Bushmaster XM-15

[heavyshooter]

I was in the process of getting everything together to build my own AR-15, but I stumbled upon a NIB Bushmaster XM-15 in my local gun shop. Because the owner and I regularly do business together, he knocked more than $100 off his listed price and decided he would let me have it for 1,000.00 out the door (tax and all). This price is in the ballpark of my approximate total for my custom build.

*** I should mention that I will spend more than $1,000 in the long run. I do not like the fore-end, the butt-stock, or the pistol grip. And I will find some iron sights that are more to my liking. But these things do not bother me. I will dedicate the next year or two getting these parts and I, like most of you, enjoy such detailed customizing of the rifle. ***

I am not especially familiar with AR's so the quality of one manufacturer over another is something that is lost on me. Do those of you with experience recognize the Bushmaster XM-15 as a weapon that I can put thousands of rounds through? (And by “thousands” I mean “THOUSANDS!!!”) I do not need a $2,000 Ruger SR 556 , but I do want a weapon that is a reliable plinker and a very good/reliable SHTF homestead protector.

What’s your input?

Heavy

 

[Ditch-Tiger]

Bushmaster is fine even though it isn't "top tier" and will serve 99.9% of most peoples needs.
Now, depending on which model Bushmaster your looking at, $1000.00 might be a little high. Example is that the OCR carbine is selling for $999.99 brand new locally and often is on sale for $899.99
My opinion is that if your gonna change out a bunch of parts, it would probably be more cost effective to buy individual parts/pieces and build the rifle you want, the way you want the first time around without stripping off parts and replacing them. (will be alot of fun to assemble it too.)
I will also throw in that the S&W is supposed to be a better rifle than the Bushy and costs pretty much the same, might want to look at them too?

 

[kwelz]

If you are going to spend 1K get BCM, heck if you are going to spend 800 get a BCM.

 

[M&PVolk]

I have had very good experience with Bushmaster. I would buy at that price.

 

[SHvar]

One of the models I considered was that ORC, has some nice features.
Check prices of other available AR15s and see how it compares to others like it.

 

[4288]

I have a standard Bushmaster XM-15 A2 type. I've put about 4,000 rounds through it. Had a couple jams very early on that were due to the mag I was using. Ditched the mag, not a hiccup since. So great reliability. As far as accuracy, I can get half inch five shot groups at 100 yards with my best reloads (but I do need to mention that I swapped the trigger for a Rock River match trigger, which helps). But with only that one modification, that's some pretty great accuracy. So yeah, Bushmaster makes a good product. I've heard lately that the carrier keys haven't always been staked properly, but if you run into that you can fix it yourself in a minute.

One other thing - since you're just starting to get into ARs, at some point (if you haven't already) you'll discover the forum AR15.com. Be VERY weary of the info you get there. It seems to have more than it's share of BS being spoken as fact.

 

[ifit]

my first ar bm xm15e2s LE, more than 2k rounds put through it and very reliable and happy with my purchase

 

[heavyshooter]

Thanks for the AR15.com heads up 4288.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I have both an A2 and A3, rock solid rifles. All I have done internally is add the O-ring to the extractor. BM may not be 100% mil-spec but either am I.