Which should you buy, Magpul or CMMG?

Magpul for stocks, pistol grips and handguards. CMMG for receivers and internals. Pick Magpul if you want close to average prices: builders pay 19% cheaper than average. Builders pick its stocks 128x as often and pistol grips 11x as often. Pick CMMG if you want close to average prices: builders pay 8% cheaper than average. Builders pick its receivers far more often and internals far more often. Or mix them like builders do: 34% of CMMG builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

Is Magpul cheaper than CMMG?

Close. Magpul 19% cheaper than average, CMMG 8% cheaper than average.

Which do more AR-15 builders use, Magpul or CMMG?

Magpul. Magpul is in 3.1x as many builds.

Magpul or CMMG: which receivers do builders pick?

CMMG. CMMG upper receivers picked often, Magpul rarely.

Magpul or CMMG: which internals do builders pick?

CMMG. CMMG triggers picked often, Magpul rarely.

Magpul or CMMG: which furniture do builders pick?

Magpul. Magpul stocks picked 128x as often, pistol grips picked 11x as often.

Can you mix Magpul and CMMG parts?

Yes. 34% of CMMG builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

Magpul vs CMMG: AR-15 brands compared

CMMG leads in 3 of 6 categories.

Magpul for stocks, pistol grips and handguards. CMMG for receivers and internals.

From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.

Our take

Magpul is best for:

Magpul makes PMAG magazines, MOE stocks and grips, and created the M-LOK slot system that most handguards use now.

Created M-LOK · Mil-spec compatible · 60 day returns

Close to average prices
The more popular pick: in 29% of builds
Stocks, picked 128x as often
Pistol grips, picked 11x as often

CMMG is best for:

CMMG makes complete AR rifles, pistols and parts, and it's known for Radial Delayed Blowback, its action for pistol caliber ARs in rounds like 10mm and .45 ACP.

Lifetime quality guarantee · Radial Delayed Blowback · Pistol caliber ARs

Close to average prices
Receivers (Magpul receivers are rarely picked)
Internals (Magpul internals are rarely picked)

Many builders mix them: 34% of CMMG builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

Biggest differences

"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.

	Magpul	CMMG	Difference
Price vs average	19% cheaper	8% cheaper
Share of builds	29%	9%	Magpul 3x
Stocks picked	41%	0.3%	Magpul 137x
Grips picked	23%	2.0%	Magpul 11x
Retailers carrying	23	21
Parts listed	1,103	1,054

Price: Tie

For the same part, Magpul parts run 19% cheaper than average and CMMG parts run 8% cheaper than average.

Builder favorite: Magpul wins

Magpul is in 29% of builds and CMMG is in 9% of builds.

Why Magpul: Every Magpul product has a 60 day, no questions asked return policy, so you can test it in the field.

Receivers: CMMG wins

CMMG upper receivers picked often, Magpul rarely.

Most picked Magpul receivers

Rarely picked

Most picked CMMG receivers

CMMG Resolute 16.10" Upper 5.56x45mm$403.20, in stock at 4 stores

CMMG Lower Reciever Parts KIT$33.52, in stock at 8 stores

CMMG Banshee 5.7x28mm Upper$760.27, in stock at 4 stores

Internals: CMMG wins

CMMG triggers picked often, Magpul rarely.

Why CMMG: In a Radial Delayed Blowback gun the bolt has to rotate and unlock before it cycles, which slows the carrier enough to run safely.

Most picked Magpul internals

Rarely picked

Most picked CMMG internals

CMMG Trigger KIT$28.99, in stock at 11 stores

CMMG .308 Win/7.62 Bolt Carrier Group$221.36, in stock at 5 stores

CMMG MK4 Receiver Extension KIT$29.69, in stock at 8 stores

Furniture: Magpul wins

Builders pick Magpul handguards (7x), stocks (128x) and pistol grips (11x) more often than CMMG.

Why Magpul: The MOE SL stock fits mil-spec carbine tubes and has a slim profile, an anti-rattle feature and an ambi QD sling mount.

Most picked Magpul furniture

Magpul MOE Stock Collapsible$33.99, in stock at 9 stores

Magpul MOE K2 Grip Polymer Gray$14.97, in stock at 5 stores

Magpul MOE-SL Mid-Length Handguard$29.99, in stock at 8 stores

Most picked CMMG furniture

CMMG A2 Pistol Grip$5.69, in stock at 1 store

CMMG RipBrace Standard Receiver Extension and Brace KIT$178.87, in stock at 4 stores

CMMG RML11 Handguard 11 M-LOK$4.69, out of stock

Shopper clicks: CMMG wins

Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 60% went to CMMG and 40% went to Magpul.

The full record

Everything we track for Magpul vs CMMG, from builds, store listings and daily prices.

	Magpul	CMMG
Share of builds	29%	9%
Price tier	Mid priced	Mid priced
Parts listed	1,103	1,054
Part types	34	30
Retailers carrying	23	21
In stock now	85%	49%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts	13% higher	2% higher
On sale now	2 parts	None