CMMG has tackled the Holy Grail of pistol-caliber ARs with the release of the 10mm Banshee.
How The Banshee Enhances The 10mm AR Platform:
- Radial Delayed Blowback system safely cycles the powerful cartridge, while lightening the firearm.
- Unlike many pistol-caliber ARs, Banshee boasts a last-round hold-open feature.
- Guns ship with 30-round SMG magazize, allowing for standard AR capacity.
- Fast-deploy RipStock and RipBrace come standard on some models.
A regular screamer in pistol-caliber ARs, the CMMG Banshee revolutionizes the resurgent firearms niche. No bigger than a minute, the line of short-barreled rifles (SBR) and AR-style pistols are among the most reliable and varied, with a slew of caliber choices. Only thing missing from the line-up of technologically adept small-fries—10mm. Well … until now.
CMMG has tackled the Holy Grail for many pistol-caliber fans, introducing the 10mm Banshee. In all, the Missouri company offers six configurations—three SBRs and three pistols—chambered for the hard-hitting cartridge. And the guns have plenty going for them, outside of spitting Col. Jeff Cooper's pet downrange.
Chief among these is the Banshee’s revolutionary Radial Delayed Blowback (RDB) system. Developed by CMMG, the company has used the system with great success to safely shoot more powerful pistol calibers. Its guts are reminiscent of a standard AR, given the RDB system utilizes a bolt carrier group (BCG) similar that found on direct-impingement guns. However, it operates much differently. After the shot, the bolt’s forced rotation to unlock slows down the BCG enough to safely cycle loads such as 10mm. Furthermore, it has the added benefit of lessening felt recoil and lightening the firearm, given it doesn’t rely on robust buffer systems found on straight blowback ARs. Definitely a plus, given CMMG aims for the utmost nimbleness with the Banshee line.
“From the moment we first introduced the Radial Delayed Blowback operating system back in 2017, our customers have repeatedly requested that we use this innovative system to chamber 10mm,” said Chris Reinkemeyer, CEO/CFO at CMMG. “We are proud to say that we have now answered the call. Not only do our 10mm offerings work with the wide range of ammunition available today, they also tame the felt recoil by a significant margin. The wait is finally over, BANSHEE 10mms are shipping to retailers now.”
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The Banshee’s magazine is of note as well. The guns come with one 30-round SMG magazine that happens to be Glock pattern. In a word this is great. As those who shoot 10mm are aware, magazines north of 15 rounds are the ivory-billed woodpeckers of the gun world—rare, though spotted more in recent years. With this addition, you aren’t left wandering the aftermarket desert searching for a way to make your Banshee standard capacity.
The new 10mm Banshee utilizes AR-style controls, so familiarity is engineered into the gun. This includes a last-round hold-open function, which shooters are sure to appreciate, given it isn’t standard fare in the realm of pistol-caliber ARs. Facilitating this is the gun’s Bolt Catch Linkage System, a dual-pinned affair that not only speeds up reloads, but also adds a layer of resilience to the guns.
An H3 buffer and 3.5-ounce tuning weight come pre-installed in the carrier, but CMMG also includes a standard carbine buffer for running lighter loads. The company sells an 8-ounce buffer separately, for shooters who plan to run the Banshee suppressed. Additionally, the Banshee 200 and 300 series SBRs feature CMMG’s RipStock, a slick 6 position retractable stock that is preset then deployed at the flick of the wrist. Similarly, the 200 and 300 pistols feature the RipBrace, which operates the same way but is a non-NFA brace.
All in all, “Perfect 10” seems a good fit for the Banshee family. Particularly given CMMG has taken the time to configured the line to get the most out of the cartridge.
Banshee 100 Series Pistol
CALIBER: 10mm
BARREL: 8″, 1:16 twist, Medium Taper, 4140CM, SBN
MUZZLE: SV Brake, threaded .578-28
GAS PORT LOCATION: N/A
RECEIVER: Forged 7075-T6 AL M4 type upper, Forged 7075-T6 AL Lower
