What the heck did I buy? (longwinded)

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mummac

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So about a week ago, I decided that I need some tacticality and walked into a local gun shop looking for a stripped AR receiver. I wanted to build a flat top AR with an ACE stock, railed gas block, lightweight bbl, muzzle brake, rubber grip and attach an EOTech with flip-down backup sights. I also didn't want rails all over the handguard. Well, the only stripped lowers they had were Bushmasters for $200. I told the sales guy what I had planned to do and he said that he had a bushmaster just like that. Immediately, I thought of the Bushmaster modular carbine which doesn't come with a brake, has rails all over the handguard and lists for way more than I wanted to spend. He came walking over with something else. As soon as I saw the barrel I knew it didn't fit my criteria, but when he handed it to me I felt a surge of mall ninja energy flowing through me.

This rifle seems to balance well for me and just felt right. He told me that it was "a nice Bushmaster rifle". I've never seen a Bushmaster with this upper configuration, not that I'm an AR expert or anything. The lower is definately a Bushy because it's got the logo. After checking the chamber, I flipped it to safe, but it didn't go all the way. I popped it open and saw a JP single-stage trigger, so I figured whoever put it in there never fit it to the selector. Moving parts in it didn't look very worn at all. It took me all of five minutes to ask the guy for a yellow form and I bought it with an EOTech.

Can anyone tell me what kind of upper this is? It may be something that someone put together. It has a carbon fiber handguard and the only thing I've recognized after exhaustive Internet searching is the ?barrel nut? between the handguard and receiver. It looks like the ones I've seen in pictures of JP rifles. The bbl is really thick inside the handguard. I'm kinda worried to shoot 5.56 in it if it's chambered for .223 only.

I bought it on the way to my folks' house for dinner and regretted buying this thing until I pulled it out of the case to show my step father. I really like the way this thing feels. It's too bad I've been working 70 hours a week and haven't had a chance to test it out yet.

Here's some photos. Excuse the mess:
 

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First thing first the ammo is the same 5.56x45 is the same as .223. That just the civilan name for the cartridge

The hand guard look like the type that don't touch the barrel, the free floating type. Your group don't change no matter how you hold you rifle.

It has a muzzle break only type on the barrel. It look like the post 94 ban type (which exp)

Look like they got you good, they sold you a red dot sight on the top.
Nice to have on the range but combat is something else.

The rail is also good for a scope mount that does not need a cheek ext. because it at the same hight as iron sights.

The upper reciver is some time refered to as Flattop with out sights or carryhandle in the casting.

The shoulder stock is of the Skeleton type also post 94 ban (exp)

How much did you pay for it?
I can't buy them in my state.

one more item it does look a lot like the 16inch Modular Carbine on their web site www.bushmaster.com
 
-justsurvivingcali
there is some difference between .223 and 5.56, .223 is usually target/match rifle, 5.56 is usually for defense. i dont know the details, but i know theres a difference. someone will surely fill us in.
 
The stock looks like an Ace boom tube. the muzzle brake looks familiar but i can't place it. possibly an armalite. the forend definitely looks like an armalite.
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Thanks Andrew, I think you nailed it. I spent hours scouring websites and doing google image searches yet somehow forgot about Armalite.
 
First thing first the ammo is the same 5.56x45 is the same as .223. That just the civilan name for the cartridge
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NOT true! 5.56 is different and you should not shoot 5.56 through .223 chambered rifles. the reverse is perfectly safe, though. damage to the rifle could result as the 5.56 has higher pressures and a very tiny difference in the neck of the cartridge. most rifles are chambered in 5.56 and the only time you will see .223 is dedicated match rifles. if the barrel doesn't say .223 then it probably isn't but i'd take it to a 'smith just to be sure.
 
The bbl is really thick inside the handguard. I'm kinda worried to shoot 5.56 in it if it's chambered for .223 only.
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Sounds like your standard HBAR. They are a lot thicker under the handguards than you'd expect them to be. A Bull would be that thick all the way out.

I wonder if that tube unscrews from the collar. You may be able to remove it to see if there is a 5.56 or .223 marking on the barrel under there. Bushmaster marks them in front of the gas/sight block (as does Colt). RRA marks them under the handguards IIRC. If it's RRA then it could be a Wylde chamber which would be a tighter chamber than 5.56, but still able to safely shoot it.

It's kinda odd that it has a Weaver rail gas block like varmint ARs have, but it has that step in the barrel like a faux M4.

Does the barrel have a chrome lined bore or chamber?
 
I wonder if that tube unscrews from the collar. You may be able to remove it to see if there is a 5.56 or .223 marking on the barrel under there.
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I thought about that, but as big as the tube is it still won't fit over the gas block. I went to a gun show today and did some comparing. I'm now 90% confident this is an Armalite upper. The similar Armalites I saw were labelled .223. For now I'll just shoot .223.

