SpeedAKL
Member
I was reading an interesting thread the other day on the 10-8 law enforcement forums; it started out as a typical "What AR should I/my department get" thread. However, a guy came on there and said that his department have bought 20-something Bushmaster M4s and they had all been jam-o-matics, with lots of stuff breaking. It evolved into a discussion on the quality control of various brands, particularly focusing on Bushmaster.
Several people in the thread made the claim that Bushmaster changed their QC after 2002 and that the guns produced after that are not as sturdy. My question is: does anyone have info that can back this up?
I'll share from personal experience. I have not used a post-2002 Bushmaster for any more than a few rounds. I have a Bushmaster that was manufactured in the late 1990s, which some of the "evil" stuff added back on later. Full disclosure here: I have not run the thing in a carbine class or blown off several thousand rounds in one day. In addition, I bought the gun used so I cannot verify that internals like the BCG are stock.
Having said that, the thing runs like a champ. It gets more use than any gun in my safe because quite frankly it's the most fun gun to shoot. It will not jam, even on extended rapid-fire sessions, so long as I follow my one rule (Don't Shoot Wolf). I have handled numerous ARs from most major brands (Colt, LMT, Sabre, RRA, Stag, DPMS, etc) and the quality of furnishing is right up there with the best. The gas keys on the bolt are neatly and properly staked as they should be (note again, it may not be a stock BCG). In short, I have had zero problems with the gun after a few thousand rounds.
I was wondering if anyone has experienced issues with the newer and/or the older guns, either personal or witnessed, and if anyone knows whether Bushmaster changed their quality standards in the last few years.
Several people in the thread made the claim that Bushmaster changed their QC after 2002 and that the guns produced after that are not as sturdy. My question is: does anyone have info that can back this up?
I'll share from personal experience. I have not used a post-2002 Bushmaster for any more than a few rounds. I have a Bushmaster that was manufactured in the late 1990s, which some of the "evil" stuff added back on later. Full disclosure here: I have not run the thing in a carbine class or blown off several thousand rounds in one day. In addition, I bought the gun used so I cannot verify that internals like the BCG are stock.
Having said that, the thing runs like a champ. It gets more use than any gun in my safe because quite frankly it's the most fun gun to shoot. It will not jam, even on extended rapid-fire sessions, so long as I follow my one rule (Don't Shoot Wolf). I have handled numerous ARs from most major brands (Colt, LMT, Sabre, RRA, Stag, DPMS, etc) and the quality of furnishing is right up there with the best. The gas keys on the bolt are neatly and properly staked as they should be (note again, it may not be a stock BCG). In short, I have had zero problems with the gun after a few thousand rounds.
I was wondering if anyone has experienced issues with the newer and/or the older guns, either personal or witnessed, and if anyone knows whether Bushmaster changed their quality standards in the last few years.