridge was developed and unveiled in 1953.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The rounds weighed 6.8 grams and had a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Sources from the time indicate that at 1,000 metres, the dispersion characteristics of the bullet were equal to those of normal rifle projectiles despite its light weight.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In addition, sources state that at 1,000 metres, the projectile could perforate Spanish, Russian, Italian, Czech and German helmets.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Later on in development, the Bundesgrenzschutz informed CETME that they were interested in the rifle but requested the cartridge diameter be reduced from 7.92mm to 7.62mm and that the same 41mm cartridge case should be used. This was accomplished after considerable time and effort, with the new round being designated the 7.62×41mm CETME, CA-002. Despite the rifle performing excellently with this cartridge, the Bundesgrenzschutz later stated that they could only adopt it if it was rechambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge due to standardisation agreements and thus the weapon was redesigned for this NATO cartridge, designated by the Spanish as Modelo B.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The first prototype rifles fired the same 7.92×33mm Kurz round as the StG45, and a variety of experimental 7.92 and 7.62mm cartridges were tested before settling on the 7.62×51mm CETME . This round, chosen due to requirements of the then-interested West German Bundesgrenzschutz , was dimensionally identical to 7.62×51mm NATO , but with a lighter bullet and powder charge to reduce recoil, making the fully automatic fire more controllable. In December 1956, the West German Bundeswehr received 400 CETME A rifles for intensive trials. Due to the tests performed by the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung , the ergonomy of the rifle was improved. With feedback from Heckler & Koch , the rifle was able to fire the fully powered 7.62×51mm NATO round due to the better quality of its steel. The Model B went on to be the foundation of the widely deployed Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The CETME B rifle in 7.62×51mm CETME was adopted as the Fusil de Asalto CETME Modelo 1958 de 7,62mm by the Spanish Army in September 1957 and its production began in Spain during 1961. 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.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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.^[source]CETME rifle · Development / Trials; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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.^[source]CETME rifle · Models / Model A; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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.^[source]CETME rifle · Models / Model B; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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.^[source]CETME rifle · Models / Model B; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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 1964.^[source]CETME rifle · Models / Model C; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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.^[source]CETME rifle · Variants / CETME L and LC; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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.^[source]CETME rifle · Civilian versions; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—

Source measurement

The CETME Model 58 is a stamped-steel, select-fire battle rifle produced by the Spanish armaments manufacturer Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales (CETME) . The Model 58 used a 20-round box magazine and was chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round (although originally designed for the 7.92×41mm CETME cartridge and later for the reduced power Spanish 7.62×51mm cartridge). The CETME 58 would become the foundation of the widely deployed German Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle. Semi-automatic variants were also produced for the civilian market.^[source]CETME rifle · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The requirements for the original design specified that the rifle weigh no more than 4.1 kg, had an effective range of 1,000 metres and a large magazine capacity. This required an ambitious development of rifle technology but the CETME engineers, based on earlier German experiments, believed this would be possible using an unconventional projectile.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Thus the 7.92×41mm CETME, CA-001 cartridge was developed and unveiled in 1953.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The rounds weighed 6.8 grams and had a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Sources from the time indicate that at 1,000 metres, the dispersion characteristics of the bullet were equal to those of normal rifle projectiles despite its light weight.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In addition, sources state that at 1,000 metres, the projectile could perforate Spanish, Russian, Italian, Czech and German helmets.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Later on in development, the Bundesgrenzschutz informed CETME that they were interested in the rifle but requested the cartridge diameter be reduced from 7.92mm to 7.62mm and that the same 41mm cartridge case should be used. This was accomplished after considerable time and effort, with the new round being designated the 7.62×41mm CETME, CA-002. Despite the rifle performing excellently with this cartridge, the Bundesgrenzschutz later stated that they could only adopt it if it was rechambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge due to standardisation agreements and thus the weapon was redesigned for this NATO cartridge, designated by the Spanish as Modelo B.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The first prototype rifles fired the same 7.92×33mm Kurz round as the StG45, and a variety of experimental 7.92 and 7.62mm cartridges were tested before settling on the 7.62×51mm CETME . This round, chosen due to requirements of the then-interested West German Bundesgrenzschutz , was dimensionally identical to 7.62×51mm NATO , but with a lighter bullet and powder charge to reduce recoil, making the fully automatic fire more controllable. In December 1956, the West German Bundeswehr received 400 CETME A rifles for intensive trials. Due to the tests performed by the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung , the ergonomy of the rifle was improved. With feedback from Heckler & Koch , the rifle was able to fire the fully powered 7.62×51mm NATO round due to the better quality of its steel. The Model B went on to be the foundation of the widely deployed Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The CETME B rifle in 7.62×51mm CETME was adopted as the Fusil de Asalto CETME Modelo 1958 de 7,62mm by the Spanish Army in September 1957 and its production began in Spain during 1961. 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.^[source]CETME rifle · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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.^[source]CETME rifle · Development / Trials; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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.^[source]CETME rifle · Models / Model A; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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.^[source]CETME rifle · Models / Model B; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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.^[source]CETME rifle · Models / Model B; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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 1964.^[source]CETME rifle · Models / Model C; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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.^[source]CETME rifle · Variants / CETME L and LC; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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.^[source]CETME rifle · Civilian versions; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

—

Variants	—	Mk 13 MOD 5 Mk 13 MOD 7^[source]

Calibre	—	.308^[source]

Country of origin	—	United Kingdom^[source]

Reported operators	Reported operator · Biafra Reported operator · Bolivia Reported operator · Chad Reported operator · Republic of the Congo Reported operator · People's Republic of the Congo Reported operator · Democratic Republic of the Congo Reported operator · Djibouti Reported operator · Dominican Republic Reported operator · France Reported operator · Equatorial Guinea Reported operator · Guatemala Reported operator · Lebanon Reported operator · Mauritania Reported operator · Nigeria Reported operator · Spain Reported operator · Zaire Reported operator · West Germany	—