Bushmaster ACR teardown pics

[abomb60]

Picked up an ACR today so I figured i'd tear it down and take some pictures. Enjoy

Before we begin the rifle starts out fully assembled:

The ACR has 4 takedown pins in the upper & lower receivers. There are 2 in the rear that hold the upper and lower receivers together and a pin below it that holds the stock in place. There are also 2 pins in the front. The foremost pin holds the handguard in place and the pin behind it holds the front of the lower receiver to the upper.

Handguard removed - closeup of piston system:

This shows the rear of the barrel with handguard removed:

If you pull the lever down and turn it 1/4 turn to the left you can remove the barrel:

The piston system comes apart quickly for cleaning:

Closeup of the 2 front pins (handguard pin removed):

Closeup of the 2 rear pins:

Upper receiver alone:

Lower receiver alone with stock:

To remove trigger pack you must first remove the selector. There is a lever in this pic that you pull up on then you can remove the right side selector then the left side. Once removed you can pull the trigger pack out of the lower receiver:

Stock removed. 2nd picture shows the groove in the lower the stock slides into:

Charging handle can quickly be removed and moved to either side. Slide the lever down through window in top rail and it pops right out:

Bolt Assembly Removed and disassembled:

This thing is pretty easy to strip down to components without tools (or only a 5.56 cartridge). I used a punch on the pins since they're still a little tight but that's it. With a little practice you could have it completely apart in under 30 seconds. Also all the takedown pins are captive so they won't get lost.

 

[Viper22]

Good documentation!

I just recently assembled my first AR and have only put 350 rounds through it......but I'm wondering how shooting the ACR compares to an AR?

 

[abomb60]

Good documentation!

I just recently assembled my first AR and have only put 350 rounds through it......but I'm wondering how shooting the ACR compares to an AR?

I haven't been to the range with this one yet but I did rent one last time I was at MFL. The bolt release by the trigger guard is nice and is alot like an AR with the Magpul BAD lever. Charging handle is also alot easier to use while keeping the weapon on target. I did notice (and from the reviews I read most agree) that there seems to be slightly more recoil than a normal AR. Most attribute this to the lack of a long buffer tube as there is little more than a little rubber bump stop at the face of the stock (like most HK roller guns). Of course the lack of a buffer tube allows the ACR to have a real side-folding stock in free America. I'd like to try some of the other piston guns that also lack a buffer tube like the Sig 556 & FN SCAR to see if they have more perceived recoil as well. I did shoot a XCR a while back but it was too long ago to remember anything about the experience other than it was a really cool gun.

Hopefully I can get to the range this weekend so I can writeup a complete range report.

 

[meth0d]

Congrats on the new rifle, thanks for the pictures. Standing by for full report.

 

[Hanwei]

Great write up. And congrats on the new boom stick. I have an LWRC piston upper... and have shot a sig 556 and XCR. Loved each one... but one thing I did notice is that they all seem to have a bit more perceived recoil compared to a DI AR.

 

[snwbrdr435]

I have put about 3k rounds through mine so far. No hiccups at all except the recall on all of them that was issued the other day.... I am calling bushmaster on Monday to see what is up. Apparently they can slam fire through a full mag and or just switch to full auto..... There is a pdf you can download on the bushmaster homepage with directions. It says this

Bushmaster Firearms Intentional, LLC has become aware of a possible firearms performance issue that may develop with a small number of ACR rifles and we are requesting you discontinue the use of this rifle immediately, and contact us at your earliest convenience so that we can make the necessary arrangements to have the rifle returned to us for inspection and update if necessary.

All Bushmaster produced ACR rifles are impacted by this notification.

During routine testing, Bushmaster discovered a design flaw which could result in multiple rounds firing continuously when the trigger is pulled. This unexpected firing of multiple rounds creates a potentially dangerous situation.

Since the safety and quality of our firearms is our utmost concern, Bushmaster is implementing the following corrective action plans to correct the effected firearms as quickly as possible.

Therefore, we are requesting your timely assistance with the following action:

1) Please immediately discontinue the use of your ACR rifle(s).

2) Contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-883-6229, (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM -6:00 PM EST).

