CMMG is gunning for long-range shooters with its new MkW ANVIL, chambering the robust rifle in the flat-shooting 6.5 Grendel.
What the MkW ANVIL in 6.5 Grendel brings to the table:
- The MkW ANVIL is the second extension to the line, following up on the company's .458 SOCOM released a little less than a year ago.
- Given the ANVIL's beefed up bolt and frame, the 6.5 Grendel is smooth shooting and a rugged performer in the rifle.
- CMMG has configured the rifle to milk the most out of the round, giving the rifle an 1:8 twist rate, making it capable of stabilizing the heavier bullets.
CMMG doesn’t shy away from putting a different spin on one of the modern era’s most ubiquitous firearms — the AR-15. The Missouri gun manufacturer has gone way beyond the typical 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem., offering configurations and chamberings for nearly any conceivable situation or shooter. And the company continues down the road less traveled by tactical rifle makers.
Most recently, CMMG has set its sights on long-distance shooters with the introduction of a 6.5 Grendel option. But it’s rather interesting where this expansion comes — CMMG’s 1-year-old MkW ANVIL line.
The new chambering, available in five different configurations, is a turn from how the line launched, with the rifle originally feeding on the behemoth .458 SOCOM. The round was originally designed for Special Forces operators who wanted more power in a M4, while still utilizing a standard 5.56 NATO, i.e., bolt, magazines, etc. While the inspiration of the Grendel as a means of improving the AR platform mirrors that of SOCOM, the slick little 6.5mm has much different ends.
The new chambering should agree with the ANVIL’S engineering, which features a beefed up design meant to handle large-diameter cartridges. Central to this is the rifle’s POWERBOLT, a modified AR-10-sized bolt that improves the system’s function and durability. Also aiding in the rifle’s overall resiliency is its modified AR-10 frame, shortened by .75 inch to keep the ANVIL lightweight.
The new rifle (outside the pistol variants) comes with a 16-inch medium taper barrel, with a 1:8 twist rate. This definitely sets the rifle up for long-range work, allowing it to stabilize the heaviest bullets available today. The rifles also come with a threaded barrel, 5/8-24 pattern, making it compatible with almost all muzzle devices on the market.
As is typical with a CMMG firearm, the new ANVIL comes with a range of mounting options. In addition to a full-length Picatinny rail along the top for optics, the rifle also has KeyMod slots at the 3,6 and 9 o’clock positions. On top of that, the rifle’s RKM15 handguard also has five-slot accessory rails available for accessories that aren’t KeyMod compatible.
The new MkW Anvil in 6.5 Grendel will cost you a bit more than your run-of-the-mill sporter AR, with an MSRP ranging from $1,700 to nearly $2,000. But that could prove a pittance for long-range shooters aiming to go semi-automatic.
Specifications:
CMMG MkW ANVIL T:
Caliber: 6.5 Grendel
Barrel: 16.1 in., 1:8 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS SBN
Muzzle: CMMG A2 Comp, Threaded 5/8-24
Handguard: CMMG RKM15 KeyMod
Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Trigger: Single Stage Mil-Spec Style Trigger
Furniture: A2 Pistol Grip, M4 butt stock with 6-pos mil-spec receiver extension
Weight: 7.5 lbs (Unloaded)
Length: 33.5″ (Stock Collapsed)
MSRP: $1,699.95
Specifications:
CMMG MkW ANVIL XFT:
Caliber: 6.5 Grendel
Barrel: 16.1″, 1:8 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS SBN
Muzzle: CMMG SV muzzle brake, Threaded 5/8-24
Hand Guard: CMMG RKM15 KeyMod
Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Trigger: Single Stage Mil-Spec Style Trigger
Furniture: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip & CTR Carbine Stock with 6-Position Receiver Extension
Weight: 7.7 lbs (Unloaded)
Length: 33.5″ (Stock Collapsed)
MSRP: $1,799.95
Specifications:
CMMG MkW ANVIL XFT2:
Caliber: 6.5 Grendel
Barrel: 16.1″, 1:8 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS SBN
Muzzle: CMMG SV muzzle brake, Threaded 5/8-24
Hand Guard: CMMG RKM15 KeyMod
Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Trigger: Geissele SSA 2-Stage Trigger
Furniture: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip & CTR Carbine Stock with 6-Position Receiver Extension
Weight: 7.7 lbs (Unloaded)
Length: 33.5″ (Stock Collapsed)
MSRP: $1,999.95
Specifications:
CMMG MkW ANVIL K Pistol
Caliber: 6.5 Grendel
Barrel: 12.5″, 1:8 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS SBN
Muzzle: CMMG A2 Comp, Threaded 5/8-24
Hand Guard: CMMG RKM11 KeyMod
Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Trigger: CMMG Single Stage
Furniture: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, CMMG Pistol Receiver Extension
Weight: 7.1 lbs (Unloaded)
Length: 29″ (Stock Collapsed)
MSRP: $1,699.95
Specifications:
CMMG MkW ANVIL PSB Pistol
Caliber: 6.5 Grendel
Barrel: 12.5″, 1:8 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS SBN
Muzzle: CMMG A2 Comp, Threaded 5/8-24
Hand Guard: CMMG RKM11 KeyMod
Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Trigger: CMMG Single Stage
Furniture: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, KAK Shockwave Brace
Weight: 7.5 lbs (Unloaded)
Length: 29″ (Stock Collapsed)
MSRP: $1,749.95
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