Alright ... the big news everyone's been waiting for. It's been hard enough (agonizing in fact) knowing all this stuff and not being able to share it with anyone since giving a verbal NDA to Magpul PTS on the matter. I finally got the go ahead to disclose the details regarding the A&K / Magpul PTS Sportsline Masada and the Magpul PTS ACR.


The A&K / Magpul PTS Sportsline Masada:
A few years ago, Magpul Industries began development of the Magpul Masada, their own interpretation of what a Battle Rifle should be. Midway through Magpul's development of the Masada, Magpul PTS, the exclusive license holder for all airsoft replicas of Magpul Industries products, started their own development of the Magpul PTS Masada. Magpul PTS got extremely far into development when Magpul Industries teamed up with Bushmaster to develop the Magpul ACR which was to be an evolution of the Masada designed as a potential candidate for the Military's new primary assault rifle. Problem was, due to the real Masada's impending and undetermined changes, Magpul PTS chose to pause their own development of their airsoft Magpul PTS Masada/ACR until the real ACR's overall design was more locked down.

This is where A&K came in. There was a plethora of information regarding the in-development real Magpul Masada. Most importantly, some gorgeous high resolution side profiles and details that were almost tantamount to being an aesthetic blueprint of sorts. A&K reached out to a group of freelance designers and CAD designers and solicited their assistance in developing a Masada AEG using the many photographic and other online references that were out there. Near the end of A&K's Masada development they had allegedly tried repeatedly to get in contact with Magpul PTS to inquire about getting their version of the Masada licensed as they had heard (and seen) that Magpul PTS was not adverse to the idea of licensing cheaper alternatives as evidenced by STAR's Green Label economy line of inexpensive PMAGs, which was sub-licensed by Magpul PTS to STAR. However, A&K still had absolutely no idea how to contact Magpul PTS and in the end A&K weren't able to discuss the prospect of licensing with Magpul PTS.

A&K was therefore faced with a tough decision. They had spent an incredible amount of money on the unauthorized Masada's development, tooling and molds alone, and that didn't include the exorbitant funds they spent on materials and production for the initial 3000 units they produced. They had to sell at minimum 10,000 units just to break even on the initial development costs. Do they just release the A&K Masada and risk copyright infringement, or do they try to reach out to Magpul PTS again through some other means? With investors breathing down their necks and a lot of their own money poured into their version of the Masada, they chose to release it and see what happens. The design group behind the development of the ACM Masada, acted as a relatively low profile distributor/retailer and between individual customer sales, Ebaybanned (briefly) and Monda Int. reselling more of the Masadas, the units started to trickle out.

As we all know, Magpul PTS was quick to try and prevent the distribution and sale of the ACM Masada and were relatively successful. For those that think "A&K are doing just fine, they're moving a lot of ACM Masadas regardless of Magpul PTS' attempts to stop them", the truth was far from that. Moving a few hundred units over the course of several months was painstaking and debilitating to A&K's finances. As it had been previously established, A&K needed to sell 10,000 units just to cover the bare minimum of costs of development and they needed to move that many units in a matter of a few months, however at that point they had barely seen returns on one fifth the necessary sales. Over the course of several months, they had finally sold out their first three thousand units. They then went onto produce a couple thousand more, and later on another thousand units. Financially, this was a disaster.

It wasn't until A&K were speaking with a US distributor, and explained their woes, that they were finally put directly in touch with Magpul PTS. A&K were both apologetic and brutally honest with Magpul PTS. More than that though, they were desperate. A&K laid out their circumstances with Magpul PTS, explained the entire back story behind the A&K Masada's development, their finances (they showed Magpul PTS their financial books) as well as their attempts to contact Magpul PTS about licensing the product. Say what you want about Magpul PTS, one thing I have come to learn about the executive director of Magpul PTS is his appreciation for honesty in those he deals with. And it was that honesty and sincerity Magpul PTS saw in A&K that kept the door open to discuss licensing. During extensive conversations between Magpul PTS's design group, the director of Magpul PTS said that they respected what A&K were able to accomplish and that A&K had done a relatively fantastic job developing their version of the A&K Masada given the very limited resources and references A&K had at their disposal (i.e. side profile pictures found online, youTube videos ... and a lot of guess work). That said, without the necessary details, the A&K Masada was close, but off in certain areas including most notably a slight undersizing scale issue. Also, Magpul PTS noted that the version A&K had produced was a replica based on the earlier Masada design, whereas Magpul PTS' design was an exact replica of the Magpul/Bushmaster ACR. There was definitely room in the market for a "Masada" as well as the newer ACR.

