My new ACR! And questions re ACR parts - barrels, bolts caliber change, etc?

CobraGT

CobraGT

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 99.6%
268   1   1
Location
The rainy part of BC
Just got my ACR, and comparing it to the XCR, I can't believe how similar they are - looks like Robarms got the ACR drawings and said "this looks great... but I guess I can't copy it directly, so..." ;) Haven't had it to the range yet, but hope to this weekend. As it's set up now, with the heavy-ass optic I have on it, it's WAY heavier than the XCR Micro, but still a pretty light, compact gun.

Ergos are very intuitive. At first feel, I prefer the ACR charging handle, stock, ambi mag release, and barrel retention system, but prefer the XCR safety and bolt release. Still, very similar guns.

I am now looking at options. I know Dlask will do a non-restricted barrel swap for $550, but are parts in other calibers (I'd like a non-restricted 7.62x39 barrel and bolt) available anywhere here in Canada? If anyone has sources for parts, please chime in with what is available, and where!!

Thanks :)

Photos:

This is how it was set up before I got it:



And how it is now, shown with the XCR (forgive my crappy iPad photography skills!!):



 
Last edited:
Gravel Agency is the Canadian importer and you can order parts from them. Wolverine lists a few parts on their site and might be able to order you something.
I have a 6.8SPC barrel and a 300 Blackout barrel for mine but I'm still waiting for my 223 bolt to show up so I can have it machined to take the 6.8 case head. My 300BLK barrel is still missing the op rod guide which I need to custom make. I have a machinist buddy that grabbed me a chunk of stainless but haven't been able to meet up with him yet. Hope to have it done soon.

If you want a 300BLK barrel made I can line it up for you but you will need to order a new op rod and shorten and re-contour it to work with the shorter gas system and also make an op rod guide. Having them made with carbine length instead of the mid-length gas system that the 223 uses. 300BLK works best with pistol length gas systems but the ACR can't have a gas system that short.
Do you want to convert it to non restricted or just have some caliber options?

There are so far no factory conversions though. Bushmaster has been saying they are coming since 2011 and have never delivered.
 
cr5 said:
If you want a 300BLK barrel made I can line it up for you but you will need to order a new op rod and shorten and re-contour it to work with the shorter gas system and also make an op rod guide. Having them made with carbine length instead of the mid-length gas system that the 223 uses. 300BLK works best with pistol length gas systems but the ACR can't have a gas system that short.
Do you want to convert it to non restricted or just have some caliber options?

There are so far no factory conversions though. Bushmaster has been saying they are coming since 2011 and have never delivered.
Click to expand...

Ideally, I'd like to configure it to shoot 7.62x39, with a non-restricted barrel, and have it re-classified as non-restricted. I'd need a 7.62 bolt, 7.62x39 barrel, and all of the related barrel assembly parts, as I don't want to strip down my factory barrel - I want to keep it intact, in case the laws ever eventually allow me to use it in the bush.

If 7.62x39 isn't an option, then I'll go with an NR 5.56 setup. I just emailed Gravel to see what they can provide :)
 
CobraGT said:
Ideally, I'd like to configure it to shoot 7.62x39, with a non-restricted barrel, and have it re-classified as non-restricted. I'd need a 7.62 bolt, 7.62x39 barrel, and all of the related barrel assembly parts, as I don't want to strip down my factory barrel - I want to keep it intact, in case the laws ever eventually allow me to use it in the bush.

If 7.62x39 isn't an option, then I'll go with an NR 5.56 setup. I just emailed Gravel to see what they can provide :)
Click to expand...

Gravel is your only option for the parts you need then. I haven't seen any parts available for x39 but they have been talking a lot about 6.8 being available one day.
Anything you want can be made though and if you can find an appropriate AR blank I know a guy that can do the work for you. He built my 300BLK barrel and it's f'n awesome. I'm going crazy not being able to try it till I get my op rod guide sorted out. We didn't cut the notch for the factory op rod guide because on a 30 cal bore that doesn't leave a lot of material so I'll be making one myself that slips over the barrel and either clamps or pins on.
 
