An H-Bar -A2 AR - where do I find a really good one?

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Garandimal

Garandimal

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And not some 16" race-barbie - talkin' a chrome lined mil-spec H-Bar Colt-A2 (or equivalent), w/ the proper handguards and sights.

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An Old Guy patrol rifle.

What I know about the AR market you could put in a thimble... and still get your finger in.

Just figgered that, what w/ the current state of affairs, it might be a dandy time to acquire one.

TIA.




GR
 
I have an old Eagle Arms A2 that I bought way back in the early 90's. At the time it was as close to Mil-Spec as you can get. It helped me out during some civil unrest and more than once has stood watch over the family. I really like the simplicity and range provided by the A2 configuration. I get the 14.5-16" carbine and have a couple, but have no problem grabbing the A2. I am not sure where to grab a contemporary configuration but you will be well armed.
 
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Check out Del-Ton for low cost and Rock River Arms for higher cost.

Another route is buy a stripped lower with lower parts kit, then pick up an A2 (a TRUE A2) upper (with fixed carry handle) from AR15sport.com.
 
D.B. Cooper said:
Check out Del-Ton for low cost and Rock River Arms for higher cost.

Another route is buy a stripped lower with lower parts kit, then pick up an A2 (a TRUE A2) upper (with fixed carry handle) from AR15sport.com.
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This Bushmaster looks to me to be the real deal.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.im...ome-Lined-Barrel-30rd-Mag-604206022769-90242/

Doesn't mention bolt carrier group - that I would know anyway. Some mention "Automatic" which must mean something. Chromed? Stainless? I don't know.

What do you think?




GR
 
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troy fairweather said:
wish i know you wanted one i have the same rifle, a older bushmaster. i traded it for some guns. good gun
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Kind of a bucket rifle.

I'm basically a Garand guy.

The H-bar-A2's were pricey for a long time, It's not my favorite caliber - and then I got the 582 Mini-14...

Under $700 for this rifle has me lookin' again.




GR
 
I like the 20" A2. I have several of them -- in fact I am putting the next one together right now.

One place where I diverge from the standard is in the buttstock. I find the A2 stock to be a bit too long, and so I use the shorter A1 stock. Those are getting hard to find these days. You probably have to locate a used one and refinish it. Note that the door for the butt trap is not interchangeable with the A2 -- the A2 door is just a bit thicker. Finding an A1 butt trap door is harder than finding the A1 stock itself.

You have a choice in barrel profiles. There's the heavy barrel, which has a heavy profile throughout, and then there's the "government profile," which is lighter under the handguards. (The purpose of the government profile, besides saving weight, is to allow attachment of the M203 grenade launcher. The heavy barrel, on the other hand, better handles heat from sustained firing.)

If you're going to build an A2, do it right and don't use an upper with a removable carrying handle.
 
Garandimal said:
That - would do nicely.

Chrome lined V. Nitride.

Any other differences or issues b/t the PSA and Bushmaster?

Which would be the pick of the litter?




GR
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I would go with psa, but as @D.B. Cooper said, it ain't "right"
I know you shoot irons well and arnt interested in scoping the rifle so IMO the Bushmaster checks all the boxes, and might be the better rifle overall anyway.
 
AlexanderA said:
I like the 20" A2. I have several of them -- in fact I am putting the next one together right now.

One place where I diverge from the standard is in the buttstock. I find the A2 stock to be a bit too long, and so I use the shorter A1 stock. Those are getting hard to find these days. You probably have to locate a used one and refinish it. Note that the door for the butt trap is not interchangeable with the A2 -- the A2 door is just a bit thicker. Finding an A1 butt trap door is harder than finding the A1 stock itself.

You have a choice in barrel profiles. There's the heavy barrel, which has a heavy profile throughout, and then there's the "government profile," which is lighter under the handguards. (The purpose of the government profile, besides saving weight, is to allow attachment of the M203 grenade launcher. The heavy barrel, on the other hand, better handles heat from sustained firing.)

If you're going to build an A2, do it right and don't use an upper with a removable carrying handle.
Click to expand...

Just lookin' for a rifle.

Chrome lined, preferably heavy barrel, A2.patrol rifle.

A2 sights and fixed carry handle.

The Bushmaster looks good, from what little I know.


Happen to know the LOP of the A1 and A2 stocks?




GR
 
Bushmaster - I have several ranging from the mid 1990s through 2000s. This is probably as close as your going to find to match your criteria: https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/13228/bushmaster+90242+target+30+1+223rem/556nato+20"+a2

The Stag 15 Retro Rifle would be another option, if they ever get them back in stock again - A2, but not an HBAR.

Armalite M15-A2 - if you can find one, and if you don't mind the OD green furniture.

Personally, I would not go with PSA. I have two of their rifles, and they are ... OK. Finish on one of them left much to be desired - tooling marks everywhere. Customer support is awful. But, they are the bargain AR vendor of the moment.
 
A friend has the Bushmaster A2 from the pre-ban days. Good rifle.

One other thing to consider is twist rates and feed ramps. It may be nearly to totally impossible to get a barrel with A2 feed ramps now, even with a 20" barrel in a fixed carry handle upper. So if you want a truly GI A2, you may have to find an older model. Most barrels are 1:8 or 1:9 twist. Hard to find a 1:7 twist. However,t he 1:8 stabilizes most everything well, from the 55 grn to the 77 grn SMK. Supposedly, the only reason for a 1:7 twist is tracers. But again, if you want a true A2...
 
D.B. Cooper said:
A friend has the Bushmaster A2 from the pre-ban days. Good rifle.

One other thing to consider is twist rates and feed ramps. It may be nearly to totally impossible to get a barrel with A2 feed ramps now, even with a 20" barrel in a fixed carry handle upper. So if you want a truly GI A2, you may have to find an older model. Most barrels are 1:8 or 1:9 twist. Hard to find a 1:7 twist. However,t he 1:8 stabilizes most everything well, from the 55 grn to the 77 grn SMK. Supposedly, the only reason for a 1:7 twist is tracers. But again, if you want a true A2...
Click to expand...

Not a Collector.

Just lookin' for a good rifle to acquire.

If - A4 feed ramp works better? Great!

M193/WG is all I'll probably ever shoot. 1:9 twist rate is fine.


The A2 is an old friend.

Liked the feel/fit/function of it.

The only AR that ever really qualified for my rack.




GR
 
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