Bushmaster vsArmalite

[Silent Fart]

I'm thinking about buying a AR-15 carbine(M4). I was wondering what the differences are in the two. Is the quality about the same. I want to know because I can get the Bushmaster a little cheaper. Can anybody explain the strengths and weaknesses of the two are? THANKS

[MasterChief_USN]

Well I personally own a M4 (actually an AR10), it is in .308 caliber and I love it. I have a fairly large recoil but it is the carbine version of the original weapon. I had a bushmaster and got rid of it. Here are my reasons: The M4 fit my hands, meaning that my hands are large and the bushmaster didn't sit well in them...not knocking the bushmaster. The weight was also an important factor in the choice with me keeping the M4(in truth .308 AR10-A2). I also know that their are much more available parts for the AR than the bushmaster. Even though it seems that I favor the M4 the bushmaster is a great gun also. They are pretty much the same gun. I would advise that you look in a gun digest that compares the two and also take into consideration what you will be using the weapon for...i.e. target practice, C.Q.B, etc. It would seem that it would be a matter of personal choice. Another thing is to possibly find someone who has one or the other and shoot it a couple of times to see if you like it or not.
I know that wasn't much but I hope that helps some. I have a friend who has both...I will ask him about them and get back to you.
MasterChief...

[This message has been edited by MasterChief_USN (edited 04-20-2000).]

[veil]

The Bushmaster guns are very common here, and i've shot both their M15e2s (m16a2) and shorty m4 on the range. I cant really comment on issues such as reliability since i never took them into the field, but accuracy is just fine (well, dont expect to hit too much with the shorty on longer ranges) and the finish is perfect. Bushmaster guns must be the most carefully produced rifles i've seen. Especially compared to our C7's wich have milling burrs and scratches and non-polished parts all over the place.

-Veil

[k_miller]

MasterChief_USN:

I was going to let your response to this go until I started reading all of your other responses elsewhere on this site. You seem eager to offer advice/opinion, but fail in having knowledge to offer accurate information. There is no such thing as a .308 (7.62mm NATO) M4/AR-15. There are SR-25 and AR-10 or some hybrids out there, but not M4 set ups.

I appreciate your interest, but please read some of the others posts from actual operators first. You will learn from them. That is why most of us look at this site, to share/learn more information.

So, if you wish to offer up inaccurate advice, stick to telling your airsoft combat accolades on airsoft sites.

k_miller


[This message has been edited by k_miller (edited 04-17-2000).]

[MasterChief_USN]

K_miller

I understand you eagerness to correct others as if you are a know all and end all. I have these weapons in my possession...if you like I will personally show them to you..pay for you way down to San Diego and I'll pay for your way back to Georgia. If you look at at the posting it says in parenthesis that it is actually an AR in .308. Any jackass knows that you can't buy a real military version of the M4 anywhere. Thanks to the BATF. Second you comment about my hobbies is what I do now that I am out of the military...if you want to compare records send me a private email and we can talk.

[MasterChief_USN]

By the way for someone who claims that he is in the weapons Military Govt Sales you seem to lacking of common knowledge about how certain weapons are named and classified. The civilian version of the military counterpart never has the same nomenclature there for to get extremely techinical would be a waste of time as well as useless. Before you claim to be God about all weapons listen to others who know about this subject. I am not eager to give advice at all in fact they are my personal experiences about the questions and items which I have gone through. You seem to be so eager to jump into some else's toilet bowl before clearing the shit out of your own.
MasterChief
Originally posted by k_miller:
MasterChief_USN:

I was going to let your response to this go until I started reading all of your other responses elsewhere on this site. You seem eager to offer advice/opinion, but fail in having knowledge to offer accurate information. There is no such thing as a .308 (7.62mm NATO) M4/AR-15. There are SR-25 and AR-10 or some hybrids out there, but not M4 set ups.

I appreciate your interest, but please read some of the others posts from actual operators first. You will learn from them. That is why most of us look at this site, to share/learn more information.

