AR's - Windham?

[monotonous_iterancy]

Before the panic hit, an AR was on my "eventually" list. I'm still considering one once the prices come down, but there is no real time frame.

An employee at Wal-Mart recommended a Windham for a good, affordable AR, saying he knows people who like it.

I'm not particularly knowledgeable about them, and am not sure what difference there is between a $750 and $1000 one, but I've been seeing Windhams at Wal-Mart, and I'm wondering if it's viable.

I would intend on keeping this rifle for the rest of my life - so no chintzy construction, would like the ability to fire both 5.56 and .223, and a chrome-lined barrel is a must.

 

[SSN Vet]

Windham Weaponry is the same facility, owner and workers as the original Bushmaster, before the Freedom Group bought them and shut down the factory in Windham, Maine. After fulfilling the contractual obligations that were part of the sale, the former Bushmaster owner started over again.... Same bat time, same bat channel.

My brother purchased a Windham flat top carbine back in Sep. of last year and it's good to go!

You need to decide if you want the rifle to serve as a fun gun / SHTF gun, or a daily duty patrol rifle.

For me, only the later category justifies the ~30% upcharge for a top brand like BCM, CMMG or LMT. And then you'd want to spend the price of the rifle x 2 for a Aim Point or similar sight.

You'll be surprised what you can hit with iron sights on an AR.... and quickly realize why they are so stinkin' popular.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

What would be the difference between those purposes that would justify paying more? Being used harder?

 

[yzguy87]

I don't have one but if I was in the market I would buy it. Like it was said earlier, Windham is the original Bushmaster.

 

[Chevelle SS]

I bought 1 back in November and I really like it.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

Did Bushmaster drop in quality when they were bought out? I've heard bad things about Bushmaster ARs.

 

[bogon48]

There are lots of folk who have a favorite AR brand to meet specific needs. I'm assuming you're just looking for a well-made rifle to use for general shooting and possible self defense. I like the Windham I bought.

I got a Windham MPC for under $800.00 OTD from a LGS over a year ago. It is chambered for 5.56 with a 1 in 9 twist and chrome lined barrel. Fit and finish is good. It eats whatever I feed it, including my reloads. They do sell some models to LE.

Their web site has tech info about the different models, and their archived newsletters have some AR gunsmithing tips from time to time. Here's the URL for the website:

http://www.windhamweaponry.com/default.asp

Here's a sample newsletter with info on the MPC and a "how-to" on removing the stock trigger guard:

http://www.windhamweaponry.com/newsletters/02202013.asp

 

[adelbridge]

They are perfectly good rifles that go bang every time. You start paying more for frills like free float barrels and two stage triggers.

 

[cwbys4evr]

Like others I have never heard of them but now knowing they are the original Bushmaster then I would have no qualms about buying one. In fact I think I might start saving up to add to the collection

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[average_shooter]

Original Bushmaster / Windham rifles should do anything you want or need them to do, assuming they are built the same as mine was a few years back before the takeover.

There are good and bad things about them, depending on how you look at them. The gas key on mine is staked, I would assume they still do that. However I understand that the buffer tube and collapsible stock are commercial-spec instead of mil-spec. I haven't messed with that much so I can't confirm.

I have played "Barbie" with mine a bit, changed out the gas block for a low-profile block, ergo grip, put a rear sling plate on the buffer tube, and added an Aimpoint Comp C-3. I also went with a bull barrel instead of a military cut because I didn't understand the difference at the time of purchase, hasn't been an issue really.

Last year I had a few other friends with me for some range therapy one day and I believe every one of them hit the 200 yard steel with the first shot, one of them might have missed the first and hit the second I can't quite recall. And that's with my "plinking" non-worked-up handloads. Much more accurate than I thought, all things considered.

If you can find one for a decent price, they are a decent entry level rifle.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

So, for perspectives sake, what makes something like Daniel Defense or BCM better than Windham? Windhams sound like perfectly good rifles.

 

[InkEd]

They are the old bushy guys. Pretty good.

No Colt or anything but nothing wrong with them.

 

[Quentin]

I'd pass on an any AR, like Windham, that comes with a commercial receiver extension. To me that's an automatic deal breaker because it's such a simple thing to get right, even if you're building your own lower receiver from parts. if pennies were cut there, what else did did they skimp on? Windham has a nice story but that doesn't excuse them from the fact that they use cheaper parts.

If your budget starts around $750 take a look at PSA and Spikes Tactical. Start getting up to speed on the barrel, BCG, metals specs and see if they're important to you.

You said you want something to keep for a lifetime and no cheap parts so I had to say something. A little more research now can get you a better AR in the same price range. If you decide to throw a few hundred more in then look at Colt, Daniel Defense and BCM. (You asked about them earlier, the difference between them and Windham comes down to materials, specs, Quality control, etc. )

 

[Warp]

So, for perspectives sake, what makes something like Daniel Defense or BCM better than Windham? Windhams sound like perfectly good rifles.

Starting with obvious things...

Do you want a barrel with a 1:9 twist rate, or 1:7? Or something else?

Do you want a commercial buffer tube, or mil-spec?

Do you know the differences between those two things?

If not, you need to do more research so that you can look at the specifications of the rifles, know what's different, know what those differences mean, and make your own decision.