During discussions with A&K, Magpul PTS made it clear that they would license A&K to manufacture their version of the Masada, however, A&K must assist Magpul PTS in trying to stop all the unauthorized ACM development of Magpul PTS products in Mainland China (which A&K did assist with and thus the unauthorized ACM FMG-9 and ACM Massoud ceased development). Furthermore, only the A&K/Magpul PTS Sportsline Masadas that have the legitimate authorized Magpul PTS Holographic label and unique serial number that Magpul PTS issued are allowed to be sold. Only the authorized Sportsline Masadas possess warranties ... upheld by A&K themselves. Any retailers/distributors found selling the old stock of Masadas without the Magpul PTS authorized holographic label will face legal action. Aside from that, in has not been disclosed how much the licensing fee cost A&K, but I was led to believe A&K didn't pay a ridiculous amount for it. Simply that A&K are now allowed to sell their authorized version of the Masada and any accessories that are designed for it (like separate barrel assemblies and spare parts). So no, Magpul PTS did NOT buy all of A&K's Masadas. Anyone saying that has either been misinformed or is giving false information. Magpul PTS licensed A&K to manufacture and distribute a Sportsline version of the Masada just as Magpul PTS licensed Star to manufacture and sell the "Green label" budget minded realCap PMAGs.

The new MSRP of the Sportsline Masada is undetermined right now. US$250 is possible and that is a price I heard from a few sources, but not from Magpul PTS. Magpul PTS isn't dictating what the price must be and are leaving it completely up to A&K. Before you cry bloody murder at the potential price increase, the change is in part to do with the licensing fee, but by A&K's own admittance, they had previously sold their unauthorized A&K Masada almost at cost to try and recoup the hefty development costs. Now that they are able to sell the Masada as an authorized replica out in the open and with relative impunity, they're absolutely going to start doing everything they can to make profit on these guns as fast as possible. And that's where the biggest increase in the price is coming from.

That was the first major announcement that was supposed to come out last week and what I had been alluding to since my return from Hong Kong. During my trip there, I was told that the licensing deal was pretty much completed and the official announcement on the deal was to go out in a couple weeks once A&K had corrected the current stock of their Masadas. The delay of that announcement was due to the issues A&K has been facing with the Chinese Government for producing imitation/toy firearms (which is a severe offense in China ... in case anyone reading this hasn't been keeping up with current events). Oh, and hefty lawyer fees dealing with the government may also be driving up the Masada's cost. Paul from EbayBanned, as he often does, jumped the gun a little bit and implied the upcoming release of some kind of Masada by posting pictures on his website. This kind of behavior has gotten Paul in trouble a few times in the past (and this was no exception as Magpul PTS didn't want it announced yet), but this time ... while it was still a little premature, it kind of worked out for everyone (mostly the consumers and distributors) as it allows me to spill the beans about the upcoming releases. So that was to be the first major announcement.

This is also why I have been cautioning everyone from buying the current crop of A&K Masadas, because if you bought an unauthorized one, I don't believe it has any warranty. It may do, but you'll have to take that up with A&K directly.

So in summary : Magpul PTS has licensed A&K to rerelease the A&K Masada as a Magpul PTS licensed Sportsline Masada. The licensed A&K Masda MUST have a Magul PTS Authorized Holographic Label and unique serial number to be sold by any distributor or retailer. You should be seeing this product available for sale shortly (I want to say within the next week to two weeks, but it is all depending on A&K's current legal situation).



