I currently have the most off the wall set of irons I have ever played! I have 7-PW in MBs, 5 & 6 in CBs and a second 5 iron that is an AP3. The AP3 5i is 1 degree strong and 1/2" long. It fills the gap to a 23 degree (set to 24 degrees) 816H2.

If the setup works for your game, don't worry about the exact makeup, just shoot lower numbers!

I use 716 T-MB (3 & 4 irons), 718 AP3's (5, 6 & 7 irons) 718 AP 2's (8, 9 & PW) with Vokey SM6 & 7 wedges.
The AP2's provide feel & touch while the AP3's help me get over a distance "plateau" in the longer irons. The T-MB's are just power beasts and work well off the tee, giving a viable option to lay off the driver on tighter holes.
Seems to suit me...
That's is as mixed a bag as I've ever carried, but I'm comfortable with it and that's why matters. It does mean I need a lot of head covers!!

I don't think there is any reason not to combo these sets - its not like you have AP1s and MBs in your combo! I think it's a simple case of tooling up with the equipment that best suits you. The CBs looks amazing at address with their thin top line, but offer a little help when required. Makes sense to go with something more forgiving lower down with even more help.

Never played that differing shots, however I would imaging if lofts were adjusted it would be easily playable. However I am just to in love with my cb’s to get any other set up, just need to add myself a 4 iron and mayb a 3

Is there anything you can do with the CB that you can't do with the AP3? Based on your best score, why not keep just the AP3 in the bag?

3 weeks ago I purchased a set of AP3s to replace my 716CBs - I really don't know why (maybe the hype about the AP3s) as I have been extremely happy with my CBs especially my 8, 9 and PW which I have been dialing in nicely and getting them to stop like a stone. I have found the AP3s much stronger in the lofts and have been getting at least 10-12 Metres longer with each club but find they don't stop anywhere near as well as my CBs. I am seriously considering dropping out the 9 iron and PW from my AP3s and putting back my CB 8, 9 and PW. I think this combo will give the strength I was after in my mid to long irons but the accuracy and stopping power of my CBs in the shorter irons. The only thing stopping me from doing this at this stage is that I was hoping to sell my older full set of CBs to recoup some cash but I am really tempted to mix the sets. Still more thinking to do about it I suppose but I think the combo set would work really well for me.