AR Sponsor
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Bushmaster Quality Issues (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/13/2011 6:50:23 AM EDT
|
I have a Bushmaster rifle and I have heard that they have some problems.
Could you guys help guide me? For two reasons: 1. I want to look at and prevent any problems with my rifle. 2. I am thinking about a pistol build off a Seeken Precision Lower and want to be a little more educated on the build before starting (spending extra $ ). |
|
I dont have a compete rifle or carbine but an upper from them.
I have not had anyproblems but I had the gas key re staked and added a extractor kit from BCM anyway. Some guys say you need to check the castle nut if you have a collapsible stock to see if its staked properly. Is this new production, old production? |
|
I owned a Bushy, it ate a key screw, and I GAVE it away after putting a screw in it and staking it. I don't regret giving it away and will never spend another dime on anything with the cartoon snake on it. Before someone comes in here saying that I should have checked or staked the carrier key screws, all the ARs that I owned before the Bushy were Colts that were finished when they left the factory (staked key screws) and I didn't know that the Bushmasters came unfinished (unstaked key screws). Before someone comes in here calling me a Colt fanboy, I own one Colt 6940 upper and the rest of my ARs are built from non-Colt parts.
This is my opinion and experience. Sure, some of you have had a great time with your Bushy and love it. Good for you, I'll spend my money with companies that do not tell me they will sell me some carrier key screws and I can fix it myself or I can ship it to them and pay them to fix it 
|
|
I have owned several BM rifles and put 10's of thousands of rounds thru mine with zero bolt related problems, I guess I am lucky (as are most BM owners). BUT, that said, BM has indeed let out many rifles with bad QC. I will not dispute that as fact.
Bushmaster is (was) one of the largest AR manufacturers. Years back, I swapped emails with their management with my concerns and ideas on how to stay competitive. Seems they felt they were "good enough", so we parted ways. I ran several BM rifles hard and they were my favorites, I liked them better than my Colts back then. I now only own one BM rifle and will not own any others, this was due to the lack of care by management. Other companies stepped up their quality while BM just made guns "good enough". Now I buy from companies that do seem to care, there are better choices than BM. But, I cannot take away that mine were great rifles and they served me well. If you own a BM rifle, I'd check the gas key bolt torque and verify staking is correct and I'd stake the castle nut. I'd then run the snot outa that rifle and enjoy it. Mine were accurate and reliable, they are not bad rifles (but there are better rifles available for the same money or less). |
|
I recently got a 16 inch M4 type Bushmaster off some guy who needed to pay rent (well, maybe this is a year ago now). The outside was very beat up, but it looked like he never shot it. I cleaned it up, shot it a lot, then turned it into a donor gun for a few different projects. The lower is the basis for my go-to gun, and the upper is on my SDMR project (rifle feedramps), and the barrel is the interim barrel for my 727 clone. There wasn't a single thing wrong with that gun.
I can't think of any problems I have ever had with a Bushmaster, or any problem Bushmasters brought in to the shop I work for (retailer/gun smith). The boss told me that years ago Bushmaster had some barrel problems, but that's all I know of. |
|
Quoted:
I have a Bushmaster rifle and I have heard that they have some problems. Could you guys help guide me? For two reasons: 1. I want to look at and prevent any problems with my rifle. 2. I am thinking about a pistol build off a Seeken Precision Lower and want to be a little more educated on the build before starting (spending extra $ ). Where did you hear they have problems? Internet? |
|
Quoted:
I owned a Bushy, it ate a key screw, and I GAVE it away after putting a screw in it and staking it. I don't regret giving it away and will never spend another dime on anything with the cartoon snake on it. img]http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/smiley_freak.gif[/img] You gave a rifle away?? a bit dramatic eh. OP. I dont think that quality is going to be a big concern. People all over the world have bushmaster rifles that function and work fine without the hassles some talk about. |
|
Quoted:
Yea, i only buy lexus and mercedes vehicles so i dont have to check that somebody didnt leave the oil drain plug loose... Oh wait... no i dont I change my own oil. Trust, but verify. As to the snake-gun it's hit or miss, check all the usual things and fix what's wrong if anything (and bitch about it online) and go shoot. They are alright but overpriced for what they are, some of them more so than others. |
| I have an older tax-time upper of theirs. It's my beater gun. Several thousand rounds through it with no problems at all. The front sight is canted so the rear sight requires a lot of windage but that's my only complaint. If I had spent more on it and cared a bit more for it I would be upset and want them to fix it but I don't. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Yea, i only buy lexus and mercedes vehicles so i dont have to check that somebody didnt leave the oil drain plug loose... Oh wait... no i dont 
I change my own oil. Trust, but verify. As to the snake-gun it's hit or miss, check all the usual things and fix what's wrong if anything (and bitch about it online) and go shoot. They are alright but overpriced for what they are, some of them more so than others. Yea me too. I also build my own engines..and check over all firearms that come into or leave my possesion |
|
I could not count on my hands the number of Bushys I have owned.
