I need some guidance/advice from the good people on this forum.  I have the opportunity to pick up a used Bushmaster Modular Carbine (25th Anniversary) for $1000 from a friend.  It's in excellent condition.  I'm not looking at it for its collector value, just as a practical-use carbine.  What I like about the Modular Carbine is that I plan on mounting an EOTech once I buy an AR15, and this one already has flip-up sights that won't obscure the view.  Also, this one has a flash hider attached, but I've noticed that on other 25th Anniversary's I've seen on the internet that they had no flash hider.  What's the deal with that; were some sold with flash hiders?  My friend bought the carbine used and it was like that.  

So what I need to know is whether $1000 is a good price.  If not, what would be?  Also, I would like to get some opinions on the Modular Carbine from people who have owned/fired them and compared them to something like, say, an M4-style.        

You could actually build a modular carbine with exactly what you want on it for cheaper if you were willing to dive into something fairly simple and fun

+1 for build it yourself.

Max

Are you guys talking about building one from the ground up, or just adding stuff to a production model?  If building one from the ground up, do I need gunsmithing abilities?  Will all of the parts go together without any fitting required?  What uppers, lowers, and other parts do you guys recommend (pretty broad question, I know).  I have $1000 cash to spend on an AR15.  I like the M4 style the best.  Help me out guys...put together a $1000 package for me.  I'm pretty sure I want to put an EOTech on it eventually, so I'll need a flat top.  I guess I really need help with picking out the cool add-ons to go with the upper and lower, and maintaining my $1000 budget.  

get it .it sold for more than that new.and it has extras on it that will end up costing you more than the $1000 if you make one.

I bought a mod carbine when they were new.  Now that I know what I know I would have never bought it.  I changed the thing so much that it did not even resemble what it was.  If I was you I would start with the SEBR 2005 model that ar15.com is putting on with Bushmaster.  It is an excellent value and I think you will be happry with it.  Here is a link to the ongoing disscusion.

Keep the replies coming guys...it's giving me things to think about.

I really like my mod carbine, it is really accurate and reliable but if I did it over again I would probalbly have built one myself. I spent $1300 on it new during the ban, put on a telestock ($100), a flash suppressor ($100). Now thats a $1500 rifle. Then add bipod adapter, harris bipod, refex sight, leatherwood ART scope, surefire, magazines, slings, ammo, and on and on and on. Not cheap. $1000 seems like a pretty good deal for it though, it was way more expensive new.

well if it aint for collecting then build your own.

I've got a mod carbine too.  I love it, but I would never buy one gain - I'd build it.  I too am "converting" it to no-ban.  It's at ADCO right now getting the barrel threaded.
It has some nice features (flip ups, YHM rail handguards etc.)but, it'd be a LOT cheaper to build.

I can't decide whether to trash the ACE skelly stock and get a telestock or just keep it.  I like ho the ACE cheek welds.

I actually was able to get mine for $989.00 w/transfer out the door brand new, so I don't feel quite as abd as others.

Thanks for the help, guys.  I've decided to pass on this one and get something in the M4 design.