Acme Machine AM-15: Made in America

It’s easy to claim an AR-15 is an AR-15, but it’s not accurate. Sure, the AR platform is straightforward, but that doesn’t mean all AR-15s are made to the same standard of excellence (or lack thereof). And thanks to the glut of ARs on the market, many legit manufactures are going unnoticed. Big brands often get all the attention, even when their product is less than quality. One manufacturer you might be unfamiliar with is Acme Machine, and we’re going to fix that by filling you in on the Acme Machine AM-15 25-216. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll just call it the AM-15 for this review.

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Acme’s AM-15 line is the gun maker’s family of AR-15 platform firearms. There are a variety of guns in the lineup, including a dealer special, a flagship model, and more. This particular AM-15 is a complete rifle package designed for versatility and superior performance over more baseline models. It’s chambered in 5.56 NATO, giving the user the option of either 223 Remington or 5.56 NATO ammo, and capacity, as with any AR, varies by magazine. This is a gun with a price point way under $1000 that still manages to be an excellent firearm.

This is an AR that’s designed for a variety of applications. It can be used for home defense, range time, or hunting—I’ve used mine to drop more than a few coyotes and feral hogs—and while that might be said of many ARs, it’s still an important detail. Beyond that, the AM-15 offers features that make it easy to customize and adjust to the user.

The AM-15 has an Acme Machine OEM Nitride 16.0-inch barrel, meaning it’s case hardened to protect against use-related wear. It also tends to be more resistant to the elements than some barrel finishes, making it a good choice for a truck or hunting gun. Acme’s barrel is sub-MOA guaranteed—just remember, you have to supply the skills to get that result. The bolt carrier group is also made by Acme and sports a nitride finish. As for the upper receiver, it’s forged 7075-T6, and the lower receiver is billet 7075-T6—both made by Acme. If you’re noticing a trend, it’s because there is one. Acme Machine now manufactures most of its parts in-house, and all components are made in America. That alone makes me like their guns even more.

Other features of the gun include a Magpul MOE stock, Breek Arms Warhammer charging handle, and Acme Hive handguard. The trigger is standard MIL-SPEC and the pistol grip is the usual basic, no-frills style. The muzzle brake is a dual-port design with ports angled to either side and the handguard is M-LOK compatible. Picatinny rail is located over the receiver and at the muzzle end. This rifle does have a forward assist.

Thanks to the adjustable stock—love that Magpul style with a quick lever to change length—it’s easy to change length of pull as needed. For me, that means telescoping the stock out a bit so I have the proper eye relief and a comfortable grip. The AM-15 shoulders smoothly, and the stock is well-padded enough to fit nicely against my shoulder. The pistol grip is fine as-is, although you might consider swapping it out for one with a different texture or angle—that’s a user preference thing.

The Picatinny rail made adding a Riton optic easy, and it was zeroed at 100 yards in a handful of shots. Shooting from the bench with Browning 223 Remington 55 grain FMJ, the average five-shot group at 100 yards was 1.45 inches. That said, it was possible to get sub-MOA groups as well. Switching to Winchester 5.56 NATO 55 grain FMJ broadened groups as expected, but still maintained a nice group size. As expected, felt recoil is minimal with a rifle in this caliber, and the stock and overall design make it even better.

One thing that’s going to affect group size is the MIL-SPEC trigger. It’s not a bad trigger at all—it isn’t gritty or stiff—but if you switch to an aftermarket drop-in, your groups will tighten up. It’s just the way it works in an AR. I’m a bit of a trigger snob, and that means most of my rifles have aftermarket trigger work—but I admit I haven’t swapped out the AM-15 trigger. Not yet, anyway. It’s fine the way it is unless you’re looking for consistent, repeatable precision. In that case, consider changing triggers to gain an edge. The way it ships, it’s accurate out of the box, and you can get sub-MOA groups, so there’s not much to complain about.

Yes, you can hunt with the Acme Machine AM-15. 223 Rem and 5.56 NATO aren’t my favorite for feral hogs, but they can get the job done. I’ve used my AM-15 to drop quite a few hogs using both 223 Rem and 5.56 NATO—usually I prefer the 223 Rem for accuracy, that and I simply have more of it on hand.

Not long ago, I shot a feral hog with this rifle at 75 yards, and the bullet struck precisely where I’d aimed. The hog dropped, and hogs are notoriously tough. That’s been the case with numerous other hogs and a few coyotes, too. Needless to say, the AM-15 is a good option for hunting.

This gun can certainly be used for self-defense, ARs are seeing more frequent use for defensive purposes. That’s usually—but not always—in cases of home defense, because you’re not likely to tote a rifle around daily for self-defense (and if you want to, you’d better take the time to check local laws).

The nice thing about the AM-15 is that its carbine size makes it easier to maneuver in the confines of a house. It’s also lightweight and offers features that make it simple to add accessories. The M-LOK handguard can be used to mount a weapon light, and the Picatinny rail is great for offset iron sights as a backup for your optic or red dot. If you want an AR platform firearm for home defense or use as a truck gun, the AM-15 is a great fit.

Check out the Acme Machine AM-15 here.

Manufacturer: Acme Machine

Model: AM-15

Caliber: 5.56 NATO

Barrel length: 16.0-inches

Barrel finish: Nitride

Bolt carrier finish: Nitride

Handguard: Acme Machine Hive with M-LOK

Charging Handle: Breek Arms Warhammer

Stock: Magpul MOE, adjustable for length

Upper receiver material: Forged 7075-T6

Lower receiver material: Gen II Billet 7075-T6

MSRP: $799.99

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