just purchased my very first AR!!!!

You will be happy with your purchase. There is always the possibility of getting a lemon but that can happen with anything manufactured.

The chart is a useful tool and gives you a glance at the attention to detail and quality control each manufacturer uses. The fewer quality controls and more shortcuts taken the chance of getting a gun that is less reliable.

However; that doesn't mean your gun is a bad purchase. You'll want to ensure that you properly maintain and lubricate the weapon. I think that improper maintenance and lubrication leads to more reliability issues than manufacturing process.

Do the American thing and shoot it, buy a couple more, and even assemble one.

browneu i agree %100

OP - sorry that some here are so jealous of your new purchase, that they decide to rain on the parade.

As a fellow Bushy owner, congrats. Do go shoot your gun. Enjoy it. If you keep it clean and properly lubed, chances are you will never have so much as a hiccup.

Some folks in here seem to want to justify the reason they spent twice as much as you & I on a rifle that shoots no better. Let them be that way. You just enjoy that rifle and shoot it!

With any AR, IMHO, one of the keys is to run it hard initially and see if it works. Cleaning is not particularly needed, lubricated is mandatory. Good magazines are also mandatory - AR mags are a weak link, so 30 round PMAGs (for me) or GI (new) magazines.

On the Bushmasters I've looked at (~50ish), typically the bolt carrier key and castle nut staking needs to be checked. If they are not staked, it's pretty simple to get it done.

Your Bushy is fine. Shoot it, enjoy. And have fun.

Years ago the best AR advice was "ABC". Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt. Those days are long gone and dollar for dollar there are way better options now than Armalite and Bushy.

Home Built Ar's used to be complete failures with regular reliability problems. Now we know exaclty which components are quality after years of shooting. Building an AR is the way to go now once you know what works.

Much like high-end 1911's it's well known what makes an AR15 100%. Some companies offer that entirely, regardless of how expensive it makes thier product. Some cut corners and don't so they can fall into a better price range. Even worse, some cut corners but keep a price range as high as BCM, LMT, Spikes, etc. (co.s that don't cut corners)

What Al Thompson just stated except I'd use the twenty round PMAGS.

A friend of mine is a Sheriff's deputy here in Texas and she loves her's, she uses it as her patrol rifle. I haven't heard her complain once. Enjoy your purchase, take care of it and it will take care of you. As for issues, keep in mind that every firearm manufacture has issues from time to time, they are just like cars--- if you notice something that dosen't seem right get it looked at.

A tight chamber can indeed be a problem. While I never had a problem with the two early Bushies, there is a long list of people who have had problems. Tight chambers, improper or nonexistent staking, out of spec gas ports have all been noted.

OP, best of luck with it. If you start having any issues, send it back to Bushy to be corrected.

It's funny how some people love to want to spend other peoples money and when they can't the knock this brand or that brand. Shoot it, if it doesn't suit your needs sell it, buy another brand lesson learned. People like pointing to that silly little chart and declaring everything (except their pick) is junk it helps them feel self-righteous. Put a BCM bolt carrier group in your Bushy and see how far left your rifle moves.

ritepath said:

It's funny how some people love to want to spend other peoples money and when they can't the knock this brand or that brand. Shoot it, if it doesn't suit your needs sell it, buy another brand lesson learned. People like pointing to that silly little chart and declaring everything (except their pick) is junk it helps them feel self-righteous. Put a BCM bolt carrier group in your Bushy and see how far left your rifle moves.

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I can't fathom what you're talking about with the BCM carrier.

The chart is simply a tool and a list of facts. It is also a fact that there are people who have never had a problem with their Bushys, and there are people that have had problems with them. Ridiculous comments about how dissenters are jealous serve no purpose what so ever. The OP wanted opinions, and God forbid that people actually give them, and their experiences.

Like I said, I never had a problem with the two early Bushies that I had. I also didn't run them as hard as I run my BCM now. I'm at the age and the financial position that I want the best for my moeny, not just what I can afford. So for me, that means properly staked carriers, properly staked castle nuts, properly tested bolts and barrels. Oh, and I can get that for just a few dollars more than a Bushy, great!

Like I said before, OP, I honestly wish you the best with your rifle. You may have a very good one. Shoot the snot out of it and find out.

I would not take my chances with that Steve. It is an easy fix however. You can fix it with a hardened punch and a hammer.

The only thing that your missing now is...Pictures!