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Posted: 3/11/2008 7:51:23 AM EDT
| 1st Post.............I've just been reading for the past 2 weeks. I want to get back into building up my aresenal. I bought a Bushy 7-8 years ago when it seemed like the cats meow, Now I dont even see people talk about them much. Therre are so many different manufacturers. What should I do to upgrade my AR (Bolt, Barrel, Buttstock). Are the Bushy upper and lower good? obviously there is better from what i've read. I want to spend about 500-700 |
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If it shoots fine don't mess with the lower and bcg. Replace parts as needed. You'll hear all sorts of opinions. That's mine. Now if you're talking changing configurations then it's a whole new ball game. Gun weight, sighting system, ergonomics...that's the fun stuff to mess with. Depending on your set-up there's lots of options. I just changed my bushy upper out to a flat top, lw CMMG barrel, low power optics, and put an ACE skeleton stock on there because i think it "looks cool". So the question is this, what are you looking to get out of your rifle? Come up with goals for your AR. That's step one. Step two is features you need to accomplish your goals. Step three is picking the good stuff from the bad. |
Welcome aboard  the only thing left on my pre-ban Bushmasters thats factory is the lower and parts minus the hammers.Uppers and lowers are like most everybody elses its who machines them.If your lower has an L prefix before the ser# then its LAR machined.If its BFI and the 3d snake head its in house.If you list the type of Bushmaster you have and what your needing for performance it would be easier to recomend changes.I upgraded my carbine with an LMT enhanced carrier that increases dwell time so chamber pressure is almost zero like a 20" gas system performs,Colt bolt with mcfarland gas ring and les baer hard chromed extractor that has over 7K rounds and has seen 2 other bolts besides the colt,CMMG barrel with M4 extension,CMT flat top with M4 ramps,9mm buffer,6 posistion RRA telestock"commercial"surefire M73 rail system. Bolts are always a good place to start.I have a Colt bolt I got new and its been great.Bravo company makes a very good MP inspected shot peened bolt as well.Maybe your carrier if its an older un shrouded or exposed firing pin on the bottom you might want to change that.Metal trigger guard..I hate the plastic ones.Maybe fatter M4 handguards.Manufacturers are just assemblers. Its the components that go into a rifle that count.Ive learned on this site and in my experience with ARs that its better to spend a few extra bucks for quality so theres no regrets later.I know this for sure picking good quality components and building yourself can give you a better made and better qulaity rifle at the same price as what you can buy off the shelf.Better made depends of course on your skills but it is possible to have the best parts for roughly the same price youll pay in a factory rfile. |
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A common report about BM is that the gas key is not properly staked when it leaves the factory. If yours is, you're good to go. If not, you have a few choices to secure reliable operation. First is have it re staked. This is something you can do yourself, but I don't. Having a smith do it will cost you a little bit of money, which brings me to option two. You could buy a new bolt and carrier. This is always the first place I would start. You may never have a problem with your BCG, but if you shoot it a lot, it's usually the bolt that'll break. I would look at an MP tested group that's properly staked and has all the upgrades. I use LMT, but Colt, Bravo Company and now even CMT build them right. A spare bolt at least is a great thing to keep with your gun. This will sound spartan, but I would follow the advice above a come up with a plan first. The best upgrades other than bolt (to me) are a good sling and at least ten good mags. I've switched entirely to PMags. No use for metal. I wouldn't jump right into a new upper. BM barrels are still pretty nice and better than most. You don't need a FF rail to hang a light, but all of mine have them. Don't mess with the sights until you know what optics you'll likely use. One thing I do immediately is change the grip. It makes such a difference to me it's like a new gun. I've been told I'm the only one who thinks so, though. Welcome to the site. |
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First thing I do to ALL of my AR's is a Tango Down grip and Magpul trigger guard. All other options depend on what I intend to use it for. Spend some time in the industry section, lots of things you may not have seen before. My only advice to you is, don't buy junk! Quality parts cost more but you only buy them once (or two or three times, depends on the # of ar's. I should have some stock in Tango Down) |
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