So, if you wish to offer up inaccurate advice, stick to telling your airsoft combat accolades on airsoft sites.

k_miller


[This message has been edited by k_miller (edited 04-17-2000).]

[Mac679]

unless I'm mistaken, doesn't Bushmaster manufacture AR-15s? and isn't the M4 .223Rem? I've seen AR-15s chambered for 7.62x39mm but not .308Win. I know the AR-10 and SR-25 are .308Win and very similar in appearance ( except for size ) to AR-15s. Just curious, who manufactured your .308Win M4?
Mac

[Riley]

The military M4 is usually a telescoping stocked M16 with a 14.5" barrel. Some of the newer models have the detacable carry handle. Bushmaster makes AR-15's which are the semi-auto civilian version of the M16. The original prototype was calle the AR-15. M designates Military or Model. The basic AR is chambered in .223 Rem. which is the same as 5.56 NATO. Other varitations have been made in other calibers including, .45 ACP, 9mm, 7.62x39 and a variant in .308 Win. which is 7.62NATO.

AR-15 I belive is Colt's name, while Bushmaster calls it an XM-15 and other makers such as Olympic call it something else. Olympic changed the name to the PCR for Pollically Correct Rifle after the '94 SAW ban.

The M4 generaly refers to short barreled, collapsing stock carbine. Just a general term, in most cases.
The original M4 was manufatured by Colt and the original M4 uppers are marked M4. Now, FN, the makers of the FN-FAL, now make M16A3 for the military.
You can make an M4 after finding the parts and registering with BATF as a full auto. You can get what is usually called an M4gery that has a 16" barrel without flash hider or on a preban with a 14.5" barrel and permantly attached flash hider that makes the barrel 16". You can also attach a collapsing stock as long as it is a pre-ban rifle, made before 1994. For more info and any other questions go to www.AR15.com (http://www.AR15.com)
No flames, as this is what I've found in my search to build an M4 type weapon, either full auto or not. If I am wrong I appologize and again refer you to the AR15 wesite.
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Riley
Do it right, or not at all.

[This message has been edited by Riley (edited 04-19-2000).]

[Riley]

Oh, and as to Bushmaster vs. Armalite, I have the Bushmaster shorty with a 16" barrel and it's accurate, light and reliable and I love it. Never fired an Armalite, but they seem to be very nice rifles. I think you will be happy with either one. I'm affraid if you get to digging, it will start a Ford vs. Chevy type debate. Good luck.

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Riley
Do it right, or not at all.

[MasterChief_USN]

Actually K_miller did correct me and I aplogize for misinforming you as I did. I should have been more specific. The weapon I have is the AR10-A2 Carbine in the green polymer stock. It fires .308 which is the same as 7.62. It does not have the telescopic butt stock as those are illegal in my state. I don't know about others. My stock is the standard fixed stock and is the shortest that the law will allow. That is the specifics of my weapon. Just to answer someone's question you can't legally own a true M4, it is a military weapon althought you might be able to find variants of this weapon in stores somewhere. Also it depends on what state you live in and I don't know what other states rules are regarding collapsible stocks...but in CA..it is out of the question...
MasterChief...

[Riley]

For everyone's info the law is actually Federal law. The Semi-Auto Assault Weapon ban of 1994 defines a SAW as a weapon using a removable box magazine and a pistol grip that protrudes below the action of the firearm. On any AR style rifle, HK copy, AK copy, FN etc. made after Sept. 1994, it is illegal to attach any of these three things.
1. Flash hider
2. Tellescoping stock
3. Bayonet lug.

If you do not have a pistol grip, then you can have a flash suppresor OR one of the others. So you can add a flash suppresor to a standard Mini-14 but not a post ban,post '94, AR-15.

So, if you have a detachable magazine, you can have ONE and ONE only of the three evil features such as flash hider, bayonet lug or tellescoping stock.

California law is much stricter, and now requires the registration of all pre '94 weapons, and they are no longer allowed into the state as of Jan 1, 2000

Again, this is my research, subject to errors. Refer to www.AR15.com (http://www.AR15.com)


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Riley
Do it right, or not at all.