Please have the serial # of your firearms(s) available when you call.

3) We will provide you with return shipping instructions and issue you a RMA # (Return Authorization Number).

This will assist us in processing, and updating of your firearm and returning to you as expeditiously as possible.

The shipping address for the return of your firearm is listed below

Please contact us prior to shipping

Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC

Attention: Dept. ACR 999 Roosevelt Trail
Windham, ME 04062
customerservice@bushmaster.com

4) This process will be accomplished at no cost to you and will be completed as expeditiously as possible.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, and we will return your firearm to you as expeditiously as possible.

If you have any further questions concerning this request, please call us on the above noted toll free number between the hours of 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Thank you for in advance for your cooperation in resolving this important matter.

Sincerely,

Customer Service Division
Bushmaster Firearms Intemational, LLC

I am very pissed i have to ship my brand new firearm back already...

 

[howitzer11]

abomb how much did that run you. That looks really nice.

Don't bother trying the sig 556. I just got rid of mine aweful QC. I know they are mil-spec but everytime i handled it the slop upper to lower was a disgrace. The supposed benefit of adjusting the piston to fire varying ammo or a dirty rifle was a hoax. No difference either way. It just never cycled smooth even when properly broken in. Just to top it off sig is going to show owner loyalty and drop the retail to just under a grand. That does wonders for resale.

 

[abomb60]

So i finally got to take the ACR to the range today and damn this thing is fun. It ate anything i threw at it and only only had a few issues with some cheap Russian Tula ammo that my AR will rarely cycle (very inconsistent and underpowered ammo). Immediately after a few 30 round mag dumps the barrel was nice and hot and the factory oil was smoking off the barrel but you could still stick your finger in the chamber and it was barely warm. Once i got a slight FTF with the Tula and often the bolt wouldnt lock back after the last round when using the cheap ammo. No problems at all were seem with a few hundred rounds of remington umc, xm193, xm855 or S&B .223.

If you have the means i highly recommend picking one of these up

 

[abomb60]

I have put about 3k rounds through mine so far. No hiccups at all except the recall on all of them that was issued the other day.... I am calling bushmaster on Monday to see what is up. Apparently they can slam fire through a full mag and or just switch to full auto..... There is a pdf you can download on the bushmaster homepage with directions. It says this



I am very pissed i have to ship my brand new firearm back already...

I saw the recall already and will call them in the morning. From looking around i found something on a forum that claims the same thing that you heard .... Slamfires and one guy has his go auto for a full mag. One would think that the firing pin spring would prevent the slamfires but they are calling it a "design fault" or something so who knows.

 

[stinx]

where did you purchase it from? if I may ask. This mght be my next purhase post recall. This gun interests me a great deal

 

[abomb60]

where did you purchase it from? if I may ask. This mght be my next purhase post recall. This gun interests me a great deal

Collectors in Stoneham. I think they were asking $2350 for it but he was a little negotiable. Also
You can try interstate in Billerica ... They have a decent price for if you are eligible.

Let me know if you want to check it out ... If i remember right you're close by.

 

[snwbrdr435]

Northshore firearms is where i got mine, was around 2200 with tax if my memory is right.

 

[stinx]

awsome,thanks. The guys at Collectors have always treated me great.

 

[abomb60]

Also I just broke her down again for a good cleaning and i'm amazed how clean the whole gun is after ~200 rounds of really dirty russian ammo and another 200 or so of commercial & US Mil-spec ammo. The gas piston assembly was pretty dirty (as is expected but not overly dirty) but the rest was really pretty clean. The removable barrel is also handy when you have to clean the barrel extension .... easily took 1/4 of the time it would take to clean my AR-15.

 

[abomb60]

awsome,thanks. The guys at Collectors have always treated me great.

Yeah they're good down there. I need to buy more from them

 

[abomb60]

Put another 200 rounds through the ACR tonight without any problems. Used the crappy Russian ammo again to sight in the included Magpul iron sights. Got a little cold out there but the irons are zeroed for 300m now.

Got my shipping label from Bushmaster to send it back for the recall so i'll do that in the morning. Hopefully they don't screw anything up