The EARLY Century clones (with the serial number on top of the receiver were great). The later Century clones (with the serial number on the mag well) can be good or bad, as the quality control was iffy.
How about the PTR/Century clones? Those were solid sticks.
... the PTR-32 in 7.62 x 39 is a good rifle, cheap ammo ( normal times ), uses some AK Mags and is low recoil like the 5.56 round.
Mine is a Gen 1.5 offered during a NRA Convention, they only made 50. I don't own an AK so their was zero stock of various magazines from VC surplus to made by non government contracts and there is a wide sizing (non)standard with the metal Mags. I found Tapco, Circle 10 and Plam worked well in the rifle. I have had zero problems with mine, bolt gap hasn't moved from new and is 7-8 years old. An AK it isn't but I can put aimed rounds out 200-250 Meters well. I added this to my post to give the OP another choice for an in stock/in production roller locked rifle. Be glad your friend didn't buy a CIA monkey made C-93 with a ground bolt to get a bolt gap to fire.Not to derail the thread, but I have a buddy with a second gen PTR-32 (the version that was supposed to work out the first gen's awful mag fitment reputation) and it has been a disaster for him. He's been in touch with PTR but has this Gen 2 model also has major mag problems and other issues. As a big fan of 7.62x39 this was on my "must buy" short list but I have zero interest in one now. YMMV.
These guys make a Cetme L 5.56 roller locked rifle https://marcolmarfirearms.com/ , while not a HK-93 it does get you in the game. Also a little out of the box the PTR-32 in 7.62 x 39 is a good rifle, cheap ammo ( normal times ), uses some AK Mags and is low recoil like the 5.56 round.