Question for AR-15 builders

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tlhelmer

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Has anyone used a Bushmaster bbl with a Rock River Arms upper and lower?

Any thoughts?

I like the Bushmaster bbl because it is chrome lined. Rock River seems to have more options for the upper than bushmaster does.
 
Rock River does have chrome lined bbls, but they are a bit harder to find. Also, RRA bbls are 4140 Chrome Moly, Bushys are 4150 CM. I know nothing about them, but the guys on AR15.com swear that Bushy makes a better barrel.

Thing is, the RRA chrome lined barrel I bought was $200 for barrel only, while Bushmaster barrels come with the entire assembly for $10 more. If Bushmaster offered barrels with the mid-length gas system, I'd have bought a Bushmaster instead.

You should have no problems whatsoever with the arrangement as mentioned. From what I understand, RRA and Bushmaster use the same upper reciever forgings.
 
take a look at their website www.rockriverarms.com and look for the EOP elevated optical platform, tactical car UTE, and the entry tactical.

Onslaught, I am not familiar with the differences in the type of metal used. Can you explain the benefits of either?
 
Rock River seems to have more options for the upper than bushmaster does.
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Really?

What does RRA offer that Bushmaster does not? I'm a huge Bushy fan and I can't think of any configuration that Bushy does not offer. Just curious.
 
What does RRA offer that Bushmaster does not? I'm a huge Bushy fan and I can't think of any configuration that Bushy does not offer. Just curious.
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HMMMMmmmm, mid-length handguards, highrise upper, M-4 handguards, cheaper prices, 9mm guns... I could go on, but I'm as much a RRA fan as you must be a Bushmaster fan to not know about the RRA options. I love Bushy, don't get me wrong, but they are not "all that".

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Badger,

Guess we disagree on the term "configuration" because I consider all those things extras, accessories. Not inherent to the configuration of the rifle.

Fallacy of operation definitions I guess.
 
ARperson,

I don't want to argue, but mid-length handguards are integral with the rifle. They require a unique handguard set, gas tube, and barrel. The upper receiver options (2 of which are not offered by Bushmaster) are parts of the upper receiver and hardly accessories. There are things Bushmaster does that RRA does not do, but RRA has several unique features. The UTE and EOP receivers are uniqe and innovative. The Mid-Length handguard configuration is catching on as well. Never seen Bushmaster offer a 9mm although I could be wrong. What is your definition of configuration? Did you read my post or were you just glancing at the pictures?
 
I'm with Badger...

I've never seen Bushy 9mm or Mid length, but Rock River has both.


Good Shooting
Red
 
Badger i agree with you on RRA. But, the original poster wants to put a Bushy barrel into an RRA receiver. That isnt going to make mid-lengths or furniture an option. He is talking about the STRIPPED UPPER the only thing that RRA makes in that depertment that noone else does is the high-rise. Personally i think the high-rise is a terrible idea too. But you CAN sve a few bucks going with an RRA flat top over a bushy and you wont be sacrificing any quality.

edited to add: since noone saw fit to actually answer the question that the guy asked i will. A bushy barrel should have no problem at all going into a RRA upper. I hate it when someone asks "can i do this" and everyone says do THAT instead, and dont give any good reason why. There is nothing wrong with what he wants to do (except that i would recomend against using any kind of "hi-rise" or "tactical carry handle" upper but, thats another topic.
 
the original poster wants to put a Bushy barrel into an RRA receiver.
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Yes, and my thinkinging got ahead of me. If you're going to order parts from one source, you will save on shipping. If RRA has everything he wants, he will not have to spend extra having parts coming from different sources. He can order the upper receiver assembly or whole rifle from RRA configured with a Chrome-Lined barrel which is the only feature he mentioned he needed from Bushmaster.

This price savings can offset any increased cost from RRA in the first place.
 
Call Bushmaster and tell them you want a 20" rifle with an M16A2 weight barrel. Better yet, tell them you want an A1 weight barrel, instead of those silly HBARs they insist on putting on everything.
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Actually thats very good advice. I know several people that have done just this with good results. You realize that Bushmaster makes SEVERAL lightweight profile barrels from 11.5" on up to 20". They would be quite happy to put any one of them into one of their uppers and send it out to you.

If you really want to have fun try buying ANY A1 or A2 profile barrel from RRA, they dont even make one. In fact as far as i know the only place to get a new light weight (not M4) profile barrel of any length is Bushmaster (or Fulton Armory now that i think of it but they are pretty pricey).

Just for grins here are some price comparisons on Chrome Lined M4 profile barrels from the websites of their respective makers. (im using the price minus optional handguards and muzzle devices for an apples to apples sort of deal).

Bushmaster "patrolmans carbine" 16' M4 profile barrel (postban) (CL) $185.00
Rock River Arms Chrome Lined "R-4" barrel (preban) $195
-*note RRA (according the their website) does NOT offer a postban chrome lined barrel w/o a muzzle device. This is why they never made the list for me (i like FF tubes). The price of their cheapest PREban configured barrel (has a "mock suppresor) is $210

Long story short it is actually CHEAPER to buy the Bushmaster Barrel. And if you want a Post-Ban 16" barrel without a muzzle device (me) then RRA isnt even an option. Seems pretty cut and dry to me.
 
Funny thing, In Maryland the HBAR is not a regulated firearm,
any other AR15 barrel profile means a 10 day wait to pick up the rifle.
 
I like the Bushmaster bbl because it is chrome lined. Rock River seems to have more options for the upper than bushmaster does.
Click to expand...

You can use a Bushmaster barrel in a RRA upper. RA has good attention to detail on their parts; but most of the upper variety they offer (UTE and EOP) I would categorize as useful only for a very specific and narrow purpose. The A2 and flattop can usually do anything those two offerings can and just as well while retaining a lot more future options.

I am not familiar with the differences in the type of metal used. Can you explain the benefits of either?
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4150 steel is what the military specifies for its M16 barrels. It has a slightly higher percentage of carbon than 4140 that gives it more strength at high heat and a higher melting point. If you are going to be running heavy firing schedules (full auto,back-to-back semi-auto mag dumps, bump-firing, taking Gunsite-type classes twice a month), you may well appreciate the 4150 steel. If you have less strenuous needs in mind, you probably won't be able to tell the difference between that and the 4140.
 
i just built one with a RR flattop and a bushy 16' preban lightweight profile barrel. No problem.

Frankly i don't see much difference between uppers, their all just tubes to me. Besides this one i have a bushmaster, and 2 colts that i built.
 
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