Clawgear CG15 in .223 Remington – High-quality  "made in Austria" AR rifles with classic Stoner system

Clawgear, an Austrian company based in Steyr, is actually known for its tactical clothing and equipment. However, the company does not only have "gear" in its catalog. The portfolio also includes selected tactical firearm parts for models such as the AR-15 and Kalashnikov and the AUG – for example M-Lok handguards. Clawgear now also has its own range of semi-automatic AR-15 rifles in its catalog. In particular, there are currently five variants of the  CG15 model in .223 Remington to choose from, two of which were sent to the editorial team by German Sport Guns. The first is the all-black, extra handy version with a 10.5" (267 mm) barrel; the second version comes with a 14.5" (368 mm) barrel and a  Midnight Bronze Cerakote coating on the handguard and receiver. Apart from length and color, the two semi-automatics hardly differ. The barrel of the 14.5" version in Midnight Bronze ends with a classic A2 flash hider closed at the bottom, screwed on a half-inch threaded muzzle (1/2"-28 UNEF). In the Shorty version with a 10.5" barrel, an open cage design on all sides keeps the muzzle flash in check.

The basis of the Clawgear CG15

In principle, Clawgear relies on a comparatively classic design by today's standards. The two-part aluminum receiver accommodates the typical AR rotating bolt, which locks into the barrel extension. In typical Eugene Stoner style, the gas-operated system is powered by a gas tube above the barrel: some of the propellant gases are tapped upwards through a barrel port and then flow backwards through a gas tube directly onto the gas key mounted on the bolt carrier. This direct impingement system without piston springs or gas pistons weighs very little and requires a minimum of moving parts, which has a very positive overall effect on the rifle weight and balance as well as recoil behavior and accuracy.

Clawgear CG15: workmanship and features

The receivers are accurately finished inside and out, the gaps are inconspicuous and the uppers and lowers of the two CG15s fit together with virtually no play. In conjunction with the almost completely wobble-free telescoping stock on the buffer tube, the Austrians have a very appealing overall finish. Clawgear has opted against a stylishly futuristic design for the upper and lower receivers – the pieces made from 7075 T6 alloy forged blanks look perfectly standard. The slim aluminum handguard is very comfortable to grip, even at low temperatures, thanks to the thin, moderately textured plastic inserts integrated into the M-Lok slots. The M-Lok slots at 6 o'clock remain free. The continuous Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver and handguard provides space for attaching optics and open sights.

The controls appear to have been carefully manufactured and snap into place cleanly. They are also the absolute AR standard in terms of form, function and arrangement, i.e. designed purely for right-handed operation. And they do not differ in any way from the AR technology introduced almost six decades ago with the M16A1 US service rifle: 90-degree safety selector and bolt catch on the left of the receiver, magazine release and forward assist on the right. The direct trigger is also a typical MilSpec standard type. The pistol grip is slightly fuller than a standard A2 grip, has a slightly angular contour and a non-slip textured surface. Inside, there is a storage compartment for small essentials such as spare batteries for optics. For pure sporting or hunting use, the grip could be a little thicker for larger hands, but as a universal grip it is also ideal for small hands. If you want to be able to operate the 90-degree safety selector quickly and comfortably even with small hands, the handle should not be too large.

So far, so good. But where could Clawgear improve on the CG15? The markings on the receivers are neatly done, but laser-etched, not engraved – though that's purely cosmetic. The castle nut and the end plate could be staked – but only very few European AR suppliers do this, primarily those who like to supply LE and the military. And then there are the options for sling attachment out of the box: one QD mount each on the right and left of the collapsible stock, that's it. Incidentally, it should be noted that the prices of the CG15 are somewhat different in its home country. And this also applies to the included accessory pack.

The barrels of the Austrian rifles come from the German barrel specialist Lothar Walther. Their cold extruded barrels (here with a 1:9" twist) have been used for many years in AR-15s from various European suppliers and ensures precise shooting performance. The 1:9" twist offers a good compromise for the accuracy and stabilization of common hunting full metal jacket and match bullets in .223 Remington, up to hollow point boat-tail competition projectiles weighing around 69 grains. A shorter twist is actually only required for extra-heavy (and extra-long) competition bullets and in the military sector for  .223 tracer ammunition; shorter twist lengths such as the 1:12" twist of the original M16 were optimised for light and relatively short .223 bullets weighing around 50 to 55 grains.

With the two CG15 from Clawgear on the shooting range

To familiarise themselves with the two rifles, the testers took two optics to the shooting range. For fun and freehand shooting, the choice fell on a compact Integrix 1-8x28 riflescope on an offset UTG quick-release mount. A Schmidt & Bender PMII 5-25x56 on a MAK mount was used to determine group sizes at 100 meters. No major issues arose on the range, nor were any expected –  after all, the CG15s are AR-15 clones that shoot like AR-15s. What is consistently noticeable and positive is that an AR with the barrel length of 14.5" or even shorter, typical for the M4 carbine, is a wonderfully handy yet easy-to-use and easily controllable carbine when firing – the concept has truly earned its international popularity with the military, law enforcement and civilians over many years.

One less positive aspect, but inherent to the concept regardless of the rifle manufacturer, is that with short barrels and the correspondingly short gas system in carbine-length rifles, there is noticeably more movement in an AR semi-automatic rifle during firing than even in a mid-length gas system with tube lengths around 16.5 to 18 inches which, with a comparable barrel contour, weighs hardly any more. So if your personal usage profile favors a carbine – fine! If you are more interested in shooting comfort, ballistic performance and maximum accuracy, you may prefer a few centimeters more barrel, gas tube and handguard – it's a matter of personal taste and individual requirements for the gun.

What wasn't appealing for target shooting alone were the direct triggers fitted to the rifles in question. Both were militarily stiff, with a slightly gritty take-up and a less than crisp break point. For accurate grouping, this forces the shooter to hold the rifles with disproportionate force to prevent excessive movement before the firing pin strikes the primer. This is acceptable for service or recreational use, but for hunting or sport shooting, you should seriously consider upgrading to a dedicated match trigger. Of course, this applies to many standard AR-15 triggers, not just the CG15 in particular. And suitable aftermarket triggers are available in abundance anyway. The best grouping of the day was achieved with the 52-grain match cartridge from Sellier & Bellot at 20 mm, followed by the full metal jacket load from Hornady's Black ammunition series, at 28 mm. And yes, shooter error is a factor in all shot groups. With a fuller buttstock and, above all, a crisp match trigger, the CG15 test rifle in question would probably be able to achieve tighter groups without any problems.

Clawgear CG15 technical specifications and prices

Wrapping-up

The CG15 from Clawgear makes a good, professional impression in terms of choice of materials and quality of workmanship. Thanks to the Lothar Walther barrel, the inherent accuracy is also excellent. The price/performance ratio is also acceptable, at least for right-handers. But the unique selling point for many potential buyers is likely the CG15's country of origin – after all, who else can call an AR-15 "made in Austria" their own?