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Thread: I know my BM isn't a top tier rifle (rambling inside)......

  1. #11
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    Thumbs up

    Maybe I'm just lucky, but my Bushmaster has worked fine for me for over 7 years, one state firearms instructor class(2 weeks of free! ammo...), and dept. quals for those years plus monthly practice sessions. I had at least 2,000 thru it before I wised up and started keeping a round count, now at least 3,000, and have not had a problem. Of course, my Glock 36 has a ton thru it and I've had zero probs with it in the 10 years I've had it.
    Only mods to my Bushy are defender ring on the extractor and a night sight front sight.
    I clean it after every range session and keep it lubed and use quality mags. I've been real pleased with it.....

  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheBelly View Post
    Long time lurker, obviously this is my first post.

    I bought my first AR in 2004, a BM XM-15 thingy. I can't say that I have buyer's remorse as I've only used it as a paper slayer at the range and I've never run it hard. As such, I've only had a couple FTE and it was due to a worn extractor spring.

    It's not hard for me to admit that my BM isn't exactly 'professional grade'. I know it's not, and I've been reading a lot on here about what build processes, quality of materials, testing procedures, etc. go into making the most reliable weapon. I've taken my time and read most of the stickies here and in the technical section.

    I'm at a bit of a crossroads, though. I know that I can "fix" parts of my BM and make it better than what it started out, or I can save my dough and drop it on a REAL firearm.

    I understand that it would be very easy to just drop the cash on a BCM/DD/Colt/LMT and call it a day. I feel morally obligated to support my local businesses/small businesses/I think you know where I'm going with that. I'll even over pay a bit if I know that it helps put the money back into a local community. If you're still reading, here's where my question is:

    What are the smaller makers that still produce a good, quality product?

    Thanks for reading my rambling, and I look forward to learning as much as I can..

    -Bely

    Hello and welcome to the forum!

    I would buy the spare parts that wear our or break (on any AR) and just shoot your gun.

    Parts list to keep around:

    1. Bolt
    2. Extractor spring and insert
    3. Buffer Spring

    About that only thing I would buy now is an H2 or H3 buffer (as your gun is over gassed. Those are cheap and easy and will make a difference.

    Save your money (that you would have spent on upgrades or a new AR) and put it towards training. You will be much better off in the long run.


    C4

  3. #13
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    I don't know what local businsses you have aroundthere to support, but for me, there is a little shop in Lexington putting out quality rifles, Accurate Armory. They aren't a big name yet, but several local PD's have started using their carbines and I've gotten to play with a couple of their complete rifles. Their quality is excellent and they will work with you on customizing the weapon to your liking. My next build will be an SBR and I'll most likely be working with them on it.

  4. #14
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    TheBelly, I'm also torn between buying locally and getting the best deal online. And I was in your position about upgrading my first AR, an ArmaLite.

    But most of us buy a lot of things locally so why not go for the good deals online, when you can't beat them at home. Shopping around isn't a bad thing and most of us have a budget to stay in.

    I'd say do your research and know exactly what you want in your next AR then buy the corresponding BCM, Daniel Defense, etc. upper online and have it shipped to your front door. Put it on your Bushmaster lower and run it.

    Then maybe buy upgrades locally and even a stripped lower with your favorite rollmark (or at least your local FFL will get a transfer fee). Put a quality LPK, receiver extension, H buffer and stock kit on it (probably best to get this online again and delivered to your door). Of course you will now have your Bushy back and a new lower for the new upper.

    I did something like this recently and now in addition to my ArmaLite I have the equivalent of a Daniel Defense M4V3 LW (on a different lower but with high quality components).


    ETA: And if you want you could sell your Bushmaster to recover the investment in the new AR. It's likely that it's worth more in original condition than if it had a bunch of upgraded parts.

    Of course an easier option is buy a complete quality AR online, pay the transfer fee locally, and then sell the Bushmaster locally to boost the local economy (including YOU).
    Last edited by Quentin; 02-15-11 at 11:33.

