CMMG Resolute Mk 47
It has been a dream for a very long time to have all the best of the AK-47 and AR-15 attributes combined into a rifle. As members of either tribe, we can admit the strengths of the others, at least if we are being honest. And how would that rifle look exactly?
I think that from the AK standpoint, we have to admit a couple of things. The Kalashnikov design is known for being reliable, yes. But is it really more reliable than an AR-15? Maybe, but what percentage of AR-15 malfunctions are from magazines? Most of them. In my experience both as a soldier and a CQB instructor, I would put that number around 90%. AK-47 magazines, on the other hand, are extremely durable. I can’t think off the top of my head if I have ever seen a bad one.
What else is awesome about the AK-47? How about that 7.62×39 round. True, 5.56 will absolutely out fly it at the range. But the short little 7.62, in my opinion, does more damage. I also base that on real-world knowledge. I have personally shot people with 5.56 and watched them walk it off. Like it didn’t even happen. Not every time, no doubt. But I have seen it. And while I acknowledge there is no such thing as a magic bullet, personally witnessing a bad guy not even break stride when hit by 7.62×51, another corollary is also true. I have seen plenty of my own guys hit with 7.62×39, and exactly ZERO of them ever walked it off. Not all of them died, but they were absolutely messed up. Right then, right there.
So what sucks about the AK? Beside accuracy. Well, most of the rest of it. The ergonomics are a bad joke. It recoils like a train wreck, and not just due to the caliber. In original configuration, the buttstock was not designed for comfy shooting. We could actually conclude it was designed to punish the illiterate peasant shooting it for not winning fast enough.
How about our Eugene Stoner designed wonder weapon, the AR-15? It truly is an engineering marvel. Soft shooting, elegant, and built by someone that at least had seen a human being before. Weaknesses? Well, the aforementioned magazines that often go bad. And while incredibly accurate, 5.56×45 leaves something to be desired for lethality. Sure, it has put plenty of people in the ground. But maybe we can concede that the caliber is less than ideal for the task we have given it.
So basically what we want is an AR-15, that feeds off of AK-47 magazines. 7.62×39 has been tried in an AR style mag, and every time to my knowledge been a complete disaster. An AK-47 magazine style might be slightly slower on the reload, but I’ll make that trade for reliability.
Feeding off of AK mags also has another merit, at least for those of us on the travel team in Uncle Sugars two way live fire circus. It simplifies logistics. One type of ammo for you and the host nation force. And not only can you “borrow” magazines from your own guys, battlefield recovery becomes an option. All without sacrificing one bit of M4/AR style handling.
Exactly what I just asked for has also been tried before, and to my knowledge never successfully. So I was a bit skeptical when I saw the CMMG Resolute Mk47. But, I had to try it. And I am very glad I did. Because it ran like the wind.
CMMG has brought some wild innovations to the table in the last few years, more of which you will see over the coming months. Still, I wasn’t sure this was going to be a winner. But even coming out of the box, I suspected we had something different on our hands.
The Mk47, like all CMMG rifles, comes cerakoted in one of ten colors. Like, its included in the price. We opted for Midnight Bronze, if for no other reason then not to have to photograph another black rifle. The fit and finish are superb, with excellent attention to detail.
Let’s talk about what I would call the “normal” AR bits on the rifle. Which in this case, are anything but. The charging handle is CMMG built in house, oversized, and ambi. It works fantastic and feels like something you would pay $150 in the aftermarket. Trigger? I misidentified it in the video part as CMMG mil-spec. It is actually a Geisselle SSA 2 stage. Which should have been another clue. Putting a Geisselle in as the factory default is a big step. I have seen zero factory guns with an onboard Geisselle suck. It’s almost like a talisman at this point. And kudos to CMMG for doing so. I see rifles at a higher price point than this, with some straight trash for the fire control group.
The buttstock is CMMG unique, called the Ripstock. No buttons to depress to extend it, you just grab and pull to your desired 6 position setting. It is all aluminum and cerakoted to match the rifle. It is quite a marvel in itself and a really nice change from the Magpul that feels like the industry standard now.