The Magpul PTS ACR:
Wow ... where do I begin? My adventure with the Magpul PTS ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle) began with a visit to the Magpul PTS offices. Actually, it started several days prior to that, when Orca called me on the phone and said "There's big news coming down the pipe from Magpul PTS ... but I can't say what. But you'll see for yourself!" Needless to say, I was excited and yet apprehensive about what might be revealed to me. Fast forwards a couple weeks, I'm in Hong Kong sitting in Magpul PTS's office. They know I know something is up ... but I don't know what exactly. And just like that, the director of Magpul PTS looks me square in the eyes and says ... "Hey, you want to check out the Magpul PTS ACR?" I just about choked to death on my bottle of water. Heck yeah! Bring it on! They explained to me that no one outside of Magpul PTS, and that includes none of the distributors, retailers, and outside friends had laid eyes on the Magpul PTS ACR yet ... and that I would be the first. It took about 5 minutes to find and accumulate all the parts of the PTS ACR. Yes you heard that right. They've been so secretive about it's development, they had the gun split up into various parts scattered and hidden all over the office into various boxes, cabinets, nooks and crannies. As the parts were laid out in front of me, and started to come together, my jaw just dropped. It was like watching the most beautiful collection of highend parts I've ever seen in any airsoft gun. When he finally had the gun assembled a couple minutes later, I held (more like cradled) it in my arms pretty much not believing what I had before me. This gun, looked, weighed, felt, and smelt, like a real gun.

Here are the details you all want to know:
• Entire CNC'ed upper receiver from a block of 6061 Aluminum Billet (not from a casting!). The upper receiver obvious continues into the top rail giving an uninterrupted top Picatinny rail. The CNC'ing was gorgeous and flawless.

• Two optional handguards: a Polymer one and an Aluminum railed one (also CNC'ed from 6061 Aluminum Block), which can be quick swapped between the two.

• Two optional stocks: A Folding stock and a fixed stock which can be quick swapped. The fixed stock is very reminiscent of the Magpul UBR. The Dupont Polymer used throughout these guns are phenomenal. And yes, I got it straight from Magpul PTS, the polymer they use is widely considered one of the best polymers available on the commercial/industrial market anywhere.

• Optional quick swap barrel assemblies: Definitely 11.5" and 14.5" barrels, and perhaps later on a 18" SPR barrel. All barrels are tool-less quick-change barrel systems. They're quick swappable just like the real thing and very solid. Each barrel has its own hopUp chamber that's fully enclosed within the barrel assembly.

• Magazine Compatibility: Compatible with all standard 5.56 AEG mags (TM spec like most AEG M16 mags are) and obviously Magpul PTS PMAGs.

• 5.56mm (AR style) OR 7.62mm (AK style) QUICK SWAPPABLE LOWER ASSEMBLIES!!! Yes you read that right, just like on the real gun. The ACR has a modified G36 gearbox which has the motor directly attached to the gearbox via a caged design. You pull one pin, the entire lower receiver unhooks from the upper receiver. You pull another pin, the entire gearbox + motor can be pulled out of the 5.56 lower receiver, and the gearbox can then be dropped into the ACR's 7.62 lower receiver. Push the pin back in to lock the gearbox in place, hook the 7.62 lower receiver onto the upper receiver, lock the last pin in to reassemble the gun, and you're GOOD TO GO!!! Some battery connectors may need to be unplugged and replugged along the way (can't recall exactly), but swapping lower receivers was quick and painless. There are gears on either side of the 5.56 and 7.62 receivers that interface with gears on either side of the gearbox which allows full ambidextrous controls of the selector. The 7.62 setup on the Masada looks absolutely badåss.

• 7.62 Magpul PTS AK style polymer magazines. Because the PTS ACR is slightly unique in design, they couldn't make quick swappable 5.56/7.62 lower receivers AND have the gun compatible with the TM Spec AK AEG magazines already on the market. As a result they've made their own 7.62 AK style polymer midcaps which will probably have a 150 BB capacity. These magazines will be made out of a smokey, slightly clear polymer so you can see how many rounds you have left, and yet won't obviously look like you have BBs in there to a fellow player (so it won't obviously look like a toy). After using King Arms' Replica Lancer MidCap Magazines, I'm personally very excited about smoke clear polymer mags. Price is yet to be determined. Probably en par with the regular PMAGs.

