ACR Bushmaster
Summary
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | Remington Arms |
Technical specifications
| ACR Bushmaster | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 750 - 800 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN, 6.5 mm Grendel, 6.8 mm Remington SPC and 7.62 x 39 mm M43 |
| Magazine | 30 rounds |
| Length | 850 mm (33.5 in) |
| Weight | 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) |
| Range | 500 m (1640 ft) |
Description
The Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) originated as the Masada concept developed by Magpul Industries. In early 2008, Bushmaster Firearms International licensed the design from Magpul, taking over production, development, and sales, renaming it the Bushmaster ACR. Remington Arms is contracted to manufacture the rifle for US military and law enforcement, resulting in the selective-fire Remington ACR, while Bushmaster produces the semi-automatic version for the commercial market.
The platform was considered by the U.S. Army as a potential M4 Carbine replacement during an Industry Day in late 2008 and was entered into the subsequent Individual Carbine competition. Development involved extensive testing and design changes by Bushmaster and Remington to meet emerging military requirements, with an improved version featuring weight reduction entered into the competition in 2011. A recall was issued in October 2010 due to a design flaw that could lead to continuous firing. Following the bankruptcy of Freedom Group in 2020, which affected both Remington and Bushmaster, Bushmaster announced plans in 2021 to reintroduce the ACR.
The ACR is a gas operated, modular firearm utilizing features from various designs, including the AR-18 gas system, FN SCAR upper receiver and charging handle location, G36/XM8 polymer use, and M16/AR-15 trigger and fire control components. Key Magpul-developed features incorporated include a quick-change barrel/trunnion system, adjustable gas regulator, non-reciprocating charging handle, and integrated storage compartments. Caliber can be changed by swapping the bolt head, magazine, and barrel. Controls are fully ambidextrous, including the three-position fire selector (on selective fire versions), magazine release, and charging handle placement. The ejection port is on the right with a case deflector.
Stock options include:
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Fixed adjustable
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Folding adjustable
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A Magpul PRS-based sniper stock
Handguard options vary, with Remington models featuring a five-sided aluminum design for MIL-STD-1913 rail configuration, and Bushmaster models using polymer with heat guards and attachable aluminum tri-rails. Barrels are hammer-forged and nitrided.
Variants of the ACR are available depending on the manufacturer and intended market. The Remington ACR is a selective-fire model offered exclusively to military and law enforcement in 5.56×45mm NATO, 6.8mm Remington SPC, and 6.5mm Grendel, with barrel options including 14.5 in (368mm) and 16.5 in (419mm) for the standard configuration, and 8.25 in (210mm) and 10.5 in (267mm) for the ACR-PDW variant.
The Bushmaster ACR is a semi-automatic modular rifle available on the civilian market. Caliber options via conversion kits include 5.56×45mm NATO, 6.8mm Remington SPC, .450 Bushmaster, and .300 AAC Blackout, with a 7.62×39mm kit also developed. Bushmaster variants include the ACR BASIC (16.5 in barrel), ACR ENHANCED (16.5 in barrel), ACR DMR (18.5 in barrel), and ACR SBR (10.5 in barrel).
Poland is documented as a user, with some Bushmaster ACR Enhanced carbines being utilized by the Military Intelligence Service (SWW). These carbines were equipped with 266 mm and 368 mm barrels, EoTech XPS3 holographic sights, Laser Devices DBAL-A2 laser sights, and Magpul P-Mag magazines.