It is a pity that it is delayed.

For that matter, what does it have over the more mature FN SCAR L except the prototype being about a half pound lighter?

One might wait a long time for a Masada/ACR, this appears to be the latest info on its status (http://tinyurl.com/638tys):

The following is a joint statement from both Magpul and Bushmaster.

“The ACR is being redesigned to be a superior offering to compete for the next generation US Army infantry carbine and subcompact weapon requirement and will be available to select customers in 2009.”

Jarrod McDevitt
1-800-998-7928
Ext# .223

Bushmaster Firearms International, L.L.C
Made With Pride In The U.S.A.

(end)

I would expect that right now Bushmaster and Magpul are spending all their available management etc. time carefully maximizing production of currently shipping products.

People who want a good handguard either bought one of the thousand “Commando” ones produced this year with a 551 carbine type handguard or just buy a standard 551 handguard and swap it for the ugly and nearly pointless standard 556 TriRail.

Jason: Yes, I’ve read that it does collapse (and I think I’ve read that the issue 550 rifle has or is maybe going to move to that sort of stock). This “Swiss style” one plus its cast aluminum lower perhaps isn’t durable enough to fire rifle grenades ^_^, but then again it doesn’t have the barrel bulge for them.

This version is said to be 0.4 pounds heavier; some of that would come from a longer barrel if it indeed has one, but a lot could be from a more durable stock. And a 551 handguard is quite a bit lighter than the TriRail.

Steve: Good point. In profile, it looks like a 551’s handguard, but it e.g. has more ventilation holes, like the 550’s they run all the way to the back.

There is one good reason to buy it: you get a (presumably) better and certainly nicer looking stock with it (and nicer than any alternative I’ve seen) and you don’t have to pay $100+ to get a 551 handguard. If the stock and its folding hinge is significantly better the combination might be worth the extra $433 MSRP.

Hmmm, it also looks like the stock will lock up with the handguard in the style of the originals but the mechanism is different (the handguard has a small nub vs. a large ring, similarly the stock’s recess is a lot smaller).

I am glad that they added a “real” front sight. The default flip-up one on the 556 is awfully chintzy, in my opinion.

The new stock appears to fold AND collapse. I wonder how durable it is.

http://www.biggerhammer.net/sigamt/550/550techinspection/550_551_covershot.jpg

Why Sigarms didn’t release the 556 with a more recognizable and aesthetically attractive handguard, I don’t know.