ACR or standard M4 for starters??

[Ro1911]

originally posted by Cal-gun Fan

Also-really think about what you want out of the AR. Do you want something just for plinking and having fun blasting cans and other fun targets, or do you want something that can also keep up on paper? If its the former, I would suggest getting a Smith and Wesson and something like an Eotech red dot or a 1-4x illuminated scope like the Leatherwood CMR, which you can get from SWFA.com with a Burris PEPR mount for $350.

I think we see eye to eye on a lot things being discused here because you just named off two of my favorite optics choices, I haven't had a chance to pick up a leatherwood yet, but I've been wanting one ever since I heard about it. So do you have one, how do like it, and how does it hold up in the long run?

Hadn't thought of the conversion kit, good idea! Smith and Wesson makes good ARs for good prices too, I would suggest one of theirs.

I love Smith and Wesson's ARs I think they're right at that perfect cost/quality balance, which one do you have?

 

[Strykervet]

For a serious rifle, I'd get a good M4, perhaps a Colt (what we had in the army) or perhaps a Knights Armament if you are looking to spend the money. Only reason I'd stay away from the ACR is that it just hasn't been around long enough to say... If all you want is a plinker though, get whatever floats your boat. FN makes a rifle, the SCAR, it hasn't been around long either, but FN usually makes good stuff.

 

[Sky]

+1 on AR with CMMG chrome conversion kit. Not as accurate as a dedicated upper but scores high on the fun meter and easy on the acquisition of ammo. There are .22lr rounds now that have a velocity of 1750fps and are impressive on varmints.

 

[LKB3rd]

M4. Get something reasonably priced, because as your first rifle there's a good chance you'll realize it isn't exactly what you want/ need and its best to do it with a cheaper rifle.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Ewan what's your shooting budget and what do you want the rifle for? .223 ammo gets pricey if you go through thousands of rounds a year. I spend at least the cost of a top of the line AR in ammo every year. If you want SD training your gonna have to burn it. If you just want to plink get the .22. If you are looking at an ACR get both a .223 AR and a .22 AR and set them up identically. Then you can practice cheaply with the .22 and be familiar with the same set up on the .223. .22 conversion kits are as dirty as a $2 hooker, I wouldn't put one in a SD rifle - however if that's what you can afford it is what it is. A conversion kit is about $200, a .22 AR is about $400 -and you get a whole new rifle.

If you just want to shoot rodents in the backyard there are better options than an AR, if you want to impress people at the range there are better options too. However an AR is a decent balance - and I'm an AK guy.

 

[bfdhud]

There are now aftermarket triggers available for the ACR. In addition it accepts any and all AR 15 Triggers.

When magpul designed the ACR they started with the AR 15 and started stripping parts away. the trigger group was one of two or three parts that magpul didn't change.

that said, if you can afford an ACR get one, I love my enhanced and was able to find it for about 2000 dollars. You can find a basic for about 300 less.

It's an excellent shooter just keep in mind it hasn't been on the market but 2 years vs the AR that has been on the market for decades. So of course there are more aftermarket parts available for the AR.

I used a M4 in the desert and I like them, I came home and bought an ACR. I don't regret it in the least.

 

[ewan1018]

There are now aftermarket triggers available for the ACR. In addition it accepts any and all AR 15 Triggers.

When magpul designed the ACR they started with the AR 15 and started stripping parts away. the trigger group was one of two or three parts that magpul didn't change.

that said, if you can afford an ACR get one, I love my enhanced and was able to find it for about 2000 dollars. You can find a basic for about 300 less.

It's an excellent shooter just keep in mind it hasn't been on the market but 2 years vs the AR that has been on the market for decades. So of course there are more aftermarket parts available for the AR.

I used a M4 in the desert and I like them, I came home and bought an ACR. I don't regret it in the least.

I was leaning towards Quality AR + ACOG + Training until you showed up. I was just about to set my mind but i am leaning towards ACR again. Its hard choice and i don't think I can still buy sights and receive training after spending $2000 on ACR.


Anyone who actually own the ACR, talk me in or out of this

 

[kwelz]

If the ACR was the Masada then it would be a great rifle. As it stands however the ACR is an overweight compromise of a rifle with no feature to distinguish it from a quality AR except a higher price.

For any and all practical applications a quality AR will be a better choice. Between the weight, junk barrel, and Bushmaster name attached to the gun, it just isn't worth the trouble.

I have heard ab out people with issues firing 5.56 ammo and being told by BM not to do it. Loose barrels, extraction issues, etc.

 

[bfdhud]

Kwelz, Can you tell me the difference between the masada and the ACR?

That's because there isn't any. The Masada and the ACR are the same. Considering the Masada was never release nor made in any real quantity it was just a working demo. I find it hard to believe that "If the ACR were the Masada it would be a great rifle." argument holds any merit considering unless you're an industry insider you probably have not held much less fired the original masada.

I invite you to read the ACR forum. There are a lot of people there who are happy with their decision, myself included. Thats not to say the rifle isn't without its faults and problems but a vast majority of complaints about the rifle are not seen by people who actually own it and most just come off sounding like people pissed because BM didn't make the promised price point.

 

[kwelz]

I have read extensively on the ACR. I have handled them and even talked to some people who helped develop the original Masada.
Here is part of what TH has to say on them. You know. The guy who helped design the original.

Ed Driver Travis what broke on the ACR
May 10 at 1:10am · Like

Travis Haley short answer: Cant put any pressure on the mag when firing, spring tension issues, true barrel issues, accuracy issues, over insertion of mags, eats Pmags, weird malefactions, just a lot of no go criteria issues that unfortunately haven't been fixed yet.
May 10 at 1:26am · Like

David Uh Winning Alayon So the Remington "milspec" variant is the same?
May 10 at 1:27am · Like

Travis Haley yes that was the MIL variant...
May 10 at 2:37am · Like

Tyler Long yeah im always looking for the next best thing, i finsihed my SR556C as a SPR a while ago im just looking another great weapon that i can make my CQB carbine
May 10 at 9:51am · Like

David Uh Winning Alayon thats weak sauce travis. the guys at magpul paraded this thing around as the greatest thing since sliced bread and internet porn. and essentially its an overpriced wiffle bat with with a 30 round mag. weak sauce
May 10 at 9:55am · Like

Hans Kristoffer Jones Have you any experience with FN's F2000 series rifles?
May 10 at 1:13pm · Like

Danny Stewart i wonder what that dream weapon system will be that everyone loves and is good in every enviorment.. i could only dream. haha
May 11 at 12:14am · Like

John Ro shouldn't have let bushmaster near the Masada...
May 13 at 10:44pm · Like · 1 person

Travis Haley That is true the Magpul Masada was a very promising weapon system
May 13 at 11:39pm · Like · 4 people

As for obvious differences. The barrel is the biggest. They took off the original good barrel and replaced it with normal BM junk. Added a lot of weight where it should not be and then cut a number of corners in other places to bring production cost down.

Everyone knows the original Price point was unattainable. However the Price BM brought it out at was an insult to gun owners. I would like to have one. However It would take another 500-600 over the cost to make it a weapon I would actually trust.