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Posted: 4/4/2015 2:59:30 AM EDT

Haven't checked here in a while. Is ADCOR still in business and if so what do you think it's future is? I want to build an SBR and have had a 10.5" ADCOR upper for awhile but leery of using it if they are on the way out. A couple of years ago they were all the rage, I haven't seen anything about them in a long time. Anyone using one of their uppers and if so how is it working?

Posted: 4/4/2015 4:08:27 AM EDT

[#1]

Yes. Still have one and I shot it about two weeks ago. Works just as good as the day I bought it. They also came out with a keymod version if you are tired of the quad rail.

ETA: In fact it now finally after two years sits in the same safe as the LWRC.

Posted: 4/4/2015 9:13:49 PM EDT

[#2]

I made some calls to them about parts, and everytime, my calls went to voicemail. They also never called back. If you need parts, I would order from their website to have spare parts. I would get their piston springs and a piston rod (even though it is $49 for one).
I not leery because I have the 16" piston, and just bought a 10.5 piston upper on GB for around $800 after waiting months for someone to sell one. Between the two and extra parts on hand, I have parts for any future problems if they go out of business. Their website indicates 10.5 piston as available but not for 4-6 weeks wait time at 1499. However, I was not willing to fork over that kind of money and wait if I am not certain about their viability.
Unless their business picks up, e.g., government contract, I am not sure how long they will last since I do not see their popularity going up, even though their short stroke piston is actually a very good design.
For long stroke piston, PWS, but for short stroke piston, Adcor, would be the way to go for me.

Posted: 4/5/2015 12:23:37 AM EDT

[#3]

This weekend I had a part break on my ADCOR that's a part of the forward charging handle. It doesn't affect the functioning of the rifle itself. I got home and as I was putting it in the safe I heard a rattle and saw a part fall out. It's obvious it's broken from the jagged edge. I've determined it's part of the base assembly of the FCH. I hardly use the FCH but I can't use it at all now. It only has about an inch of travel before I can't move it back to fully charge the weapon now.
I emailed ADCOR Friday afternoon. I hope to hear back from them early in the week. I guess here's a chance to see how their CS is. I'll post updates as I hear back from them.

Posted: 4/6/2015 3:15:59 PM EDT

[#4]

I had a same issue with a FCH, shipped it to Adcor and they returned with a complete upper rail half replaced, so I can vouch Adcor CS is really great!
BTW: I converted mine to 5.45 by replacing the barrel and bolt, with a 4 positions piston plug it shoots so damn smooth! That's a keeper for sure.

Posted: 4/6/2015 5:06:06 PM EDT

[#5]

KaiserShooter,
How were you able to get a 5.45 barrel to fit since their barrel at the gas block is non-standard? Also, I have been calling to get the barrel nut and rail nut wrench, but no return call whatsoever from Adcor to get the wrenches.

Posted: 4/6/2015 11:29:06 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I had a same issue with a FCH, shipped it to Adcor and they returned with a complete upper rail half replaced, so I can vouch Adcor CS is really great!
BTW: I converted mine to 5.45 by replacing the barrel and bolt, with a 4 positions piston plug it shoots so damn smooth! That's a keeper for sure.

View Quote

How long did it take before you heard from them about the problem before you shipped it off? It's good to hear they have good CS.

Posted: 4/7/2015 3:14:58 AM EDT

[#7]

My gunsmith fitted the barrel and handled it all with the barrel nut wrench from Adcor, gas block shoulder is a std carbine length. I talked to CS after I already shot the setup and got an issue with a FCH, If I remember right I emailed them and they called me back in a couple days,but i was about a year ago.

Quote History

Quoted:
KaiserShooter,
How were you able to get a 5.45 barrel to fit since their barrel at the gas block is non-standard? Also, I have been calling to get the barrel nut and rail nut wrench, but no return call whatsoever from Adcor to get the wrenches.

View Quote

Posted: 4/7/2015 1:13:38 PM EDT

[#8]

ADCOR is a local company here in MD (just outside of Baltimore.)
They're been around for a respectable period involved in various other precision component and contracting manufacturing arenas.

The rifle making business is a fairly new branch of their corporation and I'd be shocked if it contributes more than 1% of revenue to their overall income statement.

That sort of low volume and low base typically gives me pause. As easily as they got in, they could just as easily leave if a Board member or Owner decides 'the little rifle experiment' is no longer worth the distraction or economic contribution it provides.

Or, they could sell-off the designs and patents to someone or license parts and component supply and distribution to a 3rd party. Who's to say - but it does appear that ever since they lost out on the military supplier contract, which was the impetus of the BEAR's development, they haven't been allocating very many resources into pushing the rifle.

