Armalite or Bushmaster?

[Steelharp]

I asked this on another forum (but since this one is fast becoming my favorite, I thought I'd ask again!)

If the choice was only one of those two... which would you plop down the bucks for?

Mikey D...

 

[Nanook]

I'm a bit biased, I have a Bushmaster. But my shooting buddy has an Armalite and I can find no real differences. They are both of equal quality as far as I can see. About the only thing I dislike about his M15 as they call it, is the blasted muzzle brake! It is way too loud, and probably unnecessary on a .223.

Really, though, you won't go wrong with either of your choices.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I would go with Bushmaster. Both are very good brands. But after researching my AR purchase, Bushmaster made exactly what I wanted. A 16" shorty A2 type with no muzzle break (to replace my Mini-14). The Bushmaster is mil-spec, which was another pre-req. And, the Bushmaster was a little less expensive. I have been very satisfied with my Bushy for sure, a very good, solid, accurate, quality rifle, and that snake logo doesn't hurt! Very cool.

I would not hesitate to own either. One of these days, I want a target 24" upper and I would look very hard at Armalite. But that new Bushmaster varmint model! Pretty nice.

You really can't go wrong with either.

 

[KMKeller]

I believe that PoiDog has the right of it. I also have a Bushy but often find myself drooling over the Armalite.

 

[USMC]

Flip a Coin.

Both are great.



USMC

 

[Calanctus]

Just to throw a wrench in the works, consider a Rock River Arms. Quality, fit & finish are on a par with Bushmaster & Armalite, and their prices are a bit lower. I currently have a Bushmaster upper on a RRA lower, and you couldn't ask for a nicer fit between the two.

 

[Steelharp]

Calanctus, this from AR15.com:

"Right now (Dec 02) they [Rock River] are only offering chrome as an option on the M4 bbls...+$30 for the upgrade. They did do small batches of chrome on other barrels, but as supplies of them have run out, they have decided not to offer, at least at this time, chrome lining other than on the M4s." (info courtesty of: Sluggo of AR15.com)

So, are chrome barrels important? Or are they "nice, but not necessary"? I see at http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/ that not many of the current manufacturers have chrome barrels; not even Wilson. Bushmaster seems to have the most models with it.

Mikey D...

 

[King]

Bushmaster....equal or better quality...a bit cheaper and a really nice firearm.

 

[yorec]

I'd get the Armalite simply because I already own two Bushmasters. Need and example Armalite in the collection...

Both good guns, how can ya loose?

 

[gun-fucious]

Bushmaster and Colt use 4150 mil spec chrome moly steel in their barrels

 

[Midnight]

Chrome lined bores/chambers provide longevity and ease of cleaning, but the reason that Wilson doesn't offer it is that a stainless steel barrel has a slight advantage over a chrome lined one in the accuracy dept. Now we're talking the difference of 0.1" at 100 yards, but that could decide a match. I own a Bushy because they offer all the qualities I wanted (5.56 chamber, chrome bore/chamber, fit and finish, slightly lower price than Armalite). I will admit there is something about owning an AR from the company that designed it, but for a shooter on a budget, it doesn't get much better than Bushmaster...which is why I own one.

 

[Redlg155]

.

Bushmaster and Colt use 4150 mil spec chrome moly steel in their barrels

Ok..I'll bite. Just about all of them use chrome moly steel. What's the difference between 4150 and 4140?

This is from the JT Dist FAQ's, the same folks I get kits from.

Who makes the parts in your kits?
We use Shaw barrels (the same company that makes barrels for Colt),

And back to the original question...Either will serve you just as well. Bushmaster does have a great service department. I'm not all that sure about Armalite as I've never had to deal with them.

Good SHooting
RED

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Echoing what the others have stated, both are good. You will not be disappointed by either.
As to customer service I have contacted both over the years and have no issues with either company. Both did a great job of supplying the parts and information I requested.
If forced into a recommendation, I'd probably go with the Bushy without a muzzle brake.
Take Care

 

[gun-fucious]

i was hoping Gale might have his THR account online upstairs:

Search Results for:
Alloy Steels 4140 Related Tradenames:

* Holder (4140) (tm)


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chemistry Data
There is no chemistry data available for this grade.

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Principal Design Features This is one of the chromium, molybdenum, manganese low alloy steels noted for toughness, good torsional strength and good fatigue strength.

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Applications 4140 is used in a tremendous variety of applications, too numerous to mention here.

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Machinability Machinability of this alloy is good in the annealed condition. In the heat treated and quenched condition machining is best limited to finish grinding.

