Remington ACR

     Notes: Magpul has long been known in the firearms world for their excellent add-ons to existing weapons, particularly their stocks for various weapons (most notably better sliding stocks for the AR-15/M-16/M-4 series than the issue stocks).  Their accessories are in widespread use around the world, by civilians, military, and police forces.  It is only recently, however, that Magpul attempted to enter the market with a complete firearm (or more like a firearm system), called the Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System (ACWS).  First shown at the 2007 SHOT Show, the Masada design was finalized in 2008.  Civilian and military versions were anticipated.

     However, Magpul quickly realized that they did not have the facilities for large-scale manufacture of complete firearms – much less a complicated firearms system like the Masada.  They therefore partnered with Bushmaster to produce the Masada, selling Bushmaster a license to build the Masada and jointly sell them with Magpul.  However, before this in 2006, a large investment firm named Cerberus Capital Management had bought Bushmaster; in 2007, they also bought Remington, and DPMS, in 2008 Marlin, and in 2009 AAC, Barnes Bullets, and Dakota Arms.  These were all brought under the umbrella of a part of Cerberus called the Freedom Group.  In the process, the Masada got shelved for several years.  The design re-emerged in early 2010 as the Remington Defense ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle).  The Remington ACR is now being tested by US special operations units, the US Marines, and some other countries and police forces in other parts of the world as a possible supplement to the FN SCAR, or possibly to be acquired in place of the FN SCAR.  Some versions will also be built for sale to civilians (primarily the same as the military version with the 16.5” barrel, but with semiautomatic-only capability), and to police forces who do not need an automatic weapon.

     The Magpul version of the Masada was designed to be a modular system, with the capability to use several barrel lengths and calibers with a minimum of modification.  Magpul intended to have 5.56mm NATO, 6.8mm SPC, and 7.62mm Kalashnikov as chamberings, with barrels of 10.5, 11.5, 14.5, 16, 18, and 20 inches.  Most versions were equipped with stocks that fold to the right side, but sliding stocks were being considered, as well as any number of other stocks that Magpul makes (whether fixed, folding, sliding, or collapsible).  The 20-inch barrel version was intended to be a designated marksman’s weapon, and had a heavier match-quality barrel.  Muzzles could be tipped by flash suppressors or muzzle brakes, or (for civilian use) no attachment.  Magpul was considering equipping the Masada with threaded muzzles to allow changing of muzzle devices or use of a suppressor.  The stocks envisioned by Magpul for the Masada are generally equipped with a recoil pad on the butt.

     The Remington ACR version is specifically a carbine version, with barrel choices of 10.5”, 14.5”, 16.5”, and 18”, tipped by an A2-type flash suppressor.  These barrels are designed to allow the flash suppressor to be removed and a silencer used instead. Currently, the Remington ACR is being manufactured only in 5.56mm NATO, though a version chambered for 6.8mm SPC is in the final stages of development as of May 2010.  Prototypes have been built in 5.45mm Kalashnikov, 6.5mm Grendel, and 7.62mm Kalashnikov.  As with the Masada, these alternate chamberings are designed as caliber change kits as well as complete rifles, as are the upper receivers different-length barrels. The stock has been finalized, and it is a Magpul design which both slides and folds to the right, as well as having a recoil pad.

     Operation and design of the Remington ACR is a curious amalgamation of modified forms of several other assault rifles.  The gas system is derived from that of the AR-18, the upper receiver and charging system are reminiscent of the FN SCAR, and the trigger unit is derived from the G-3 and the M-16.  Construction of the exterior is largely of high-strength polymer, while most of the metalwork is of high-grade steel or (in the case of the upper receiver) 7000-series aluminum.  The barrels, and bolts are designed to be easily removed and exchanged (as well as a magazine well adapter for the 7.62mm Kalashnikov version), but are not intended to be changed in caliber by the user.  The Remington ACR has a gas regulator to allow it to cope with fouling and dirt with prolonged use (but does not change the ROF in game terms).  The finish is designed for the Remington ACR, and designed both weatherproofing, resistance to wear, and to provide lubrication properties. A nitride substrate conversion process, tougher than chrome-lining, is further used in the rifle’s bore to further reduce corrosion there. Current versions of the Remington ACR use a more-or-less standard type of assault rifle trigger as standard, but Remington offers a drop-in match trigger pack and a two-stage trigger pack. 5.56mm NATO versions are designed to use M-16 magazines, and 7.62mm Kalashnikov versions to use Kalashnikov magazines, but the primary magazines are intended to be high-strength polymer magazines with follower springs designed to allow the magazines to be stored loaded for long periods of time (called “Polymags” by Remington).  The stocks and the pistol grip have compartments to allow the stowage of various small items as well as a cleaning kit. The upper receiver is topped by a MIL-STD-1913 rail which runs to the end of the handguard, with a flip-up post front sight post adjustable for windage and elevation.  Though intended for use with optics of various sorts, a conventional rear sight unit may also be attached to the Remington ACR’s MIL-STD-1913 rail.  Another, shorter MIL-STD-1913 rail is located under the handguards, and even shorter ones are on either side of the front of the handguards.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Neither the Masada nor the Remington ACR exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Robinson Arms M-96 