Conclusion: Good quality rifle and upper, but if you get them on the phone - buy spare parts and mothball them.

Posted: 4/15/2015 2:40:18 AM EDT

[#9]

Didn't get much of an answer when I called for info. Told me they did the Shot Show. I told them I'm in Baltimore, their home, and never see their products in any shops ably more. She told me they were only concentrating on the larger shows. WTF???????
As far as parts availability she told me to look at their web site. Did not see any parts for charging handle which I was looking for because someone here broke theirs. Not impressed.

Posted: 4/15/2015 6:05:19 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
ADCOR is a local company here in MD (just outside of Baltimore.)
They're been around for a respectable period involved in various other precision component and contracting manufacturing arenas.

The rifle making business is a fairly new branch of their corporation and I'd be shocked if it contributes more than 1% of revenue to their overall income statement.

That sort of low volume and low base typically gives me pause. As easily as they got in, they could just as easily leave if a Board member or Owner decides 'the little rifle experiment' is no longer worth the distraction or economic contribution it provides.

Or, they could sell-off the designs and patents to someone or license parts and component supply and distribution to a 3rd party. Who's to say - but it does appear that ever since they lost out on the military supplier contract, which was the impetus of the BEAR's development, they haven't been allocating very many resources into pushing the rifle.

Conclusion: Good quality rifle and upper, but if you get them on the phone - buy spare parts and mothball them.

View Quote

Excellent observation. I plan on keeping mine for the sole reason that since they seem to be fading into obscurity that when production eventually stops in time it will be a rare rifle to see. I'll probably be hoarding more spare parts for it too. Additionally now I'm sort of afraid to shoot it if the BEAR eventually does disappear into obscurity. It's still a really well thought out and executed design but realistically the AR market (piston included) It's hard to make a name for yourself next to the big names (talking about piston manufactures now) such as LWRC, PWS, and AA. I can go to a number of gun stores and see any of these brands usually. There might not be a significant stock but just considering the fact that either 1, 2, or possibly all 3 can be found says something.

The longer I keep my BEAR the more I believe that they were a "flash in the pan" deal.

Do I wish they were more popular? Absolutely.

Are they a good design that performs and brings some innovation that we don't normally see? Yes.

Could they do some more to refine it? Possibly. Will they? Probably not.

Would I still recommend them? Yes.

Posted: 4/19/2015 2:00:25 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Excellent observation. I plan on keeping mine for the sole reason that since they seem to be fading into obscurity that when production eventually stops in time it will be a rare rifle to see. I'll probably be hoarding more spare parts for it too. Additionally now I'm sort of afraid to shoot it if the BEAR eventually does disappear into obscurity. It's still a really well thought out and executed design but realistically the AR market (piston included) It's hard to make a name for yourself next to the big names (talking about piston manufactures now) such as LWRC, PWS, and AA. I can go to a number of gun stores and see any of these brands usually. There might not be a significant stock but just considering the fact that either 1, 2, or possibly all 3 can be found says something.

The longer I keep my BEAR the more I believe that they were a "flash in the pan" deal.

Do I wish they were more popular? Absolutely.

Are they a good design that performs and brings some innovation that we don't normally see? Yes.

Could they do some more to refine it? Possibly. Will they? Probably not.

Would I still recommend them? Yes.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
ADCOR is a local company here in MD (just outside of Baltimore.)
They're been around for a respectable period involved in various other precision component and contracting manufacturing arenas.

The rifle making business is a fairly new branch of their corporation and I'd be shocked if it contributes more than 1% of revenue to their overall income statement.

That sort of low volume and low base typically gives me pause. As easily as they got in, they could just as easily leave if a Board member or Owner decides 'the little rifle experiment' is no longer worth the distraction or economic contribution it provides.

Or, they could sell-off the designs and patents to someone or license parts and component supply and distribution to a 3rd party. Who's to say - but it does appear that ever since they lost out on the military supplier contract, which was the impetus of the BEAR's development, they haven't been allocating very many resources into pushing the rifle.

Conclusion: Good quality rifle and upper, but if you get them on the phone - buy spare parts and mothball them.

Excellent observation. I plan on keeping mine for the sole reason that since they seem to be fading into obscurity that when production eventually stops in time it will be a rare rifle to see. I'll probably be hoarding more spare parts for it too. Additionally now I'm sort of afraid to shoot it if the BEAR eventually does disappear into obscurity. It's still a really well thought out and executed design but realistically the AR market (piston included) It's hard to make a name for yourself next to the big names (talking about piston manufactures now) such as LWRC, PWS, and AA. I can go to a number of gun stores and see any of these brands usually. There might not be a significant stock but just considering the fact that either 1, 2, or possibly all 3 can be found says something.

