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Thread: Bushmaster Superlight

  1. #1
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    Bushmaster Superlight

    I just bought a bushmaster superlight with the a3 removable carry handle and i want to change out the sights to magpul flip ups and add eotech style (im on a budget) optics.

    what gasblock do i need? is it the .625 dia model? i'd like a flat top gasblock that i can mount the sight to rather than the upper or handguard

    sorry if this is listed here somewhere, i could not find it anywhere.

    also sorry if its a stupid question. this is my first ar and im still learning the ropes.

  2. #2
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    You'll run into some problems if you plan on using the MBUS that way. The gas block is one of the hottest parts of the weapon during firing, so it's not recommended to attach the MBUS or any polymer accessory to it. If it gets hot enough it will melt the sight. You'll need a metal flip-up sight if that's what you plan to do. The only way to attach an MBUS in that situation would be to use a lo-pro gas block and a longer free-float forearm, which is going to be more expensive than just using a metal flip-up BUIS. Or, if you already have a rail system, you can just attach the MBUS to the last slot on your top rail and accept the diminished sight radius.

    The least expensive option would be to leave the Front Sight Base the way it is. It's not that big of an obstruction to your sight picture, and the nice thing about it is it's always up. If you need to switch to irons then you need only deploy your rear sight and you're ready to go.

    I advise strongly against getting any imitation-type sight on a real gun. I learned that the hard way. I bought a chinese knock-off of an EOTech flip-to-side magnifier. That thing didn't make it through the first range session before the pin fell out of the catch and there was no way for me to lock it in place. If you get something in the "style" of a quality part you'll just end up buying it twice. I did - $130 down the tube for the imitation and later $350 for the real deal.

    As for your diameter, just check the Bushmaster website. Whatever is the OD of your barrel at the gas port will be the ID of your gas block.

  3. #3
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    I definitely caution you against mounting MBUS sites on the gas block.

    Instead of spending your money on MBUS sites and a new gas block, how about you do some reliability upgrades first?

    - make sure your carrier keys and castle nut are well staked
    - swap out the carbine buffer with an H buffer
    - install a BCM bolt upgrade kit

    As for optics, I'd just cut down the carry handle instead of buying new MBUS sights and I'd shy away from cheaper optics. Save up for a few more months and get the real deal from EOTech or Aimpoint (my preference).
    Last edited by justin_247; 03-01-11 at 12:26. Reason: Egregious spelling errors.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by trust_me View Post
    also sorry if its a stupid question. this is my first ar and im still learning the ropes.
    Keep the fixed front sight base. Learn to shoot irons first. It will help you develop into a better shooter. If you want to get an Eotech, save up and get one of the newer XPS or EXPS models. Much more reliable than their previous 500 series sights.

  5. #5
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    Guys, thanks for the input. i wasn't sure if you could mount the MBUS to the gas block due to heat. glad someone told me before i made that mistake.

    There are other modifications i want to do, like mentioned above, before i upgrade optics. i'm just getting everything figured out right now. internals like that and i like the MOE stuff as well.. handguard, grip, stock, etc.

    Also i have heard the bad things about cheap optics and don't really want that just something in between, not a $100 knockoff but not a $500 Eotech either. doesn't someone make something mid level? like $250-300. maybe ill look for a used Eotech?

    And i'm not totally against leaving the front site base as is but would prefer the flip ups. i mean it really just comes down to looks at that point i guess because either would work.

    It is my first AR but i've been shooting them for a bit, friends and a few rentals but i've probably shot 1500 rounds or so. thats not nearly a lot by mosts standards. another reason to keep the iron sights but have the option to use holographic sights. i may be wrong for saying but the cool factor is pretty high with those sights too

    I bought the gun used and it came with an Streamlight m6x which i'm considering trading for the sight. not sure yet. its a great product but don't know if i need it.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by nickdrak View Post
    Keep the fixed front sight base. Learn to shoot irons first. It will help you develop into a better shooter.
    Exactly!

  7. #7
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    If you have access to an AR that has an Eotech mounted that provides absolute cowitness and another that mounts on a rail that provides lower third cowitness (e.g., YHM, Larue), I'd suggest you determine if either of those configs are acceptable to you. If so, then forgo the idea of using a flip up BUIS.

    But if you still require a flip up BUIS, then start exploring your options. I'm not aware of picatinny rail gas blocks designed for .625 barrels off the top of my head but I've never really paid attention to this area. If no gas blocks of this style exist, then I'd imagine you'd need to replace your HGs with a rail and purchase a rail-mounted, flip BUIS.

  8. #8
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    Keep the front sight post! My 1st AR just had a rail only so flip up front sight was needed, but I keep it flipped up (Troy) so I can easily transition to irons if the optic fails.

    My 2nd AR has a fixed front sight post. Cut down the carry handle for a backup sight, get a used Aimpoint M2 or M3 for ~ $250-$350.
    "The world's a dangerous place – we can help." -www.portlandfirearmtraining.com
    NRA LE Handgun-Shotgun Instructor/Life Member

  9. #9
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    I think you should keep the light that came with your carbine because if you intend to use the rifle in a home defense role, a light is mandatory but a red dot is not. Im currently running a standard fsb with a troy buis and a surefire g2 mounted to a moe handguard, its a budget setup but it does what I need right now without any added cost. Ive been meaning to get an optic myself but the cost is prohibitive at the moment and id rather spend the money on ammo and just shoot irons for now anyway. Hope this helps.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by justin_247 View Post
    I definitely caution you against mounting MBUS sites on the gas block.

    Instead of spending your money on MBUS sites and a new gas block, how about you do some reliability upgrades first?

    - make sure your carrier keys and castle nut are well staked
    - swap out the carbine buffer with an H buffer
    - install a BCM bolt upgrade kit

    As for optics, I'd just cut down the carry handle instead of buying new MBUS sights and I'd shy away from cheaper optics. Save up for a few more months and get the real deal from EOTech or Aimpoint (my preference).
    These are great suggestions. All of the above upgrades were done to my Bushmaster carbine, and it has run great (trouble free) for over 8K rounds. I have used my Bushmaster for a couple carbine classes without problems, although it is now a back-up to my BCM.

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