The Sexy MagPul PTS Masada ACR in full glory

SWAT Urban got to take an exclusive early look of the brilliantly sexy Magpul PTS Masada ACR.

Reviewed by SWAT regular ‘Scuffer’ here is an exclusive 1st look at the new Magpul PTS Masada ACR airsoft gun. This is a pre-production model so there may be some small (very small) changes in the final production model, but nothing that will change the look or operation of it when compared to this one.

This Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) is in black with a 14.5” barrel profile, it has a fixed stock and RIS kit – both of which will be supplied as aftermarket extras and not on the standard off the shelf model. There may also be other differences such as alternative flash-hiders etc supplied on the production model.


Overview
Parts: 14.5” Barrel/RIS Hand-guard/Fixed stock/Bird cage flash-hider/Flip-up front sights/MBUS rear sight.

Ok, firstly what can I say – Whoa! This is simply a lovely bit of kit.

As you would expect from a company such as MagPul it is very nicely designed and does not feel over or under-engineered in anyway. In fact if you take anything from this let it be simply that this finally feels like a solid all round airsoft platform. There are no gaps in the design or production process, with the entire thing feeling ‘fit for purpose’ which in my opinion places it either at the top or very near the top of the AEG pecking order as far too often design/production/materials used let airsoft guns down and stop us using them in their full capacity.

When initially holding it this AEG feels light (compared to some full metal AEGs) but solid, with no flex or creeks anywhere. My first though is that I would happily be able to carry it round all day as it’s not restrictively heavy but feels rugged and fit for task in terms throwing round an urban environment and using at a number of engagement ranges. Using a 1200mAh 7.4V Lipo and 0.2g BBs it chrono’d at 338-340FPS over around 10 shots, with a fast rate of fire and with a very snappy trigger response.

The front site pops up via pressing the pin to its rear, while the MBUS open up via depressing its front section. The controls all feel solid and everything clicks firmly in and out of place.

The finish on the metal upper and RIS is a flawless matt black while the plastic lower and stock feel and look far superior to any other body kit I’ve ever felt during airsoft, feeling more like a textured version of the RS G36 receiver. Once held on their own it’s striking how light the stock/lower are when compared to their perceived strength while putting pressure on them.

External Details
The markings on both the upper and lower receivers are neat and the ambidextrous controls click firmly in and out of place with no rattle or unnecessary movement. The charging handle slides back and locks into place, being released by the ambi-bolt catch at the front of the trigger guard and slamming forward with a satisfying metal on metal ‘thawk!’ that I’m sure will keep many people entertained in the safe-zones for years to come. Locking it back also exposes the hop up chamber and dial, making setting the hop easy. The dial rotated smoothly and did not seem as if it would unwind of its own accord – but I’ll save my comments regarding the hop up for once I’ve had some on range time with it. There are a number of sling points spread around the body of the gun. I used MagPul PTS Midcap magazines and they fitted firmly into the magwell with no movement and fed perfectly

Stock
This is the aftermarket fixed stock variation. Build quality is the same as the lower receiver and the two parts fit together perfectly with no movement. To change the stock configuration on this weapon you first pop out the upper receiver pin and lift the upper forwards, then pop the second lower pin and the stock will slide out – reverse the process to fit a new stock. Again on the fixed stock there are a number of various sling points. There are some conflicting reports that the standard production model will be supplied with a possible folding/retractable stock.

Front End
This system uses a quick detachable barrel system, and for the airsoft side the same is true and life is made easier for us by the outer barrel assembly holding both the inner barrel and half of the hop up chamber (hop rubber). While the dial, feed tube and other half of the hop chamber is fixed inside the receiver. The quick detach mechanism is very simple to use, open the front up, press in a little button and turn the handle (slight knack to it!) the barrel will then come away. Despite being removable once in place there is absolutely no movement or dreaded barrel-wobble on this gun. The front RIS kit fits on via 2 pins, as with most of the body pins on this AEG that are captive types meaning that they can be pushed out and retained within the body while opening it up. The RIS itself is well made, with no sharp edges or flaws. On the issue of battery storage, I used a 1200mAh stick LiPo to test and this battery fitted easily into the RIS; it may be possible to get larger LiPos in there too. I was not able to test but it may be possible to get small NiMh battery packs in there as well if you are creative with the writing placement. I’d also assume that there will be far more room for batteries in the standard non-RIS hand-guard.

Internals
This AEG has a very handy quick change spring feature. To use this, you remove the stock and lift the upper, then insert an Allen key into the rear of the gear box, turn and the spring guide and spring will slide out. This one came with a plastic spring guide and a linear spring.
To open the Masada/ACR up full, simply pop the top rear pin and it will split and swing on the front pin, after that remove the front pin and lower rear pin to gain full access. Once that’s done there are 2 Allen key bolts to remove from inside the magwell and 2 from the motor grip and the gearbox will slide out.
The gearbox shell is a modified version 2/3 mix, I was not able to open the gearbox itself so I’m limited in what I can say about the internals other than relatively obvious observations.
Firstly this uses a micro switch trigger unit, along with this the motor is caged (wiring soldered/Allen key adjustment at the base) and the wiring (while relatively thin) runs around the outside of the box and clips neatly into little protectors that guide and save it from getting pinched. The fire selector is operated by large plastic external gears; this is a very simple mechanism but does the job beautifully and feels smooth in operation. The air nozzle is much longer that a standard version 2 M4 type. MagPul have used bushings for the 2 top gears while using a bearing set for the first gear.
To rebuild place the fire selectors onto semi and reinsert the gearbox, then replace the various screws in the magwell and pistol grip, followed by the body pins.

High Points
# Captive body pins
# Mostly Allen Key screws/bolts used in construction
# Wired to small Tamiya connector at front
# Quick spring change feature
# Quick barrel/stock/fore-grip customisation
# Low profile iron sights
# Light weight but solid construction
# Simple and easy to use ambidextrous firing controls
# Internals look solid and not overly complicated allowing for easy upgrades and repairs.
# High quality, LiPo ready internals
# High number of additional parts to be released
# Colours available: Flat dark earth, Black, Foliage Green

Review By Scuffer.

*Please note: I am not affiliated to MagPul Inds/PTS, or any importer/shop/site – I do not own this AEG I have simply been given access to it and asked if I would like to carry out a review, I am not making any profit or personal gain from doing this, I’m simply trying to play with some nice kit and bring some extra information to other airsofters. If you wish to replicate any part of this review or use the pictures from it please credit them with belonging to me

See the Pre-production Update here.

Yosser says- this sure looks a great AEG (looks like I’m saving the pennies for one now!). This looks the way to go in Airsofting for a multifunctional and customizable platform. My thanks go to ‘Scuffer’ for allowing me to reproduce his review from SWAT as well as his pictures of the Masada. The full review and additional pictures can be found here at Arnies along with additional pictures.

Want to see all the other cool stuff for your Masada? Then checkout the Masada Stuff Section NOW!

The review sample was supplied by Dingodogs Airsoft & Tactical Supplies who are NOW taking pre-order registrations for this awesome AEG. Checkout his website for order details (1st delivery expected late June 2010).

The Magpul PTS Masada 'Bushmaster'ACR is supplied exclusively for this review by DingoDogs Airsoft shop. PRE-ORDERS NOW being taken.Click the Logo below for more details