I have quite a few in the safes to this day. I have shot more rounds through Bushmasters than any other brand. I talking about thousands and thousands and thousands of rounds. Cases and cases and cases. I started shooting 3-Gun back in 1986. I have shot a shit load of ammo and most of it through Bushmasters. The only problem I have ever had was a bolt that would allow the bolt cam pin to be inserted from either side. This did not make the gun un-usable but it did require more attention while re-assembling the BCG as it could become a left-handed ejecting bolt. 
Bushmaster quickly sent a new bolt out. No issues. That has been it since 1986. Bill |
|
Quoted:
Thing of beauty man Ive had mine for 5 years and thousands of rounds never had any problems I love my bushy! http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m636/Texasgunguy88/4dd05fd4.jpg 
|
|
My Bushmaster has had zero problems since the day I bought it. I installed a BCM BCG in it, but it wasn't because there was anything wrong with the gun as is. It's been great for me. I'd have absolutely no hesitation about taking it into a SHTF situation.
Who have you been listening to? |
|
Noob here
I just bought my first AR and it was the Carbon Series bushmaster. What is exactly wrong with them? I have "heard" people say they are not "good" guns but haven't really seen too many issues. I've always thought Bushmaster was a good rifle, just from people I talk to. The only time I have ever heard anything bad about them is on the internet. Everyone says you get what you pay for, this applies to everything. I would buy parts for my car, such as downpipes from ebay, and the response I get is "you get what you pay for". It turns out those $300 downpipes I bought worked just as good and gave me just as much power increase as those $1000 downpipes that so-and-so bought. So I don't feel that you always have to buy the most expensive to get the best. I have a feeling that the only thing you hear about them is bad, not many people come on the internet to praise something, they are more likely to come on here and let you know how crappy something is though. I just don't get how this gun is really considered crappy (crappier)? If the carbon material used is 40% stronger and lighter how is it any worse off than say an aluminum rifle that would be 40% weaker? I'm no pro when it comes to rilfes, I just want to understand why these rifles are considered bottom of the barrel, or close to it? |
|
Like the BMs I have. Most I built myself. Others were like new uppers I picked up cheap on the EE. I suspect they got rid of them for canted sights (barrel). Only thing wrong. They either didn't know how or didn't feel like fixing it themselves. 15 minutes, sight problem solved, great rifle with centered sights.
Admittedly, BM needs to enter the 21st century and catch up with qualiy and lower prices to compete. |
|
Ok but thats one instance, its not like its an everyday occurance. I guess I will be my own judge when I recieve it. Either way this is my first AR, and certainly not my last. Sh!t I'm already looking at parts to build my own, piecing one together shouldn't be hard at all and it can be done overtime, parts are relatively inexpensive. |
|
Quoted:
Off topic for a minute. can someone tell me what/where a gas key is? OK, back on topic. Sorry, I see lots of parts that aren't covered by the military. The gas key is bolted to the top of the bolt carrier. It's the little protrusion that the gas tube enters. As to the topic......and this is no joke......the most accurate AR barrel I own is a Bushmaster barrel. Yes, the front sight is canted, but it's within spec......and the sucker shoots. |
|
Quoted:
Ok but thats one instance, its not like its an everyday occurance. I guess I will be my own judge when I recieve it. Either way this is my first AR, and certainly not my last. Sh!t I'm already looking at parts to build my own, piecing one together shouldn't be hard at all and it can be done overtime, parts are relatively inexpensive. They break often. Many if not most work just fine. But a whole lot simply break. That's the reality of it. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ok but thats one instance, its not like its an everyday occurance. I guess I will be my own judge when I recieve it. Either way this is my first AR, and certainly not my last. Sh!t I'm already looking at parts to build my own, piecing one together shouldn't be hard at all and it can be done overtime, parts are relatively inexpensive. They break often. Many if not most work just fine. But a whole lot simply break. That's the reality of it. I've done quick searches online about people having issues with them breaking and I have found very few. Do you have alot of experience with them breaking? Or is it just hear say? |
|
Quoted:
I have a Bushmaster rifle and I have heard that they have some problems. Could you guys help guide me? For two reasons: 1. I want to look at and prevent any problems with my rifle. 2. I am thinking about a pistol build off a Seeken Precision Lower and want to be a little more educated on the build before starting (spending extra $ ). You will have to eval your particular AR. If it runs fine as is then there is no reason to worry. Bushmasters don't have a reputation for being problematic as a whole. |
|
I am new to bushmasters and I don't know anything about the past rifles or the past staking of the BCG.
