Your thoughts on the new Bushmaster ACR

[NC-Mike]

I just picked up a Sig 556 tonight. The lack of spare parts spooked me a bit but a guy who has one swears by it. It looks clunky till you pick it up.

These rifles are the future. He has a EOTech and a magnifier on his and that is one sweet setup.

 

[Darthbauer]

But I seriously question your need for several, especially a couple in the different calibres. It's designed to be swapped, so why have 2x 5.56, and 2x 7.62x39, as per the OP?

I agree. I would get one and then get the different parts to make it a different caliber. No point in getting an entire weapon unless you want a different color. But then again there is a thing called paint.

 

[Coronach]

I can think of a great reason to have multiples: AWB II.

If you have one, you have one for the rest of your life (potentially)...until it wears out. If you have more than one, you have a rifle to cannibalize for parts if you need to, a second rifle to do whatever you want with, or a rifle to sell for a lot of money (if that's still legal).

The best case is that the AWB does not materialize. Then you can just sell it. Or just keep it. Or whatever. Assuming the "early adopter markup" isn't too crazy, you should not lose much money.

Mike

 

[SpeedAKL]

I'm quite intrigued. If/when the SCAR hits the market, it will be a tough call.

 

[Wes Janson]

Assuming a perpetual AWB, and assuming that everyone just rolls over and accepts it quietly, it would seem to me that the issue of parts replacement isn't too likely to be a problem. In every instance of ownership restriction that I'm aware of, it's permissable for the owner to repair or replace every component on the firearm, to the best of my knowledge. Hence the "magazine repair kits" and "replacement receivers" one sees advertised.

Better to spend the extra money on completely different rifles that will also be banned.

 

[sully0812]

Assuming a perpetual AWB, and assuming that everyone just rolls over and accepts it quietly, it would seem to me that the issue of parts replacement isn't too likely to be a problem. In every instance of ownership restriction that I'm aware of, it's permissable for the owner to repair or replace every component on the firearm, to the best of my knowledge. Hence the "magazine repair kits" and "replacement receivers" one sees advertised

That's not entirely true. Look at the NFA world. Try getting a replacement reciever for that $11,000.00 registered M16. It's not going to happen, and if you destroy yours, you are out 11K.

If assault weapons were to become "controlled items", I would expect it to be the same. Maybe spare parts for unserialized pieces, but anything with a serial number is not likely to be able to be replaced. (Which is also a good reason why we should be fighting against microstamping.)

 

[Wes Janson]

I've not tried getting a replacement receiver for an M16, but legally speaking can't one get a new receiver if ultimately necessary, and have it re-stamped with the old markings?

 

[taliv]

no, wes. if that were the case, then there wouldn't be "re-welds" for sale

 

[30 cal slob]

I was already set to buy two right off the first production when it was a Magpul product. My interest in being a guinea pig dropped a lot with Bushmaster taking over though.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Destructo6]

I was all excited, too, until I read a little and saw the write-up in the recent issue of Small Arms Review.

It said that the receiver bolt rails were screwed into place. ***? Looking at the pictures, sure enough, there are flat head socket screws down the length of the receiver.

I don't know about you, but I really don't trust screws to hold such a critical piece of the gun securely in place.

The shell deflector was also screwed into place.

I don't know if it was an early prototype or what, but they did release it for testing, so... It turned me off, a alot.

 

[nwilliams]

I plan on getting an ACR without question.

I was very disappointed with the 556 when I first had the chance to look at one first hand but I'm going to be an optimist and say that the ACR will be a winner. Sure it may have some flaws since it will be new to the market but I still want to buy one early before any potential AWB goes into effect after the election in November. I also just absolutely fell in love with the Masada when I first saw it on Future Weapons, when I heard there was going to be a civilian version I jumped with joy. I have a Bushy AR and I really love it and that will never go away, the ACR will just be another EBR to add to my collection, you can never have too many.

If FN releases a civilian SCAR then I would probably pick one of them up as well, like I said you can never have too many EBR's. Still my big concern is that if and when it is released it will but out of my budget range, judging by the prices on the PS90 and FS2000 anyway. From what I hear the ACR will be pretty affordable and that's a big selling point for me. As much as I'd love to have a civilian SCAR if its a $2k+ rifle then its off my list.

 

[Mr. Blue]

First to buy one

Sign me up. This is a situation where I, quite uncharacteristically, won't mind jumping in before everyone else. In addition to the ridiculous amount of developement done recently, Magpul put in a lot of work to come up with this rifle. And no matter what anyone says about bushmaster, they have the production experience Magpul lacks. It would be about impossible for them to screw this up. I'll be one of the first owners and I'd like to see this as our next standard infantry rifle.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

What's the msrp?

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

It would be about impossible for them to screw this up.

That's a fairly bold statement. Do you have some kind of insider knowledge or experience with this platform that most of us don't have??

I am hopeful for it. However, the pricing has been a turn off. Also, it has no track record as of yet.

Looks great on paper (and Magpul has a decent enough track record for sure)... but few things ever get produced w/o looking great on paper. It's how it performs in real life that will determine it's true importance/value. That has yet to be determined.

 

[Mike128]

I'll wait. Look at the Pmags. Great product but the Beta runs were a little sketchy with the feed lips. However, Magpul stepped up and replaced them all without a hassle.
But I want one. Esepcially in a 6.8spc and precision stock. I only worry about the accuracy potential. Can it regualry hold under 1moa?

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

What's the msrp?

I have heard every number from $1500 to 2000. The last official word I saw was "around $1500" but that was back in February.

With economic problems and inflation being real possibilities, it wouldn't surprise me to see that price go up if release is delayed until 2009 (per last official word).

 

[GunTech]

I'm up for being a beta tester, as this won't be anything like my only 223. My understanding is the Magpul will be supervising the production of the polymer parts, with Bushmaster filling in the rest. The rifle uses AR-15 barrels, trigger groups and a few other parts which made teaming up with an AR builder a natural fit.

In reality, it's not like the design is brand new. Magpul has already been through several iterations. It's more a question of whether Bushmaster can deliver.

Time will tell.