Thereโs something about pistol-caliber carbines that just feels right. Sure, I get why some folks turn their noses up at them. Theyโre not rifles in the traditional sense, they lack the long-range punch of a proper .308 or 5.56, and some see them as redundant. But me? I canโt get enough of them. Theyโre fun, affordable to shoot, and way easier on the shoulder and wallet than my centerfire rifles. Plus, theyโre easy to suppress, work in most indoor ranges, and let me get closer to steel targets without worrying about ricochets sending me to the ER.
Of all the PCCs Iโve shot, one stands above the rest: the CMMG MkGs Resolute.
Now, before I start waxing poetic about this rifle, letโs break down the name. The โMkGsโ means it takes Glock magazines. The โResoluteโ part tells you itโs a full-sized rifleโnone of that braced AR pistol nonsense, but a true AR platform chambered in 9mm. If that seems silly to you, well, youโre probably not running Steel Challenge or Action Steel matches. For me, itโs the perfect competition rifle, and after putting it through its paces, I wouldnโt trade it for anything else.
The CMMG MkGs Resolute Up Close
What sets the MkGs apart is CMMGโs radial delayed blowback system, a feature that makes their PCCs and braced pistols stand out from the crowd. Most AR-pattern 9mm carbines rely on a straight blowback design, which means the breech isnโt locked and is kept closed solely by the weight of the bolt, buffer, and spring. That works fine, but it also results in unnecessary recoilโmore than a 9mm rifle should ever have.
The MkGs Resolute, on the other hand, uses a locked breech system. The bolt is shaped like a standard 5.56 AR bolt but with teeth that are trimmed at an angle. When you fire, the bolt rotates and unlocks, allowing the rifle to cycle without the need for a massive, heavy bolt and buffer. The result? A smooth, barely-there recoil impulse that feels like cheating compared to traditional blowback PCCs.
The rifle itself is a thing of beauty. A lightweight free-floating M-LOK handguard gives it a sleek, streamlined look. At the business end, CMMGโs Zeroed Muzzle Brake helps tame what little recoil the rifle has. The controls are fully ambidextrous, including a short-throw safety and a massive charging handle that would make any Texan proud. The magazine release is positioned to work with Glock mags and, thankfully, the rifle includes a last-round bolt hold openโa feature thatโs frustratingly absent on many PCCs.
CMMG also throws in their RipStock, a retractable stock that deploys instantly with a simple pull. Itโs a clever feature, though I have one gripe: it yanks on my beard like a vengeful ex every time I shoot. Also, no sling points? Come on, CMMG.
The MkGs Resolute in Competition
My first match with the Resolute was a trial by fire, and despite my inexperience, I managed to place third. Not bad for a guy who, at the time, didnโt even know what the red boundary lines meant. I chalk up my success less to my shooting skills and more to how effortlessly this rifle handles and performs under pressure.
The first thing that stands out is the lack of recoil. Compared to blowback PCCs, the Resolute might as well be shooting .22s. Itโs lightning fast, allowing me to transition from target to target without any wasted motion. The radial delayed system works wonders, and the muzzle brake certainly doesnโt hurt either. Itโs the kind of rifle that makes you feel like a better shooter than you really are.
Accuracy is another high point. I topped the rifle with a ZeroTech red dot, which complements the Resoluteโs speed-focused design perfectly. At 50 yards, I can consistently print 1.6-inch groups from a bench. No, itโs not 1 MOA, but letโs be realโthis is a 9mm rifle, not a sniper setup. For its intended purpose, the accuracy is exactly where it needs to be.
The trigger isnโt anything to write home about. Itโs your standard MIL-SPEC affairโnot overly light, but at least itโs clean with no grit or take-up. More importantly, it allows for quick, repeatable shots, which is all I really care about in competition.
Reloading and Reliability
One of the perks of shooting a PCC in competition is that you donโt have to reload all that often. A 33-round Glock mag is usually plenty, but when I do need to swap mags, the process is effortless.
The beveled magwell makes reloads smooth and fast, and the oversized bolt release is easy to smack when sending the bolt home. Unlike some PCCs that use Glock mags, the MkGs actually locks open on the last round, which is a nice touch. The only mag that gives me trouble is the Magpul D50 drumโit fits, but seating it on a closed bolt takes a bit more force than Iโd like.
Reliability has been rock solid. Iโve put well over a thousand rounds through the Resolute, and aside from a couple of ammo-related hiccups (thanks, Winchester White Box), I havenโt had a single malfunction. I clean it occasionallyโemphasis on “occasionally”โand it just keeps running like a champ.
Final Thoughts: A Resolute Revolution
The CMMG MkGs Resolute is, without a doubt, one of the best PCCs on the market. Itโs smooth-shooting, lightweight, and reliable, making it an absolute blast for competition shooting. Even my wife and kids love it, thanks to its soft recoil and easy handling.
Ballistically, PCCs arenโt my first choice for home defense, but ergonomically, they make a lot of senseโespecially for newer or smaller shooters. The Resoluteโs handling is so intuitive that I wouldnโt hesitate to recommend it as a defensive option for someone who prefers the AR platform but doesnโt want to deal with rifle recoil or overpenetration concerns.
My only real complaints? The stock could use some sling attachment points, and Iโd appreciate it if it stopped trying to rip my beard out. Otherwise, this rifle is about as close to perfect as a 9mm AR can get.
Iโll be keeping this one for a long time, at least until I start losing more matches and need something to blame other than myself.