• Quick swap AEG spring: Removal of a screw at the rear of the gearbox gives you direct access to the gearbox's AEG spring for a quick swap to a spring of your choosing, without the need to disassemble the gearbox itself. I *think* you didn't have to take the gearbox out of the lower receiver either. You just had to slide the stock off to gain access to it.

• The internals are robust and are modified to Magpul PTS's own design. The default FPS will be 350fps using 0.2g BBs. However, depending on which country the gun ships to, the various distributors will receive an ACR with a FPS that falls within the legal allowed limits of the country. So if you're in the EU somewhere and buy an ACR directly from a Hong Kong online store rather than a local distributor, I'm not sure if the HK store will down grade the gun for you. That said, they shouldn't charge you much if they did down grade it ... putting a softer spring in the gun takes mere seconds.

• Front wired. Wired in the front in the handguard. Can't recall exactly what the battery storage capability was. I rarely pay attention to that detail nowadays as I only use Lipos now. It definitely had room for more than just Lipos though.

• 14mm CounterClockwise Threads. I seem to recall that it ships with a regular birdcage or Phantom style flashhider. Whatever the real ACR ships with is what the Magpul PTS ACR will ship with.

• Most up to date version of the ACR: The ACR has gone through a lot of changes since the Masada was first developed. Most notably the charging handle's position has been moved forwards to avoid interference with optics and manipulation of the charging handle. Everything that should be ambi-dextrous is on the PTS ACR.

• Gas blow back capable. Already in development, they've designed the Magpul PTS ACR so that the GBB system they're designing will drop right into the gun once you remove the gearbox+motor assembly. The GBB parts will come later and won't be available immediately upon the ACR's release ... but they are nearly finished with the design. I think the biggest hold up is the magazines. And before anyone asks, I don't know if it's going to be like any of the existing GBB systems out on the market today. It's most likely going to be similar to the WA system according to how it was described.

• Three colors: The ACR will be available in Magpul FDE, Black and Foliage Green.

• A relatively competitive price: MSRP US$450. The Magpul PTS ACR in its default retail configuration (14.5" barrel, polymer handguard, fixed stock) will have a retail MSRP of around US$450. The price is fluctuating right now as Dupont (the polymer supplier) is increasing their own costs dramatically. About a month back it was $350, now it's closer to $450 depending on Dupont's Polymer prices. They were deliberating about having a version released that had a folding stock instead of the fixed stock, however due to the complexity of the folding stock and costs involved in manufacturing them ... having the exact same ACR but with the folding stock instead would increase the MSRP by about $100. So for now, they're probably going to sell the default configuration with the fixed stock (which I actually really liked (looks a lot like the UBR) and preferred over the folding one) at the estimated $450 MSRP. All accessories: the folding stock, separate barrel assemblies, metal railed handguard, 7.62mm lower receiver (which will come with three of the 7.62 PTS polymer midcaps), and spare 7.62 midcaps, will all be sold separately and will all be available at the same time as the ACR's release. (The Gas Blow Back parts will come later). When asked how much it would cost to have a package deal in which a customer could buy the ACR with ALL the aforementioned accessories in one box, they estimated the cost may be around $750. Yes, not cheap, but, Jesus, I would drop that much in a heart beat for all that I saw there. This is without a doubt the most highend airsoft gun I have ever seen and/or held. I have paid far more for guns that didn't come within a hundred yards of this gun's quality and expandability in terms of features.

• Release date: It will be out before the end of the year. They will have production models available at the Las Vegas SHOT Show in January. They should be at airsoft retailers by this Christmas. The one I held was their final prototype. The molds have been finalized, and approved. Production is imminent. They may in fact have already started.

So in summary : Magpul PTS ACR = AWESOMENESS, Around US$450 (MSRP), Available before the end of the year, Butt load of awesome accessories.


