I owned a Bushmaster for a few years and ran several thousand rounds through it without a single malfunction. It had a 20" chrome-lined barrel and was very accurate. Overall, a high quality rifle IMO. I only sold it because my interests changed, not because of any dissatisfaction with the gun.
Who's got a Bushmaster?
- Thread starter kthomk
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vanfunk
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I've had 4 Bushmasters. All had various QC problems relating to their assembly - unstaked carrier keys, unstaked castle nuts, over-indexed barrels and canted front sight posts, and tight magwells in 2 examples. All 4 would not have been suitable for defensive use out of the box. These were purchased between '98 and '04, so I know it wasn't just a bad lot. Perhaps all were Monday morning or Friday afternoon throw-togethers, but the examples I owned have nearly put me off of Bushmaster forever.
I would consider another one if I could get them to make an M4 with a 1/7" twist with M4 feedramps, properly MPI'd and proofed bolt, correct carbine extractor insert, properly staked gas key, properly staked castle nut with a forged, mil-spec receiver extension, properly magnafluxed and proofed barrel that is correctly indexed, H buffer, and "F" height front sight post, but I'm not holding my breath! Grrrrr....
vanfunk
I would consider another one if I could get them to make an M4 with a 1/7" twist with M4 feedramps, properly MPI'd and proofed bolt, correct carbine extractor insert, properly staked gas key, properly staked castle nut with a forged, mil-spec receiver extension, properly magnafluxed and proofed barrel that is correctly indexed, H buffer, and "F" height front sight post, but I'm not holding my breath! Grrrrr....
vanfunk
Lonestar.45
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Colt and a few others would fit the bill for that list of specs, but not at Bushmaster prices. Since I'm not going into harm's way or kicking in doors I decided those options were not "must have" for me. Maybe on my second AR.
I picked up a Bushmaster Superlight a few months ago and I'm perfectly happy with it so far. One thing I found out when looking at AR's is that I did NOT want an HBAR, after handling many examples. You'll want to check them all out before making a purchase. Don't get stuck with a heavy barrel profile unless you know you want it.
vanfunk
Member
Oh, don't I know it! What I'm looking for is the AR equivalent of a free lunch - Colt quality at Bushmaster prices:banghead: , but it ain't gonna happen!
I have amassed a nice collection of ponies which suit me very well though, but the Black Rifle Disease keeps compelling me to buy more.
Vanfunk
I have amassed a nice collection of ponies which suit me very well though, but the Black Rifle Disease keeps compelling me to buy more.
Vanfunk
possum
Member
btw we have shot umc, wwb, wwb 5.56, m855 green tip, black hills, wolf, ultramax and haven't had a single issue in our bushmasters. we have shot all the above but continue to shoot mostly the winchester 5.5r and the umc as it is what we have found the best deals on.
possum
Member
that's good shooting, that black hills is on point. it's some good stuff i just wish i could afford to shoot it all the time.
treebeard
Member
I have two of them and love them both. One I shoot with just the iron sights and the other (flattop model) has a Nikon scope on it.
Reference "Colt quality at Bushmaster prices": I owned a Colt carbine in the mid-80s and used it quite a lot for a few years. Foolishly sold it and duplicated it as closely as I could with an A1 sighted Bushmaster carbine. Don't care for the useless forward assist, and would have preferred the superlight barrel but decided I could live with the M4 profile.
As I mentioned, the only thing I didn't care for on the new carbine was the heavy, creepy stock trigger--which felt exactly like the one I had on the old Colt. I looked at everyone's ARs at the NRA exhibits in Milwaukee in May to make up my mind, including Colt's. If I had thought that the Colt was noticeably better I was prepared to cough up the extra money. That has not turned out to be the case and I have had no regrets. By now I think I would have noticed any practical differences. One has a prancing colt on it and the other has a goofy looking snake.
I am a fanatic about reliability and thus far this one is a Timex. Better than the one Uncle foisted off on me in 1966-67.
As I mentioned, the only thing I didn't care for on the new carbine was the heavy, creepy stock trigger--which felt exactly like the one I had on the old Colt. I looked at everyone's ARs at the NRA exhibits in Milwaukee in May to make up my mind, including Colt's. If I had thought that the Colt was noticeably better I was prepared to cough up the extra money. That has not turned out to be the case and I have had no regrets. By now I think I would have noticed any practical differences. One has a prancing colt on it and the other has a goofy looking snake.
I am a fanatic about reliability and thus far this one is a Timex. Better than the one Uncle foisted off on me in 1966-67.
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