Timber Creek vs CMMG: AR-15 brands compared

CMMG leads in 5 of 6 categories.

Timber Creek for the price, buffer tubes and charging handles. CMMG for receivers.

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

Our take

Timber Creek is best for:

Timber Creek makes machined aluminum AR-15 and AR-10 parts in a wide range of anodized colors, from handguards and charging handles to safety selectors.

Anodized colors · AR-15 and AR-10 · Machined aluminum

  • Spending less: about 43% below average
  • Buffer tubes, picked 2.1x as often
  • Charging handles, picked 2.8x as often
  • Handguards, picked 1.7x 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
  • The more popular pick: in 9% of builds
  • Receivers (Timber Creek receivers are rarely picked)

Many builders mix them: 19% of Timber Creek builds add CMMG, most often the upper receiver.

Biggest differences

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

Timber CreekCMMGDifference
Price vs average43% cheaper8% cheaperTimber Creek cheaper
Share of builds3%9%CMMG 3x
Parts listed4181,054CMMG 2.5x
Buffer tubes picked5.6%2.6%Timber Creek 2.2x
Retailers carrying1021CMMG 2.1x

Price: Timber Creek wins

For the same part, Timber Creek parts run 43% cheaper than average and CMMG parts run 8% cheaper than average.

Builder favorite: CMMG wins

Timber Creek is in 3% of builds and CMMG is in 9% of builds.

Why CMMG: Every CMMG product carries a Lifetime Quality Guarantee against defects in material or workmanship.

Receivers: CMMG wins

CMMG upper receivers picked often, Timber Creek rarely.

Most picked Timber Creek receivers

Rarely picked

Internals: CMMG wins

Builders pick Timber Creek charging handles (2.8x) and buffer tubes (2.1x) more often than CMMG. CMMG barrels, bolt carrier groups and triggers are picked often, Timber Creek's 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.

Furniture: CMMG wins

Builders pick Timber Creek handguards (1.7x) more often than CMMG. CMMG stocks and pistol grips are picked often, Timber Creek's rarely.

Shopper clicks: CMMG wins

Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 91% went to CMMG and 9% went to Timber Creek.

The full record

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

Timber CreekCMMG
Share of builds3%9%
Price tierBudget friendlyMid priced
Parts listed4181,054
Part types1930
Retailers carrying1021
In stock now68%49%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts5% lower2% higher
On sale nowNoneNone

What builders pair with them

Timber Creek vs CMMG: questions builders ask

Which should you buy, Timber Creek or CMMG?

Timber Creek for the price, buffer tubes and charging handles. CMMG for receivers. Pick Timber Creek if price matters most: builders pay about 43% less than average for the same part. Builders pick its buffer tubes 2.1x as often and charging handles 2.8x as often. Pick CMMG if you want close to average prices: builders pay 8% cheaper than average. Builders pick its receivers far more often. Or mix them like builders do: 19% of Timber Creek builds add CMMG, most often the upper receiver.

Is Timber Creek cheaper than CMMG?

Timber Creek. Timber Creek 43% cheaper than average, CMMG 8% cheaper than average.

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

CMMG. CMMG is in 3.0x as many builds.

Timber Creek or CMMG: which receivers do builders pick?

CMMG. CMMG upper receivers picked often, Timber Creek rarely.

Timber Creek or CMMG: which internals do builders pick?

CMMG. Timber Creek buffer tubes picked 2.1x as often, charging handles picked 2.8x as often.

Timber Creek or CMMG: which furniture do builders pick?

CMMG. Timber Creek handguards picked 1.7x as often.

Can you mix Timber Creek and CMMG parts?

Yes. 19% of Timber Creek builds add CMMG, most often the upper receiver.

What is Timber Creek known for?

Timber Creek makes machined aluminum AR-15 and AR-10 parts in a wide range of anodized colors, from handguards and charging handles to safety selectors.

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.

More Timber Creek comparisons

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