CMMG has just introduced a new rifle that
solves the problems of trying to chamber the 7.62x39mm cartridge
in an AR-15 rifle. The AR-15 is an excellent system, but
adapting an AR mag to run reliably with that tapered 7.62x39
cartridge creates problems of having to run a proprietary
magazine, and also the problem of opening up the bolt face on
the AR-15 bolt to accommodate the larger case head of the
7.62x39mm cartridge.
The CMMG MK47 Mutant is somewhat of a hybrid.
It uses components of the AR-15, AR-10, and AK-47 systems,
resulting in an AR-like rifle, that runs 7.62x39 ammo reliably,
and most importantly, it uses the cheap and plentiful AK
magazines.
The Mutant is pretty much AR-15 on the lower
receiver, from the magazine well rearward. AR triggers, pistol
grips, and buttstocks work in the Mutant lower. The mag well is
modified to accept AK magazines, and the Mutant uses the
AK-style magazine latch, which is very easy to use, and also
ambidextrous. The upper receiver has an AR-style dust cover and
case deflector, and uses a shortened full-diameter AR-10 bolt
and carrier, to handle the size and pressure of the 7.62x39
cartridge. The upper and lower receivers are milled from billet
7075-T6 aluminum. The top of the upper receiver wears an
integral Picatinny rail, which matches with the full-length rail
atop the CMMG RKM Keymod handguard.
There are three different variants of the
MK47 Mutant, with the AKM version shown here. It wears a Magpul
CTR buttstock and MOE pistolgrip. The free-floated medium weight
barrel measures 16.1 inches in length, has a one-in-ten-inch
rifling twist, and the muzzle is fitted with a CMMG SV muzzle
brake. The trigger is a CMMG single-stage unit, with the
resistance measuring just a bit over five pounds. The gas system
is a carbine-length direct gas impingement system.
The CMMG Mutant ships with one Magpul polymer
thirty-round AK magazine. CMMG states that the Mutant will work
with most AK mags on the market. The test rifle worked very
well, but one unmarked AK steel mag from Century Arms would not
lock into the mag well. The P-MAGs worked perfectly.
I
fired the CMMG Mutant with every type of 7.62x39mm ammo that I
had available. Velocities are listed in the chart below, and are
listed in feet-per-second (fps). Velocity readings were taken at
ten feet from the muzzle, at an elevation of 541 feet above sea
level. Air temperatures hovered around the forty degree
Fahrenheit mark, with relative humidity of ninety percent. FMJ
is a full metal jacket bullet. DPX is a homogenous copper
hollowpoint. SP is a lead-core soft point bullet. MPG is a
hollowpoint bullet. Bullet weights are listed in grains.
Ammunition |
Bullet Weight |
Velocity |
Red Army FMJ |
123 |
2360 |
Cor-Bon DPX |
123 |
2464 |
Cor-Bon MPG |
108 |
2734 |
Winchester SP |
123 |
2418 |
Winchester FMJ |
123 |
2420 |
Chinese Surplus FMJ |
123 |
2311 |
Reliability was perfect with each of the 123
grain loads. Every round fed, fired, and ejected perfectly.
While the 108 grain Cor-Bon load exhibited very good velocity,
it did not have enough power to completely cycle the bolt. The
empty cases would eject just fine, but the bolt did not have
sufficient travel to pick up the next cartridge from the
magazine. Accuracy was very good with most ammunition, and as is
always the case, the weapon is only as accurate as the
ammunition fed it. A couple of types of ammo exhibited sub-MOA
groups, but the Chinese surplus (reject) junk would group no
better than four inches at 100 yards. Again, ammo selection is
very important to accuracy. Many times, someone will spend a lot
of money on a good rifle, then feed it the cheapest junk he can
find, and blame the rifle for inaccuracy. This CMMG rifle is
very accurate, but it must be fed good ammo. Surprising to me
was the accuracy exhibited by the inexpensive Red Army ammo. It
is imported from the Ukraine by Century Arms, and is very
affordable, yet shot very well in this CMMG rifle.
As mentioned above, this CMMG rifle is one of
three variations they have on the MK47 platform, as of the time
of this review. It weighs in at 7.2 pounds, and has an overall
length of between 33.5 and 36.75 inches, depending upon the
position of the buttstock. The AKM variation shown here has a
suggested retail price of a nickel under $1650 US. This is the
mid-price version, and details and prices on the other two can
be seen at the CMMG website.
For accuracy testing, I mounted a Leupold
Mark 4 8.5 to 25 power scope. After getting on target at
twenty-five and fifty, I fired three-shot groups at one hundred
yards, allowing the barrel to cool a bit between groups. As
mentioned above, the accuracy varied from bad to outstanding,
depending upon the quality of the ammo. I also want to point out
once more that the poor groups fired were certainly no fault of
the rifle, as with good ammo, it performed very well.
After the accuracy work was done, I removed
the Leupold and mounted a Trijicon Reflex dot sight. I love the
Reflex, as it is very durable, always "on", and never
needs batteries. Banging targets of opportunity out to one
hundred yards (the limit of my backdoor range), the CMMG with
the Trijicon atop is a lot of fun to shoot. The muzzle brake is
very effective, and recoil is not a factor at all, even after
shooting several magazines of ammo in one session.
The CMMG MK47 Mutant is a handy, reliable,
and very accurate rifle that combines some of the best features
of the two most-popular rifles in the world.
Check out the AKM Mutant and other CMMG
products online at www.cmmginc.com.
To order quality 7.62x39mm ammunition, go to www.centuryarms.com,
www.luckygunner.com,
www.doubletapammo.com,
and www.midsouthshooterssupply.com.
For
a closer look at quality optics, go to www.trijicon.com
and www.leupold.com.
Jeff Quinn
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