HAND GUARD: CMMG RML7 M-Lok hand guard
FINISH: Hard Coat Anodized Receivers and Hand Guard (Can be upgraded to Cerakote)
CHARGING HANDLE: CMMG Mil-Spec
PISTOL GRIP: CMMG A2
RECEIVER EXTENSION: CMMG Pistol Receiver Extension w/Ambi Sling Plate
TRIGGER: CMMG Single Stage Mil-Spec Style Trigger
TRIGGER GUARD: Integrated Into Lower
SAFETY SELECTOR: CMMG Mil-Spec
MAGAZINE: SGM 30rd Glock Magazine
WEIGHT: 5lbs 2oz(unloaded)
LENGTH: 23.9″
MSRP: $1,299.95
Banshee 200 Series Pistol
CALIBER: 10mm
BARREL: 8″, 1:16 twist, Medium Taper, 4140CM, SBN
MUZZLE: SV Brake, threaded .578-28
GAS PORT LOCATION: N/A
RECEIVER: Forged 7075-T6 AL M4 type upper, Forged 7075-T6 AL Lower
HAND GUARD: CMMG RML7 M-Lok hand guard
FINISH: Hard Coat Anodized Receivers and Hand Guard (Can be upgraded to Cerakote)
CHARGING HANDLE: CMMG Mil-Spec
PISTOL GRIP: Magpul MOE
PISTOL BRACE: CMMG Standard RipBrace with 6 Position Enhanced Receiver Extension and Ambi Sling Plate
TRIGGER: CMMG Single stage mil-spec style trigger
TRIGGER GUARD: Integrated Into Lower
SAFETY SELECTOR: CMMG Mil-Spec
MAGAZINE: SGM 30rd Glock Magazine
WEIGHT: 5lbs 9oz(unloaded)
LENGTH: 24.3″(brace collapsed)
MSRP: $1,449.95
Banshee 300 Series Pistol
CALIBER: 10mm
BARREL: 8″, 1:16 twist, Medium Taper, 4140CM, SBN
MUZZLE: SV Brake, threaded .578-28
GAS PORT LOCATION: N/A
RECEIVER: Forged 7075-T6 AL Lower, Forged 7075-T6 AL Upper
HAND GUARD: CMMG RML7 M-Lok hand guard
FINISH: Cerakote Receivers, Hand Guard, and Ejection Port Cover (choice of 10 colors)
CHARGING HANDLE: CMMG Oversized Ambi
PISTOL GRIP: Magpul MOE
PISTOL BRACE: CMMG RipBrace with 6 Position Enhanced Receiver Extension and Ambi Sling Plate
TRIGGER: CMMG Single stage mil-spec style trigger
TRIGGER GUARD: Integrated Into Lower
SAFETY SELECTOR: CMMG Ambi
MAGAZINE: SGM 30rd Glock Magazine
WEIGHT: 5lbs 9oz(unloaded)
LENGTH: 24.3″(brace collapsed)
MSRP: $1,649.95
Banshee 100 Series SBR
CALIBER: 10mm
BARREL: 8″, 1:16 twist, Medium Taper, 4140CM, SBN
MUZZLE: SV Brake, threaded .578-28
GAS PORT LOCATION: N/A
RECEIVER: Forged 7075-T6 AL M4 type upper, Forged 7075-T6 AL Lower
HAND GUARD: CMMG RML7 M-Lok hand guard
FINISH: Hard Coat Anodized Receivers and Hand Guard (Can be upgraded to Cerakote)
CHARGING HANDLE: CMMG Mil-Spec
PISTOL GRIP: CMMG A2
BUTT STOCK: CMMG M4 with 6 Position Receiver Extension w/Ambi Sling Plate
TRIGGER: CMMG Single Stage Mil-Spec Style Trigger
TRIGGER GUARD: Integrated Into Lower
SAFETY SELECTOR: CMMG Mil-Spec
MAGAZINE: SGM 30rd Glock Magazine
WEIGHT: 5lbs 9oz(unloaded)
LENGTH: 24″(stock collapsed) 26″(stock extended, no muzzle device)
MSRP: $1,349.95
Banshee 200 Series SBR
CALIBER: 10mm
BARREL: 8″, 1:16 twist, Medium Taper, 4140CM, SBN
MUZZLE: SV Brake, threaded .578-28
GAS PORT LOCATION: N/A
RECEIVER: Forged 7075-T6 AL M4 type upper, Forged 7075-T6 AL Lower
HAND GUARD: CMMG RML7 M-Lok hand guard
FINISH: Hard Coat Anodized Receivers and Hand Guard (Can be upgraded to Cerakote)
CHARGING HANDLE: CMMG Mil-Spec
PISTOL GRIP: Magpul MOE
BUTT STOCK: CMMG RipStock with 6 Position Enhanced Receiver Extension and Ambi Sling Plate
TRIGGER: CMMG Single stage mil-spec style trigger
TRIGGER GUARD: Integrated Into Lower
SAFETY SELECTOR: CMMG Mil-Spec
MAGAZINE: SGM 30rd Glock Magazine
WEIGHT: 5lbs 9oz(unloaded)
LENGTH: 24.8″(stock collapsed) 26.8″(stock extended, no muzzle device)
MSRP: $1,449.95
Banshee 300 Series SBR
CALIBER: 10mm
BARREL: 8″, 1:16 twist, Medium Taper, 4140CM, SBN
MUZZLE: SV Brake, threaded .578-28
GAS PORT LOCATION: N/A
RECEIVER: Forged 7075-T6 AL Lower, Forged 7075-T6 AL Upper
HAND GUARD: CMMG RML7 M-Lok hand guard
FINISH: Cerakote Receivers, Hand Guard, and Ejection Port Cover (choice of 10 colors)
CHARGING HANDLE: CMMG Oversized Ambi
PISTOL GRIP: Magpul MOE
PISTOL BRACE: CMMG RipStock with 6 Position Enhanced Receiver Extension and Ambi Sling Plate
TRIGGER: CMMG Single stage mil-spec style trigger
TRIGGER GUARD: Integrated Into Lower
SAFETY SELECTOR: CMMG Ambi
MAGAZINE: SGM 30rd Glock Magazine
WEIGHT: 5lbs 9oz(unloaded)
LENGTH: 24.8″(stock collapsed) 26.8″(stock extended, no muzzle device)
MSRP: $1,649.95
For more information on the 10mm Banshee, please visit www.cmmginc.com.
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