     Notes: The M-96 Expeditionary Rifle is a Stoner 63 assault rifle updated to virtually eliminate the sensitivity to dirt that the Stoner suffered from.  Robinson Arms made some changes that improved upon the design; first and foremost of these was a multi-caliber modular magazine well.  This allowed the weapon to be able to use either 5.56mm NATO (with M-16 STANAG magazines) or 7.62mm Kalashnikov (with AK magazines).  The quick-change barrel was another feature that was appreciated, and both these factors led to steady (though slow) sales for the weapon.  The AK-47 and AKM has, in later years, has been produced with 10-round and 60-round box magazines and 100-round drums, and the M-96 is able to use these as well.  Civilian versions do not have the capability for automatic fire, and normally do not have a flash suppressor (and cost $6 less).  Though based on the Stoner 63 series, the M-96 has been so modified from the original Stoner weapon that the only part that can be interchanged between the Stoner 63 series and the M-96 is the stock.

     The standard M-96 can be configured as a standard assault rifle with a 21.5-inch barrel, a carbine with a 16-inch barrel, or a heavy rifle/light SAW with a top-mounted magazine and a 24-inch heavy barrel.  (The last configuration is often known as the “Bren Gun” configuration due to the top-mounted magazine.)  When the M-96 is configured as a heavy rifle, the receiver is essentially inverted, and the charging handle is on the right; otherwise, the charging handle is on the left.  The front and the rear sights are well-protected and adjustable by dials.  The gas operation is also adjustable, primarily to provide the proper gas levels in the various configurations of the weapon.  The M-96 trigger is two-stage; pulling the trigger about halfway back produced semiautomatic fire, while fully depressing the trigger allows automatic fire.  MIL-STD-1913 rails are optional; these rails may be mounted above the receiver, running to a point halfway down the barrel shroud (except on the heavy rifle, which may only mount the section of rail above the barrel shroud), or on the handguards at the 3, 6, and 9-o’clock positions.

     The M-96 Recon Carbine was produced in response to the trend towards lighter, shorter assault rifles with more bells and whistles.  The Recon Carbine has a quick-change barrel for sustained fire, a MIL-STD-1913 rail on top of the receiver for optics and accessories, two more such rails on the sides of the forearm, a full muzzle brake instead of a flash suppressor, and an M-16-style fixed stock.  This weapon also comes in a civilian version, but the muzzle brake complies with Brady Gun Ban specifications.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon appeared on the scene too late to have widespread distribution; most that did appear were illegally sold to civilians in the US (illegal because they were sold with the automatic sear intact and usually with high-capacity magazines, laws that quickly became superfluous within a year of the first sales of the M-96). 

     Merc 2000 Notes: This weapon became a favorite in the hands of numerous mercenary organizations. 

Robinson Arms XCR

     Notes: The XCR is a modular assault rifle system designed specifically for the US Army’s Special Forces; it’s original purpose was to compete in the US SCAR competition; it was not chosen for that role in any official capacity, but is rumored to be in use in small number by US special operations troops. The XCR is also available in a semiautomatic version for civilian and police concerns.  (Versions with barrels of less than 16 inches are not sold to civilians.)  The “modular” part is in its caliber, which may be easily switched between its four available chamberings; in its barrels, which may also be easily switched between up to three different lengths for varying missions; and the MIL-STD-1913 rails in four positions on the handguard and on top of the receiver, which allow the mounting of a plethora of accessories and optics.  The muzzle of the barrel may also be equipped with a flash suppressor and a muzzle brake. The XCR looks basically like what it is – a combination of the M-16’s simplicity, the AK series’ durability, and the Stoner’s versatility, along with an advanced gas piston operating system.  To change barrels, all one does is screw out one barrel and then screw in and lock the new barrel.  To change caliber between 5.56mm NATO and 6.8mm SPC or 6.5mm Grendel, all one changes is the upper receiver.  The stock is a folding type made from tubular metal, and folds to the right.  The XCR is equipped with a flash suppressor for the barrel, though the design of the flash suppressor differs with the length of the barrel and the caliber being fired. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.