CobraGT said:
Just got my ACR, and comparing it to the XCR, I can't believe how similar they are - looks like Robarms got the ACR drawings and said "this looks great... but I guess I can't copy it directly, so..." ;)
Click to expand...

you do realize robinson arms sued Bushmaster/remington/magpul over the ACR? Please get your facts straight! :D

"Robinson Arms, manufacturers of the XCR have filed suit yesterday in US District Court for Utah against Remington, Bushmaster, Rock River Arms, and Magpul Industries based on alleged infringement of their patent (Multi-caliber ambidextrously controllable firearm #7,596,900) issued 6 October, 2009 and initially filed in August of 2003.

Specifically, the weapons alleged to have violated Robinson’s patent are the Remington/Bushmaster ACR, Magpul Masada/Massoud, and the RRA LAR-8. All of these weapons feature a magazine release that is manipulated by the trigger finger from within reach of the trigger guard as well as a similar bolt hold open device."
 
Last edited:
CobraGT said:
Ideally, I'd like to configure it to shoot 7.62x39, with a non-restricted barrel, and have it re-classified as non-restricted. I'd need a 7.62 bolt, 7.62x39 barrel, and all of the related barrel assembly parts, as I don't want to strip down my factory barrel - I want to keep it intact, in case the laws ever eventually allow me to use it in the bush.

If 7.62x39 isn't an option, then I'll go with an NR 5.56 setup. I just emailed Gravel to see what they can provide :)
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that it is illegal to re-install the factory 16 inch barrel once you have it classified as non restricted (same as with your XCR). Even if you do it at the range you are in possession of an unregistered restricted firearm so stripping the factory barrel of it's gas system isn't really a bad thing.
I called the RCMP firearms lab directly and asked about the legalities of doing it and the only option is to call them and re-register it as restricted before installing the short barrel then have it reclassified again as non restricted when you put the longer barrel back on.

It is quite easy to swap the gas system back and forth (I can do it in about 10min maybe less if I was going for speed) if the laws ever change but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
 
00aught said:
you do realize robinson arms sued Bushmaster/remington/magpul over the ACR? Please get your facts straight!

"Robinson Arms, manufacturers of the XCR have filed suit yesterday in US District Court for Utah against Remington, Bushmaster, Rock River Arms, and Magpul Industries based on alleged infringement of their patent (Multi-caliber ambidextrously controllable firearm #7,596,900) issued 6 October, 2009 and initially filed in August of 2003.

Specifically, the weapons alleged to have violated Robinson’s patent are the Remington/Bushmaster ACR, Magpul Masada/Massoud, and the RRA LAR-8. All of these weapons feature a magazine release that is manipulated by the trigger finger from within reach of the trigger guard as well as a similar bolt hold open device."
Click to expand...

Gotta admit, the bolt release is very very very similar.
I like it :)

As for the mag release, well then every rifle other than rear paddle release type seem to have copied the AR.

I guess they knew the ACR was going to be pretty serious competition. I'm sure glad they didn't use a similar barrel retention system. That is the biggest fault of the XCR platform.
 
cr5 said:
Keep in mind that it is illegal to re-install the factory 16 inch barrel once you have it classified as non restricted (same as with your XCR).
Click to expand...

Yep, I'm aware of this, and have no intention of doing it, unless the laws change, or civilization collapses!!


00aught said:
you do realize robinson arms sued Bushmaster/remington/magpul over the ACR? Please get your facts straight!
Click to expand...

jonythebeast said:
You know that the ACR was developed in 2006 and the XCR in 2004 right?
Click to expand...

No, I obviously did NOT know that! My apologies to Robarms :) So, instead, let me say:

Comparing the ACR to the XCR, I can't believe how similar they are - looks like Magpul got the XCR drawings and said "this looks great... but I guess we can't copy it directly, so..."

There, everybody happy now? ;) My point is, they're quite similar. Both very cool guns. Love my XCR, and I think I'm gonna love my new XCR clone, the ACR!!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom