- Adaptive Combat Rifle
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Adaptive Combat Rifle 
Bushmaster ACRType Assault Rifle Place of origin 
United StatesProduction history Designer Magpul Industries Designed 2006 Manufacturer Remington Arms, Bushmaster Specifications Weight 3.175 kg (7.0 lb) (14.5" barrel no mag) Barrel length 266-508 mm (10.5 to 18 in) Cartridge Current: 5.56x45mm NATO
Future: 6.8 mm Remington SPC, 7.62x39mmAction Gas-piston, rotating bolt Rate of fire 800-950 RPM Muzzle velocity 792-990 m/s (2600-3250 ft/s) Effective range 300 m Feed system 30-round detachable box (5.56 variant) magazine, staggered-column magazine (STANAG compatible) Sights Rear: none included (Picatinny rail); front: integral flip-up, adjustable post The Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) is the production name for an updated version of the Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System. In late January 2008, Bushmaster entered into a licensing agreement with Magpul whereby Bushmaster would take over production, future development and sales of the Masada.[1] It is a patent pending self-loading rifle platform designed by Magpul Industries of Erie, Colorado.
The rifle was initially developed over a period of five months, completely independent of government funding. Prototypes were displayed at the 2007 SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida. Originally scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2008, Bushmaster announced on May 16, 2008, that the consumer release would be delayed until Q1 2009, due to a focus on military projects.[2] On November 18, 2008, Bushmaster released a statement saying, "The ACR is being redesigned to be a superior offering to compete for the next generation US Army infantry carbine and subcompact weapon requirement and will be available to select customers in 2009."[3]
The ACR was one of the weapons displayed to U.S. Army officials during an invitation-only Industry Day on November 13, 2008. The goal of the Industry Day was to review current carbine technology prior to writing formal requirements for a future replacement for the M4 Carbine.[4][5]
Contents
Design
Magpul Masada, the design origin of the Bushmaster ACR
The original Magpul Masada design represents an amalgamation of several recent rifle designs, incorporating what is considered by its designers to be the best features of each in a single, lightweight, modular rifle platform.[6] Design features from the Armalite AR-18 (short-stroke gas system), the FN SCAR (upper receiver, charging handle location), the Heckler & Koch G36/XM8 (liberal use of polymer components), the M16/AR-15 (trigger pack), and the M16 (barrel, fire control group) are clearly prevalent. The rifle also includes several features developed by Magpul, such as a quick-change barrel/trunnion system, adjustable gas regulator, non-reciprocating charging handle, and storage compartments located in the stock and grip.[7] Just prior to the deal with Bushmaster, Magpul made additional changes to their design—the most obvious of these is the relocation of the ambidextrous operating handle to a forward position (somewhat similar to the Heckler & Koch G3 and Heckler & Koch MP5 series of weapons). Experts from Magpul Industries have on several occasions mentioned that depending on the barrel length of the weapon, the rate of fire is estimated to be in the range of 600-800 rpm (this is an estimate; specifics have not yet been verified).
History
The United States was designing an individual carbine to replace the M4 Carbine for the future rifle of the United States Army. The prototype rifle of the ACR performs positive actions on the rotating bolt with a 5.56x45mm NATO round. The United States concluded on the production of the rifle for future replacement of the M16. The 6.8mm Remington SPC and the 7.62x39mm rounds performed an excellent status on accuracy and precision, but the feed system will be a perspective timing on the jamming system, which the government decided to recall the program for further testing woth the other individual rifles, the HK416, the FN SCAR, the XCR, the XM8, and the M27 IAR for the individual carbine program.
