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The_Dunedan · 06-10-2010, 07:29 PM

Folks, someone besides SiG and Steyr have FINALLY gotten the 5.56mm carbine RIGHT!

We just received our first Bushmaster ACR today, and this thing is a masterpiece. The control suite is pure perfection. Somebody at Bushmaster was paying attention to the lads and lassies at Fabrique Nationale and Heckler & Koch: the bolt-stop is placed directly in front of the trigger-guard at the lower edge, just like my beloved FAL. This, combined with the HK-style charging handle, means that's it's dead easy to run the bolt and lock it back (for safety, or to clear a stoppage) without ever removing your dominant hand from the firing grip. It also means that to release the bolt, you just use either your non-dominant thumb (on its' way back to the forend) or dominant trigger/traffic finger. Like everything else it's ambidextrous, so workable either way. The adjustable cheekpiece seems to be in just about the perfect position for shooting with either irons or optics. I -love- the monolithic upper. And unlike the SCAR, this thing actually -is- caliber interchangeable! Lowers in 6.8SPC, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 are all allegedly in the works (although at this rate, we'll see 'em in about 2014). The entire weapon can be disassembled for cleaning without even a cartridge, although armorer-level stuff will still need a few tools. The polymer shell is contoured well, ergonomics are great, and the magwell is both flared for easy insertion and "pebbled" for using the "American Grip." The forened is -very- comfey, and the charging-handle is in just the right place: dead above where your hand should go. Ours is a fixed-stock version, but the folder should be -very- nice if the rest of this weapon is anything to go by. Word to the larger folks: get the folder. The fixed stock comes in with a 12.5" Length Of Pull: short (but not uncomfortable) for me at 5'10. Obviously designed with body armor in mind. Another thoughtful touch: the pistol-grip contains a phial for oil, spares, etc. This thing honestly looks like several very smart Israelis worked it over with Belgian help. It's even got a proper, receiver-mounted recoil spring: none of that never-to-be-sufficiently-damned SPROIIIING in my ear!

Complaints: the safety unfortunately kept the 90-degree throw of the AR, instead of the 45-ish degree throw of the SiG or FAL/FNC. As a consequence it feels "in the way" when in the Fire position. Likewise, the safety seems inexplicably to be made from the sort of cheap plastic used in Happy Meal toys: it's the one part on this rifle that doesn't feel dinosaur-proof. It's also far too small IMO. Magpul's BUIS system is well-designed, but offers only front-sight elevation adjustment. Long-range shooting, of course, isn't what this is for: I'd feel perfectly happy with a Trijicon fiber-optic reflex sight on this rifle. The upper is fully railed, so there's plenty of flexibility in mounting optics and NVD setups. Ideally I'd drop a 3.5x ACOG on the bitch and call it done.

Bottom Line: If I anticipate serious trouble or armored Bad Guys, I'll keep on rockin' my FAL. I'll never give up The War Bitch. But for a 5.56 carbine? Patrolling? Walking dogs? I think I want me one of these. I love the AUG/MSAR bullpups. I love the SiG carbines. But -this- thing? -THIS- thing I -WANT-. Get ridda that damned safety and it'd be pure perfection. And frankly, I can live with the safety to get the rest.

Damn. And now I have to -sell- this thing. This is gonna hurt worse than that LWRC M6A1 Howe. Fuck.

06-10-2010, 07:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
The_Dunedan Junkie	Bushmaster ACR: FINALLY! Folks, someone besides SiG and Steyr have FINALLY gotten the 5.56mm carbine RIGHT! We just received our first Bushmaster ACR today, and this thing is a masterpiece. The control suite is pure perfection. Somebody at Bushmaster was paying attention to the lads and lassies at Fabrique Nationale and Heckler & Koch: the bolt-stop is placed directly in front of the trigger-guard at the lower edge, just like my beloved FAL. This, combined with the HK-style charging handle, means that's it's dead easy to run the bolt and lock it back (for safety, or to clear a stoppage) without ever removing your dominant hand from the firing grip. It also means that to release the bolt, you just use either your non-dominant thumb (on its' way back to the forend) or dominant trigger/traffic finger. Like everything else it's ambidextrous, so workable either way. The adjustable cheekpiece seems to be in just about the perfect position for shooting with either irons or optics. I -love- the monolithic upper. And unlike the SCAR, this thing actually -is- caliber interchangeable! Lowers in 6.8SPC, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 are all allegedly in the works (although at this rate, we'll see 'em in about 2014). The entire weapon can be disassembled for cleaning without even a cartridge, although armorer-level stuff will still need a few tools. The polymer shell is contoured well, ergonomics are great, and the magwell is both flared for easy insertion and "pebbled" for using the "American Grip." The forened is -very- comfey, and the charging-handle is in just the right place: dead above where your hand should go. Ours is a fixed-stock version, but the folder should be -very- nice if the rest of this weapon is anything to go by. Word to the larger folks: get the folder. The fixed stock comes in with a 12.5" Length Of Pull: short (but not uncomfortable) for me at 5'10. Obviously designed with body armor in mind. Another thoughtful touch: the pistol-grip contains a phial for oil, spares, etc. This thing honestly looks like several very smart Israelis worked it over with Belgian help. It's even got a proper, receiver-mounted recoil spring: none of that never-to-be-sufficiently-damned SPROIIIING in my ear! Complaints: the safety unfortunately kept the 90-degree throw of the AR, instead of the 45-ish degree throw of the SiG or FAL/FNC. As a consequence it feels "in the way" when in the Fire position. Likewise, the safety seems inexplicably to be made from the sort of cheap plastic used in Happy Meal toys: it's the one part on this rifle that doesn't feel dinosaur-proof. It's also far too small IMO. Magpul's BUIS system is well-designed, but offers only front-sight elevation adjustment. Long-range shooting, of course, isn't what this is for: I'd feel perfectly happy with a Trijicon fiber-optic reflex sight on this rifle. The upper is fully railed, so there's plenty of flexibility in mounting optics and NVD setups. Ideally I'd drop a 3.5x ACOG on the bitch and call it done. Bottom Line: If I anticipate serious trouble or armored Bad Guys, I'll keep on rockin' my FAL. I'll never give up The War Bitch. But for a 5.56 carbine? Patrolling? Walking dogs? I think I want me one of these. I love the AUG/MSAR bullpups. I love the SiG carbines. But -this- thing? -THIS- thing I -WANT-. Get ridda that damned safety and it'd be pure perfection. And frankly, I can live with the safety to get the rest. Damn. And now I have to -sell- this thing. This is gonna hurt worse than that LWRC M6A1 Howe. Fuck. Last edited by The_Dunedan; 06-14-2010 at 05:57 PM..