Magpul Masada

Magpul has introduced the Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System [poster in pdf], which causing a lot of buzz from many attending the 2007 Shot Show. It appears to have borrowed some of the best features of the AR-180, XM8, and SCAR, and KAC.

It's a multi-caliber, piston-operated rifle with three barrel lengths (11, 14.5, and 18 inch). It has a polymer forearm, lower, and stock. The upper is polymer (extruded aluminum optional*), with steel rails inside it, and a full length picatinny rail on top with a built in flip up front sight. The lower uses a AR15 hammer and trigger group in a metal "tub". The barrel unit (with gas system attached) is easily removed and installed (as illustrated in the continuation).

*Comment on the M4Carbine.net board by a person identifying himself as a graphic design contractor for Magpul:

"The forearm will have an extruded aluminum option, but the current "standard" version will be the same plastic our stocks are made of."

UPDATE: See later A-C-E posts on the Masada on 21JAN07 and 30JAN07.

==========

Hawkeye has posted disassembly photos on the AR15.com board.

Word is only a handful of rounds have been fired through it as of the show. It will be interesting to see extensive "shots fired" reviews later.

The price will be around $1400 (not low cost). There's still some question as to whether it will be Mil/LE only or sold to the general public.

While Masada is famous in Jewish history, the Romans actually won the battle. [More here and here. Sat. image here]. In a market crowded with letters and numbers, a name like this is more likely to stand out.

Thanks to Daniel E. Watters for bringing this to ACE's attention in a comment to an earlier post.

UPDATE: A 21JAN07 A-C-E post has links to videos of test firing and disassembly, as linked by Richard Fitzpatrick in a comment to this post.

The barrel is secured by turning a ring with split screw lugs 90 degrees using the attached loop handle, then turning it up against the barrel.

The gas piston assembly is Magpul's own design.  It is attached to the barrel.