The longer I keep my BEAR the more I believe that they were a "flash in the pan" deal.

Do I wish they were more popular? Absolutely.

Are they a good design that performs and brings some innovation that we don't normally see? Yes.

Could they do some more to refine it? Possibly. Will they? Probably not.

Would I still recommend them? Yes.

I would recommend them as well. Nothing terrible about the rifle in the least but for the many question marks in the service and 'will you be here next year' departments?

By example, I'm in the Capital Region which is essentially ADCOR's home field (30 minutes Southwest of their HQ) and of the several firearms shops I have been to - including Atlantic Firearms which is probably one of the biggest gun stores and distributors in the NE corridor and Blue Ridge Arsenal across the river in Virginia (which is LWRC's biggest retail re-seller), I have only seen one BEAR on the wall between them.

It was an oddity in the "hey, we have one of these in stock to look at" sense right next to a Desert Tactical Arms bullpup.

Posted: 4/20/2015 5:36:06 PM EDT

[#12]

Got an update on my broken charging handle and ADCOR. I emailed them a couple of weeks ago and hadn't heard back, so I called them this morning. The woman on the other end was very pleasant and told me she'd let someone in the weapons department know I'd called. She called back about an hour later and told me that I would receive a call from someone later today about my issue. A guy named Dave called me this afternoon and I explained what was wrong. He said he knew exactly what I was talking about and ADCOR is sending me a box to ship my upper for free by UPS since it's under warranty. He said he'll replace the broken part with an upgrade and send it back to me, all at no cost. They were very polite and friendly with me on the phone.

Posted: 4/24/2015 6:46:17 PM EDT

[#13]

I got my box in today to ship my upper back to ADCOR. Everything is prepaid so all I have to do is box it up and ship it off at the UPS store tomorrow.

Posted: 5/7/2015 7:20:09 PM EDT

[#14]

I got my BEAR back today. The entire process from the time I called them until the time I got it back was 20 days. The side charging handle is fixed and works fine now. I can see where the replacement part is. The guy from ADCOR told me he'd put an upgraded part in, and it looks like he did. I can tell it's different from the old one. Now I have to go to the range and check the zero, not that I feel bad for having to do that or anything

I would give them an A for customer service. They took care of me quickly and were very pleasant to deal with.

Posted: 5/10/2015 4:07:42 AM EDT

[#15]

Glad that it worked out well for you, get back with a range report

Posted: 5/10/2015 10:07:18 AM EDT

[#16]

I wouldn't hold out much hope of them being around in a year or two. They had really high hopes of winning the last M4 upgrade contract.

Posted: 5/10/2015 1:42:01 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wouldn't hold out much hope of them being around in a year or two. They had really high hopes of winning the last M4 upgrade contract.

View Quote

I think they sunk a lot of time and treasure into the IC competition, and were too inexperienced in the field to realize that it was a sham, something the "big players" appear to have figured out pretty quickly, which is why they all either withdrew, or withheld their "good" stuff in favor of fairly blasé "turn key" submissions.

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole experience had put a bad taste in their mouths about the firearms industry.

That being said, as I understand, their parent company is involved in a lot more than just building guns, mostly unrelated fabrication. Whether they'll shutter the doors of the firearms division, I can't rightly say, nor how that will effective service and support of their products - but, I suppose, what I mean to say, is that the failure of the IC doesn't necessarily signal the death of ADCOR... it may just be a matter of someone getting the motivation again to come play in the firearms world.

~Augee

Posted: 5/10/2015 3:33:09 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Glad that it worked out well for you, get back with a range report

View Quote

If it would just quit snowing and raining

The wind sucks too.

Posted: 5/10/2015 3:39:27 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wouldn't hold out much hope of them being around in a year or two. They had really high hopes of winning the last M4 upgrade contract.

View Quote

I was hoping the same thing, that they would win the upgrade contract. Like someone said though they were inexperienced and not a big player, although I don't know how much that affected things. All we can do is speculate on that one. I would hope that if they do decide to get out of the firearms business they'll still honor their warranties for those of us that bought one. They have been posting things about upgrades to their rifles and that soon you can order their firearms with cerakote. I would think that if they were going to close down their weapons division, they wouldn't be announcing that stuff.

Posted: 5/10/2015 7:44:10 PM EDT

[#20]

I can definitely see ADCOR leaving the rifle business in the near term, and probably selling off the engineer blueprints and IP in whole, or allowing a 3rd party to continue production using the design under license and royalty.