Bushmaster Firearms, with the help of Remington Arms (a sister company in the Freedom Group, Inc portfolio that includes Bushmaster, Remington, Marlin, and DPMS Panther Arms brands) has also made extensive design changes based on intensive environmental and functional testing specifically to meet the emerging requirements of the US military in both the carbine and subcompact weapon versions of the ACR family. The ACR is currently offered to military and civilian personnel in .223 Rem/5.56. Bushmaster expects to have kits available soon to switch the caliber of the rifle to 6.8mm Rem SPC and 7.62x39mm just by replacing the barrel, bolt carrier, and magazine.[8] Other calibers are also being considered.[9] It is also expected that the ACR will have barrel length options of 10.5″, 12.5″, 14.5″, 16″ (commercial), and 18″. Among options for the ACR include Fixed Adjustable (in terms of length of pull and check weld), folding adjustable, and a sniper stock based on the Magpul PRS stock, and four handguard options including long and short polymer handguards with heatguard and attachable rails, aluminum Trirail and, on the Remington model, a five sided aluminum handguard that can be user configured with Mil-std-1913 rail elements. A Model of the ACR manufactered by Remington has been offered as part of the Army's Individual Carbine competition.[10]
The magazine conceived for the 5.56mm version of the ACR rifle is called the Magpul PMag, a high-impact, 30-round polymer magazine claimed by Magpul to be significantly more resistant to wear, shock, and harsh environments than other counterparts on the market. The PMag is STANAG 4179-compatible, as it will readily fit any STANAG magazine firearm, including the M16 rifle family.[6]
Availability and Recall
The ACR is stated to be available in the 2nd Quarter of 2010 for military, government and commercial customers. The ACR will be available in greater quantity (tens of thousands) in the commercial marketplace in 2010.[11] According to an official press release from Bushmaster, the rifle will have suggested retail price between $2,685–$3,061.00[12] – twice as much as early price quotes of "around $1500," causing public outcry and dismay of the rifle from a large portion of the firearms fraternity and potential civilian end-users. Semi-automatic versions will be available to the commercial market from Bushmaster, and selective fire versions available for military and law enforcement under the Remington name.[13] As of April 2010, civilian market rifles are available for sale.[8]
On October 15, 2010 Bushmaster issued a recall of all ACR rifles instructing users to "Please immediately discontinue the use of your ACR rifle" along with instructions to contact customer support for an RMA. Bushmaster stated that the recall was issued due to "a possible firearms performance issue that may develop with a small number of ACR rifles" and goes on to state that "Bushmaster discovered a design flaw which could result in multiple rounds firing continuously when the trigger is pulled". Bushmaster has stated that it will cover all of the costs associated with the repairs to the recalled rifles.[14]
Miscellaneous
The rifle was originally named after the Siege of Masada. Magpul company literature about the rifle states that, "Magpul Industries is not Jewish owned or Israeli backed, however Magpul has always found the story of the Masada as a bold example of defiance."[13] When production rights were signed with Bushmaster, the Masada name was dropped from the product.
Some users have reported problems with bolt lock back reloads when inserting a fresh magazine aggressively. It is reported that the magazine will override the catch ejecting the magazine when the bolt is released.[15]
See also
- FN SCAR
- Heckler & Koch HK416
- Heckler & Koch XM8
- Robinson Armament XCR
- Remington GPC
References
- ^ Bushmaster press release: Bushmaster and Magpul Team to Bring Advanced Rifle to Market
- ^ "Bushmaster ACR Update". Bushmaster.com. http://www.bushmaster.com/acr_update.asp. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ AR.15.com Bushmaster Industry Forum November 18, 2008 "ACR UPDATE 11/18/2008" http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=28&t=165873
- ^ "Army considers options in replacing the M4 - Army News, news from Iraq". Army Times. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/army_carbineday_112308w/. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ "Military Photos: military images, military pictures, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines". Military Times. 2007-02-16. http://www.militarytimes.com/multimedia/photo/replacing_the_m4/. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ a b "MagPul Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System (ACWS) Makes Its Debut". Defense Review. http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=975. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ Magpul Industries Masada Marketing Flyer
- ^ a b http://www.bushmaster.com/acr
- ^ http://www.bushmaster.com/faqs.asp
- ^ http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/09/army-competitors-tested-in-carbine-competition-092510w/
- ^ "Doc Title". Bushmaster. http://www.bushmaster.com/acr_update.asp. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ "Product Catalog". Bushmaster.com. 2010-03-01. http://www.bushmaster.com/Press-release-11810.asp. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ a b Magpul Industries; Masada Press Release, January 2007
- ^ http://www.gunblog.com/bushmaster-acr-product-safety-notice-urgent-to-all-acr-owners/
- ^ http://www.rifleshooter.com/search/label/ACR
External links
Categories:- 5.56 mm firearms
- Rifles of the United States
- Assault rifles
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