Advice for a New Bushmaster AR-15 Owner

[JohnLINY]

Hey Vanfunk,

Luckily my carrier keys are staked correctly. The bolts are locked down solid. The best staking that I have ever seen is on a couple of LMT bolts I have for other rifles.

The F marked FSB is on the AR15.com SEBR I got. Since it was a custom order with a 1/7 barrel and other items it may have been just that custom run. My other Bushys are A2s.

With the M4 feed ramps what is the difference between the rifle and carbine ramps? All my Bushys are 16" or 14.5" barrels.

Thanks,
JT

 

[HankB]

The only quality issue I ever heard about with BM was some folks getting barrells installed canted so the rear sight needed to be cranked way off center to zero the rifle . BM reportedly was very responsive in getting all such problems resolved.

My XM15E2 initially needed 17 clicks of windage to center the group at 100 yards. When I contacted Bushmaster about it, they arranged to have my upper picked up by UPS for return to the factory for repair. Two weeks later the upper was returned, and required windage is now an acceptable 2 or 3 clicks to center the group. No expense to me - not even for shipping - and it was repaired correctly. (Unlike Colt, Bushmaster actually seems to stand behind their products.)

Use good magazines - ammoman.com is now advertising new USGI 30 rounders at 10 for $100 delivered. There are also Teflon-coated mags (mostly by LaBelle) available for around $15-$18 or so. As far as 20 round mags are concerned, unless you're a collector, I'd advise you pass on old used mags as a lot of them are just too beat up to function correctly, even if they've been refinished. Good new 20-rounders are now at gun shows for around $12 - $15 each with the "NHMTG" label.

Get yourself a LULA loader to load and unload the magazines - IMHO that's the absolute BEST $20 accessory on the market for an AR.

Use good ammo - USGI or SA milsurp ball (though I haven't seen SA for a while) are obviously fine. Winchester, Remington, and Federal ball ammo are all available, reasonably priced, in case lots, so there's no need to buy off-brands or gun show reloads.

Your Bushmaster ought to give you excellent service - and if you ever want to change things around, you'll appreciate the standard pins (Colt uses oddball pins) and the absence of the nonstandard Colt-type block in the lower receiver to make trigger work more difficult. And I don't think Bushmaster has cheapened out the rifle by using a Colt-type plastic buffer . . .

Plus, Bushmaster hasn't engaged in Colt's unsavory politics. You made a good choice.

 

[cox3497]

Sorry for the delayed response guys. Things have been pretty hectic as of late.

JR719,

Thanks for the tip. The Bushy will definately get a good cleaning both before heading to the range and after firing has ceased. I'm really looking forward to trying it out. I've ordered 100 rounds of Reminton ammunition from the Sportmans Guide to test it out when it arrives. Thanks again for the response.

Vanfunk,

That is quite a few differences you've pointed out between the two rifles. Perhaps sometime down the road, when I've got a bit more to spare, I'll lay down the cash for one of the Colt rifles. I would, after all, like to own at least one thing built by that company! I'm glad to hear, however, that your 20" rifle has performed admirably for you; and I'm crossing my fingers that mine does for me as well. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the detailed response.

Dave Markowitz,

I've got the manual downloaded and memorized already -- nah, just kidding. But I have downloaded it in ready anticipation for when I get the rifle! I'll definately check out those items you mentioned on the AR-15 site, and your advice concerning cleaning is duly noted.

I tried to get my hands on some of that American Eagle ammunition that you mentioned, but they were sold out. Maybe next time. I did decide to steer clear of the Wolf steel cased ammo as higher quality ammunition is not too much more expensive. Their brass cased stuff seems intriguing though. Thanks for the advice -- it is much appreciated.

Thin Black Line,

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the response!

JohnLINY,

Thanks for the well-wishes with the rifle. I can't wait to get it! I've read about the contracts Bushy has won with the Texas Dept. of Public Safety and with Blackwater. I'm sure those guys are tougher on their guns than I will be! I've signed up with AR-15.com and gotten quite a bit of useful information already -- although I must say I do quite like the place we've got here. Thanks for the advice!

HankB,

I'm sorry to hear that your Bushy was defective from the factory, but it seems like they did you right in the repair. I'll certainly keep in mind your advice concerning the magazines and loader. I've heard from several sources (including yourself) that many problems others have with these rifles stem from using magazines that are not of superior quality.

I've just bought 100 rounds of Remington ammunition, and was surprised at the fairly cheap price. As you've said, it is definately cheap enough not to have to shoot such ammo as "gun show reloads".

Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion of Bushmaster and their rifles. I appreciate your advice and greatly look forward to trying it out while following the many great tips I've recieved on this thread!!

All,

Thanks for all the advice you've taken the time to share. Now all I need is for the gun to arrive at the FFL!!

cox3497

 

[Coop de Ville]

The only quality issue I ever heard about with BM was some folks getting barrells installed canted so the rear sight needed to be cranked way off center to zero the rifle . BM reportedly was very responsive in getting all such problems resolved.

Is the fix to re index the barrel with the receiver... or is it more of a front sight base issue?

Thanks,

-Coop

yes I see the dates...

 

[DMK]

Is the fix to re index the barrel with the receiver... or is it more of a front sight base issue?

I'm not sure of the specifics with the Bushmasters, but the fix could be as simple as removing the barrel nut and re-seating the barrel in the receiver, taking up any tolerances to twist the sight back in line. Often, it doesn't take much given how high the sight post sits on the barrel. You could even carefully open the index notch in the receiver if you needed just a skosh more, but you need to also take gas tube/gas key alignment into consideration, it won't buy you much.

That is certainly an easy fix (if you have a barrel nut tool which is cheaper than shipping your rifle and/or paying a gunsmith) and worth a try.

 

[Coop de Ville]

Thanks for the reply.

Seemed to be 6 or 7 clicks to the right of center and is more of an aesthetic issue for me.

-Coop

 

[M1key]

Issues with almost any AR can be fixed with upgraded parts. It would always be a good idea to stock an extra bolt, carrier, assorted springs, small parts, etc.

 

[briansmithwins]

Download the relevant manuals: http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/

Don't believe everything you read on the interweb.

BSW

 

[hoodfu]

Got a new bushmaster XM15. After ~400 rounds, it started short stroking on non-high pressure rounds like wolf and some black hills blue box. It was sent into Bushmaster, and I just got it back a few days ago. "Exchanged carrier/key and gas rings. Test fired OK.". My springfield M1A (brand new as well) has extractor issues, where it won't pull every 5th or 6th shot out of the barrel without manually cycling the charging handle. Point being, even the best brands out there can have problems.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Bushmaster builds a quality product and so does Colt. Colts are a lot more expensive. Bushmaster had some issues with their barrels being over tourqued around 99-00 but they corrected that. Bushmaster is used by several private contracting firms in Iraq as their standard issued AR Blackwater being one of them.
You are right in that Bushmaster claims to be mil spec but certain items are not. The buffer tube is one example.
cox3497 there is a lot of good advice on here and you made a great choice for a first AR. As others have said sign up for AR15.com. There is a TON of info on there. Also they are good to noobs too. Good luck with your new Bushy.

John beat me to it. I have the same answers with a 06 and 08 build Bushmaster. Bushy is not 100% mil-spec but for the OP it was half the money of a Colt. For a guy who wants an AR and shoots 4-500 rounds a year the Bushy is a great choice. Mine have been trouble free.

 

[benEzra]

Good book on how to run an AR:

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Eyes-Bl...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220807396&sr=1-1