WTF...modern manufacturing techniques to reduce the cost...makes for a $2500 rifle, while VZ-58's are being sold for $700 Canadian?
Before you bash my post, consider that the ACR uses extruded aluminum and injection moulded major components, while the VZ has a solid steel MACHINED receiver, still lightweight furniture (either the injection moulded ones or the old "beaver barf").
Perfect comparison? No, since many of the VZ parts are surplus, made when the currencies were worth very differently. BUT...I have to think that if Bushmaster were going to make a VZ today from raw materials, if the ACR is $2600 US, then a Bushy VZ would have to sell north of $3700!!!
I'm thinking there's a reason they price them so high today: sell very few units. Maybe their contract agreement w Magpul is based on units sold. Then say after 10 years of low sales, contract is null and void, watch Bushy suddenly blast thousands of them ou the doors for $900 each...
Magpul should have bit the bullet and made these in-house. Maybe.