CMMG vs Radian: AR-15 brands compared

Even: CMMG and Radian each lead 2 of 6 categories.

CMMG for triggers, upper receivers and bolt carrier groups. Radian for charging handles.

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

Our take

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
  • Triggers, picked 9x as often
  • Upper receivers, picked 2.1x as often
  • Bolt carrier groups, picked 4x as often

Radian is best for:

Radian makes ambidextrous AR controls in Redmond, Oregon, and the Raptor charging handle is the one everybody knows. They used to go by AXTS Weapons Systems.

Ambi controls · Limited lifetime warranty · Billet charging handles

  • Paying more: about 33% above average
  • The more popular pick: in 26% of builds
  • Charging handles, picked 55x as often

Many builders mix them: 25% of CMMG builds add Radian, most often the charging handle.

Biggest differences

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

CMMGRadianDifference
Price vs average8% cheaper33% pricierCMMG cheaper
Share of builds9%26%Radian 2.9x
Charging handles picked0.7%41%Radian 58x
Parts listed1,054398CMMG 2.6x
Retailers carrying2115CMMG 1.4x

Price: CMMG wins

For the same part, CMMG parts run 8% cheaper than average and Radian parts run 33% pricier than average.

Builder favorite: Radian wins

CMMG is in 9% of builds and Radian is in 26% of builds.

Why Radian: Radian covers everything it sells with a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.

Receivers: Tie

Builders pick CMMG upper receivers (2.1x) more often than Radian. Lower receivers are about even.

Internals: Radian wins

Builders pick CMMG bolt carrier groups (4x) and triggers (9x) more often than Radian. Builders pick Radian charging handles (55x) more often than CMMG. CMMG barrels, muzzle devices and gas blocks are picked often, Radian's rarely.

Why Radian: The Raptor is an all billet ambidextrous charging handle you can run from either side.

Furniture: CMMG wins

CMMG pistol grips picked often, Radian rarely.

Most picked Radian furniture

Rarely picked

Shopper clicks: Tie

Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 51% went to CMMG and 49% went to Radian.

The full record

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

CMMGRadian
Share of builds9%26%
Price tierMid pricedPremium
Parts listed1,054398
Part types3023
Retailers carrying2115
In stock now49%63%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts2% higherFlat
On sale nowNoneNone

What builders pair with them

CMMG vs Radian: questions builders ask

Which should you buy, CMMG or Radian?

CMMG for triggers, upper receivers and bolt carrier groups. Radian for charging handles. Pick CMMG if you want close to average prices: builders pay 8% cheaper than average. Builders pick its triggers 9x as often and upper receivers 2.1x as often. Pick Radian if you don't mind paying more: builders pay 33% pricier than average. Builders pick its charging handles 55x as often. Or mix them like builders do: 25% of CMMG builds add Radian, most often the charging handle.

Is CMMG cheaper than Radian?

CMMG. CMMG 8% cheaper than average, Radian 33% pricier than average.

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

Radian. Radian is in 2.8x as many builds.

CMMG or Radian: which receivers do builders pick?

Close. CMMG upper receivers picked 2.1x as often, close on lower receivers.

CMMG or Radian: which internals do builders pick?

Radian. Radian charging handles picked 55x as often, CMMG triggers picked 9x as often.

CMMG or Radian: which furniture do builders pick?

CMMG. CMMG pistol grips picked often, Radian rarely.

Can you mix CMMG and Radian parts?

Yes. 25% of CMMG builds add Radian, most often the charging handle.

What is CMMG known 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.

What is Radian known for?

Radian makes ambidextrous AR controls in Redmond, Oregon, and the Raptor charging handle is the one everybody knows. They used to go by AXTS Weapons Systems.

More CMMG comparisons

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