Bad gunshop info about Bushmaster?

[Frog48]

Theres a local gunshop that I buy ammo from regularly. The owner is a real friendly guy, but I'm questioning his credibility...

I'm interested in an AR-15, and was asking him about different AR's that he has access to. He doesnt have any in stock, but can get ahold of whatever I want... I told him that I have done some research online, and like Rock River and Bushmaster. Here's where it gets fishy...

He says that they're both good rifles, but he "warns" me that if I plan to customize an AR, that I should stay away from Bushmaster. He claims that alot of the parts are not AR standard, and wont interchange with other AR's. This sounds very counter-intuitive to me, because parts commonality is one of the attractions of AR's.

Any truth to this, or is the gun shop owner misinformed?

 

[Andrew S]

As far as I know he is just misinformed.


It is nothing to hold against him though. All gun dealers are salesmen. If you treat them that way and do your research before hand and know what you want going in then you won't have any problems.

 

[Frog48]

Oh definitely. I wouldnt stop buying from him because of that. Like I said, he's a really friendly old man, and I really enjoy going into his shop.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I think he's misinformed.

I prefer RRA to Bushy myself.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Misinformed. I have two rifles that were originally Bushy and right now probably neither one has more than 30% Bushmaster parts. No problems.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have a Bushmaster lower with a Colt upper. It works just fine.

Pilgrim

 

[ArmedBear]

Theres a local gunshop that I buy ammo from regularly. The owner is a real friendly guy, but I'm questioning his credibility...

That's not an uncommon thing.

 

[Chipperman]

He claims that alot of the parts are not AR standard, and wont interchange with other AR's.

He's full of beans. Colt's are actually more of a problem than any others (sear block, pin size, etc)

 

[orangelo]

He's right about a few things not being the same.

Bushmaster and RRA rifles don't use milspec buffer extension tubes so stocks like the VLTOR won't fit on them.

RRA M4 profile barrels are heavy under the handguards so some rail systems might not work.

I don't think either company uses the F marked front sights made for flat-top rifles.

Colt has the oversized pins etc...

Every company has their quirks.

 

[Critter183]

I think he is misinformed as well. I have one Bushmaster lower with a Les Bahr upper and aftermarket trigger, plus another with a bastardized, no forward assist, Colt A1 M16 upper with a 16 inch Wislon heavy barrel. It was a large hole upper that I bushed to fit the small pin Bushmaster lower. It's a tackdriver that works like a charm.

All that said, I like my Rock River the mostest.

RRA builds one heck of a rifle. I have number 49 of 1000 (much less actually made I think) of the first AR15.Com group buy in 2001.

 

[rockstar.esq]

You'd likely find as much variance purchasing a Winchester 94 now and trying to swap parts with aftermarket stuff or even older winchesters. Part of the reason gunsmiths exist is that firearm production is rarely if ever a simple put it all together situation. The notable exception would be a gun with wide tolerences such as an AK.

 

[possum]

get a bushmaster, and you can do what ever you want to it, and you will be very happy with it to boot!

 

[mc223]

Sometimes it's tough to teach those old dogs new tricks. Buy the Bushmaster and educate your dealer. Maybe even point out the potential profitability your dealer may be missing in handling some of those parts.