In all fairness, I know that the Bushmaster I bought last week has the BCG staked. These pictures are from a rifle from the new Ilion, N.Y. plant. I don't know if they are staking all the BCGs now but this came from the new factory already done. There customer phone service is not so good. 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ok but thats one instance, its not like its an everyday occurance. I guess I will be my own judge when I recieve it. Either way this is my first AR, and certainly not my last. Sh!t I'm already looking at parts to build my own, piecing one together shouldn't be hard at all and it can be done overtime, parts are relatively inexpensive. They break often. Many if not most work just fine. But a whole lot simply break. That's the reality of it. I've done quick searches online about people having issues with them breaking and I have found very few. Do you have alot of experience with them breaking? Or is it just hear say? I have personal experiences with them breaking, yes. More than a handful of customers over the few years I've worked part time in a gun store have brought in broken Carbon-15s. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ok but thats one instance, its not like its an everyday occurance. I guess I will be my own judge when I recieve it. Either way this is my first AR, and certainly not my last. Sh!t I'm already looking at parts to build my own, piecing one together shouldn't be hard at all and it can be done overtime, parts are relatively inexpensive. They break often. Many if not most work just fine. But a whole lot simply break. That's the reality of it. I've done quick searches online about people having issues with them breaking and I have found very few. Do you have alot of experience with them breaking? Or is it just hear say? I have personal experiences with them breaking, yes. More than a handful of customers over the few years I've worked part time in a gun store have brought in broken Carbon-15s. Thanks, it's better to hear people who have had actual experience with problems than just listening to people say they heard, their friends, brothers, sisters, boyfriends had issues. What was the biggest or most common issue? just random breaking? |
|
The very early Bushmasters from the 1980's had a tight magwell and orolites would not drop out. Other than that no problems I am aware of.
It wasn't until I came to this sight that I realized the Bushmaster I owned, that had thousands of rounds thru the tube with no problem, was a POS. Thank God for the internet. |
|
Quoted:
The very early Bushmasters from the 1980's had a tight magwell and orolites would not drop out. Other than that no problems I am aware of. It wasn't until I came to this sight that I realized the Bushmaster I owned, that had thousands of rounds thru the tube with no problem, was a POS. Thank God for the internet. LOL 
|
|
There is nothing wrong with Bushmasters in general. Every company assembles a "lemon" occasionally.
The only problem with Bushmasters is that they are no longer the "flavor or the month". At one time they were considered "top tier" by the Fanboys. AR Name/Manufacturer Brands are like new Nightclubs. New clubs are born all the time. They open, become the new hot spot, and then fade when as newer clubs open. Right now it's BCM, with PSA climbing rapidly. In two years, who knows which manufacturer will be at the top of the Fanboy List. While there are some manufacturers with poor reputations with good reason, Bushmaster is not one of them. The only ARs that I will stay away from without even considering are guns that don't have aluminum upper and lower receivers. Enjoy your new rifle, and don't worry about the Fanboys. |
I have a Bushmaster M4 that I bought in 2007, I never had any problems with it at all. Last year I upgraded the BCG and CH to BCM, and BCM Gunfighter Mod 3, honestly the BCG made no difference other than it looks cool, but the CH is outstanding.........BTW The Picture of the Bushmaster lower from the new plant in NY is the first one I've seen, My local gun shop sells all Stag AR's. 
|
|
What breaks?