* Amendment : My apologies for taking so long to post this info. I had most of this written over a month ago, but I had to remove about 1/3 of the details as they were a little too insider info revealing. I think this is my fifth rewrite of this thread. But I think you get the gist.

-Corps

Sweet info USMC! Have been waiting awhile for this annoucement. Do you happen to have an ETA on media releases for the sportline and PTS model?

Not sure on the Sportsline model. Everyone pretty much knows what the A&K looks like. I'm sure a press release detailing what constitutes as a legitimate Sportsline Masada vs. the unauthorized A&K Masada will be forthcoming.

I've asked Magpul PTS to send photos of the ACR and the other upcoming products I was shown (but can't talk about quite yet) ... here's hoping we see those soon too.

uscmCorps..... you are my hero . Great Info, and thank you very Much for writing this up for us.

one question on the GBB variant, and just want to make sure im reading it write, the lower receiver will be the same right?




and again thanks for the info. Please don't take this as be ungrateful, because believe me i am. but the only thing else i wish they knew/would've told you was the system of the GBB parts. Only because I'm looking at getting a GBBR and just want to make sure it would be compatible with the ACR..... but it really ain't that bad i guess..... the ACR is still coming out!!!!

!!!

All the info!!!

And now the season of CSI: Magpul ends!

Looked at this thread and I


JIZZED in mah pants

:cry: ....... it never even got started... *sniff* *sniff*

Guys, keep in mind, uscmCorps gave you as detailed a writeup as he could at this time. I know you guys want more, but details between development and production can vary greatly. Anything beyond this info will pretty much just be speculation and educated guesses at this time. When Corps or Magpul PTS get more stuff to announce, be sure it'll be posted ASAP.

Kudos Corps! Great write up!

OMG, OMG, OMG!

Thanks A LOT uscm!

This is the gun of my dreams!

cant really say much, but cool! thanks for the info uscm!

Awesome! Thanks for the great write up uscmCorps. I like the hopup attached to barrel idea - hopefully it works well. Time to start saving!

gas blowback: only two words can make big men jizz in their pants...

I was given the impression that the GBB guts would drop right into the current AEG 556 lower.

I gotta tell you guys, knowing all these details about the ACR ... it's been overwhelmingly exciting and yet frustrating. I couldn't even talk to Orca about it until Magpul PTS gave me the go ahead as I didn't know how much he had been told.

That's also the reason why I've been trying to tell people to hold off from buying the unauthorized A&K Masada. Because I wanted to make sure that if you were to buy the A&K Masada, at least you'd be buying an authorized one that'd have a warranty with A&K. Plus now you have the choice of the Masada or the ACR!

Orca : Thanks! Yep, as you and I both know I still have a lot to share. That's just as much as I'm allowed to say at this time.

Do you know if it will be in sale in the US or in HK, so we will have to import it?

Good lordy lord almighty corps!!!! I just creamed myself and decided to drop all other airsoft related projects for this... GBB RDY!!!!! My buying of other airsoft stuffs is done. My wallet will be pleased!!

uscmCorps, how much of this did I call? Eh? Eh?

You, sir, are a lucky smuck. I hope Prediction No. 15 comes true for all the effort you put into keeping a lid on things.

I'm sure Spartan Imports which has exclusive distribution for the US will bring them out here when they're on the market. The same will probably be the case for other distributors in other countries. The ACR will most likely hit the HK market before anyone else as that's local to Magpul PTS. Basically, the guns and accessories ship to all distributors all over the world at the same time ... just that HK is obviously the closest.


Yes, GBB ready, but there's no clear ETA as to when the GBB parts and mags will be available. It could be months away, it could be a year away. I do know that they're actively working on it, but first and foremost, they want to get the ACR and a few other products I can't talk about yet on the market ASAP.

Talon: Your Prediction #15 ... I get a sample. Yes that would be so awesome! Like I said in the PMs with you, I couldn't confirm or deny any of your predictions, but as you can see pretty much all of them and more came true!

Very true! But even then the way they've designed the GB (If I read it carefully) is similar to the quick swap design of Systema. That alone is a huge sale for me over my current M4s. So simple to switch from CQB to field in a few seconds. Can't wait

Great info usmc. That GBB option sounds great! Let us know once you hear more!

