I already have a Armalite AR15 Flattop. I am looking at Bushmaster AR15 that just feels surperb and most likely it will be coming home with me. My Armalite has been flawless thus far. It very accurate and has never ever jamed with any type of .223 ammo including my handloads. I have read several threads that seem to think the AR15 made by Bushmaster is the best there is. I guess my question is the Bushmaster any better than the Armalite I already have? If it is what is it that makes it so?
Armalite vs. Bushmaster
- Thread starter Bill B.
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Harry Tuttle
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- Nov 14, 2003
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Bushmaster is the largest civilian manufacturer of AR15s
With production volume comes cost savings.
Bushmaster sets the pricepoint that others have to meet by cutting corners.
Check out the brand comparision on groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite
Colts are a tad nicer
With production volume comes cost savings.
Bushmaster sets the pricepoint that others have to meet by cutting corners.
Check out the brand comparision on groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite
Colts are a tad nicer
Steve Smith
Moderator Emeritus
In my personal opinion, and as a person that runs the hell out of an AR, I say there's not a dime's worth of difference between them.
lycanthrope
Member
6 to one.....half dozen to the other.......
Well here a tread that ran for a while over at a LE/Military board last year on a simular conversation. Lots of good info from guys that have been there, done that and got the tee shirt.It should be a good afternoon read for you.Tactical Forums
Thanks for all the replies guys!
ALS
The link you provided was very interesting to say the least. From the info I gathered from it if you get a AR15 that seems to be flawless from "any" maker you better hang on do it rather than look for the perfect one that you think might be a little bit better. I was a bit shocked that the general opinion on this thread that overall the Colt is the better of them all. Live and learn so to speak ............
.
ALS
The link you provided was very interesting to say the least. From the info I gathered from it if you get a AR15 that seems to be flawless from "any" maker you better hang on do it rather than look for the perfect one that you think might be a little bit better. I was a bit shocked that the general opinion on this thread that overall the Colt is the better of them all. Live and learn so to speak ............
.Swamprabbit
Member
I've had both - 2 Armalites and 1 Bushmaster. My first Armalite, a NM rifle, had its two-staged trigger to fail after just over 1K rounds. Other than that it has worked great so far with nearly 4K rounds through it. My second Armalite hasn't been shot nearly as much but I've been well pleased. I also like Armalites adjustable front sight bases that allow you to be able to center your rear sight.
As for my bushmaster, it was a very accurate and dependable rifle. The mag well was a little tight causing me to have to select out my USGI mags that wouldn't fit it well. Also, the finish on the barrel was of a different tint than that of the receiver group. No biggie, just noticeable.
As for my bushmaster, it was a very accurate and dependable rifle. The mag well was a little tight causing me to have to select out my USGI mags that wouldn't fit it well. Also, the finish on the barrel was of a different tint than that of the receiver group. No biggie, just noticeable.
lycanthrope
Member
Bill B,
Have you been to www.ar15.com ?
If you need to know about the AR, the Arfcommers are the main source.
Have you been to www.ar15.com ?
If you need to know about the AR, the Arfcommers are the main source.
Bill B Just remember one thing about that thread is these guys put thousands of rounds through their guns each year. The average civilan shooter might put that many rounds through their guns every 10 years. So remember to put it in perspective when reading that thread.
Steve Smith
Moderator Emeritus
With exception of this year (deployed) I fire about 7000-8000 rounds from an AR each year. True, I have three custom ARs, but they are standard A2 configuration. I'm sure that some of the brands have a fumble occasionally, but I watch all the guys on the team and none have issues with a particular brand.
Swamprabbit, I could have predicted your trigger malf on that 2 stage Bushy before you even bought it. That's a known issue.
Swamprabbit, I could have predicted your trigger malf on that 2 stage Bushy before you even bought it.
That's a known issue.Steve Smith
Moderator Emeritus
You're right.
Bushmaster 2 stages are infamous for going out early in life, but Armalite 2 stages are really good. Well, goes to show that anyone can have something go wrong.