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Forming As with all the low alloy steels forming may be done by conventional methods with the alloy in the annealed condition. These alloys have good ductility, but are tougher than plain carbon steel and thus usually require more force, or pressure, for forming.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welding Weldable by all of the conventional methods. Note that welding with the alloy in the heat treated condition will affect the mechanical properties and a post weld heat treatment may be needed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heat Treatment This alloy is hardened by heating to 1550 F and quenching in oil. It is best to normalize the alloy by heating at 1675 F for a long enough time to permit thorough heating, followed by air cooling, prior to the hardening treatment.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forging 4140 may be forged at 2200 F down to 1700 F.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Working Hot working, if required, may be done in the range of 1900 F to 1500 F.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cold Working The alloy readily cold works in the annealed condition by conventional methods.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annealing Annealing is done at 1600 F followed by slow furnace cooling.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aging Not applicable to this alloy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tempering Tempering temperatures range from 400 F to 1200 F depending upon the hardness level desired. The lower the tempering temperature the greater the hardness of the alloy. For example tempering at 600 F gives a tensile strength of 225 ksi while tempering at 1000 F will give 130 ksi.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hardening Hardens by cold working, or heating and quenching - also see "Heat Treatment" and "Tempering"

Search Results for:
Alloy Steels 4150 Related Tradenames:

* Tufloy (tm)


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chemistry Data
There is no chemistry data available for this grade.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Principal Design Features This is a higher carbon variation of the chromium, manganese, molybdenum 4100 series of low alloy steels.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Machinability Machinability of 4150 is good in the annealed condition, or in the normalized condition. After heat treatment the alloy can be very hard and it is best to limit machining at that point to grinding.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forming Ductility and formability in the annealed condition is good. Forming after heat treatment is difficult.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welding The alloy may be welded by conventional methods. Welding the alloy in the hardened (heat treated) condition may affect the mechanical properties due to welding heat input. A post-weld heat treatment may be needed. Follow an approved weld procedure.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heat Treatment It is best to normalize the alloy at 1650 F before heat treatment. Then heat treat at 1500 F and water quench to harden the alloy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forging Forging may be accomplished at 2200 F down to 1800 F.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Working The alloy can be hot worked in the range of 1900 F to 1600 F.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cold Working 4150 may be cold worked by conventional methods with the alloy in the annealed condition. After heat treatment the alloy is very hard and difficult to work.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annealing Anneal at 1650 F and slow furnace cool.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aging Not applicable to this alloy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tempering Temper at temperatures ranging from 400 F to 1200 F depending upon the hardness level desired. Higher tempering temperatures result in lower hardness values. For example tempering at 600 F gives a tensile strength of 255 ksi while tempering at 1000 F gives 170 ksi.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hardening See "Heat Treatment" and "Tempering" -- also hardens due to cold working.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Nero Steptoe]

"Bushmaster and Colt use 4150 mil spec chrome moly steel in their barrels..." which, of course, has nothing to do with the question regarding chrome-lined barrels.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I would avoid muzzle brakes. You won't like it. Should you ever have to shoot a 16" with a muzzle brake, you'll damage your hearing.

 

[AK103K]

I have an Armalite M15A4 with a Leupold 1.5x5 on it. It shoots great, better than me, thats for sure. I also have a Bushmaster Disapator. There is no comparasion. The Armalite has it hands down. As for the brake, it doesnt bother ME when I shoot it, but everyone else around me bitches. I dont notice its any louder when I'm behind the rifle, but off to the side is a different story. With the brake the rifle recoils like the ".22" that it is.

 

[Bainx]

Friend of mine just got an Armalite. Very accurate but the trigger is, gee, really stiff for my taste. You pull like hell and it suddenly releases.
Another friend got a Rock River Arms. Wow, what a vast difference in triggers. Simply no comparison!
If I ever decide on a Poodle gun, Rock River is definately in top running.

 

[Steve Smith]

As long as it is made by one of the more respected companies, the name on the side doesn't matter that much. Amongst quality ARs,about the only thing that matters is customer service. Search at AR15.com and TFL for the name brands you're interested in. Pay particular attention to how problems were solved.

For a non-custom application, my senses tell me that Bushmaster will have the fastest turn around and friendliest folks.

 

[enfwago]

What about a DPMS?

 

[Redlg155]

DPMS makes good stuff.

I got to inspect one of their forged lower recievers the other day and it seemed like very good quality. The forged ones have the panther logo, which is much nicer than the raised lettering on the cast recievers.

Bainx,

I'd have your buddy call Armalite and see if they will send him a replacement hammer/trigger/disconnector set. It beats shipping the weapon back to the factory for 1 minutes worth of work that anyone can do.

Good SHooting
RED