Early BAR-308 Qustion

[Jimbobuck]

I have a Bushmaster bar-308 stamped 3 seial number gun. I belive that RR now makes them becuse it takes FAL mags. My qustion is should, I hold on to this gun. Is it anything special? I want to paint it camo but don't want to mess up a collectable gun.

Any help would be nice. Also can anyone tell me why BM stopped making them and now make the ones they do now.

 

[sansone]

I found this online posted by Bushmaster:

...I really don't know exactly how many were made. I think we only offered them for a couple of years before we discontinued them. These .308s were made for us by Rock River and that relationship didn't last very long. I think the .308 they offer now is most likely very similar if not the same exact thing.
Some of the brakes were welded and some were not. I think this gun came out right around the time the assault rifle ban was set to expire so all of the first ones made were all of the "post ban" configuration with welded on brakes. You can usually tell by looking at the brake that is on it. You will see a pretty obvious discoloration where the weld is.
These barrels were not chrome lined but they were made by Wilson and the accuracy is usually pretty decent.
We do still carry some parts in inventory for this gun. If there is anything you require you can call 1-800-883-6229 and inquire about availability of parts.
The old style bolts were prone to breakage. If there is a little groove around the tail of the bolt it is one of the old style. These are prone to breaking at that groove. We still replace these bolts under warrantee. We replace them with the bolt we use in our current .308. We recommend that these be fitted here at the factory however so the headspace can be checked.

 

[Jimbobuck]

Thanks, For your help.

I am thinking of painting it. Do you think I should,or buy a RR and paint that one?

I don´t want to ruin a gun that is somewhat rare