Five Decent Rifles That Failed Commercially

Published on March 18, 2015
Duration: 11:26

This video analyzes five decent rifle designs that failed commercially due to various factors including poor ergonomics, high pricing, and lack of promised features. The Bushmaster M17S suffered from awkward controls, the AR-180 was outcompeted by the AR-15, the ACR's high MSRP and unfulfilled promises hurt sales, the MR1 had an inconvenient magazine release, and the Rashid had a dangerous gas tube design. These examples highlight how even sound engineering can falter in the market.

Quick Summary

Five decent rifles that failed commercially include the Bushmaster M17S (poor ergonomics), Armalite AR-180 (overpriced vs AR-15), Bushmaster ACR (high MSRP, missed features), Benelli MR1 (awkward controls), and Egyptian Rashid (dangerous gas tube). These highlight how design, pricing, and execution impact market success.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Failed Rifles
  2. 00:25Bushmaster M17S: Bullpup Ergonomics
  3. 02:24Armalite AR-180: Piston vs Price
  4. 05:15Bushmaster ACR: Missed Promises
  5. 07:18Benelli MR1: Awkward Controls
  6. 09:18Egyptian Rashid: Dangerous Design

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Bushmaster M17S rifle fail commercially?

The Bushmaster M17S, a bullpup rifle, suffered from poor ergonomics. Issues included an inconveniently placed charging handle that interfered with gloved hands and a very short sight plane obscured by its rail system.

What caused the Armalite AR-180 to fail commercially despite its piston system?

The Armalite AR-180's commercial failure was primarily due to its pricing. It was priced similarly to the more established and preferred Colt AR-15 (SP1), making it a less attractive option for consumers.

Why did the Bushmaster ACR not meet commercial expectations?

The Bushmaster ACR, originally the Magpul Masada, failed commercially due to a high MSRP of $2,000, which was significantly above the promised $1,500. Additionally, the manufacturer did not release promised caliber conversion kits.

What were the main issues with the Benelli MR1 rifle?

The Benelli MR1 faced commercial failure due to poor ergonomics, notably a magazine release that required the shooter to remove their hand from the grip. The lack of a threaded barrel also limited its appeal.

What safety flaw affected the Egyptian Rashid rifle?

The Egyptian Rashid rifle had a dangerous design flaw where the gas tube was positioned in a way that it could burn the shooter's fingers during the reloading process, significantly impacting its usability and safety.

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