Thanks for the info mate, any idea if the PTS outer barrels will fit the A&K ? I'm guessing if the gearbox is different the hop/outer

barrel may well be different.

Jim

THIS.

uscm, you are the man. Thanks for all the great info.

Kinda disappointing that it won't run TM AK mags, I'd rather have a completely separate mech in the lower to allow it and pay a bit more, plus it would have meant magpul AK mag for the muppets with commie rifles ruski-fans .


USMC, I have a question here that you might actually be able to answer due to its simplicity:

Does the bolt lock back to help set the hop? Cos thats the one feature on the A&K I'd like to see on more guns. Or at least a bolt face slightly more blunt than a scalpel....

HAH! Time do sell the SCAR by december, no matter what price.
MUST HAVE

somehow i smell a rat when i see one , i hope the ACR will be damn good and all good luck for that but the A&K story was too sweet to read to believe its all true, A&K would not be in any kind of trouble financially for making a model and even not selling it straight up, this story made them look like they where very desperate for anything, Chinese are known for certainly not being begging for mercy like in this story it says Magpul the saviour saved A&K's *albatross*. I think we got the official Magpul PTS side of the story what they want for people to hear and think. But nonetheless good that finally that model is coming out, many people have been waiting for that long time! *edit added a question, Magpul themselves dont make airsoft right? so that is an OEM, is the ACR made by A&K aswell or someone else?

Does not comprehend....

Goddamnit, now I don't know whether I should buy this or RS SVD :/

Thinks a lot for sharing this with us!

No. None of the parts are compatible between the Sportsline Masada and the Magpul PTS ACR. The two systems were developed completely independent of one another and share no common parts or dimensions. The ACR's tool-less ratchet barrel system is accurate to the real deal whereas the Sportsline Masada is aesthetically similar but different.


Regarding the AK mags, yes I was disappointed too. It was described to me as something they tried hard to work into the design, but couldn't in the end.

As for the locking back bolt, I seem to recall that the HopUp was adjustable through the open bolt.


You show your credentials and I'll show mine. Most of your "factual predictions" on this product have been wrong. I've gotten confirmation on this story from multiple sources describing A&K's side of things as well as from Magpul PTS directly. There's more to the story, but I'm not allowed to share it for A&K's sake. I also know A&K's actual financial investment and a fuller breakdown of their investment in all of this but have been asked to withhold that info, again for A&K's sake by A&K and Magpul PTS. I have no doubt that you've seen factories, and have talked to manufacturers and retailers and have gotten lots of information about ACM products. But on this, you're wrong. And so is Paul EB, who thinks he knows more than he actually does. When Paul doesn't know all the details he fills in the gaps with his own speculation and passes it off as fact. And that is a known fact. Check your sources next time before you start calling people out for being a rat. That's just not cool at all and I've been very honest with people here.

because first time when i saw the A&K Masada with my own eyes, Boss of A&K told me that it was ordered from outside and it was highly classified (normally if some company orders from Europe or US they share that info with me but this time it was top secret) why it make me think that Magpul themselves might have been ordered it (just my speculation nothing else), and i was not saying you are a rat or something dude i just said because i know something what have happened in the background that something does not feel right, how about you chill out some and thanks for the news anyways. Btw can you comment whats going on with G&P as they are releasing MASADA also with their own Gearbox? Magpul releases with default A&K gearbox and G&P with their own, why like this? any information on that? cheers

I knew there was a GBB variant

usmCorps;

Thanks for the news, best news I heard since a long time.
It actually makes me looking forward to the end of the year, which is almost impossible.
(I hate X-mas, and every other hypocritical sense around it)

Well then time to check my savings. and 450USD? Now that's nice for a high end AEG.

I just thought about something: if A&K Masada is licensed to sell, will this autorisation be extended on the prototypes (short version and sniper variant) A&K showed a few months ago?

