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Posted: 3/15/2007 9:04:16 AM EDT
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I have 2 Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbines in 16", the A2 and A3 versions. The A2 is bone stock, the A3 has had CAA stock saddle added, and a C-More Tactical model red dot with integral BUIS, a VFG and rails for mounting a light. I bought locally as well (I paid a little more but I like the owners of the shop.) I have had zero issues with either one, I do plan to make some internal upgrades, mainly replacing the extractor spring, buffer, and adding the Crane O-ring, and considering LMT bolt and BCM M16 carrier. |
| I had always heard that Busmasters were quality guns and I probably would have bought one without much hesitation but lately on this board I have read some negative things about them. Unfortunately I don't know enough about ARs to inspect one and tell if it is good so I'll be relying heavily on word of mouth and a company's brand reputation. |
Wow, I would have thought Colt or FN would have won that. That is a great testimony to Bushmaster's market strength. I'll give them a close look. I just found out that a local store has a new Sabre Defense M4 for $950, I might give that one a hard look too. |
Bushmaster sells sooooooo many more guns than all of the others combined, it is simple math that you will more about Bushmaster. What I'd be more concerned about is hearing anything about the other makers. BTW, Bushmaster customer service is second to none. I have 4 or 5 Bushy's. Good Luck Bill |
How would you say the stack up to Sabre Defense? |
If the DPMS has a chrome lined barrel, I would give it a serious look. If it doesn't go for the bushmaster. That is the one thing I won't look past on any AR I purchase. It MUST have a chrome barrel or I do not want it. I have several DPMS lowers and parts kits, etc.... and they are outstanding as far as I am concerned. But the whole barrel thing makes me  I love my bushmaster, and it broke my AR cherry, but since I have learned enough here to be a value shopper, I simply buy what suits my needs regardless of brand as long as its of sufficient quality and priced right. |
The stats that Pointman referred to are for the commercial market only, which FN does not participate in and Colt treats as a distant second priority. FWIW, I believe that the S&W is made by Continental Machine Tool. CMT sells under their own brand name, Stag, so you should probably regard Smith and Wesson and Stag ARs as one and the same. |
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UPDATE: my friend has offered to sell me his somewhat netuered Colt HBar Match Target w/20" barrell for $600 plus a trade for my ruger 22/45 pistol which I can't shoot with a darn anyway. This is pretty hard to pass up. How hard is it to put on a flash hider on a barrell without threading? |
w/o threading? Don't even try, as the FS will become a projectile on it's own. However it's not terribly expensive to have your barrel threaded to accept a flash supressor. Both AR15barrels.com and Adcofirearms.com have this service. I've used them both and they do good work. |
Not to "bash" LMT, actually I'd like to have one, but just this one post shows that a great company which sells a tiny fraction of the guns Bushmaster does, seemingly lets some goof ups get by. Now, if we were to project out LMT producing the number of guns Bushmaster does with these anecdotal stats, it would not look pretty. Good Luck Bill |
I seen a BirdCage/Brake at the 100 yard line just last week 
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1st: There is nothing at all wrong with DPMS rifles. If you decide to purchase one, you'll get many years of satisfied use out of it. You can bet on that. DPMS makes a good rifle. I wouldn't hesitate to own one if my budget and needs coincided. However, I prefer Bushmaster rifles. It is my opinion they are better made. Would I ever find myself in a situation where the differences between the two rifles had an impact? Highly doubtful. My best advice is this. Give it your own personal evaluation and decide which one YOU prefer. |
| S&W/Stags have had problems with a defective front sight base lately (see the optics forum). They appear to have fixed it, but if you buy one from a dealer who has had one in stock for a while, you may get one that you might have to return to the factory to have replaced. If you never plan to use the iron sights, it shouldn't be an issue. I love my M&P15, just haven't had it for a couple of weeks. |
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The DPMS was one of my first choices. If you can actually find a DPMS in stock or less than 6 months out buy it. I have had quotes of up to a year waiting for one. The Bushmasters seem to be very plentiful...for now. I didn't want to wait that long so I bought something else. I hate to sound panicky, but rifles seem to be drying up due to panic over the new ban proposal(see home page of this site), so I would get one while you can (and not have to pay through the nose). For a good honest opinion, find the guys that are working on them and ask about pluses and minuses of different brands. Please not that if you just want something to fire a bunch of rounds through buy an AK47. The AR requires that you pay more attention to keeping it clean. Good Luck and have fun. |
DPMS will chrome line the barrel and chamber for $39. That is a bargain! I can't think of a reason not to order that. I think the quality would be the same between all of them. You might be able to save some money with a DPMS. |
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