Does the barrel have a chrome lined bore or chamber?
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I can't really tell (not experienced). It's not particularly shiny. Would the chrome be really shiny like decorative chrome?

Thanks everyone for the replies.
 
It should be pointed out that Milspec ammo(5.56x45) is almost allways load to high pressures that commercial(.223 Remington) (SAMMI). It a CYA for the US ammo companies.

Milspec ammo can be fire in any firearm in good condition. That a judgement call that you the owner has to make.

I would not try to fire 9mm SMG ammo in say a WWII Lugar, but a Glock should not be problem.

There are times when a Milspec. rifle is NOT recomended for use with commercial ammo. The only example I know is Springfield Armory's M1a where only US GI ammo was recomended.

In the past I had problems with a 9mm handguns fail to cycle. I was told by the range master that the ammo I was fire was underpowered (winchester USA brand). He recomended trying federal American Eagle brand). I never had a problem since.

Note: the rifle in question should be milspec and should have no problem firing milspec ammo.

ASK BUSHMASTER SEE WHAT THEY SAY
 
Note: the rifle in question should be milspec and should have no problem firing milspec ammo.

ASK BUSHMASTER SEE WHAT THEY SAY
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But the confusion is that this doesn't appear to be anything that Bushmaster built. If it is simply a Bushy reciever, they won't be able to tell you squat. And if it is a .223 chamber, he could have problems. OTOH, if it is a 5.56 chamber, or .223 Wylde, there will be no problems, your statement would be correct.

Look at the top of the barrel, right behind the flash hider. Any markings there? Often, that is where the barrel manufacture markings are.
 
Look at the top of the barrel, right behind the flash hider. Any markings there?
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Unfortunately no. It has this rubber coating on barrel. I thought I mentioned that earlier, but after re-reading see that I didn't. I saw the exact same rubber coating and muzzle brake on two Armalites at the show today. I think Andrew was dead on with his identificaiton.

ASK BUSHMASTER SEE WHAT THEY SAY
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It's not a bushmaster upper. If it was, I would know it was chambered for 5.56 from the markings on the lower. I am going to call Armalite tomorrow to see what they say. I'm sure they will probably tell me that their bbls are marked under the handguard.
 
how do you like the JP single stage trigger, I have one on my armilite and love it, did have to fit it to get the saftey to work though.
 
Kennedy, The JP trigger is sweet. The whole point of me getting a new AR was to get into action rifle and maybe three-gun. I was a little worried that it might be too light and I'd have to replace it with a spare Bushy two stage trigger I have. After my range trip earlier today, I think it's perfect. I need to fix the safety though. I'm not sure if I want to fit it to my selector or just order a JP selector.
 
It looks very nice, how much did you pay for it?????

5.56 is the military chamber specification, it means that there can be a little more headspace, and the chamber can be a little looser than a .223 chamber. A 5.56 chamber can take more wear and still be in spec for 5.56 IF however a .223 chmbered gun wears to the point where its out of spec for .223 it could still be in spec for 5.56. When a bushmaster or colt or RRA leaves the factory the chamber is a hair looser than on a remingtion bolt gun with a .223 chamber. 5.56 ammo if manufactured correctly, will be the same size as .223 ammo. Some military 5.56 ammo will be loaded hotter than SAAMI specifications.

Properly made 5.56 ammo will fire fine in a .223 chambered gun, .223 ammo if made properly will fire fine in a 5.56 chambered gun. ALL the handloading manuals I have ever seen do not have a different specification for .223 and 5.56 ammo because if made to SAAMI spec they are exactly the same!!!!!

Good luck with your new gun someone spent about $1000-1200 building it is my guess, so if you paid less than $1000 you got a good deal.
 
It is my understanding the milspec ammo has a slightly different shoulder and headspace for use in the full auto weapons the military favors. Something about the ammo being slammed into the chamber makes this necessary. There are some warnings about using 5.56 ammo in .223 rifles but I have never had any trouble switching back and forth between factory .223 and military 5.56 in either my AR15 or my bolt action .233 rifle. I don't know anyone who's had a problem. I never heard of anyone actually having a problem.
 
It looks very nice, how much did you pay for it?????
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It was $1295 with the NIB EOTech. The EOTech is the AA model with night vision capabilities. I don't need the night vision, but it was already on the gun. They wanted $950 for just the rifle. I don't think I got that great of a deal, but it was an impulse buy.
 
Hey if you have the money and you wanted it, good for you.
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Absolutely. Most folks on this board know all to well from experience the concept of 'opportunity cost'....
 
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