Fronteirs, you're wrong again dude. And you're speculating. I know why A&K were being so secretive and it had nothing to do with "using Magpul PTS designs" which in of itself is untrue (the simple fact that they got the scale and many other details wrong when Magpul PTS had all the necessary info to do it right from the start is good evidence too). I can't say what they were being secretive about as the NDA still applies to that. I can say that I know for a fact that there's no way any of Magpul PTS's designs got into A&K's hands. And that's not speculation.

As for telling me to chill out, you're the one calling certain details in my report into question and thus also my integrity, based purely on a hunch you have. I thoroughly check my info with multiple sources before posting something as fact. You're previous actions do nothing more than to perpetuate a conspiracy that simply doesn't exist. That's more destructive than constructive and it's also the reason why many manufacturers choose not to post on open forums as there's always too many haters to make it worth their time. But whatever, that's never going to change I guess.

Back to the Sportsline Masada and the ACR ... If there are any further questions on their specs or the product itself, I'll do my best to answer them to the best of my recollection.

NeoVeNoM: That's the Magpul PTS MSRP, which tends to be higher than the actual listed price at online retailers. I expect the ACR to be a little cheaper.

Alex: I'm not sure. But if A&K has developed it, I'd be surprised if they didn't go forwards with it. I don't know if the license covers those specific products, but if they don't at least they've got a way to bring it up with Magpul PTS now.

Raven KNI on GGi smashed a WE system into a Masada shell, but this is so much cooler.

Yeah, I saw that. That was crazy impressive! Got a link?

Edit: I think I can also mention ... Magpul PTS has heard the many requests for GBB PMAGs. They have been working on GBB PMAGs for the various different systems out there. The biggest limitation has been the PMAG's outer shell and making the mags 100% safe to use. But they are working on it.

Another request I made on behalf of another forum member was for PMAG style BB loaders. They've been thinking about that too, but want to make sure that whatever they come up with is cool.

well mate, didnt the actual design change like 3 times ...? Bushmaster came into mix and others, why i thinked it could have been like the first version or something strange definetily happened as someone ordered this model, A&K did not choose to make it themselves.

yes, based on a hunch AFTER i talked with A&K Boss i think that is better than talking with 3 or 4 outside people who might not know much either right? and thats where i come from because surely most news what i report most manufacturers would not like to spill out but i choose to report it to you instead of keeping it a secret so we all know whats going on.

and the G&P connection? why magpull let them change their gearbox to inside and does magpul version have normal A&K gearbox inside? i think i know the manufacturer (for the ACR the new model) but i dont know should i post it here yet as it might not be approriate time for it now. and mate like i said Chill out, nobody was not judging you, dont take every bad word someone says about magpul, you take it like someone said it to you. Apoligises for that if you got any mistakes from my part i never meant anything negative on you mate. No ill feelings on you mate. cheers for good news.

...speaking of speculation:
can it be that PTS is working on a KRISS?
uscm: if you cant confirm, or deny it thats good enough for me. :]

Any news of rifle length handguards?

My favorite Masada pic was the one that had something like a 12.5" barrel but rifle length handguards instead of carbine handguards. The only thing exposed on the front was the flash hider.

I always said I wanted one of those but in foliage green.

I'm not sure, but I think it is already rifle lenght (around 10" or so), its just that the barrel is mighty long (14'5"). With a 11,5" barrel, it'll give that "turtle-neck" effect you seem to appreciate (I like it that ways too ).

Great additional news!

I#ll just lay back and wait for more. Speculation never gets anywhere so just enjoy the show!

Heh, indeed.

Either somebody at Magpul was telling fairy-tales or uscmCorps has a great career ahead of him writing speeches for politicians.

I'm sure the facts are all basically correct but I suspect a lot of the back-story has been re-imagined in light of the newly-found cooperation between Magpul and A&K.

Ah well, for those who want yet another SCAR-alike, it's all good I guess.

*EDIT*
It occurs to me as well, this means that an American corporation is now endorsing an illegal business in China.
Be fun to see how that turns out if it ever makes the news.
"Chinese workers imprisoned for making products for US consumers"

Blimey, all that effort with CNC uppers and lowers and everything, and yet there's no mosfet or PTW/SOPMOD style realism features. It's definitely a pretty dress, and I suppose the AR15 crowd will appreciate a non-V2 gearbox and decent hop-up for a change, but it seems they didn't really feel like making it any kind of ultimate weapon. In terms of function it's not really any different to a bog standard ICS M4.