A 15-inch handguard rounds out the top half, which is not only functional but eye-pleasing too. I am really liking 15-inch handguards nowadays, even though my grip doesn’t reach all the way to the end. Why? It gives me more leverage on a bipod. Wait, on a 7.62×39 gun? Yeah. Hold up, we will get to that part in a minute.
In the decidedly not AR-15 arena, we have parts that are not exactly AK either. To solve the magwell problem, CMMG did something unique. From just looking at the upper/lower joint, it appears an AR magwell was sawn off above the mag release. As an AR guy, it looks a little off. But this is where the magic happens.
It had to be done that way to get a real AK magazine close enough vertically for an AR style bolt to pick up the rounds. And since the AK mag retains in the front, they were able to also shave off a lot of unnecessary aluminum. It might look weird, but it functions flawlessly. I actually found the Mk47 easier to reload than a real AK-47, due to some well-thought engineering here. And while the magazine release is also AK style, it is once again blown up to extended proportions. I found it very likable to use and instinctive in very short order.
Internally, we have a mix. The bolt is classic rotating, direct impingement AR style. But rather than forcing a 7.62×39 case head onto an undersized bolt face, CMMG once again took a big boy step. They rebuilt the entire bolt carrier group to a bigger size. It is larger than an AR-15 but smaller than an AR-10. And man, is it beefy. Just having pulled it out of the gun and held it, I have no doubt about the durability of this part.
Also specially built is an Mk47 buffer. Once again, we are running a more powerful round in an AR style gun. The buffer weight came up to match. Which reflects a lot in the shooting. I wondered how this gun would do with recoil, despite a CMMG SV muzzle brake. As I said above, 7.62×39 can be punchy. I was again pleasantly surprised. Recoil is greater than a 5.56 gun, which is to be expected. But it was less than 6.8 SPC, meaning you can get more rounds on target faster.
But after all that goodness, what is the test? Accuracy. I still want a gun that can hold a tight group. If I am going to an AR style action and trigger, I would even say I demand it. I had Hornady 7.62×39 on tap, which I know will do its job. I crossed my fingers as we started the grouping test using Hornady American Gunner.
And oh what a pleasant surprise! I did my groups at 50m, this being an ammo crunch and all. But what I saw through the scope was one ragged hole. I actually thought the first one had to be a fluke. But 4 groups later, the Mk47 just kept on hammering. I also want to point out, I am still shooting left-handed. I would not be at all surprised to see a range report better than mine. But ¾ inch average (1.5 MOA, due to distance) with a .6 best (1.2 MOA). I will take that. All day long and twice on Sunday.
To round it out, the Mk47 ran flawlessly. All day long. Not even the hint of a malfunction. It might be magic, it might be unicorn dust, but CMMG has it. I am calling this the best semi-auto 7.62x39mm I have ever seen. CMMG just put the caliber back on the table for me. I recommend this one highly.
MSRP: $1,999.95
I bought a cmmg mk47 resolute 300 series and it is amazing. I have put at least 3000 rounds through it with no malfunctions. I find it is accurate out to 300 yards with the right scope, aka PRIMARY ARMS SLX 3X32MM GEN III PRISM SCOPE – ACSS-CQB-300BLK/7.62X39 RETICLE. Excellent rifle and an excellent scope. Highly suggest both.
I have been having a tough time deciding between the cmmg mk47 mutant and the galil ace, love the 7.62×39 round and because of the availability and cost of the ammo, it will win out over 300 blk out until ammo is more prevalent.
CMMG 8-10’inch
Galil Ace 8.3 inch
awesome, suppressed.
If anyone has either one for sale, let me know! I also have a decked out bnib fde belgian fn scar17s for sale/trade.
Thanks for the good information Clay
“The travel team of Uncle Suger’s two way live fire circus”…..absolutely hilarious!!!
I have had a bad AK mag. The Bulgarian plastic mag that came with my SIG 556R is complete garbage. It runs like a sewing machine with Magpuls and steel AK mags whether East German or Chinese. Someone commented about the SIG Trigger. Mine was similar but a little lube and a few hundred rounds through her and it has turned from disappointment to excellent.
