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Posted: 1/25/2008 10:47:54 AM EDT
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So, after about a month of research, reading reviews, talking with the guys at the local gun shop, and reading this forum, I have decided to buy myself a brand spanking new CMMG rifle. I know that I want a 14.5" M4 type rifle and have narrowed my choices down to these four listed below. Could someone take a look at these when you have time and let me know what the differences are. I am confused on these four and am trying to narrow it down to "the one" that I am going to order. These are all the same price and they all have the option of adding the upper I want. I want an A3 upper. Thanks, I appreciate all you guys' help and info !! 1) CMMG 14.5” M4 Carbine w/Permanent Phantom 2) CMMG 14.5” A1 SOCOM M4 Carbine w/Permanent Phantom 3) CMMG 14.7” M4 Carbine w/A2 4) CMMG 14.7” A1 SOCOM M4 Carbine w/A2 Link to CMMG - HERE These rifle appear about half way down the page and are in order starting with the CMMG 14.5” M4 Carbine w/Permanent Phantom. Thanks again !! |
As far as I can tell, the only difference between your choice 1 and 2 is the contour/profile of the barrel. Your option 1 has a standard M4 barrel profile - whereas option 2 has a "medium" profile. So the difference is a very minor one that might relate slightly to weight and balance (but it will be a small difference). Some people really like the heavier medium profile, and that's why CMMG offers it. (If you go and look at the pictures of the barrels they offer, you might be able to tell the difference). That is also the only difference between your option 3 and 4 - the barrel profile. Otherwise they appear to be pretty much the same thing. If you were also asking what the difference was between the first two (1,2) and the other two (3,4), then the only difference is the length of barrel and the flash supressor. Obviously 1 and 2 have a 14.5" long barrel and a phantom flash supressor permanently attached to the end of the barrel (to bring it to legal 16" length). The other two (3 and 4) have a 14.7" barrel and a standard A2 flash supressor permanently attached to the end of the barrel to bring it to 16" total. If people are looking for something as close to a "real" military M4, then some people prefer the 14.5 barrel with the phantom, because it gets them the "correct" 14.5" barrel length, but forces them to use a longer flash supressor than the standard A2. Other people prefer the 14.7" barrel with the standard A2, because it looks almost exactly like the M4 with the standard A2 flash supressor, and the extra .2" of barrel is hardly noticable. I hope this answered your questions. |
OAL of barrel = >16" 1) CMMG 14.5” M4 Carbine w/Permanent Phantom 2) CMMG 14.5” A1 SOCOM M4 Carbine w/Permanent Phantom SBR required 3) CMMG 14.7” M4 Carbine w/A2 4) CMMG 14.7” A1 SOCOM M4 Carbine w/A2 M4 barrel is thinner than the SOCOM barrel. Heavier barrel for FA. Hardwarz |
Actually, I think those that the listed are the 14.7" with a permanent A2, even though his description didn't say so explicitly. I don't know of anyone that would SBR a 14.7" barrel. |
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A2 is the flash hider type.... the M4A1 SOCOM barrel is beefer under the handguards, because SF troops were melting the original style barrels with sustained automatic fire, so the barrel was redesigned to handle more abuse but still has the flats for mounting the M203. The difference in 14.5 vs 14.7 is mainly aesthetics, I don't like the Phantom FH, both should still be able to mount the bayonet. To me the best one is the 14.7 M4A1 SOCOM and is what I am going to end up with soon. Hardwarz- as long as it is perm attached and 16 in OAL it doesn't require SBR as you know, CMMG offers perm attached for 14.5 w/phantom or 14.7 with A2 FH both are legal 16 inches. |
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So I take it if the barrel is beefier, then the SOCOM model is going to be a tad heavier right? I wish CMMG would put the weight of thier rifles on thier site. It would be helpful I think. I am not all that concerned about weight, but then again, I don't want something insanely heavy. Does anyone know what the M4 style rifles weigh? I would like to know how they compare to the Colt 6920s in weight. I have read/heard that the 6920's are a good weight and well balanced. Maybe I will just send CMMG an email....... |
The socom barrel, which I'm fairly certain is the same weight or really close as their own medcon barrels, is about 3-4oz heavier than the gov't profile. |
Yes it will be heavier but not much, and that weight is closer to the middle point of the rifle so you wont notice it as much anyways. The heavier SOCOM barrel heats up slower but cools down slower. The gov profile 'regular' barrel heats up faster but cools down faster. Heavier barrels can be more accurate because they are stiffer, and dont flex as much when firing. This at the expense of the slightly heavier weight. My decision would come down to on how much you are going to mount on the rails if anything. If all you are going to do is a light or VFG Id go with the socom profile barrel in 14.7". If you have more than that, and you probably dont go with the lighter barrel. The 14.7" was made so you can perm attach a regular length A2 style FH and still be legal without the NFA stamp. I did this but with an LMT 14.5" w/ a Vortex. You can either pay 200 dollars and not put a 2 second weld job on there or just do a 2 second weld job. The 16" M4 profile barrels just dont look right to me, and my other half has one. I have yet to think it looks right, and always point people towards a 14.5" w/ perm attach or in your case the 14.7" w/ A2. Unless you plan on lots of mods perm attach is the way to go or just do it as you want from the begining... |
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You might as well do the SOCOM if you're going to do the M4, but if you don't do mag dumps all the time, why not just get the lightweight? As long as you're going to have the FH permanently attached, might as well make it a good one. So of your choices, I'd go with #2. But if it were me, I'd get the lightweight with a Vltor comp or FSC556...but then you'd have to get CMMG to special order it for you, or send it to them, or have a vendor do it for you. And be sure to check out evil-black-rifles.com before paying MSRP for a CMMG... |
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For the time being, all it will have is the carry handle rear site. After awhile though, I do plan on getting an ARMS 40 BUIS and an EOTech 553. And possibly one day, I will want to mount a light. With that said, would the SOCOM still be the way to go? I don't think I will mind the extra weight at all and if it is a beefier barrel, then yeh, I might as well get the SOCOM and call it a day. |
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It is a 6 pound carbine, weight is really not an issue anyways, the SOCOM barrel is a good choice for an M4 clone and the 14.7 w/A2 looks pretty close to "right". The only time weight really comes into play is when you attach a ton of junk that you don't really need (consider your actual use for this weapon). If you will not be operating at night you don't need the IR laser unit and nightvision gear. That being said, I humped one for a couple of years after carrying the M16A2 for 16 years so the carbine was nothing at all to deal with. |
The A1 on the barrel designation comes from the SOCOM barrel having been designed for use with the full aoto Colt M4A1. It has nothing to due with the nomenclature of the upper or FH. The M4A1 usually has a flat top upper, however, I'm sure there are still some fixed handle M4A1's out there as well. Still confused?  Further, for what you're gonna be using your AR for, the gov't contour barrel should suit you fine IIRC details from your initial inquiries about the CMMG options. Weight does start to add up when you start throwing on optics & other goodies. It's a necessary evil with some work guns, but shouldn't be discounted either depending on what type of work you're doing even if you're strong & fit. |
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