Can't wait to see this one comming out

Damn, Foliage Green, no other alternative for me than to cancel Christmas (Humbug, I have the families pressies here ready to wrap, 2 month is plenty of time for me to do it ) It's a shame $450 can equate to £450 by the time UK retailers gouge their high profit margin out of an item, Import it shall be

What is Bushmasters take on their product being 'cloned' unlicensed, I'd be interested to know.

Thanks for the info, RE the A&K backstory, far too one sided IMO, if someone commisioned the build it would have covered the design costs, I'm sure the real story or A&K side will appear to balance it out, and irrespective of who you are online I as have many other learned a long time ago to NEVER take one persons word for something, and I mean NEVER, It almost killed the UK online scene in the past more than once due to misinformation and the furore caused by it when the truth emerged, that isn't a slight on anyone, people here are only passing on info they have been handed, but even then they themselves should be adding a disclaimer stating that is what they were told, not what they KNOW to be fact, If proved to be wrong they are f*****, live and learn,

@ Stealth, nice, never considered what would happen with US affiliated firms supporting highly illegal activities in a foriegn state, dodgy much ? We shall see.

Nice Christmas present for myself then!

Thanks for the info and can't wait until I can get my hands on a nice PTS ACR .

Bloody hell, you'd think this was some big, convoluted political scandal; never has there been so much fuss over a frikkin toy gun. I suppose at least it all means airsoft is becoming bigger business now-a-days which is good news in some aspects at least, but it's all a far cry from a couple of blokes with TMs and mix n' match jeans with some DPM (or your local military's most widely available cheap camouflage) running around the woods playing a slightly nerdy game of tag.

I'd imagine the fact they started working on it soooo bloody long ago explains the lack of any recoil, blowback or bolt lock/trigger stop type functions, by the looks of things PTS decided on a perfectly sound set of fairly standard AEG internals (presumably with the lower/magazine swapping in mind) and built a really nice shell around it; plus there's always the GBB bits in future to satisfy the realism nuts.

Only one thing letting me down personally at the moment, and that's yet again that they totally randomly leave the colour I actually want out of their production list. Is it really so much to ask for to get all 4 of their colours released at the same time rather than just a random pick of 2 or 3? When I'd like my gun in OD and they do the majority of their parts in OD I should not be contemplating the FG version and a can of krylon. Pretty much everything else about the products PTS makes is great IMO, the colour issue however properly grips my *fruitcage* *suitcase*.

Excellent news... My only question still is has Remington Military Industries (Specifically Freedom Group, Inc which is the parent company for Remington, Bushmaster, Marlin and DPMS Pather Arms.) been approached to use the proper trades etc? As the production rifle will not say Magpul on the side but Remingtion Military Industries and Remington made the design changes from the original Masada prototype. Another design change made by Remington is they dropped the being able to convert it to 7.62x39mm, currently only 5.56mm, 6.5mm, and 6.8mm.

Just like Eugene Stoner and Armalite making the Original AR-15 prototype and the production contract for the M-16 being given to Colt... The original production rifles made by Colt had Colt trademarks not Armalite. There may be a possibility the actual production rifle may have both Magpul and Remington trademarks, but as past history has shown that may not happen.

USCMcorps any word on on if Remington has been approached for a license to use their trademarks? And why would they still go with the conversion to 7.62x39mm if the production rifle is not going to have this feature? Still think is cool but not accurate to the current production ACR by Remington.

I still want one!!!

I think the fuss came from the Cybergunesque tactics used in policing their rights (which was their right to do If they do hold all licences ?
But this has been one of the most hotly anticipated releases I have seen in Airsoft and we (most of us) are very passionate about our hobby, so it's easy to see why debate gets het up

*Puts off SCAR investment*



I am aiming for the top 10 serial numbers now

Oh my. Happy bunny! This is muchos interesting to see.