CMMG Bargain Bin

[ARK9mm]

I am considering my first AR plinker. I want something that I can learn with. However, I want something reliable and accurate. I stumbled across these and am looking for confirmation one way or another.

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=33&

If not this route, then a friend of mine offered to help me build one a step at a time.

So, gentlemen, what do you think? Please be kind. I'm new to the AR market and am learning at a tremendous pace. Please don't slam or flame. Just help. If that's too much to ask then go somewhere else, please.

Thanks in advance.
CH

 

[HOLY DIVER]

for the same price you can get a new A1 dpms from del-ton
or an OLYMPIC A1 same price both are new rifles

 

[gazpacho]

I have a CMMG lower (never rifle registered, never assembled into a rifle) and pistol upper. Both have been amazingly trouble free. I would have any problem paying the prices they ask.

Got nothin' against DPMS or Olympic. No experience with them either.

 

[nosliw]

not a terrible route to go. CMMG are quality guns, and AR-15.com is a good place to go and start reading.

for the same price you could get an olympic? sure, but, you'd be stuck with an olympic

kidding of course!

sportsmans warehouse sells armalite M15A4 carbines for $899 which is a hell of a deal. it's what i bought a while back.

 

[nalioth]

or the same price you can get a new A1 dpms from del-ton
or an OLYMPIC A1 same price both are new rifles

$570 ?

 

[Rapidfire_85]

while I don't have alot of ground to stand on, I intend to buy one as my first AR. AR15.com guys' have a few threads on them and I haven't seen a negative comment yet. I was going to build, but $ would only allow a bare bones similar build for pretty much the same coin. I think most lowers seem to be doublestar or dpms. My biggest decision is what rear iron sight to order before I order from the 'bin'.

I say go for it

edit: on the other hand. check out http://www.del-ton.com to price out a build. Their rifle 'kits' include everything but a stripped lower. Or you could piece together your own build:
upper (you could go with a complete upper, or *buy upper/barrel separate)
*barrel
*flash suppressor
*upper parts kit (ejection port cover/rear sight if not going with a flattop)
*charging handle
lower
lower parts kit
bolt carrier group
stock/buffer assembly
handguards
*rear sights if doing a flat top

i have a feeling i forgot something...and I dont really have much experience...but I think I am at about the same stage as the orig. poster and this is from what I've learned.

 

[ARK9mm]

Quote:
or the same price you can get a new A1 dpms from del-ton
or an OLYMPIC A1 same price both are new rifles

$570 ?

I haven't seen such a bargain on Oly or DPMS. Wouldn't mind to, just haven't run across it. However, from what I've learned:
A1 = Carry Handle
A2 = Carry Handle w/ windage
A3 = Flat top

If this is correct, I am in the market for an A3.

Thanks.

 

[Onmilo]

CMMG bin rifles would fit what you are looking for.
Remember these rifles come with NO accessories.
That means no rear sight, no carry handle assembly, no cleaning kit, no sling, and no magazines.

DPMS rifles are all packed with accessories including the carry handle assembly, a cleaning kit, a sling, and two thirty shot magazines.

 

[ckay]

Many people are finding that their bargain bin rifles are brand new. You can't beat the price with a stick.

 

[Coronach]

I haven't seen such a bargain on Oly or DPMS. Wouldn't mind to, just haven't run across it. However, from what I've learned:
A1 = Carry Handle
A2 = Carry Handle w/ windage
A3 = Flat top

If this is correct, I am in the market for an A3.

That's essentially correct for the different commercial designations. In the military A3 means something else, where A4 would be the correct term for a flat top rifle (with 20" gov profile barrel and 3 rnd burst).

There are two potential problems with going with lower end ARs. The first is the possibility of immediate problems- stuff out of spec, stuff that's broken, etc. Most of the modern makers do not suffer from these problems (the exception being Hesse/Vulcan). The second problem is more insidious; the usage of substandard parts that are dimensionally proper but materially suspect. This means that they work fine until they fail, and that they fail sooner than "top shelf" parts.

