CMMG, a big innovator in AR-based designs, just announced the Dissent, their smallest AR to date. Chambered for 5.56 NATO, 300 AAC Blackout and 5.7x28mm, it has a self-contained recoil system housed completely inside the upper receiver and doesn’t need a conventional buffer assembly.
Combined with very short 6.5-inch barrels, these Dissent pistols are extremely compact and lightweight personal defense weapons, or PDWs, at between 4.6 and 4.8 pounds, depending on the configuration. In 5.56 and 300 BLK, the Dissent uses a modified direct impingement operation, while the 5.7mm model uses their popular radial-delayed blowback action.
“Creating a new PDW platform requires careful design and premium features,” said CMMG in the announcement. “Each Dissent comes standard with a number of our Zeroed parts, including the Zeroed pistol grip, 60- and 90-degree ambi safety, ambi mag catch and extended mag release button.”
“Although the Dissent can accept most standard AR15 trigger groups, CMMG worked closely with TriggerTech to develop the new TriggerTech AR-D two-stage trigger to be fully optimized for use with Dissent firearms and upper receiver groups,” they said. “At 4 pounds pull weight, the AR-D trigger showcases a light, repeatable break.”
Despite the significant changes to the upper, the Dissent is still compatible with standard AR-15-pattern lower receivers, and CMMG plans to offer the uppers separately down the line. The upper has a unique profile to accommodate the recoil assembly and has a handguard profiled to match.
The 5.5-inch handguard runs the full length of the barrel with just the muzzle device peeking out. It’s a modular handguard with slots for accessories along the sides and a full-length 12-o’clock Picatinny rail.
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Both the upper receiver and handguard have a rise to the flattop rail, like other self-contained uppers on the market. This extra space leaves room for a non-reciprocating forward charging handle.
The Dissent doesn’t use a rear charging handle, instead, it has a Picatinny mount for a pistol brace or stock for short-barreled rifles. The forward charging handle can be swapped out for left-handed operation.
CMMG will bundle the rear mount adapter with their uppers when they become available. The mount doubles as a retainer plate for the Dissent’s dual recoil rods. For more information head over to CMMG today.