By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2024
ABOUT CMMG
CMMG was established in 2002 when John, Jeff, Gretchen, and Stephanie Overstreet decided to create a quality AR rifle that everyone could afford. They dedicated themselves to building quality AR-15 rifles and parts for the growing market.
By 2006, CMMG had grown to the point where they had to hire full-time employees, expand the factory, design parts, and start offering products in multiple calibers.
2009—They formed a design and engineering department to produce high-quality, innovative products for their customers and a quality control system to ensure all parts meet or exceed their expectations.
In 2010, they released and patented their 22LR AR-15 conversion kit.
In 2014, CMMG released their revolutionary MK47 rifle based on the 7.62 X 39 round and AK-47 magazine combined with their proprietary POWERBOLT bolt carrier group.
In 2016, the company expanded again, moving into a much larger facility in Booneville, Missouri.
2017—The company released another innovation with its radial delayed blowback operating system, which forces the bolt to rotate and unlock. This slows down the bolt carrier group while significantly reducing the weight of the carrier and buffer, reducing the rifle’s weight and the felt recoil.
Today, CMMG guarantees its products against defects in material or workmanship for the product’s life and remains committed to bringing innovation and quality to the industry.
MOVIE GUNS
Whether they’re nonfunctioning replicas for larping or display, airsoft versions, or real firearms, the demand for movie guns is high; for years, “Star Wars” fans have been replicating weapons from the original movie and its sequels. The 501st Legion (www.501st.com), aka “Vader’s Fist,” is a worldwide “Star Wars” costuming organization complete with detailed costumes and replica weapons.
Another famous replica weapon is the PK-D 5223, as seen in the movie “Blade Runner.” The Pflager-Katsumata Series D5223 used by Detective Rick Deckard in the film was constructed from parts of a Steyr Mannlicher .222 rifle and a Charter Arms Bulldog revolver. The PKD nomenclature is actually the initials of Phillip K. Dick, the author of “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” the book on which “Blade Runner” is based. Collectors are serious about these types of weapons, as a collector purchased one of the original guns from the movie at auction for $270,000!
THE DL44 BLASTER
For you “Star Wars” fans, look at the latest blaster replica: CMMG’s new DL-44 Blaster-based .22LR pistol. Derived from CMMG’s line of .22LR firearms, this pistol copies the look of the original Han Solo Blaster, which was based on the Mauser C96 “Broomhandle.”
THE RECEIVER & FURNITURE
The upper receiver is made from billet 6061 T6 aluminum, while the lower is an MK4 style manufactured from 7075 T6 aluminum and finished with a Battleworn Armor Black Cerakote.
The upper is fitted with a full-length Picatinny rail for your choice of sights or optics. The receiver extension features a 1913 Picatinny rail end cap to mount a brace or sling attachment. The charging handle is a CMMG ambidextrous zeroed model.
The hand-carved Mauser-style pistol grips are 4.5 inches long, made from wood and ABS composite, and produced by Blackwood Trading.
THE BARREL
The 4.5-inch barrel is manufactured from 4140 Chrome Moly steel. It features a medium taper, a 1:16 twist, a threaded ½ x 28 with the custom muzzle device attached, and is finished in Battleworn Armor Black Cerakote.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Semi-Automatic, Blowback
Caliber: .22LR
Magazine Capacity: 10 Rounds
Barrel Length: 4.5 Inches
Overall Length: 13.9 Inches
Weight: 3.3 Pounds
MSRP: $1,074.95
URL: www.cmmg.com
THE VERDICT
A few manufacturers are building DL44 Blaster-type pistols, but the CMMG version seems to get it just right, and the Battleworn Black Cerakote finish is perfect. CMMG is producing a limited quantity of these pistols, which will be available on May 4th.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].