AR15 markings

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backwoodzboy

backwoodzboy

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I just picked up an AR15 at the gun show. It is a Rock River lower but I am not sure of the upper. One guy wanted to see it and then started trash talking it, but I found out what he was saying is not even true, dummy! What are the markings I could look for to identify the the make of the upper. I am very pleased with it, I have wanted an AR for a while. I just cant seem to hang onto a 1911 very long, I tend to like rifles more.
 
Some pictures would help. A picture of the Bolt Carrier, specifically the gas key and it's staking would be helpful.
 
the actual stripped upper is made by a handful of makers. meaning several brands, may use more than 1 forges upper. and 1 forge, may supply several brands

a more descriptive source would be the bolt carrier and its gass key staking, and any markings on the barrel ( may need to take off handguards)
 
upper1.gif
bolt1.gif
bolt2.gif
bolt3.gif
barrel.gif

I hope these help, I am pretty sure now the barrel is a Bushmaster, mp tested, nato chambered, and 1:7 twist. there was nothing under the handguards but between front site and flash suppressor. Not too sure about the key-hole marking on the upper, or that little marking on the carry handle. Bolt to me is blank, I seen no markings indicating a manufacturer, maybe you can tell something from experience by the way it is put together. I took it out and fired it, runs great, and shoots accurately for considering open sites, slight wind from the left and 55gr ammo. I hope these pics upload ok for us. thanks a bunch guys!
 
I would have to say the barrel is a Bushmaster, I have a Bushmaster upper with barrel marked "B MP 5.56 NATO 1/9". I'm assuming "B" is for Bushy but someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
For what it's worth, the keyhole is the forge mark of Cerro. They do uppers for a bunch of manufactures.
 
BMP= Bushmaster ( though some times it doesnt)

the gas key staking looks to be bushy.

the markings on the upper and carry handle are Cerro Forge, and Cardinal Forge respectively. how ever this doesn't help ID the rifle
 
I'd have to agree with the rest of these guys. The BCG does look like a bushmaster and the barrel could be bushmaster but that can be harder to tell.
 
boresighted2.gif
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I had just bought this scope for the rifle and finished boresighting it. I understand the whole gun porn thing, going to gunshows is gotta be like going to a gentle-mens club, or thats the best guess I could offer.
 
Cerro on the upper and thats good stuff. They even make some for Colt. The BCG is Bushy I'm almost positive. I think the barrel is Bushy also I recently did a build for my friend and he had a Bushy 1/7 marked exactly the same.
 
That's a (B)ushmaster barrel, Magnetically Particle (MP) tested, 1:7 twisted.
Click to expand...

colt also uses the BMP marking. leading to my original post

BMP= Bushmaster ( though some times it doesnt)
Click to expand...

if i understand correctly some Colt barrels are marked BMP
 
colt also uses the BMP marking. leading to my original post
Click to expand...
I've never seen a Colt with BMP markings. Been around them a few decades. Older 1 in 12 twist Colt A1 barrels may have a B on them but it will follow the MP. It will look like C MP B. B on a A1 barrels indicated chrome plated barrel bore. That looks to be a bushmaster barrel to me... not a colt barrel. Enjoy your new rifle.
 
I dont think so

I don’t think it is a Bushmaster. As far as I know, they have never made a 1/7twist barrel. You might want to shoot them an E mail. They are very helpful, if a bit slow to respond.

Steve
 
I actually went to another forum, I know, scandalous, and they had a link with a lot of useful info, they broke down alot of the "b" "mp" "nato" "1/7" stuff, I am thinking someone just bought a bushy upper and put it on a RRA lower now. Any rate, it runs good and is accurate enough for me. And ya, thats a bushnell elite 3200, got it at a sportsmans warehouse for what I thought was a deal. not so sure now though. Thank you guys for your interest and help, and its good to read all points of view.
 
What about that mark that is on the handle? Anybody recognize that?
Click to expand...

That would be a forge mark, though I have no idea what forge. I have a takeoff from a Colt 6921 or 67something, with a square in the same place.
 
backwoodzboy: How is the scope working out vs. the front sight post? It looks like it's right in the way of the crosshairs to me.
 
I don't even see the front sight post really, it is a 10X fixed and to me it is like putting you finger in front of the scope while looking through it. I also sent Bushmaster an email asking about the 1:7 twist, like someone said they are taking a little bit! I really enjoy reading the information you guys post, especially about forgeing and casting marks. I would have never know what that was on the detachable carry handle.
 
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