Questar's CMMG 14.5" M4 - updated with more pics on page 2

ghostie

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Well, I finally entered the "AR Club" proper, not just the 9mm AR club! ;)

I've been wanting to get a 14.5" AR for awhile now (as I think that is the "natural" length :p I wouldn't want one any longer. This one feels "just right"). I saw that Questar had the 14.5" CMMG upper with all the goodies I wanted (stepped barrel, flash-hider, bayo-lug, all the "military" looking stuff). I was going to put together a lower from stuff Questar had. Mark recommended that I just buy the complete CMMG mil-spec lower (not listed on their website, not sure if they still have them), as it worked out to only about $100 more than the cheapest lower I could put together, including the Questar M4 stock, and other low cost parts.

I'm glad I got the CMMG lower, as it looks great. Good match for the CMMG upper. As Mark had mentioned, "The mil-spec tube and CMMG stock (stamped with their logo) alone are worth the extra $100." Looking this over, he looks to be right about that. I don't profess to be an expert on AR's, but I like how this one is shaping up.

Anyway, I haven't shot it yet, but here are some pics for anyone that is thinking about buying CMMG and wants more eye candy to help them decide. I will post some internal shots later. I put the 3x ACOG Compact on there already. Hopefully it will turn out to be a better match for the AR than it was on the Swiss Arms (too damn high on the Swiss) . Seems to get a good cheek-weld the way it is set up on the AR now. The A.R.M.S. mount still looks kinda funky. I would like to get the little LaRue ACOG Compact mount (something with just one hole would be fine for my purposes), but I have no idea where I could get one from. Likely very hard to obtain in Canada.

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Some size comparison shots with other guns I have. I've tried to line them up roughly where the barrels start.
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Very nice. I ordered one of these uppers as well haven't received it yet. I didn't know they had complete lowers- I'll have to call and see if there are any left.
 
ghostie, awesome thread!

This is kinda minor but I didnt see any roll marks on the barrel indicating that it is 5.56 1/7 twist. Not a big deal, if it doesnt, it'll just be nicer if it did otherwise it would look EXACTLY the same as a Wilson ER Shaw 1/9 twist 14.5 upper that I used to have.
 
Definitely interesting to see the cost breakdown...does put the Norinco in a little perspective for the budget AR shooter. Comparing it to some of the pricier options obviously the Norinco seems like an incredible buy; comparing it to the CMMG build we see here it seems more like a good buy, not a show-stoppingly cheap buy.

But man, I have to say even as a guy who generally likes, owns, and shoots a lot of Norinco stuff, this build sure LOOKS a hell of a lot prettier. Whether the performance is very different I guess time will tell. But I have heard of guys getting very good service out of CMMG rifles.
 
The break down on this exact set-up is a bit higher:

Complete 14.5" M4 Carbine Length, A3 Flat Top Upper, Chrome Line, 1:7 Twist - $999.99

CMMG Lower (Complete with MilSpec extension tube and CMMG stock) - $599.99

Total: $1,599.98

As you have stated though, you could get under that price if you build your own lower based on a CMMG stripped lower. I just figured... I wanted bone stock anyway - for now - might as well just go with factory.

The Lower came with a magazine as well. So it was everything except a rear sight - which I didn't order because I knew I was going to put that ACOG on there and, unless I can find a different mount, there is no room for a rear sight anyway.

Can't wait to try this thing. It feels very light - which is one of the attributes I wanted for this rifle. A compact, stripped-down, light carbine. No real bells and whistles. I wanted optics though, and I feel that the 3x ACOG Compact with the red crosshairs is an awesome little sight on the right rifle. And it is light - fits in with my overall approach on this one.

Rifle feels very "pointable", quick to bring to bear on target. One of the points of the comparison shots was to show those of you who didn't know (and I was in this category until, basically yesterday), the barrel is pretty long even on a 14.5" carbine. The whole of the flashhider seems to be on top of the 14.5 inches. As the Swiss is 14.3" and the CZ is 15-something inches. The 14.5" AR feels good, but I don't think I would want any longer, unless I was going for a totally full-sized rifle.
 
LPK is $82 @ Ellwood Epps.

Not the same Lower Parts Kit.

With all due respect there are differences between the various makes of LPK's... they are NOT all the same. I buy and sell LPK's from a variety of sources... I see first hand the variations, quality differences, tolerance issues, failures, etc. that different makes of LPK exhibit. There are some brands we won't even carry anymore... just too many issues were cropping up and though the prices were great, the quality just wasn't there.

It just seems foolish sometimes to scrimp and save $20 on parts that either don't fit right or don't last... when for a few bucks more you can get the quality that most users demand.

I'm not saying that the LPK that Epp's is selling for $82.00 is bad... I honestly don't know what brand he's selling... but my point is that before you just compare the items on price alone it would be wise to consider that all LPK's are NOT the same.

Just my opinion :)

Mark
 
Some more pictures. These were taken after shooting 120 and then cleaning. Gun worked flawlessly right out of the box. Quite impressed with the whole package really. Light, accurate, comfortable, looks cool. What more could you want?

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