Posted: 5/12/2015 11:52:06 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
I can definitely see ADCOR leaving the rifle business in the near term, and probably selling off the engineer blueprints and IP in whole, or allowing a 3rd party to continue production using the design under license and royalty.

View Quote

If it does happen it's cool to think I'll own a rifle that will become obscure in the long term and might have some value as a collectors piece in the latter part of the decade.

Posted: 5/19/2015 9:31:08 AM EDT

[#22]

Based on personal experience with different piston systems, Adcor is my favorite short stroke piston system, whereas PWS is my favorite long stroke piston system. However, I wish they would make some modifications to their system once the military competition came to a halt. The 3 changes they should make to sell more to the civilian market are:

(1) Change to a nitrided/melonite barrel and change the barrel profile (hammer forged chrome line barrel may increase the weight of the barrel and/or more expensive than button rifled melonited barrel and M4 barrel profile is not needed since most civilians do not have a grenade launcher);
(2) Get rid of the side charging handle (rarely use this feature since there have been posting of problems of repeated use wearing away the rail and gets in the way of mounting rail covers); and
(3) keymod or magpul m-lock rails or rails that are less beefy than the one they have now.

If they made these changes, the gun would be better balanced rather than front heavy. They may be also able to lower the price of their gun and sell more of them.

Posted: 5/19/2015 12:28:28 PM EDT

[#23]

one other area of comment related to ADCOR and their business. I don't know what other areas they are in, but there are quite a few companies that make products for the gun industry that make a lot of their sales internationally. I have heard that is true with companies like Browe Optics, and I would assume or hope that maybe they (ADCOR) are doing some business overseas. LWRCI does this with their 6.8 platform. A lot of those go to overseas contacts from what I understand...

just another angle to consider.

Posted: 5/19/2015 8:26:09 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
Based on personal experience with different piston systems, Adcor is my favorite short stroke piston system, whereas PWS is my favorite long stroke piston system. However, I wish they would make some modifications to their system once the military competition came to a halt. The 3 changes they should make to sell more to the civilian market are:

(1) Change to a nitrided/melonite barrel and change the barrel profile (hammer forged chrome line barrel may increase the weight of the barrel and/or more expensive than button rifled melonited barrel and M4 barrel profile is not needed since most civilians do not have a grenade launcher);
(2) Get rid of the side charging handle (rarely use this feature since there have been posting of problems of repeated use wearing away the rail and gets in the way of mounting rail covers); and
(3) keymod or magpul m-lock rails or rails that are less beefy than the one they have now.

If they made these changes, the gun would be better balanced rather than front heavy. They may be also able to lower the price of their gun and sell more of them.

View Quote

They have a keymod rail for it now.

Posted: 5/19/2015 9:46:57 PM EDT

[#25]

I realize that they have the keymod for it already with the side charging handle. My wish was for a keymod without the side charging handle and one that is less beefier. Based on their CAD drawings, their keymod looks a lot heavier than the standard keymod rails.

Posted: 6/1/2015 4:54:45 AM EDT

[#26]

I'm in Baltimore, where ADCOR is located and never see their products in shops any longer. Yes, they are a fairly large company who's base business is not guns. Cans and other machine work are. It's my understanding that 1) they have been having some management issues, it's a family run business basically and 2) they owed FN a LOT of money for barrels so were basically cut off which put a huge damper on their business. I understand they had a large back order they could not fill. To cover my butt I've sold my 10.5" upper and will go with an 11.5" BCM for my M16. I'd seen the ADCOR tests and was impressed which is why I bought the upper but I'm afraid that future support will be nonexistent.

Posted: 6/1/2015 7:01:58 PM EDT

[#27]

I was finally able to get my ADCOR out to the range today after getting it back from having the side charging handle fixed. I put the BUIS and TA-31 back on and they kept their zero, so I didn't need to re adjust anything. The side charging handle worked fine.
I hope they continue to support the BEAR. I have four AR's and it's my favorite one.

Posted: 6/2/2015 3:53:06 PM EDT

[#28]

As of late I have noticed I just don't enjoy my BEAR as much as I used to. It doesn't really get much attention from me anymore when I go to the range. It seems more an afterthought than anything else. I had a great time building it and I did enjoy it for a while but the longer I hold onto it the more it seems to lose its luster on me.

Because of this and other reasons I'm selling it as a complete kit including mags and a case.

I just sadly don't enjoy it anymore like I used to.

The fact that I've been trying to sell it for the past two weeks despite it having highly desirable parts makes me wonder if I'll even be able to. I guess it's a buyers market right now. I'll see if I can maybe offload it during a panic or something.

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