Bushmaster ACR
Bushmaster Firearms International · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 2010
Also known as: ACR, Magpul Masada, Remington ACR, Adaptive Combat Rifle
Overview
The Bushmaster ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle) is a modular assault rifle originally designed by Magpul Industries under the name Masada, later produced by Bushmaster Firearms International for the civilian market and by Remington Arms for military and law enforcement. The ACR was designed as a next-generation infantry weapon with an emphasis on modularity, incorporating a short-stroke gas piston system with adjustable gas regulator, a quick-change barrel system allowing tool-less conversion between four barrel lengths (267mm, 368mm, 419mm, and 457/470mm), multi-caliber capability via bolt head and magazine swaps, ambidextrous controls, a non-reciprocating charging handle, and a side-folding adjustable polymer stock with storage compartments. The design drew inspiration from multiple proven platforms: the AR-18's short-stroke gas system, the FN SCAR's upper receiver layout, the HK G36's extensive use of polymer, and the M16's fire control group. The civilian Bushmaster version is semi-automatic only, while the Remington military variant offers selective fire at 650-700 RPM.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 902 mm (35.51") |
| Folded Length | 660 mm (25.98") |
| Barrel Length | 419 mm (16.50") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2953 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1620 J (1195 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 675 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO, .223 Remington
- 6.8mm Remington SPC — also known as 6.8 SPC, 6.8x43mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Fire Selector
- Features: Rotating Bolt, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Side Folding Stock, Adjustable Stock, Quick Change Barrel, Multi Caliber Capable, Non Reciprocating Charging Handle, Ambidextrous Controls, Adjustable Gas Regulator, Full Length Picatinny Rail, Polymer Lower Receiver, Tool Less Barrel Change, Storage Compartment Grip, Storage Compartment Stock
Variants
- Remington ACR — Military Select Fire
- Bushmaster ACR Enhanced — Premium Civilian
- Bushmaster ACR Basic — Standard Civilian
- Remington ACR-C PDW — Personal Defense Weapon
- Bushmaster ACR DMR — Designated Marksman
Production
Production years: 2010-2020
Tens of thousands produced for the civilian market from 2010. Bushmaster handled civilian semi-auto sales while Remington manufactured selective-fire variants for military and law enforcement. Production ceased in 2020 with Remington's bankruptcy. Franklin Armory acquired the Bushmaster brand in 2021 with plans to resume production.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Magpul Industries
Discontinued: 2020
Notes
The Masada prototype was famously designed by Magpul Industries in just five months and debuted at SHOT Show 2007. In January 2008, Bushmaster acquired the manufacturing license from Magpul. The ACR competed in the US Army's Individual Carbine program but the competition was cancelled in 2013 without a winner, with the FN SCAR already being procured through separate channels. Production halted in 2020 when Bushmaster's parent company Remington declared bankruptcy. In 2021, Franklin Armory acquired the Bushmaster brand and announced plans to reintroduce the ACR. The quick-change barrel system allows conversion between configurations in under two minutes without tools. The Remington ACR-C PDW variant features a 241mm barrel with a folding stock for close-quarters use.
Background
The ACR began as a passion project by Magpul Industries, a company best known for polymer magazines and rifle accessories, which set out to design the ultimate infantry rifle completely independent of government funding. The original Masada prototype, developed in just five months, combined the best features from half a dozen proven rifle platforms into one modular package. When Magpul licensed production to Bushmaster in 2008, expectations were sky-high, but the civilian version's price point (nearly double initial estimates) and the cancellation of the US Army's Individual Carbine competition left the ACR as a commercially niche product. Despite never achieving widespread military adoption, the ACR's design philosophy of modularity and caliber convertibility profoundly influenced a generation of rifle designs that followed.