Bushmaster ACR

   The Bushmaster Adapted Combat Rifle (ACR) is a modular assault rifle. Originally this weapon was developed by Magpul Industries and was known as Masada. However in 2008 development, production and sales of this assault rifle was licensed-to Bushmaster. Bushmaster took over the production and made some modifications to the rifle to meet emerging requirements of the US Military. The Masada name was dropped. Now for civilian market this rifle is sold as Bushmaster ACR. The official name of this rifle for military use is the Remington ACR. Production reportedly commenced in 2010. Polish MoD acquired a small number of Bushmaster ACRs for testing and evaluation. These assault rifles were bought in 5.56 mm configuration only. In 2012 these assault rifles were spotted in Afghanistan used by Polish special forces. So far it is the only known military operator of this assault rifle.

   This weapon was originally developed to enhance features of the M16 assault rifle. However the project was abandoned and the weapon was redesigned from scratch. The Bushmaster ACR is a gas operated, selective fire weapon with a modular design. It has several features of other recent designs, such as the M16 and FN SCAR. This multi-caliber weapon is available chambered in standard NATO 5.56x45 mm or Soviet 7.62x39 mm ammunition. This weapon can fire enemy ammunition with the alternate barrel and lower receiver, what is very important for operations behind the enemy lines.

   The Bushmaster ACR is available with three barrel lengths. It can be easily converted from a standard assault rifle into carbine, squad automatic weapon or dedicated marksman rifle without any tools. It can also be configured for handguard, stock type and trigger unit setup. The key idea of the ACR's modular system, that it will provide a wide variety of configurations within the matter of minutes. All parts are easily stripped for cleaning.

   The ACR has ambidextrous controls. An ambidextrous safety / fire mode selector is located over the pistol grip. A charging handle can be installed on either side of the receiver and do not reciprocates when the weapon is fired. Magazine release button is also ambidextrous. Spent case ejection port is located on the right side of the receiver, however it has case deflector, which propels the cases away from left-handed shooters.

   This assault rifle is fed from detachable 30-round magazines. It accepts standard M16-type magazines. It is also compatible with high capacity drum magazines. When chambered for 7.62-mm ammunition the ACR is compatible with the standard AK-47 magazines.

   This weapon has a full-length Picatinny-type scope rail. It can be fitted with various optics, night vision scopes, or detachable iron sights.

   The Bushmaster ACR has a removable modular stock. It can be fitted with a fixed or side-folding stock. Both of these stocks have adjustable cheek pad. The side-folding stock is adjustable for length. The weapon can be fired with the folded stock, as it does not blocks the trigger.

   Basic Bushmaster ACR has a simple foregrip. However a modular handguard with 3 accessory rails is available for this assault rifle. It accepts a variety of add-on accessories, such as vertical grips, laser pointers, tactical flashlights and so on. There is provision to mount a 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher. The Bushmaster ACR is also compatible with a sound suppressor.

Variants

   Remington ACR is an official name of the Bushmaster ACR for military use.

   MSBS is a Polish modular family of infantry weapons, based on the Bushmaster ACR. It includes assault rifles both with conventional and bullpup layout, that have many interchangeable components. Due to the modularity both versions of MSBS rifles can be transformed into carbines, light machine guns, or designated marksmen rifles. It looks like initial production of MSBS rifles for the Polish Army trials commenced in 2014. These assault rifles are used in small numbers by the Polish armed forces and ministry of internal affairs. This weapon is still in development and as of 2016 new versions continue to emerge.