chiappa1911
Member
Ok im looking at getting my first ar-15 and i was looking at a bushmaster. How reliable and durable are these, or is there something better for about $800. Thank you
Bushmaster ar-15s
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wojownik
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I have three, two of which have been more than satisfactory as both competition rifle and range toy. One Patrolman that has been outstanding - no issues. The second 20" has also been outstanding - no issues. The third 20" has been the problem child, with an upper that I replaced, except for handguards (that one is over 12 years old).
I'd just advise getting the best deal you can on a BM, in case you need to do upgrades over time.
Hoping (against hope) this doesn't devolve into yet another "trash Bushmaster" thread. (but I'll give it one or two more posts before that happens LOL).
I'd just advise getting the best deal you can on a BM, in case you need to do upgrades over time.
Hoping (against hope) this doesn't devolve into yet another "trash Bushmaster" thread. (but I'll give it one or two more posts before that happens LOL).
Steel Horse Rider
Member
I love my 8 year old Bushmaster but they were bought by the same folks who "improved" Marlin.
Does telling the truth fall under the heading of "bashing"?
Does telling the truth fall under the heading of "bashing"?
Tex4426
Member
have a civilian marksman edition that i gave 750 for in new condition(basically stole it)...it is super accurate as it should be being all match grade...only problems with it is from shooter error(keep it clean!). only but about 250 rounds through it so i cant really speak for durability
wojownik
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LOL, fair point. Very fair point. Like I noted myself, one of three of mine had issues. Customer support was pretty great back then and made it right in the end, but I just decided to replace the entire upper with a government profile for several reasons.
But my ARs were all bought some years ago. If I were starting again, in today depressed AR market, pricing is so competitive that you can get a lot of rifle for the dollar. I might weigh the Bushmaster vs. Stag vs. S&W M&P15. If the Bushmaster is in the same rough price as the S&W or Stag (or CMMG), I'd opt for one of the latter manufacturers.
OP - See if you can find a for less. Below $800, the BM would be my choice as a budget, entry level rifle, but the S&W MP15s are that price point as well now. You might want to take a close look at the S&W
Back when I bought mine, they were certainly the best options for the budget dollar, but times change, of course...
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madcratebuilder
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On todays market I think you can buy a better gun for the money. PSA has the best bang for the buck I have seen.
I have two BM's, both are getting long in the tooth. They have been as reliable as any AR I have owned.
I've had to replace the extractor in this carbine at about 8k rounds. It has a antique Surefire hand guard, YHM flip up and a Vltor RE.
This BM A1 is older by a few years, runs like a Swiss watch.
I have two BM's, both are getting long in the tooth. They have been as reliable as any AR I have owned.
I've had to replace the extractor in this carbine at about 8k rounds. It has a antique Surefire hand guard, YHM flip up and a Vltor RE.
This BM A1 is older by a few years, runs like a Swiss watch.
My Bushmaster started out like this in 1990
After some 20,000 rounds finally wore the barrel out, I rebuilt it into this in 2008
The replacement barrel came from Bushmaster & is a Govt. Profile 1/9 twist.
I replaced the bolt & carrier around 2001carrier is High Standard, bolt is Colt
The trigger group was upgraded to an RRA two stage around 2005/2006
Everything else on the gun keeps chugging along
After some 20,000 rounds finally wore the barrel out, I rebuilt it into this in 2008
The replacement barrel came from Bushmaster & is a Govt. Profile 1/9 twist.
I replaced the bolt & carrier around 2001carrier is High Standard, bolt is Colt
The trigger group was upgraded to an RRA two stage around 2005/2006
Everything else on the gun keeps chugging along
crracer_712
Member
If it ain't Colt, you're gonna die!
Sorry, you know someone had to say that
Actually I have nothing useful to add, just had some really good coffee this morning.
Carry on.
Sorry, you know someone had to say that
Actually I have nothing useful to add, just had some really good coffee this morning.
Carry on.
walking arsenal
Member
Onmilo
Did your BM dissy have a rifle length gas tube?
Did your BM dissy have a rifle length gas tube?
C-grunt
Member
If its a new one be wary of the lower parts like the trigger group and safety. My dept bought a bunch a few years ago and almost all of them have had problems, mostly with parts in the lower reciever breaking. Also many of them will not safely fire 5.56 and start popping primers and jam up.
Otherwise they are very accurate and mine has never had a failure to feed or fire in the probably 7500-8000 rounds I have run through it.
Personally I would look at S&W and PSA in that price range.