  5. #15
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    I was in the same situation at one time. The BM was purchased used but looked well taken care of. My first time out I had a FTE on the 10th round and reseated the magazine and was good. I replaced all the mags that came with the purchase with New Magpul's and also replaced the basic items you found in the sticky's on this great site. From that point on I have used it in 4 classes and put 5,335 rounds to this day without any problems except a fresh mag kept falling out during training (Mag #6) and Magpul sent a new one ASAP. I did save up and purchased a few more upper tier AR's but never felt the BM would let me down.

    So I agree with Grant and spend the money on training with the basic mods to your BM and as time goes by you will know if additional $$ is available to purchase your dream gun.
    NRA Lifetime Member
    Firearms and Diesel Trucks....the left's worst nightmare!

  6. #16
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    I reconcile the fact that I get good deals online for major purchases with the money I spend on ammo and accessories at my local store. What I can buy separately online for about $1100-1200 and put together, would be over $1500 at my local store. When you add the taxes on that, that's a decent saving worth having.

  7. #17
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    Vegas has a good point and I was awkwardly trying to say that earlier. Don't feel bad about shopping and getting a good deal online if you can't find it locally. (For example who in their right mind would pay $100 locally for an HDMI cable when you can get it online and shipped for $10.)

    Most local shops can't compete with the selection and prices on the internet but is that a reason for you to settle for something less that's in stock and costs more? The savings you made online likely WILL be spent in the local economy, so it's not a complete loss for the community. Of course try to spend some of that in local gun shops that treat you right. It's a fine line but don't hurt yourself by bending over backwards to buy locally.

    ETA:
    Also the other side of the coin is that you should support quality online vendors like Grant here and others who you most certainly want to be around next time you need quality components.
    Last edited by Quentin; 02-15-11 at 13:27.

  8. #18
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    Another problem with many local dealers is that they do not stock the higher quality parts. Even at gun shows here in VA, it is tough to find Noveske, LMT, and DD. In fact I have never seen a Noveske, LMT, CMT, or even a BCM rifle let alone the components from them. I have seen on occasion complete DDM4's.

    But generally you will have to go online to get the higher quality parts or rifles. Just how it is. At least in South East Virginia. Even when I go to the Nation's Gun show in Chantilly, VA still not a lot of the mfrs listed above.

    Like Grant said, just replace the bolt when it breaks with a BCM, LMT, CMT, DD, etc. Should be about $70 - $80 for a proper MPI/HPI bolt. Keep extra extractor springs, and shoot it. BM is certainly overgassed. You could even upgrade the recoil system with the VLTOR A5 if you want or just buy an H2 or H3 buffer.

    I know that the OP wants to keep the money in the community, but that is in my mind not a reason to limit yourself. If you can buy what you want at a lower price online, then you have saved money that you can spend elsewhere within your community.

    We live in a capitalist society. If the retailer down the street does not carry what you want, then you shouldn't buy something just because you want to support them. Tell them to get the products you want and then you will buy from them. This is what drives our economy.

  9. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by obucina View Post
    thats what I did to my shrubmaster. BCM carrier group and H buffer
    +1. I did the same to mine. Stake the castle nut and you'll be GTG. I've run mine through a few classes as described above and it's performed fine.
    A man with a gun is a citizen. A man without a gun is a subject.

  10. #20
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    Ok, so I have a commercial tube. Does that extra 3/4 inch really matter to me? Not really.

    I went to my LGS (local gun store) and bought some Magpul goodies. They had everything in stock: MOE handguards, stock, BAD lever. They had a buffer that felt heavier than mine, but it didn't rattle like mine. It's got two pieces, and the part that the bcg impacts has a pin holding it to the rest while having about 1/2 inch of back-n-forth. I think it's a 9mm AR buffer, but i'll do more research on it.

    I also found a different flash suppressor that I liked. It's a B.E. Meyers Vortex.

    I'll post up pictures when I put it all on there.

    Thanks for all the responses!

    -belly

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