My wife finally got her new 97S Carbon 15 in. I have given it a thorough going over and thought I'd post a little review for anyone that was interested.
First, I notice quite a few things that Bushmaster said they were changing from the PO C15's, and all for the better.
The following parts are all milspec (or so they appear visially) parts.
All fire control parts.
Bolt
Cam pin
firing pin
firing pin retaining pin
carrier key
charging handle (standard handle, except the t-part is polymer)
front sight post
rear sight app.
The bolt carrier is almost milspec, but is shorter, and has a few different cuts.
It appears from looking at it, that it could be converted over to a milspec carrier, buffer tube, buffer, buffer spring, and standard stock, with a few minor mods.
The upper fit onto my standard Bushy lower a little tight, but other wise just fine. I put one of my uppers on the Carbon 15 lower, and it fit a little snug as well, but it fit none the less.
The upper rail is an one piece all alloy unit. I put my Aimpoint/Arms #22M68 on it real quick, and it fit perfectly. Nice and tight with no movement at all.
I remember reading on here where someone had a PO version, and it got knocked over and shifted the forearm, or something like that. Below is a pic looking down the barrel under the forearm, and as you can see, there is a center piece that goes around the barrel. This one isnt moving. All in all I am very impressed. The proof is in the pudding though, so we'll have to see how it shoots. Will post that report then. Here are a few pics for now.