Bushmaster ACR Non-R 200 Round review

Canadiankeeper

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Well picked up a new ACR. Figured I would give my write up about it.

You can find specs on them anywhere. It is the 18.5 barrel so Non-R.
I put a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 on top of it. (no cross hairs, has a dot)

Initial first impression. Positive
It is sturdy, no loose or jiggly parts. A good heft, not to heavy that makes you would not want to carry it. A sling wouldn't hurt though if using for hunting. A little front end heavy if you want to be very picky but I think it is balanced well... Feels much better then the XCR-L I owned. (personal Op)

Controls Positive
First range trip the ambidextrous controls came in handy as my south paw C6 gunner friend came along to help break it in!

Butt stock Positive
Works well, positive locking. Good folding. Not loose or wiggly. Adjustable also. Wish the cheek piece would slide back and forward a bit or be able to move up farther. This wouldn't be a problem with the PRS stock they offer.

Foregrip and pistol grip Positive
I am glad I did not buy any foregrip attachments for the Mlok rail because I like it as is. It fits in my hand well, has a forward stop. Also has a top cover over the gas system if you want to rock the C clamp style grip. Near the mag, above the mag well is textured very well and is very grippy. The same texturing is applied on the pistol grip. Be warned, it is tight to get off. A soft mallet may be needed... BE VERY CAREFUL! The inside is lined with metal, it WILL scratch your barrel if it touches... Ask me how I found that out. Keep in mind, it does not need to come off to clean and take down gas system. Only if you want to oil under it or take the barrel off.

Trigger Negative
The trigger is a heavy one, a little sandy feeling but does break well. Very noticeable reset. The trigger is one of the few things I found could be improved. Good thing there are aftermarket triggers out there! They will be worth the investment if looking to shoot for groups.

Quick Detach barrel Neutral
This is an cool idea, especially if they offered other cals.. They dont though, so ... Took it off once when doing first take down and clean before shooting. Easy to do, easy to put back on... Never plan on doing it again. I would personally like a fixed barrel but its fine. Crank it down tight. Be done with it.

Take down and maintenance Positive
This could not be any easier. No tools required, even for the gas system. Is quick and easy. Takes seconds. Makes cleaning a dream!

Function Positive
No stoppages with any ammo, used Pmags and Tapco mags.

Accuracy Positive
Could not be happier. For not having a cross hair and having a heavy meh trigger. It shot well. \


Only shot one 5 shot group at 100 and 200 with lower end ammo. This is the results.

Frontier 68 Grain 223 - 1.04 inch at 100, 4.25 at 200
Frontier 75 Grain 223 - 1.34 inch at 100, 5.34 at 200
Hornady 75 Grain Vmax 223 - 1.87 at 100, 5.44 at 200
XMetal 55 grain 223 - 2.09 at 100 at 100, 5.85 at 200
Independence Ammunition 55 grain 556 - 1.46 at 100 and 4.37 at 200
American Eagle 62 grain 5.56 100 yards anywhere from 3-5 moa similar results at 200

(No pics, my buddy ripped them up and threw them out before I could snag some.)

I will grab some bulk AA ammo and see how it does later also.





100 yard 4 shot group (100 yards) from my C6 buddy who normally shoots all the bullets over there. Took the pic because I couldn't believe he could shoot decent! lol
 
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I regret missing my chance on this - then again, I don't have $3000 to toss at a new gun.

Congrats on yours. Its beautiful.
 
Great review and glad to hear it is working well for you. Nice shooting! A Geissele S-ACR trigger will shrink those groups even further! ;)

Cheers!
 
I regret missing my chance on this - then again, I don't have $3000 to toss at a new gun.

Congrats on yours. Its beautiful.

Haha, im super glad I jumped on it. The funds where being saved up for a new bench 22LR rig but I have wanted an ACR for a while and could not pass it up!

Great review and glad to hear it is working well for you. Nice shooting! A Geissele S-ACR trigger will shrink those groups even further! ;)

Cheers!

Absolutely!

Might I add I had amazing service from ARMS EAST! I had fat fingered a button in my rush, they called me up and fixed the information quickly and it was shipped out almost instantly! Bonus that CP got it to me two days early also!
 
I had over 5K+ rounds thru mine, Only had to fix one of the stupid pins that walked out on the front CH bar. ACR is a beast and teh best NR Black rifle in this country. Well until all the NR AR15's come out :_)

I'd be very interested in a qualitative comparison between the regular and Geissele trigger.