I also have the Colt A2 HBAR flat top 16″ and 20″ uppers in 7.62×39. Both worked perfectly with the old USA Frankenmags. C-Products makes a DuraMag in 10, 20, 28, and 30 rounds. The best choice for me is the 28. The mag body has to extend another couple of inches to get to 30. The 28 is the same length or shorter than a 20 round Frankenmag. The C-Products units are extremely reliable. For the uninitiated, a Frankenmag is a mash up of an AR mag top mated to an AK bottom.
The accuracy with the Colt uppers is good. I haven’t fired the 20″ more than a few rounds but the 16″ has seen a lot of use and printed 1″ out of the box with iron sights and Winchester 7.62×39.
Go with the CMMG MK47’s if you want a 300yrd in fighting tool. Tried against Galil Ace, PTR32, Norinco’s, Romanian’s, etc. Got back into 7.62×39 after purging AK’s years ago and going heavy into AR’s. Scratched that itch and like author decided .223/5.56x45mm was fine but more for wife and kids. Went to 308’s/7.62x51mm for standoff then the 7.62x39mm for close in and personal cause the way its going I’m going to be fighting guys with M4’s and want to out power them ballistics wise. CMMG has barrels down to 8 inches, nice for suppressed CQB, up to 16 inches for MBR with optics. My area is like the Hatfield and McCoys hollers only a little more open between ridge lines being where the Appalachians go to ground and we mine iron. Lots of up and down with trees to cover and conceal behind. The .223’s may have range and accuracy but not penetration, and the 7.62 always wins under 300yds for that. I am to old and tired to run so movement to contact up a mountain is your choice if you really want to bother as I have the high ground too. The CMMGs are some of the best made and reliable ARs available. Watch Iraqiveteran8888 meltdown of a full auto MK47 on YouTube. Only gave up the ghost and became a single shot when gas tube let go and ejected out front of handguard. Beat all others he ever tried to melt down to failure including the traditional AK. Also supposedly the CMMG range demo full auto MK47 is going on well over 100,000 rounds and still going strong.
The 5.56mm was a super-bullet as used by Stoner. It had a slower twist making it tumble when it hit. The hydrostatic shock along w/ massive internal damage was supposed to stop a charging water buffalo in its tracks. Thank the Army for turning this monster into a .22 lr popgun. Don’t believe me. Check out the reports that came out in the ’60s about Stoner & his masterpiece. The American Rifleman ran an excellent article about how the military geniuses fouled up a functioning sledge hammer of a round.
Saying that, another problem w/ the 5.56 is its small mass. It could be deflected by a twig or leaf– esp. hazardous to one’s health in the triple & sometimes fourple canopies of Vietnam. That could have been resolved by bumping up the caliber to 6.5mm, like a Creedmore on steroids.
Another thing that sticks in my craw to this day: Who decided on wartime etiquette? Dumdum & hunting rounds are prohibited bc they kill too much? Huh? But it was okay to douse someone in napalm & burn them alive. It’s like the obscenity of war times the insanity of civility.
There are some weird comments on this thread? I ve owned a mutant for years. No issues with cheap steel ammo and almost no cleaning. Yes i m an ammo sexual not a metro. Clay is right it is a little heavier and there are some proprietary parts. It s a good solid performer I enjoy it and years later I m still glad I bought it! It s a good rifle.
I wanted an AR pistol to carry in my car because my local laws forbid carrying a loaded rifle in my car. I wanted it chambered in 7.62×39 because I believe it’s superior to the 5.56 and .300 BLK in a short barrel (10.5 inch length).
I bought a Bear Creek Arsenal upper with a side charging handle and free-float barrel to install on my AR lower. I love it. It’s been perfectly reliable with Wolf Ployformance steel case FMJ, which also appears to be the most accurate round in this barrel. I can get 1.5 inch groups at 50 yards with a 1x red dot optic. This ammo isn’t any appreciably dirtier than brass case domestic 7.62×39. I clean the upper after every 200 rounds, and I don’t notice any greater carbon build up than other ammo.
The only negative aspect about this upper is that because of its shape, I can’t mount a Bad Latch ambi bolt release. However, the Bear Creek Arsenal is superior to the CMMG in one respect: it has a bolt release.
I believe the CMMG (like the MGI Hydra) has no bolt release on the receiver. Clay didn’t show close-up stills of the left side of the CMMG receiver, and the video appears to show no bolt release. Clay used the charging handle to run a round into the chamber.
If you want an AR pistol chambered in 7.62×39, I recommend the Bear Creek Arsenal upper. They’ve had great reviews for a while, and I certainly like mine.
I wanted to add two other thoughts:
C-Products magazines run perfectly with the Bear Creek Arsenal upper. A couple of weeks ago, Primary Arms had a good price for the 28 round versions.
The upper price was $239.00.
I have one of my AR’s setup with a 7.62×39 upper and it works flawlessly.
Hardened Arms makes the upper complete with bolt carrier. I have a CMMG drop in trigger and use
C-Products magazines. Never a problem.
Clay-
As to be expected, another eloquently delivered review. I have a CMMG Banshee MK10 (thanks to you….No, I really mean “thanks!”) Uber-functional eye-candy.
I’ve built a few AR-47’s that languish in a safe, one of these days I’ll pull ’em out and see if the “C-Products” mags bump the reliability up a touch.
I also have a gen.2 SIG 556-R that takes AK mags (“R” for Russian) which is a piston-driven rifle with a terrible factory trigger. With a buttload of trigger mod’s it’s passable, but it ain’t no Geisselle.
Other than the POS trigger, it is an exceptionally reliable and accurate weapon. Still have those proprietary SIG parts everywhere though, one reason the trigger can’t be easily replaced with a modern piece.
I like the CMMG’s use of more standardized parts. Maybe not everywhere, but obviously FCG, safety, charging handle, etc. I’m thinkin’ if you traveled with a spare BCG you’d be pretty well covered.
One thing omitted as far as the 7.62×39 chambering is it’s performance through a short barrel. A far better choice for a SBR or pistol that the .556, which makes it’s bones on sheer velocity.
I think the shorter projectile is more prone to tumbling in a target as well, magnifying its lethality.
You’ve got me lusting for another CMMG. But, I just may wait and see if they elect to market some short stuff in this venerable chambering.
BTW, we’re pretty fortunate to have both a fo’ real hands-on operator and an accomplished author doing reviews. Your linguistic mastery slips out frequently.
Am happy enough with my M + M 10X which costed $1299 plus tax. 1.5-2″ groups at 100 with a Leupold 1X4. Less parts than an AK 47. Trigger is decent, too.
One of the problems with a 7.62X39 AR is the m-4 feed ramp cuts are cut for 5.56. If you take a Dremel and carefully hog them out or even remove enough material to make the two cuts one giant cut, reliability goes up dramatically. Good mags are a must. C products actually has tabs on opposite side of the mag that snap the two halves precisely together, so when welded the dimensions are close to perfect. There isn’t a lot of extra space in an AR mag for the 7.72X39.
7.62x 39 and DIRECT IMPINGEMENT? How many shots did you get off befire the bolt assy got stuck on the impingement tube and necessitated a strip and clean to get it to work again? And how much efus did you have to scrape off the inside of the receiver… Oh, you used American ammuniton, not that dirty Russkie stuff. I see…
I have a Pump AK (California Resident) and an SKS. Both are effective and I’ve gone hunting with both of them. No, the AK is not all that accurate (but it does do its stuff if you do yours) and the SKS is a honey with decent accuracy (21/2″@100 yds) on Wolf ammo. It does better with Sellier and Bellot and I still have some Czech stuff that turns the SKS into a tackdriver.
I carried Stoner’s abortion in Vietnam and it almost got me killed twice by jamming (in one case by ripping the head off the cartridge and then jamming a second round into the stuck remains of the first). I honestly will never trust Stoner’s design as a result. What a lot of us did in ‘nam was to relieve deceased Cong of their weapons and use them…they were reliable, if a bit clunky. That lasted until the brass wandered out of their Officers Club and forbade it.