If you want others to do all of that for you...then here it is: You don't want the Windham. You want the Daniel Defense or the BCM. Or Colt, LMT, LaRue, KAC, Noveske...or perhaps Spikes or S&W...or even PSA, over a Windham.

 

[G.barnes]

most bcm and daniel defense come with a cold hammer forged barrel. the barrels usually run about 100 dollars more than a standard chrome-lined barrel. with dd your also paying for the rail system. if you wait for prices to come back down you can get a bcm or dd for not much more than the windham. windham is good also. before the panic a RR, or S&W, or Windham plain jane optic ready with plastic handguards was around 950.00. I paid 1260 for a dd m4v5 with full rail, enhanced trigger guard, quick disconnect socket on the butt plate, and moe stock. all that plus the chf barrel and everything being hp/mpi tested. thats about a 300 dollar difference. take 950 and add on the extras and you'll be more than 300 dollars.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

There's so many options to choose from. That's a good thing, but for someone like me who knows little, it seems overwhelming. How much does name-brand factor into this?

 

[Warp]

There's so many options to choose from. That's a good thing, but for someone like me who knows little, it seems overwhelming. How much does name-brand factor into this?

Read my post above.

A company's reputation and history is definitely a factor. That reputation had to be earned.

Have you looked up the differences between a commercial and a mil spec receiver extension/buffer tube yet?

How about barrel twist rate? Would you be better served by a 1:7 or a 1:9? Or maybe even a 1:12? Whichever one you answer...why?

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

I looked up the difference between a mil-spec and commercial buffer. It seems like the mil-spec one is both stronger, and better made, being smoother and leading to better reliability.

 

[Warp]

I looked up the difference between a mil-spec and commercial buffer. It seems like the mil-spec one is both stronger, and better made, being smoother and leading to better reliability.

Yes.

Also, they are a different diameter so anytime you change the stock you need to make sure the new stock is the appropriate diameter. Naturally the better/best stocks might be available in mil-spec diameter but not commercial.

Be wary of the many unscrupulous vendors/manufacturers who will advertise their buffer kit as "mil spec" when it is not. Easy things to look for in an actual "mil spec" kit include a 7075 aluminum tube/extension and a heavy [H] buffer.

Also watch for little tricks that some manufacturers (like PSA) play, where they sell a "mil spec diameter" tube. Nothing is necessarily wrong with that, but I have spoken to a lot of people who read that as being mil-spec when it is not.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

Do you have to do this with every part? About the barrel twist, I read a little about it. I already know that the military uses 1:7, and 1:12 seems more like a specialized thing. 1:9 seems to be the jack of all trades.

 

[Warp]

Do you have to do this with every part? About the barrel twist, I read a little about it. I already know that the military uses 1:7, and 1:12 seems more like a specialized thing. 1:9 seems to be the jack of all trades.

Teach a man to fish, as they say. Like I said above, you can just take the answer of "buy brand X, Y, or Z, but not brand D, E, or F" and trust that the person/people telling you that get it right (for you).

I'm directing you to some specific things to look up that will make the biggest, most readily noticeable difference(s) between rifles.

The best, most accurate, usually-preferred-for-defense 5.56/.223 rounds will usually have 75-77gr bullets, and a 1:9 twist rate may not be what you want for those. A 1:7 (or 1:8) would be better here. When in doubt, get the 1:7. It is the "best" single choice for most people.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

That makes sense. The vibe I'm getting is that the Windham is a good commercial grade rifle. That's not really what I'm looking for. I doubt I'd be able to wear one of those out, but in years, who knows? I wouldn't want it breaking 10, 20, 30 years down the line. I'm young, so I figure, why not get quality now?

 

[Quentin]

That makes sense. The vibe I'm getting is that the Windham is a good commercial grade rifle. That's not really what I'm looking for. I doubt I'd be able to wear one of those out, but in years, who knows? I wouldn't want it breaking 10, 20, 30 years down the line. I'm young, so I figure, why not get quality now?

As you're finding out, a little research along with defining your own AR applications will help you avoid mistakes and zero in on the right rifle for you!

Windham isn't junk and many folks are pleased with theirs. Others of us want an AR done to our own specs. Which brings up another subject ... building your AR... It's not hard and is ideal to force yourself to answer the tough questions as you select parts. Of course right now finding the parts you want can take time but things are getting better.

As far as ARs breaking over the years, you have to expect some maintenance and repair if you shoot thousands of rounds. Fortunately there are many sources of parts and very few parts need hand fitting like many other firearms.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

I should definitely start doing some research. I just wonder where to start...

I'm not totally against the Windham, but the things I've learned have given me pause. I'm not looking for anything fancy, iron sights will do fine for now, I can always upgrade accessories later.

Still, I have read good reviews about it, but the differing dimensions of some parts seems to be a problem. Are there better ARs for about $800?

 

[Warp]

I should definitely start doing some research. I just wonder where to start...

I'm not totally against the Windham, but the things I've learned have given me pause. I'm not looking for anything fancy, iron sights will do fine for now, I can always upgrade accessories later.

Still, I have read good reviews about it, but the differing dimensions of some parts seems to be a problem. Are there better ARs for about $800?

The market is still unsettled as a result of the recent political climate.

My personal advice is that, given what you want out of the rifle, and how long you intend to have/use it, another $200-$300 is probably worth spending to get something that doesn't cut so many corners.

If I was in the market for a budget AR I would start by looking at the Smith and Wesson Sport.