CMC Trigger: Initial Impressions

If you've been following the StrongsideTactical.com YouTube page you've seen the Install Video I did for the CMC single stage competition trigger for AR-15's. I was pretty impressed with how easily it installed into my lower. This past weekend, I finally got some time to go break it in a little, although truthfully I did not get to do as intensive a review as I wanted. Going to my usual shooting ground with unlimited space was not an option, so I had to settle for the local gun club's 100 yard rifle range, where only bench shooting was allowed. I was able to document several magazines of slow paced bag-supported fire at 100, 50, and 25 yards using a non-magnified Aimpoint M2 and Federal XM193 ammo. Just for fun, I did a side by side comparison of the CMC with my other trigger, a Geissele SSA two-stage. I really love the Geissele. I've been using it for over a year and have had nothing but excellent results with it. Lewis over at StrongsideTactical.com challenged me to try the CMC and see if it would change my mind.

Drops in as a unit in about 30 seconds

My initial shot surprised me as the trigger pull was lighter than I was expecting. There was absolutely no creep at all, the break was crisp and light, and there was no over-travel. After about 10 shots or so I had the hang of the trigger and got down to business. I like the wider face on the trigger as it gets more finger pad on the trigger and helps me pull straight back. I was pleasantly surprised with the degree of accuracy I was able to achieve after only about 5 minutes shooting the trigger. The CMC trigger functions flawlessly with no slop or wasteful movement, which is just my idea of something that should be on my rifle.

So, in a nutshell, I've designed this unscientific 3 stage comparison test between the CMC and Geissele trigger groups. Part 1 was "Ease of Install" and the CMC wins that hands down. It drops in as a unit and after you punch the hammer and trigger pins into the lower, you are done. The Geissele is not a hard install, but its more tedious as it mirrors the standard USGI trigger 3-piece install. Putting the SSA into a lower takes me about 15 minutes. Part 2 is chronicled HERE with head to head bench shooting using the CMC and Geissele. Results are at the end of the video. I'd like to further the Part 2 test by shooting out to 3 and 400 yards at steel plates, if I can get that lined up in the near future. The final test will be a "Speed" test, probably pitting the two triggers against each other running drills such as the VTAC 1/2 and 1/2 or 1-5 drill. Stay tuned for that in the future. As for now, the CMC gets two thumbs up from me.

Be safe and see you next time.
~Mac