Sorry, this may be a wonderful rifle but memory says no.
Sigh…
The reason why x39 has to run in x39 mags – is the shape of the cartridge itself. The x39 cartridge main body tapers slightly (versus the 5.56NATO – which is square). The mag HAS TO BE CURVED for the rounds to stack correctly. Ruger Mini-30 proprietary mags are curved as well.
That being said – I run MagPul AK mags in my IWI Galil ACE and they run just fine. I opted to pay a little more (actually 2X the price) for the Gen M3 version with the metal lugs – for durability, though the Galil will take pretty much any mag (except for the drums, which require some “magwell surgery” to run).
As someone else commented – the drawback of the direct impingement system, coupled with the fact that the less expensive ammo (and I do run the more expensive Hornady SST’s in my defensive load-outs) is that the standard asian/euro rounds are DIRTY, and will only run DIRTIER in a DI system. And (as someone else mentioned) – Sig and other piston AR pattern platforms negate this drawback running a cleaner bolt carrier assembly. I also like the Sigs for the recoil system being integral to their bolt carriers (in the MPX/MCX series at least) – removing the need for a buffer tube/spring – allowing for a more compact system (even if the recoil is a little more aggressive).
Since it’s easier to use existing AK mags (and allows for mags to be used across platforms), AR’s in X39 need to have a latching system top accommodate the AK pattern magazines. Which essentially changes a large part of the design of the lower to latch the mag in. Which is guess is still better than an ARx39 with (yet) another “proprietary magazine”.
All that technical gibberish aside (LOL)…
I pretty much figure an AR-x39, is a solution looking for a problem. Since there’s really no “multi-cal” (like changing uppers to accommodate 9mm, 300BL, etc.) – you are looking at a single caliber platform in a “dirty direct impingement scenario”, at a premium price.
Not knocking CMMG in the least – they make quality products.
But for my $$ (after researching AR’s in that caliber) I just went with the best AK pattern rifle I could find – the IWI Galil ACE. And they do come in 5.56/7.62NATO flavors also (that use standard AR pattern mags) – but the question there would be – WHY (another solution in search of a problem)? Yes the Galil is as “premium priced” as the CMMG AR-x39 – but it is the “evolution” of the AK, from a battle proven rifle, and a battle proven manufacturer (IWI). I bought mine to replace/update my Pre-Ban MIni-30 (which is as old as my grown kids).
As far as “Feeding off of AK mags also has another merit, at least for those of us on the travel team in Uncle Sugars two way live fire circus. It simplifies logistics.” – it COMPLICATES LOGISTICS – being pretty much 100% proprietary parts. So unless you’re bringing a spare – this is not as good of an option (since you’re going to be running a .mil standard M4 to start, and carrying this as a spare) or “justification” for even bringing one to the sandbox – are there are plenty of “factory fresh” quality AK’s that we provide our allies to grab if you happen to run out of 5.56 in the field (or from one of our recently departed enemies) and can’t get a resupply.
As far as “playing on the home field”. My “IWI Family” (Tavor SAR, T-7, Galil) would be my first grabs – in a standard caliber, bullpup format (for urban conflict). I think my only (current) running AR platforms are my AR-10 Sniper (Heavy Barrel Match Build), AR-458SOCOM Hog Gun (yeah, good luck finding any of THAT AMMO in a SHTF). My AR-15 lower sits in the vault, because I can’t decide whether to keep the pistol or rifle upper on it.
Nice writeup either way.
Rick
My first build was 7.62×39 because I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted already in one package. I did a pretty good amount of research since the AR platform is sometimes tricky running 7.62×39. The main thing that i kept seeing was to use ASC mags. That’s all I’ve used and it runs perfectly. They are AR and not AK mags.
If you want the best of the AK 47 and the AR 15 with the AK piston then get an IWI Galil. Been around for some years now and battle tested and proven.
Or just use an FN FAL.
Or a VZ 58 for less than half the price and more durable and plenty of parts available readily. A great improvement rifle on the AK. I also like the AR with a piston and a 18″ heavy barrel, not a bull.
