Bushmaster Carbon15

[essohbe]

Alright, well first off I'm an AK guy but I won a free Bushmaster Carbon15 in a raffle, so hell yeah - why not...

From what I understand, the original fiber/nylon rifles were made by a company other than Bushmaster and they bought that company out and fixed a bunch of problems. Supposedly they run okay now... ?

So, does anyone here have one they use consistently? Are the lowers compatible with other AR uppers or are they still picky?
Not many people seem to have this rifle (for good reason it seems). But hey, it was free. Maybe I'll put a .22lr upper on it and that will be what it stays as. I can not take a rifle like this seriously but it seems like a cool target or maybe varmint rifle.

Thoughts?

 

[HKFan9]

It will do what you want it to most likely. They run fine from my experience with them. As a play gun and a plinker that is all you need.... I probably wouldn't go using it as a duty weapon or anything where it might take abuse.

Honestly the WORST problem I have ever heard with these was that if you start changing parts around... some (according to the interwebz) cracked the upper receiver when they were tightening the barrel nut. This doesn't really bother me considering even when tightening the barrel nut to a aluminum receiver you still need to be really careful.

 

[Jim243]

You must be one of those that look a gift horse in the mouth.

Thoughts?

Yea, sell it. Yes, Bushmaster fixed all the problems, and yes they work well. They are commercial models not Mil-Spec, you do know the difference, right?

The only parts that are carbon fiber are the upper and lower receiver every other part is the same as any other AR. Best fitting upper and lower I have ever seen, much better than the aluminum ones. I suppose you can't take seriously the ACR or FNAR or PS90. You sound like the jerks back in the 1960's that told Stonner that his guns were junk and that the AR-15 would never catch on.

Here is what it looks like, since it sounds like you do not have yours.

Jim

 

[Lloyd Smale]

dont own one but have shot my buddys alot and its a great little gun. Someday when i get a bit of extra money id love one myself. right now moneys tight and i have enough ars to keep me going.

 

[essohbe]

No, I don't have it yet but thanks for being so elitest with your help Jim

I'm just saying what HKfan9 knows as well as me: Don't use it for a duty weapon or where it will have to take abuse.

They are commercial models not Mil-Spec

Good. Thanks for that info. You got the one w/ forward assist and dust cover too I see, I don't think the one I'm getting has it but I could be wrong. I remember seeing they put the ****ty fiber-lite stock on it and seeing the open bolt when it was laying on the table sans dust cover.

..."some (according to the interwebz) cracked the upper receiver when they were tightening the barrel nut."

Are the torque specs the same for a regular AR or are they different? Maybe those guys just decided to crank it down without the right tools.

 

[Jim243]

My understanding is that the fiber upper uses a different size barrel nut, haven't changed out the barrel and don't plan to, they are pretty accurate, so far I have done 100 yards with a standard 1 power red dot, good results. Waiting to buy a good scope (need more money). But do change the hand grip, 1st thing that went. My first AR in 1966 an Armilite AR-15 didn't have the forward assist either, not needed and still do not need it, the dust cover is nice though. But just to let you know, the AR-10s don't have them either.

It is a great dress up gun that's fun to shoot. Shoot it for a year or 6 months and then sell it and get yourself a better gun, no big deal.

The reason you don't see them on the gun shop shelves, it is hard to keep them in stock. For $599.00 to $649.00 for an AR they are gone as soon as they come in. I got the last one in stock at my Cabelas. It came with 2 mags, hard shell case, two risers, Mini Bushnell red dot and lock.

Jim

 

[essohbe]

the hand grip, 1st thing that went.

Lol. I hear that...

Allot of people say they are POS and others who actually own them seem to like them. I don't know if it's because they simply perform well for the user or if it's that the user needs to validate their decision to purchase one, I don't know. I have to look at it when I get it but it seems they perform alright as long as they aren't the Pro Ordinance ones.