New to ARs, considering buying a used one...

[xsquidgator]

I've been gradually working closer to getting my first AR, and as it turns out I may jump on a chance encounter I had with someone who's trying to sell what he says is an almost new one with some nice accessories for what I think is a good price. The rifle in question is a Bushmaster (don't know what variant exactly) with IIRC collapsable stock, flat-top receiver with a scope and mount included in the deal, along with a case and some mags.

If you were going to buy a used AR like this one, what would you look at or check just to be sure you were getting one in good shape? I talked with this fellow and I should have the opportunity to put a few rounds through it if I'm serious about buying. I've shot ARs before and know enough to be able to pick one up, load it and shoot it, and I've done some reading on the internet, but that's about it. I figured I'd unload it and try looking down the bore with a borelight shining onto the boltface, and work the action and shoot a few through it to get the feel of the rifle. I don't have any reason to think this rifle is anything other than what the seller claims, but he's just some guy I ran into at the gun store. <He was considering putting it on consignment and overheard me discussing ARs with one of the employees>

Anything else I should look at that's easy to check? I've read how to field strip an AR but I've never had one in my hands to try it on, so I'm a little dubious about that kind of thing.

 

[TheLaxPlayer]

Make sure the two screws on the bolt carrier group are properly staked. Bushmaster has a bad reputation for not staking these properly.

I believe you can just pop out the two pins to remove the upper and then the bolt carrier group will just slide out the back of the upper, though I'm not positive on that.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Here is a thread on making a decent guesstimate of round count on a used AR:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=212676

The first thing I would check is that the rifle is actually a complete Bushmaster and not just a parts gun built on a Bushmaster lower. You want to check how the barrel is marked (B MP), the forge marks on the upper receiver (also look at the rear face of the rear takedown lug for a "Y" stamp - no stamp doesn't mean it isn't Bushmaster; but presence of a stamp means the upper was YHM and is probably Bushmaster).

I'd also ask if he has replaced any parts. You want to check that the rear takedown pin is captured and that the safety rotates correctly (people frequently lose the detents and springs for these items when they change the stock or grip).

Figure out what features the rifle has because you'll need to know that in order to figure out what an equivalent new rifle will sell for.

 

[xsquidgator]

Terrific information, thanks very much. Stuff along these lines is exactly what I was hoping to get out of asking here. Now I have some specific parts to learn what they ARE before I take a look!

 

[SpeedAKL]

Like others said, make sure that it's not an assembly from parts. Many people build ARs from various components to save money or get the exact rifle they want. There's nothing wrong with that, so long as the parts are quality, but I'd still check to make sure as it will affect the price you should be willing to pay. As long as the parts are from a well-reputed manufacturer and have held up well, the gun should work ok.

Field-strip the rifle and check the bolt assembly, bore, chamber, trigger assembly, etc. An issue on the AR is carbon buildup due to direct gas impingement, and if the seller has not properly maintained the gun, parts in the bolt assembly, chamber, etc. can have excess carbon buildup. This can not only degrade performance and jeopardize reliability, but it's a pain to get off.

Lastly, the optics can make a major difference as to the value of what he's offering. There's a big difference between a basic $100 red-dot CQB scope and a Trijicon ACOG.

 

[xsquidgator]

Another newbie question: this rifle seems to be a flat-top receiver Bushmaster (going by description of the current owner who doesn't seem all that familiar with all the AR variants and bells/whistles). The current owner doesn't know if the rifle has a carrying handle with it (currently there are no rear iron sights on it, but a large Tasco scope is mounted on the receiver), and if it does have one, he doesn't know if it's A2 or A3. He's not sure if he's got the rear iron sights either, he'll have to look through the box it came in I guess.

If the rifle was sold as a flat-top Bushmaster then, is it possible or easy to just buy a detachable A2 or A3 handle to put on it? I'd like to be able to do that even if the rifle didn't come with that.

 

[TheLaxPlayer]

Yes, an A3 handle should go right on in all of about five seconds. You can probably find them relatively cheap too.

 

[xsquidgator]

Ah, thanks, that's great to know. I just looked it up and it's about a $60 part. Glad to see it's so easy if I get this and it doesn't already have it.

 

[Canuck-IL]

CDNN sells brand X as well as Bushmaster carry handles.$50 and $60 IIRC
Check that it has a front sight or a conventional gas block into which you can insert a front sight and a detent.
/Bryan