Colt or Bushmaster?
Bushmaster.
I have both.
In fact, if you want to buy a 1986 pre-ban Colt HBAR, e-mail me), and I apoligize for that shameless pitch. That was NOT what I menat to do - but I would have.
I put a Bushmaster 16" Vmatch Receiver on top of a factory Ace Stock Lower Receive with an EOTech on top of it, and I love it.
Old Colts have front lower receiver swivel attachments to the upper receiver accomplished with screws, instead of a pin (e.g.: military) - which sucks.
The Bushmaster is more military spec (to my feel), easier to clean, operates flawlessly (as does the Colt ) and shoots incredibly accurately for that genre rifle.
Side to side, I think I shoot the Bushmaster better, but that's subjective. They're both extremely accuraacy capable for what they do, and are probably a tie/match in that catagory. Package wise though, there isn't even a choice - the BM came out awsome. It feels so good I wonder whether it's legal?
Bushmaster's Customer Service has treated me like royalty, and the gun wasn't even there because there was anything wrong with it.
I have experience with Colt's in that every Colt Manufactured 1911, three in total (including a Gold Cup), shot full auto intermittently, and/or AD'd becaus of a part malfuction/breakage.
On the flip side, I'm a litte unconfident with the behavior of the adjustments on the EOTech Scope. But Bushmaster didn't make that. And EOTech says they can turn it around in 10 days max.