"Bushmaster does not use double-heat-shield handguards on any rifle or carbine I've seen, and like I said, I own one of their recent (this year) production."
Really, mine has double heat shields, in fact the size of the handguard gives it away in an AR rifle. Single heat shield handguards are smaller, and the double shielded handguards are larger.
Bushmaster was sued by colt, in the lawsuit one point that colt brought up was the double heat shielded handguard, which Bushamster M4s all have.
"It's documented in various places that Bushmaster, along with most other AR manufacturers"
Amazing how if its so well documented why cant it be found anywhere aside from a few internet forums?
"call up BM and ask"
I did before I ordered my BM rifle, not what I was told.
"i did a search over there and actually came up with more barrels from other companies with undersized chambers"
Which again goes to show you that a few companies make almost all of the parts (barrels, recievers, etc) and the rest just add a few of their own parts to someone elses.
The problem with reminding others, that other companies are having more of the same problems than BM, is that it doesnt support their arguement that BM are inferior or second rate, they dont choose to acknowledge that these problems happen with their favorite brands.
Both companies rifles are great, both are far more than needed to be used in combat and have no problems period, and last for many many years.