[GrantLee63]

I am going to buy an A3 Bushmaster Shorty Carbine with the non-telescopic stock, and the AK style brake. My local Mom and Pop who I like doing business with has one in stock for $940.

Is this a fair price to pay? I REALLY like supporting this shop, but don't want to pay more than I should .....

[ajacobs]

They are less than 800 here but it is regional.

[Redlg155]

I'd ask for $900 and see if you could get it for that. They are still making $200 plus on the AR unless they only buy from one distributor instead of looking for the best price.

Good Shooting
Red

[Logistar]

A3 with 20" barrel is running for $850 around here.

Logistar

[Doc]

I have owned 3 bushmasters AR-15s. The only one I no longer own is the one with the AK-style muzzle brake:

too much flash & too much blast.

IMHO, go wtih the straight barrel, or pop for the pre-ban and get a vortex or birdcage.

[444]

That seems pretty high to me. I would look around, make some phone calls.

I have purchased two pre-bans within the last six months from a dealer; one was a Colt and the other was an SGW (Olympic Arms) and they were both around $1100 each. I can't see paying $940 plus tax and brady for a post-ban. The rifle you are looking at is a great rifle, but I think you can do better on the price.

[MiniZ]

Unless you really need to buy from this particular shop, I would do some comparison shopping.

Pricing does seem to be regional, but I can get one like you describe for about $800-$850

[COHIBA]

the last NIB a friend of mine purchased was BM XM15 20" $800 out the door.
i try and buy used guns. i bought one last week for $550.

[Onslaught]

A buddy of mine has a post-ban Rock River Arms "M4gery". I think it's the best blend of "M4-like aesthetics" without extra noise.

The RRA barrel is a 16" M4 profile barrel with a FAKE flash supressor pressed COMPLETELY onto the barrel, which means the muzzle end of the barrel goes all the way through and is even with the end of the Fake FS. The diameter is wider than a true FS, so it's not considered a "Grenade Launcher" either.

All the look of an M4, including FS, with the benefits of full 16" barrel, same length as true M4, and NO extra noise from a compensator.

Plus, the RRA rifle is every bit as good as a Bushmaster (what I have) and is usually cheaper too. They RETAIL for $875.

Then, my personal favorite "save some bucks" move...

Buy a COMPLETE upper from wherever you like, directly from the manufacturer or other discount online retailer, and have it shipped directly to you, no FFL required. This should run $400 - $500 depending on brand.

Then, have an FFL dealer order you either a complete lower for around $250 - $300. Or if you're really feeling adventurous, have the order you a stripped lower for $100 - $150, and order a "lower" parts kit for $50 - $75, and put it together yourself.

If my math is correct, you can do the easier version for $650 - $800, or the "do-it-yourself" version for as little as $575!

Good luck.

[cslinger]

We just got our Bushy 14.5inch/AK brake for $799 out the door, tax tags and title.

I like the AK brake. It adds a little character and personally I like noise and flash, it's all part of the fun.

Chris

[cslinger]

I really checked out the Rock River stuff and was pretty impressed for the money. When I put a Bushy side by side with the RRA you could tell that the Bushmaster was the better fit and finish rifle, but not so much better that it was worth 200 bucks more.

We ended up with the Bushmaster because after it was all said and done the RRA folks would not deal. The Bushy folks would. Ended up paying only about $70 more for the Bushmaster and I personally think there is $70 worth of extra fit/finish.

I have, however, NEVER heard of anybody who was dissappointed with their RRA AR-15. Alot of people I have met bought RRA lowers and put Bushmaster uppers on though. Have no idea why as I have never heard of anybody having problems with RRA uppers.

Anyway I am very happy with our Bushmaster and I am not an AR-15 fanboy. Bushmaster really seems to have put a nice rifle together and packaging it with a hard case and sling is an example of a couple of extra little touches to detail. All in all am happy we gave Bushmaster some of our money for both political and quality of product reasons.

Chris

[Jack19]

I paid $750 out the door at a gunshow for mine. $940 seems REALLY high. The shorty AK Bushy is one of my favorite carbines.

[Bottom Gun]

$940 seems high.

Another thing you may want to consider is the AK style brakes are somewhat delicate. The one I used to have got bent when it fell off my tailgate.

Something to think about. . . .

[ShaiVong]

Does a brake affect accuracy egregiously?

[Nero Steptoe]

I would never buy the Bushy AK. The brake is loud; it's hard....really difficult..to remove for barrel work, etc. You're giving up 1.5" of an already-short barrel.

Get the A-3 (flattop) Shorty and add a removable brake later, if you want a brake. I don't notice any deterioration in accuracy with my Shorty with a Smith brake attached.

[Doc]

I concur price is high.

Consider RRA or different shop

[kumma]

maybe i live in an expensive area but im always amazed at the low prices some people are getting guns for. it seems like the local pricing in my area is at least 30-40% higher than some ive seen quoted.

standard bushmaster 20" last priced out over 900 locally. so id say your in the ball park from a fair price. it you like the people who you deal with go for it. afterall if you spend 5 days looking for a better price and its only 100 buck better, big deal you wasted 5 days looking when you could have been shooting. :D

craig

[Onslaught]

if you spend 5 days looking for a better price and its only 100 buck better, big deal you wasted 5 days looking when you could have been shooting
That's one way to look at it...

But put another way...

If you're patient and do your homework, you'll be shooting 5 days later with $100 more ammo :D

[280PLUS]

i paid $800 plus tax (6%) for the shorty ak,

i wanted the shortest possible because the terrain around here is very brushy.

maybe i'll get the 16" barrel upper with no brake and compare,,,

fun is...

:D