I recently started and/or built out 2 A1-type rilfes (an M16A! and an XM177E2) and one A2 rifle (A2 Gov't rifle).  I have 1 A2 upper/rifle left that I might do something with:  factory Bushmaster ban-era carbine with a pinned and welded AK74-type muzzle brake, no bayo lug.  

I have contemplated changing the barrel ever since the ban ended.  For a while I used it pretty much exclusively with a .22 LR conversion kit, but lately it just doesn't get used at all (I have a S&W M&P15-22).  Is the 14.5" Bushy barrel with pin/welded AK74 brake (to non-NFA length) and no bayo lug going to bring much resale value?

What else might be interesting to do with this if I do change it?  Really don't want a "vanilla" 16" carbine (I already have an M4-gery upper--flat top of course).  I do have an SBR lower so I could do something SBR if it is interesting enough (I already have plans for a 11.5" DD barrel fully modern SBR w/ suppression capability).

What to build, what to build...


Rob

... You could always sell it to someone like me.

Pics of what you have?

Do you mean the Bushy?  Or the other A1/A2 builds?

Rob

The Bushy.

You could just shoot it.   Yeah, lets have pics.  

Sometimes weird stuff is just cool.  I wonder what it sounds like with that brake.

The upper, AK brake and the receiver legend








Rob

I would say that you have a few options. Any way you go, it would mean a barrel change.

First, you could build a 727 clone.

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A Model 733 A2 Commando

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Even a lightweight A2 build similar to the Colt R6520. This is a lightweight A2 build I did last year.

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I don't recall it being all that different from "normal".  But I also did most of my shooting with it when it was my only AR.


Rob

Year before last, I made a trade with a guy for an AR that had a 1994 Bushmaster 14.5" HBAR upper assembly with a C7 upper and one of the AK-74 type brakes on it. The lower assembly was built on a 2004 DPMS lower. The upper also came with a Surefire M500 and a gooseneck mount. I cut off the AK-74 type brake and had a BCM extended A2 FH pinned and welded on to it. I also found an Aimpoint Comp M2 with a QRP mount to install. It is not light by any means, but it is a great shooter.

This was before:

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This is after:

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You could just keep it as is and replace the AK-74 type brake with a pinned and welded extended A2 FH. I will warn you that the current brake has more than one pin securing it. It would have to be cut off carefully.

Another option would be to have ADCO Firearms re-profile the barrel to a lightweight profile (.625") and install a new .625" FSB with a bayonet lug. There are a lot of options available to you.

Forgot the barrel info:  B MP 5.56 NATO 1/9 H BAR

Same barrel I have on my Bushmaster upper.

What is the barrel length on this Model 733 A2 Commando? I thought they had 10.5 barrels, but this one looks longer. Curious as i may want to build something similar with my A2 upper when i have the funds.

The Model 733s had 11.5" barrels. Additionally, they were first introduced with M16A1 uppers and lowers and a 1/7 A1 profile (.625") barrel. Later, they had the M16A1E1 (C7) uppers and eventually transitioned to the M16A2 upper and lower with a 1/7 government profile (.750") barrel.

Thanks for the help. Who makes an 11.5" 1-7 twist goverment profile barrel with a FSB? That seems like a very specific barrel and i dont imagine many people making that.

I bought a Daniel Defense barrel from ADCO Firearms and Steve installed the FSB along with the barrel nut for me. Ballistic Advantage makes the barrel (minus the FSB) as does BCM.