Now, how huge of a problem this is, I dunno. But listen to the guys who run carbine and rifle courses. They are the ones who get to see all of the rifles put through their paces, and NOT in a "well I went out to the range and shot 20 rounds" manner. Most of them have pretty strong opinions about what works and what doesn't, and they're usually flamed by the people who spent $600 on a rifle that is "just as good" as what the trainer is advocating.

Now, if your rifle is a range toy for gun games or just plain old fun, a bargain AR is probably no big deal. If a part breaks, big deal. Use the $600 you saved off of a Colt rifle to buy replacement parts and press on. However, if it is a 'serious use' gun, part failures can be fatal.

As to what the failure rate is for "cheap" parts as opposed to "good" parts, I have NO idea. So, it's hard to know exactly what benefit you're getting for your money. The guys who do it for a living, though, claim that it is worth it if you want your rifle to really run in an unforgiving heavy-use environment.

Mike

 

[Coronach]

And FWIW, CMMG is not a lower-end maker by any means. That IS a good price for a gently used AR. Just be prepared to check it our thoroughly and replace anything that needs to be replaced. At $570, you should have plenty of budget left for parts.

Mike

 

[highorder]

Many people are finding that their bargain bin rifles are brand new. You can't beat the price with a stick.

I have seen two of the CMMG bargin bin rifles, and both were indistinguishable from new in any way.

buy with confidence, and try not to get ansy about the lack of tracking number... your rifle WILL come.

 

[yosarian]

I recently purchased a "bargain bin" rifle.For what I paid,I could not be more happy.As has already been stated this is a bargain gun and probably not a great idea for someone using it for duty purposes.For me it is a range toy %99 of the time and %1 self defense.I live in a apartment and my primary hd weapon is my glock 17.I wanted something to get me in the ar game and the rifle has taught me alot,now i'm thinking of building my own.

1. 

 

[skinewmexico]

Several guys on the XD forum bought the CMMGs and are thrilled.

 

[possum]

i say get it!

 

[datruth]

originally I was thinking a LMT or M&P but this bargin bin is sounding good?

I have read a Lot on this rifle and everything sounds like they are great rifles,the money I would save from a LMT for one of these could be spent on ammo and accessories, its an ar , I got to dress it up, a little, practical stuff. would you all suggest it as a first ar, are there definitely things I would have to fix or replace to have it up and running, im fairly familiar with ar , and could you take a rifle such as this to a tactical shooting course. it feels weird saying bargain bin AR and not expecting to get shafted , you all understand? How long does it take to get it from cmmg after ordered I hope im not hijacking the thread sorry if I did?

 

[Thunderstick]

ARK9mm, the CMMG folks have tables at quite a few gun shows where they offer better deals than on the website and you can handle the rifles. They list a couple shows on the website but I can confirm they don't list all the shows they do. Wouldn't hurt to email them and ask them about shows closer to you.

 

[SomeKid]

I looked but cannot figure out, what is special about a Special Purpose Rifle?

 

[Zundfolge]

Many people are finding that their bargain bin rifles are brand new. You can't beat the price with a stick.

I ordered one of the $570 Bargain Bin guns. Came in last week.

I can't find any evidence that the rifle is used at all. Only downside is it doesn't come with a rear sight (which isn't a problem for me as I had a red dot laying around I'm using on mine, but detachable carry handles can be found for around $50...BUIS a little more).

Mine is built on a DPMS lower (the other possibilities are CMMG or DoubleStar).

For a first AR I don't see how you could go wrong (especially if an M4gery is what you really want)

buy with confidence, and try not to get ansy about the lack of tracking number... your rifle WILL come.

They emailed me with a tracking number when I placed my order (in fact I knew my FFL had it before he did ).

 

[missoulaz28]

I got one around X-mas, built on a dpms lower. No evidence of why it was in the bargain bin, so far it shoots great.

I was extremely happy for a first AR that is just a fun gun.