{"id":127822,"date":"2020-05-17T13:51:59","date_gmt":"2020-05-17T17:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=127822"},"modified":"2020-05-17T13:51:59","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T18:17:01","slug":"conceived-in-khandahar-born-in-boonville-cmmgs-mk47-ar-runs-ak-magazines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/conceived-in-khandahar-born-in-boonville-cmmgs-mk47-ar-runs-ak-magazines\/","title":{"rendered":"Conceived in Khandahar, Born in Boonville: CMMG\u2019s MK47 AR Runs AK Magazines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The CMMG Resolute Mk47 is a hybrid of AK and AR. The secret sauce is a 7075-T6 billet aluminum lower which accepts standard AK magazines with an extended ambidextrous paddle magazine catch. The upper uses a carbine-length direct impingement gas system to power a .308-based bolt carrier. Weighing in at 7.2 pounds, this is a handy gun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Conceived
The 16.1-inch free-floated barrel is an optimum balance of accuracy and handling. A full-length Picatinny rail runs along the top, ready for iron sights or optics.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Since Vietnam, soldiers and shooters have debated the relative merits of AR and AK. The ergonomics, accuracy, and modularity of the AR vs the reliability of the AK and the superior terminal ballistics of 7.62×39 cartridge. Splitting the difference, there was once a Special Operations Command project which sought to develop an M-4 which would fire 7.62×39 ammunition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Conceived
Rare photo of the Mk47’s parents when they first met in Vietnam. Special Forces teams sometimes carried AK-47’s on reconnaissance missions but Project Eldest Son<\/a> made captured ammunition suspect. Photo from Joe Tavares on Pinterest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the attacks of September 11th, 2001, U.S. Special Forces deployed to Afghanistan in a variety of missions with local forces. Working in remote areas with limited support; they found themselves surrounded by friends and enemies using 7.62x39mm rounds and AK-47 magazines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Army Special Forces teams and Ground Branch Operatives worked with local forces and overcame the Taliban to free Afghanistan with amazing speed. Green Berets continued this work in the years that followed. The logistics of supplying soldiers made the idea of shooting a single caliber of ammunition very attractive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a more visceral level, shooting the enemy’s own ammo back at them is deeply fulfilling. The military term is \u201cBattlefield Recovery\u201d. Green Berets learn this in the Q course and it is one of their advantages. Weapons Sergeants are trained to operate light and heavy weapons from around the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An SF A team doesn\u2019t normally get issued heavy weapons like cannons and mortars. Finding guns for your new local friends can be a challenge. Russian and Chinese weapons and ammo were plentiful and a welcome addition to base camp defense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Conceived
While free, captured weapons are not always a great option. This Chinese Type 56 was confiscated from a poacher in Mozambique and reportedly still fired. Luckily, most are in much better shape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 and saw a variety of captured weapons pressed into service, Ak-47s, as well as rocket launchers, 14.5mm anti-aircraft cannons, and 12.7mm heavy machineguns, were used by our teams and the local defense forces they trained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOCOM’s Requirement<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

United States Special Operations Command issued a request for small arms manufacturers to develop an M4-type rifle capable of using 7.62x39mm ammunition. The original idea was to create an upper that could be dropped on to existing M4 carbines with a special magazine to feed AK ammunition. There are many commercial gun designs that work like this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AK magazines are rugged and have a dependable design. I have a couple of slab side magazines which date from the 1950s which still run reliably after decades of carry with no maintenance. (Don’t worry, they have a loving forever home now).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeding system design is the most important aspect for reliability. My weapons sergeant always said the 85% of all malfunctions are caused by the magazine. Small variations in magazine dimensions can have enormous impact on reliability and function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The magazine is the most complex part of the AK. The sophisticated bending and welding produces an elegantly designed magazine with a smooth feed path. While the AK has received many modifications and upgrades, the only change to the magazine is in reinforcing ribs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To feed 7.62×39 ammo, the AK mag is sharply curved with high feed lips close to the chamber center-line. To fit in an AR magazine well, the magazine had to be re-designed and reliable magazines for conversion uppers are hard to find. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was quickly realized that to be practical, this new SOCOM rifle needed to use AK magazines. To enable the use of battlefield pick-up magazines, the upper and lower receiver, bolt carrier and firing pin had to be longer. This reduced parts interchangeability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three companies submitted designs for the SOCOM solicitation: Lewis Machine & Tool, Robinson Armament, and Knight\u2019s Armament (KAC). The KAC SR-47 was ultimately chosen.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controls were kept in the usual location, the M4 pistol grip and stock were used. A free-float Obermeyer barrel with a custom Knight manufactured suppressor gave great accuracy. The quad Picatinny rail handguard allowed the direct attachment of sights and lights which are so key to night fighting.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Conceived
The SR-47, carried by a giant rabbit as depicted in Japanese anime. This is the only combat image we have.
Image courtesy of Motofumi Kobayashi \/ANIMA\u30fbBLAST <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you have not seen the animated short based comic written by Motofumi Kobayashi, you can enjoy it below. Please forgive the odd name, I am sure it lost something in translation from Japanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SrJk1qmthd4\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Only seven SR-47 rifles were made. Six went to USSOCOM and one was retained in the Knight’s Armament museum. Special Forces conducted tests with captured guns and tried various rail and sight combinations. Ultimately, the abundance of thousands of free captured AK\u2019s overcame the advantages of the SR-47 and the program ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mk47<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

CMMG took up where SOCOM left off. Their improved hybrid (formerly known as the Mutant) isn\u2019t just another 7.62×39 mm upper receiver pinned on an AR lower. This is a completely new gun with a unique lower receiver, lacking a magazine well but sporting a new ambidextrous, paddle-style magazine release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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