Its a Geissele, It puts the factory one to shame.

I regret missing my chance on this - then again, I don't have $3000 to toss at a new gun.

ACR is only a 3K gun is you buy it new. EE has them from 1800-2400 regularly.
 
I had over 5K+ rounds thru mine, Only had to fix one of the stupid pins that walked out on the front CH bar. ACR is a beast and teh best NR Black rifle in this country. Well until all the NR AR15's come out :_)
Its a Geissele, It puts the factory one to shame.
ACR is only a 3K gun is you buy it new. EE has them from 1800-2400 regularly.

Where did you source the pin ? As much as I love the pins I know after a while they will get loose. Having an extra set laying around doesnt seem like the worst idea.
 
Nice review, she's a beauty and she shoots too! Is that the Arms East Non-restricted version? I've read their barrels are top notch, plus you get the lighter handguard and nice stock. I'd take this all day over the XCR-L, just my opinion.

Only thing holding me back is the 8.5 lb weight and the prospect of the new Non-R crop from Macdef and ATRS. $3k will build a pimp ass gun off those receivers if they ever are released, I think mine will be around 5.5 lbs based off my components so far and Macdef's receiver weight... but damn that ACR is still tempting me.
 
Nice review, she's a beauty and she shoots too! Is that the Arms East Non-restricted version? I've read their barrels are top notch, plus you get the lighter handguard and nice stock. I'd take this all day over the XCR-L, just my opinion.

Only thing holding me back is the 8.5 lb weight and the prospect of the new Non-R crop from Macdef and ATRS. $3k will build a pimp ass gun off those receivers if they ever are released, I think mine will be around 5.5 lbs based off my components so far and Macdef's receiver weight... but damn that ACR is still tempting me.

It is! I love this rifle!

I will likely end up with a Non-R from macdef or ATRS later down the road also. Once they are more available and not on wait lists.

Honestly it does not feel that heavy. Feels solid. super smooth shooting. I could not tell you the diffrence between 8 and 5 lbs for any uses I have. My hunts are 800 M walks to my coyote siits max and I use a sling... Ive taken 15 lbs bolt guns out in 2 ft deep snow. Not that big of a deal.
 
Love my ACR NR also. I've got a QuestAR SS barrel on mine. It loves Norc ammo. Shot around 4000 rounds thru it before the set screw QuestAR used in the gas block finally sheered off. Got Motiuk Manufacturing to drill and install taper pins and she's running perfect again


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Nice review, she's a beauty and she shoots too! Is that the Arms East Non-restricted version? I've read their barrels are top notch, plus you get the lighter handguard and nice stock. I'd take this all day over the XCR-L, just my opinion.

Only thing holding me back is the 8.5 lb weight and the prospect of the new Non-R crop from Macdef and ATRS. $3k will build a pimp ass gun off those receivers if they ever are released, I think mine will be around 5.5 lbs based off my components so far and Macdef's receiver weight... but damn that ACR is still tempting me.

What components are you using to come up with the 5.5Lb total weight?
 
What components are you using to come up with the 5.5Lb total weight?

Just my rough estimate:

Rise Armament LW 18.8" barrel (1.8 lbs) , V7 13" Handguard (0.4 lbs), Brownells lightweight BCG (0.5 lbs), MFT Minimalist stock (0.4 lbs). Macdef Receiver and LPK (1.5 lbs). Taccom Buffer + carbine receiver Extension (0.5 lbs). SLR mini muzzle, SLR gas block, Geissele CH, odds and ends (0.4 lbs)
 
Cant say enough good things about my non restricted ACR. 1-6 Gen 2 PST scope in a American defense QD mount. RPM precision 7075 aluminum M lok handrail, with all the tactical goodies you could shake a stick at. I run mine hard at our local Dynamic Sport Shooting club here in the lower mainland and it hasn't skipped a beat. Chews up any ammo I put into it. Highly recommended.
 
Those Questar barrelled ACR's are heavy.

Not really, my Questar stainless barreled ACR is 8.7 pounds without optics. I really don't see what the big deal is, you get used to it real fast. Only time I notice it is if I just put down my light barreled AR with CF handguard. Compared to any other NR semi out there it's not much different. If you want light weight NR you want an original AR180B-2, mine weighs 6.8 pounds empty with no optics.
 
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