Looking at the pictures and noticed the terrible milling or better worded would be finish work on the upper. For a two thousand dollar rifle I’d expect it to come minus the super ugly and half a$$ed milling marks! CMMG simply took the upper after milling and skipped the media tumble that would of gotten rid of those super ugly milk marks and went straight to cerakoting and kicking it out the door… another AR gun manufacturer cranking out another sub par rifle for way above average costs!
I have several 7.62×39 AR uppers: 16″, 10.5″, and 7.5″. I have mounted them on various standard AR-15 lowers. Before I acquired the first one, I did research on the magazine issue. The best reviews were for the C-Products Defense line of 7.62×39 msgs. I bought both 10 and 20 round magazines and they have all worked perfectly – never had a failure to feed type of problem using a variety of ammunition.
I have had one just like this for about 6 years and shoot it competitively in all areas of CQB training and moving targets at 100 to 300 meters. You only want this top tier model. It comes with the best compensatory for reduced recoil in this platform. Only slightly slower recovery than I get with my Daniel defense V11 and Jerry Miculek compensator. Only 2 faults with the CMMG Mutant, when first introduced to the market, the extractor spring was anemic Lee week. It would fail to cycle two or three times every 30 round magazine. Had the gun store where I purchased the rifle it back to the factory. And three times they told me there was nothing wrong with it, yet I had failure to extract or double feeds in the first 1 or 2 mags. It occurred to me that the problem might be a week or faulty extractor spring and when I exchanged it for a new one that I selected, I have never had a problem with every make brand steel or brass round fed to it.
The only other thing to watch for is the operator rocking the AK mag into place. When you try to stick it in straight like you would your M4, you get a pain in the ass stuck magazine that will not feed or drop free. I recommend using MagPul AK magazines. They are made out of a polymer that you can rip out of the magwell if you commit this screw up. You are still going to have to use some muscle to pry the polymer mag out but its far worse with the steel mags!!!
Hook and Rock AK mags into place! If I use a steel one of my favorite Bulgarian magazines and some loads a mag strait, I am an un happy camper. Then you have a $2,000 club and i dont like being the guy who brought a club to a firefight.
What you not telling is this rifle comes in 3 options.Each option has better add ons and cost more money.You have the top tier model.You can get this a whole lot cheaper but you give up the trigger and stock and flash hider etc.,and more for regular mil-spec parts.But you can add them later.
They missed one of the the strongest parts of the AK platform. The gas piston system. That what makes the AR platform apt to malfuction in dirty eviornment (also one reason I have an origonal sig 556). That is what makes AK run sooooooo good.
Agreed! Don’t get how you missed the main reason for the AK being so reliable! I’m an AR guy even though of course I have an AK or few, but in reality it’s pick one or the other in my opinion.
Where can I purchase one
Palmetto state armory been had that setup for way less. For that price you could get 3 riffles
I’ve got one & it’s been flawless. Stock milspec trigger gives 2.5 MOA. At $700 it is a bargain. I just installed a Larue MBT. We’ll see how she shoots next week.
Clay – First, I’m sad to hear you spreading Fudd lore about the inaccuracies of the AKM platform. Second, I really wish they would’ve taken another design choice from the AKM platform, the gas system! Other than that, this little science experiment looks rather interesting.
How does this gun run on wolf ammo, my saiga eats it up with no problem
Aint nobody walking off a hit from 7.62×51….that is called a miss. You sound like the weaker 7.62×39 is better than .308…..not happening brother. Ps……palmetto state armory has had this for years….for cheaper.
I have personally taken two mature, male, whitetail shot through and through, chest shots with 7.62×51. Both walked it off. First was trailed and required a second shot. The second one only flipped his tail as if stung by a horse fly. He was dead on his feet and fed for another minute before he flopped. I have no reason to doubt that an adult male could walk off a non-vital area hit.
I’m pretty sure that 308 reference was a brain fart and he meant 5.56
I have 2 of CMMGs firearm’s they work great. I built my own AR in 7.62×39. I really wish they would have made this sooner . Would have saved me a great deal of money and effort. Lololol Great article thanks