ETA: Since Bushmaster has been bought out the customer support for my dept has been pretty much non existent.
Otherwise they are very accurate and mine has never had a failure to feed or fire in the probably 7500-8000 rounds I have run through it.
Personally I would look at S&W and PSA in that price range.
ETA: Since Bushmaster has been bought out the customer support for my dept has been pretty much non existent.
Seven High
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How do Bushmasters do with steel case ammunition?
OK, I am not bashing (not yet anyways), I have two Bushmasters and they are EXCELLENT, but I bought them before Freedom Group bought them.
Bushmaster turned out the BEST barrel and chamber on the market hands down. I have one that shoots .333 MOA all day long, but it is the Varminter with a 24 inch barrel.
If you want a TRUE Bushmaster then these are the people to check out, the staff that actually made Bushmaster what it was.
http://www.windhamweaponry.com/
Old staff, but new name.
Jim
Both AR's are Bushmaster
Bushmaster turned out the BEST barrel and chamber on the market hands down. I have one that shoots .333 MOA all day long, but it is the Varminter with a 24 inch barrel.
If you want a TRUE Bushmaster then these are the people to check out, the staff that actually made Bushmaster what it was.
http://www.windhamweaponry.com/
Old staff, but new name.
Jim
Both AR's are Bushmaster
Captains1911
Member
Well, considering that the bolt carrier is a pretty important part, and not a cheap one to replace, wouldn't this be considered a contradiction in terms?
Captains1911
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Any AR that can't reliably cycle steel cased ammo has an underlying deficiency. Just be sure not to shoot brass cased ammo after steel without first cleaning the chamber.
BADUNAME37
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Mine has shot many Russian steel cases without a problem.
I found that, even their customer service is great! I accidentally broke a pin, not knowing it was locked in, and I had one in my mailbox literally THE NEXT MORNING (BEFORE the P.O. decided there will be no more next-day delivery, or some such rule).
I found that, even their customer service is great! I accidentally broke a pin, not knowing it was locked in, and I had one in my mailbox literally THE NEXT MORNING (BEFORE the P.O. decided there will be no more next-day delivery, or some such rule).
what scope is it on the last rifle? so bigOK, I am not bashing (not yet anyways), I have two Bushmasters and they are EXCELLENT, but I bought them before Freedom Group bought them.
Bushmaster turned out the BEST barrel and chamber on the market hands down. I have one that shoots .333 MOA all day long, but it is the Varminter with a 24 inch barrel.
If you want a TRUE Bushmaster then these are the people to check out, the staff that actually made Bushmaster what it was.
http://www.windhamweaponry.com/
Old staff, but new name.
Jim
Both AR's are Bushmaster
kwelz
Member
There is far better for the money. Bushmaster has always had a number of QC issues and has made some "questionable" choices on configurations. They are also known for very tight chambers that can cause popped primers.
One of the Mods over at M4Carbine.net was an armorer for a PMC in Iraq. They had about 500 Bushmaster carbines. He had issues with most of them, including haveing to ream out every single chamber.
For what you would pay for a Bushmaster you could get a Colt, DD, BCM, LMT, etc.
One of the Mods over at M4Carbine.net was an armorer for a PMC in Iraq. They had about 500 Bushmaster carbines. He had issues with most of them, including haveing to ream out every single chamber.
For what you would pay for a Bushmaster you could get a Colt, DD, BCM, LMT, etc.
mastiffhound
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I have a 8 month old patrolmans carbine with the detachable carry handle made in april of 2010, is this after freedom group? Anyways it has chewed through around 2500 rounds of herters, wolf, tula, pmc, and federal xm193 with out a hiccup. I have seen a bad Bushy but that was in 2004 or 2005 when my brother had one that stovepiped and failed to eject more than it fired. It was brand new also? After doing my homework it seems that it is more mil-spec than it used to be.
I got this on a trade for a used (more like abused) mini-30 and 500 rounds of 7.62x39. I already had an AK and it shot tighter groups. I would make that trade again! I treat my Bushy like a queen, oiling and polishing it like it deserves. I would recommend the patrolmans carbine, I have no experience with any of the other models so I can't recomend them.
I got this on a trade for a used (more like abused) mini-30 and 500 rounds of 7.62x39. I already had an AK and it shot tighter groups. I would make that trade again! I treat my Bushy like a queen, oiling and polishing it like it deserves. I would recommend the patrolmans carbine, I have no experience with any of the other models so I can't recomend them.
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