Bushmaster ACR

Infobox Weapon|is_ranged=yes
name=Bushmaster Adaptive Combat Rifle


caption=Bushmaster ACR prototype, 5.56 mm, 12.5-inch barrel
origin=flagcountry|United States
type=Automatic / Semi-automatic rifle
designer=Richard Fitzpatrick, Mike Mayberry, Drake Clark, Brian Nakayama, et al.
design_date=2006-2007
manufacturer=Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC
cartridge=5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62x39mm
action=Gas-operated, rotating bolt
rate=TBD
velocity=792-990 m/s (2600-3250 ft/s)
range=300-600 m (328-656 yd), depending on configuration
weight=3 kg (6.7 lbs; 16-inch barrel)
part_length=266-508 mm (10.5 to 20 in)
feed=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 Bushmaster 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. [Magpul Comments: Bushmaster ACR http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=124&t=158557] [Bushmaster press release: Bushmaster and Magpul Team to Bring Advanced Rifle to Market http://www.bushmaster.com/press_release_013108.asp] 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 four 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 [ [http://www.bushmaster.com/acr_update.asp Bushmaster ACR Update] ] .

Design

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. [ [http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=975 Defense Review - MagPul Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System (ACWS) Makes Its Debut ] ] 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/AR15 (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, reciprocating/non-reciprocating charging handle (depending on user actions), integral flip-up front sight, and storage compartments located in the stock and grip. [Magpul Industries [http://www.magpul.com/Masada_inside.pdf Masada Marketing Flyer] ] 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).

The magazine conceived for the 5.56 mm version of the Bushmaster ACR rifle is called the PMAG, a high-impact, 30-round polymer magazine claimed by the manufacturer 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. [ [http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=975 Defense Review - MagPul Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System (ACWS) Makes Its Debut ] ] The Bushmaster ACR's modular construction even allows the user to fire the 7.62x39mm round depending on the choice of parts.

Availability

The Bushmaster ACR is currently slated to be available in the first-quarter of 2009 with it being unveiled at the 2008 SHOT Show. It is anticipated that the rifle will have a MSRP starting at $1,500 with semi-automatic versions available to the consumer market, and selective-fire versions available for military and law enforcement. [Magpul Industries; [http://www.magpul.com/pdfs/masada_technote.pdf Masada Press Release] , January 2007]

Miscellaneaous

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." [Magpul Industries; [http://www.magpul.com/pdfs/masada_technote.pdf Masada Press Release] , January 2007] When production rights were signed with Bushmaster, the Masada name was dropped from the product.

ee also

* FN SCAR
* Heckler & Koch HK416
* Robinson Arms XCR
* Heckler & Koch XM8

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoa-rJkHReM YouTube: Drake Clark at SHOT 2008 shows the Bushmaster ACR and the differences from the Masada]
* [http://www.magpul.com/ Magpul Industries]
* [http://magpul.com/tech/pmag.html Magpul Industries P-MAG magazine]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaYOI1waCYI YouTube: Magpul Masada, SHOT Show 2007]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G4fFkeSoK0 YouTube: Magpul Masada, Test Firing]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2yWoMZIOCE YouTube: Magpul Masada Break Down]
* [http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=975 Defense Review: Magpul Masada]
* [http://demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/Magpul-Masada/ Zak Smith: Magpul Masada pictures]
* [http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=124&t=158557&page=1 AR15.com Forums: Magpul Comments - Bushmaster ACR]