The Bushmaster ACR
The Bushmaster ACR Enhanced found life as a Magpul designed rifle named the Masada. Since its release in 2008-2009, it has been a very hot topic on forums. This is mainly because Bushmaster made promises that they have never been able to keep. The ACR stands for Adaptive Combat Rifle.
Sightmark Wolfhound 6×44 Sight
If you have been a follower of ours for any part of the last two years, you will know I work a lot with Sightmark. I am a big fan of their large selection of optics. Here is a review of the scope.
Cost
The Bushmaster ACR is around $1700-2400 for the 5.56x45mm models. They offer 3 versions: the “Basic”, “Enhanced”, and “DMR”. As a reviewer, I should be able to tell you the distinctions between the three, but I am having a tough time with that just looking at the Bushmaster website. I can tell you that the DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) does have a different buttstock and comes with the 18.5” barrel. The basic might not have the interchangeability in the handguard as the Enhanced models do.
This cost always comes up when I talk about the ACR. People always want to say, well for that much I can buy all the parts to build the best AR ever. The ACR, the FN SCAR, the CZ 805 BREN, The Robinson Armament XCR are all a different family of semi-auto rifles than the AR-15. The ACR was built on the idea that you could quickly swap barrels to make the rifle mission adaptable in a short amount of time without tools or the need of an armorer.
The First Look
We have had this rifle since the first part of 2019 and have shot around 2000 or so rounds through the Bushmaster ACR Enhanced. If you haven’t seen my first look video, I recommend it before we get to the final review.
Bushmaster ACR Specs
Weight (unloaded): 10 Pounds
Overall Length: 37 5/8”
Fold stock length: 28 1/2”
Action: Semi-auto short-stroke piston
Calibers: 5.56, 6.8SPC,.450 Bushmaster, .300 Blackout
Barrel length (5.56 only): 10.5”, 14.5”, 16.5”, 18.5”
FEATURES:
Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR)
16.5″ Cold Hammer-Forged Barrel
Folding
and seven-position telescoping high-impact polymer stock with rubber butt pad
Includes 51T AAC® flash hider
Includes
a 30-round PMAG magazine
Chambered in 5.56x45mm
Ambidextrous safety, bolt lock, and mag catch
Adjustable gas piston system
AAC M4-2000 Suppressor
We reviewed the AAC M4-2000 on the ACR as AAC is also owned by the same company that owns Bushmaster (Remington Outdoor Company). I would like to remove this muzzle device and use the ACR as one of my suppressor test rifles. However, they use a thread locker on the AAC muzzle device and I need to take a blowtorch to remove the thread locker. Stay tuned for more suppressor reviews using the ACR.
Before I get into the final review, I do want to tell you about something new we are trying to do. We are looking to ask a question a week about upcoming reviews so that you the reader can get your questions answered in the video. We will be Tweeting and posting on Instagram the question of the week so be sure to follow us over there!
The Review
I love the Bushmaster ACR Enhanced. Plain and simple this is my go-to 5.56 rifle. Yes, Bushmaster has failed this rifle by not bringing everything they have promised to the market, but just as the rifle, you have seen before you… this is a hard-hitting accurate rifle. I want to SBR this rifle and have all the barrels in all the calibers, but that is just a dream for the time being.