Bushmaster 2 stages are infamous for going out early in life, but Armalite 2 stages are really good. Well, goes to show that anyone can have something go wrong.
kennedy
Member
just ran across an armilite M15-A4 flat top, 20 in barrel NIB, with 3 mags, with cheap simmons scope on it. $750 good price? it is marked 5.56mm, so can it shoot any 5.56 or .223 rem ammo?
Harry Tuttle
Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
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- 3,093
differences
Bushmaster mounts the front sight base,
Then they Parkerize the entire assembly.
The space under the FSB is bare.
Colt parks the barrel, then they mount the FSB.
In order to differentiate between Military hardware and civilian "Sportsters",
Most non LEO/Mil Colts have non standard push pins.
Most of the other makers barrels spend less time on the lathe being profiled.
Some are not parkerized. Many are 4140 steel that is easier on the cutting tools.
Some of the third level makers may have internal parts
that would not have passed inspection for FN, Colt or Bushmaster.
AR 15s are not a Ford vs Chevy debate,
Its a Chevy vs Cadillac debate.
The forgings and other parts come from the same suppliers
The top end makers have the economy of scale that purchases Chromelining machinery and more lathes.
www.forgings.com
http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/uppers/
http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/ar15brands.msnw
Bushmaster mounts the front sight base,
Then they Parkerize the entire assembly.
The space under the FSB is bare.
Colt parks the barrel, then they mount the FSB.
In order to differentiate between Military hardware and civilian "Sportsters",
Most non LEO/Mil Colts have non standard push pins.
Most of the other makers barrels spend less time on the lathe being profiled.
Some are not parkerized. Many are 4140 steel that is easier on the cutting tools.
Some of the third level makers may have internal parts
that would not have passed inspection for FN, Colt or Bushmaster.
AR 15s are not a Ford vs Chevy debate,
Its a Chevy vs Cadillac debate.
The forgings and other parts come from the same suppliers
The top end makers have the economy of scale that purchases Chromelining machinery and more lathes.
www.forgings.com
http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/uppers/
http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/ar15brands.msnw
spacemanspiff
Senior Member
oooo, finally i get a chance to do what posters did to me when i asked a similar question a few months ago! 
buy a colt!
buy a colt!
HankB
Member
Colt makes a nice rifle . . . but if something does go wrong, they're not noted for providing good warranty service.
Colt "civilian" lowers have a steel block in them which makes trigger work more difficult. This is supposedly done to make installation of M16 parts more difficult. Even with the AWB expired, Colt officially won't sell ARs with evil features - bayonet lug, threaded barrel, flash hider - into civilian markets . . . but "LEO" configuration rifles are available through what might be termed "gray market" supply lines, usually at inflated prices. (No word on how these rifles would be treated if warranty service was required.)
Bushmaster is supposedly the closest to "milspec" around, but true "milspec" rifles are actually machine guns, and post '86 machine guns are not available to mere mortals.
I have a Bushmaster. Initially the barrel was not indexed properly, which meant the rear sight was cranked over to 1 side to zero. Bushmaster repaired it under warranty, issuing a call tag for the upper and promptly fixing it right, paying shipping both ways. Good company.
Function - except with one particular magazine - has been flawless over a couple of thousand rounds.
Colt "civilian" lowers have a steel block in them which makes trigger work more difficult. This is supposedly done to make installation of M16 parts more difficult. Even with the AWB expired, Colt officially won't sell ARs with evil features - bayonet lug, threaded barrel, flash hider - into civilian markets . . . but "LEO" configuration rifles are available through what might be termed "gray market" supply lines, usually at inflated prices. (No word on how these rifles would be treated if warranty service was required.)
Bushmaster is supposedly the closest to "milspec" around, but true "milspec" rifles are actually machine guns, and post '86 machine guns are not available to mere mortals.
I have a Bushmaster. Initially the barrel was not indexed properly, which meant the rear sight was cranked over to 1 side to zero. Bushmaster repaired it under warranty, issuing a call tag for the upper and promptly fixing it right, paying shipping both ways. Good company.
Function - except with one particular magazine - has been flawless over a couple of thousand rounds.
spacemanspiff
Senior Member
yeah, thats the only thing that burns me, i got totally burned on the price of my colt.
i mean, my dealer did. yeah thats it.
i mean, my dealer did. yeah thats it.
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