bushmaster m17s bullpup

[Ridgeway]

Was looking through a bushmaster catalog and came upon the "bushmaster m17s bullpup rifle".

Surprisingly it is ~$200 cheaper than the cheapest AR in the catalog...is there a reason for this- quality etc?

Was thinking of grabbing one just to be different(either that or a FAL...).

 

[Ian]

Do a search in the archives - there are several threads on the M17 there.

Basically, it's not a low-quality gun, just a marginal design. I had one for a while and my assessment would be somewhere between "meh" and "blech."

 

[cosmonick]

I sold an AR to buy one. It shot "OK", but seemed to love to throw rounds up into the spring assembly. I never did figure why. I sold it and bought another AR.

If you want something that short in postban config, check out the new Olympic Arms OA-93PT. A bit pricey, but so far mines been flawless.

 

[Ratters]

I have a preban that had the receiver updated. I actually like the rifle quite a bit. It has it's foibles but it is fun to shoot. I wouldn't have it as my only rifle but it is a fun alternative.

 

[Jack19]

The $200 you save on the rifle will need to be spent on decent optics. The sights provided should be used in emergencies only.

I had a pre-ban 17 for awhile and while I thought it was a handy little carbine I never did get the hang of making quick mag changes. Sold it and have had an AR since.

 

[brass shower]

Ian may not have liked his M-17, but I was happy to take it off his hands It's a fun piece (if you're not left handed) and incredibly compact to store. It is heavier than it should be however. It takes a little work to realize it's potential. Futo has done some nice mods to his, check out http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43930

 

[Black Snowman]

I stuck a cheapo BSA dot sight on mine and can shoot it pretty well out to 100 yards. Fun gun, very compact and a potent round. It runs reliably enough for me to be my 1st line of defense at home, and yes, the sights are worthless at anything past pistol ranges and only poor at those.