Guns AfterSHOT – CMC Triggers AK Trigger Nathan Schultz January 27, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More By now most people know who and what CMC Triggers are. If not you should pull your head out of the sand and get to learning. During the months leading up to SHOT this year we heard repeated whispers about a new AK trigger getting ready to hit the market. When I first heard about this trigger and that CMC was taking it on I didn't think it would be possible. AK triggers are known to be complex and frankly as hard to deal with as a dress on prom night. I started to see pictures leak as we got closer to SHOT, as well as a few videos. I was determined not just to shoot it but to sit down with the man himself, Jack Biegel, and get his input. We were able to finally to hands on on the new CMC Triggers AK Trigger during Media Day at the Range and I for one was initially impressed. In fact, I was having such a good time with it I failed to get a single picture there on the range and had to go back and get some during the how. I did, however, film a short video from the AK I was shooting. I also captured in sound my personal highlight from SHOT Show 2016 (read on for details). The guys at CMC were nice enough to load up a magazine with 15 rounds for me instead of the normal ‘range day 5' to see how fast I could get her going. I went to the line, locked and loaded, and ready myself to sling some 7.62x39mm lead down range. It wasn't the fastest I have ever gone with a CMC trigger but it was still moving quick. When I was done, the lane safety told us,” Hey guys, no full auto.” All I could tell them was,”That wasn't full auto…it's all my finger.” showing him my hand and finger (think Hoot in Blackhawk down saying, This my safety sir.) It was definitely a good way to start off SHOT. Range Day concluded, I was later able to sit down (that doesn't happen much during SHOT) and talk with CMC's Jack Biegel. R: Now Jack with your aerospace design background and your success with the AR drop in triggers what gave you the drive to jump into the AK trigger? JB: Well, it's basically about diversifying our product base and that was the next step in the plan based on everything we have seen and everyone that we have talked to. The AK is going to be the next new rifle that people are going to be working with. We are at the very beginning of the next part or phase. R: With the complexity of the trigger what did you do to figure this out? JB: The trigger is very complicated. Way more complicated than the AR trigger. We first went out and purchased six different AK’s from six differents countries and manufacturers. We went to work reverse engineering all of them to find out what we could use and what we could do ultimately to design that would go into every rifle. We did find commonality between all the nations builds so that's what we picked up on first. R: How is this trigger similar to the AR drop in? JB: We found out very early on that the mounting pin holes for the trigger and hammer are not usable in regard to building a precision trigger that we are known for. So we had to come up with an idea to isolate the trigger, disconnector and hammer. We did that and it's a very cool design. The trigger in our AK, and everyone we make, will be removeable. If you want to start out with the flat and then move to the curved, it's a very easy swap out. Probably take you ten min once you know how to put it in and take it out. R: So you are doing the CMC standard flat and curved trigger but there is a third one? JB: Yes, the traditional AK curve. We know there are purists out there that want that trigger bow. So, we made all three and who knows, we may come out with some other ones that need to be made. R: Have you guys done the standard “dirt test” or “mud test”? JB: I haven't put it in mud yet but, I have no doubt it's going to run and perform at least 89-90% of the original OEM trigger that is put in standard for the AK. I think ours will do just fine. R: What else kind of new things are on the line. JB: Well, their is about 2 dozen triggers we have planned for the next couple of years. Right now the next one is a Remington 700 that is going to start happening. We will get going with that once the production for the new AK kicks into high gear. R: When are we looking for the AK trigger to get out to the masses? JB: We are really looking at March to April time frame. That's when the facets will get really turned on. R: Thank you for your time Jack. Well you heard it from the man himself. More triggers to come. I’m for one, very interested to see what will be coming out of CMC’s small shop in Texas. Looks like I might just have to head up and visit the shop more. ##### Follow us on Instagram, @RECOILmagazine and keep an eye out for these hashtags: #recoilmagazine, #recoil, #shotshow2016, #mediadayattherange and especially #recoilSHOT2016. We will updating the Constant Coverage article, well…constantly. Bookmark that here at this link. What is the NSSF SHOT Show? The NSSF SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) and Conference is an annual event held by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Typically attended by thousands of people from all 50 states and over a hundred countries, it is (quite rightfully) described as the “…world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, and related products and services. Imagine the Worlds' Fair, but packed with everything from mini-guns and every breed of body armor, bows and boots; from eye pro and ear pro to optics and ordnance, socks to swords…you get the idea. If you'd like to see a sampling of the companies who will be showing at this year's SHOT, there's a live map right here, though it doesn't reflect the organizations set up elsewhere, in hotel suites, etc. View imagery from our coverage of last year's SHOT Show right here. 2016 SHOT Show January 18 — Media on the Range (numerous shooting facilities in and around Las Vegas) January 19–22, 2016 Sands Expo and Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada Hours: Tuesday, January 19 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 20 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 21 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday, January 22 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Explore RECOILweb:New Kydex Wallet Patterns from Violent Little Machine ShopSexual Assault Warrant Issued for 3D Gun Pioneer Cody WilsonHelp From Above | Law Enforcement AviationClose at Hand: Using Makeshift Weapons When SHTF NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.