Gas keys? A $65 FA BCM carrier will fix that. Bolt? Hell just replace the entire BCG with a BCM for $130. There are parts you can add that will fix any problem. This is the same insert brand x crap that goes on & on. Pissing matches on what is better & why one is crap. I had a 20" BM & never had any problems with it in thousands of rounds. But I did add a BCM BCG when I bought it, as I bought it used. |
|
Quoted:
There is nothing wrong with Bushmasters in general. Every company assembles a "lemon" occasionally. The only problem with Bushmasters is that they are no longer the "flavor or the month". At one time they were considered "top tier" by the Fanboys. AR Name/Manufacturer Brands are like new Nightclubs. New clubs are born all the time. They open, become the new hot spot, and then fade when as newer clubs open. Right now it's BCM, with PSA climbing rapidly. In two years, who knows which manufacturer will be at the top of the Fanboy List. While there are some manufacturers with poor reputations with good reason, Bushmaster is not one of them. The only ARs that I will stay away from without even considering are guns that don't have aluminum upper and lower receivers. Enjoy your new rifle, and don't worry about the Fanboys. So the general consensus is good overall rifle, just not top choice amongst enthusiasts. Besides the few carbon models that have broke (which I'm sure there are some aluminum uppers and lowers who have seen some crap days) what is the general problem with the carbon models? is it just because it's somewhat new? (not sure if it is) and hasn't been "proven". If they are claiming that this carbon material is stronger, wouldn't you want that? See I have no Idea so I am just trying to get answers so sorry for all the questions. I thought I also heard the carbon material helps dissipate the heat? again clueless not sure. |
|
Quoted:
I have a Bushy Patrolman since 2005 and never had any issues with it. I have been shooting the hell out of it since I got it. Mine 2 I got mine in 2004 and I put thousands of rounds through it and I went through classes with it and no problem .But their is a web sight out there that hates Bushmaster with a passion the moderator used to E-mail me shit saying I need to stop bragging on my Bushmaster because it is a piece of junk and threatening me with infractions .That is why I do not go to M4carbine.net any more they will flame you and tell you that you need to go to AR15.com to brag about my Bushmaster or to just talk about it IRAQGUNZ you can Kiss my Bushmaster ARFCO ASS 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I own a couple of Bushmasters and I shot thousands of rounds through them, I've never had a problem with either of them......... My results have been the same. I have now stopped cleaning them, and they still just run and run. Same here with 3 Bushies. |
|
At one time I owned 8 Bushmaster rifles. The rifles were purchased from 2001-2003. I had gas keys come loose on two of the rifles with 2,500-3,000 rounds on them. Three were safe queens with very few rounds so who knows how they would have run over the long haul. Two others had over 12k rounds on them and ran great the entire time. In fact one of those high round count rifle was surprisingly accurate. Bushmaster makes a very good barrel. I don't consider a 25% failure rate acceptable and no longer buy Bushmaster ARs.
My buddy also had a gas key come loose on his Bushmaster purchased in 2005 or so. Also happened at about 2-3k rounds. My advice would be to check the gas key bolts and stake them. Otherwise nice rifles. |
Spikes and DD are making complete rifles for the same or less money than Bushmaster, DPMS, RRA and even Olympic. Then you wont have to ask what might go wrong with your AR. All being a dick aside, if it runs out of the gate and doesnt break anything the first 5k rounds with basic maintaining just shoot and enjoy the damn thing. |
| They are the issued rifles at my PD and we've had them since 05. We've put thousands of rounds through them and we haven't had a single issue with them period. Our SWAT guys have put even more rounds than that through their 11.5" carbines, and they've had them since 02 I believe, and they are still going strong. I ended up liking them so much that I purchased 2 of their 14.5" carbines because we are allowed to carry our own rifles also. |
|
Quoted:
There is nothing wrong with Bushmasters in general. Every company assembles a "lemon" occasionally. The only problem with Bushmasters is that they are no longer the "flavor or the month". At one time they were considered "top tier" by the Fanboys. AR Name/Manufacturer Brands are like new Nightclubs. New clubs are born all the time. They open, become the new hot spot, and then fade when as newer clubs open. Right now it's BCM, with PSA climbing rapidly. In two years, who knows which manufacturer will be at the top of the Fanboy List. While there are some manufacturers with poor reputations with good reason, Bushmaster is not one of them. The only ARs that I will stay away from without even considering are guns that don't have aluminum upper and lower receivers. Enjoy your new rifle, and don't worry about the Fanboys. Big +1 to the above. Anyone who has lurked here since this place was a list server will remember that at one time the flavors were ABC. Armalite Bushmaster Colt |
| I have my issues with Bushmaster as a company personally. I have not liked some of the things that they have claimed (saying they were arming the US Army with our rifles in an ad a while back) and some of their actions that they have done overall (court cases). I had one issued to me when I was a cop and it ran ok, but I never abused it either. I am sure one would work just fine, but I have my personal favorites over Bushmaster that I like. Just like Magpul, I use a few of their products and like the ones I us, but the promotion of their massad over the "unreliable" AR platform a few years ago pissed me off so I limit my business with them a lot. Not that they make bad products, I just felt that they were shitting on the AR community for a brief period of time to sell their new rifle (which Bushmaster makes now I guess) and the AR community was what they originally made their money off of. I think they are innovative as all getout, but if someone else makes a different version of it then I will buy the different one. Maybe I am an asshole for that but oh well. Same with CMMG. I have one of their uppers and love it. Most accurate and reliable weapon I own but after a run in at a gun show with them and hearing their attitude on how they were gonna slowly raise their prices due to the election scare (way before Obama was a real candidate too) I decided to part ways with them. I could go on but I wont. I do not forget about these things and I spend my money accordingly. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Bushmaster Quality Issues (Page 1 of 2)
AR Sponsor