Need advice for an AR upper

R

rock_jock

New member
My local IDPA club is starting to do 3-gun matches and I want to get another upper to compete. Right now I have a Bushy with a 20" A3 upper. In looking at the Bushmaster online catalogue, I see they have a 16" shorty and a M4 upper. Both are within $10 of each other (around $525). What the advantages of the M4 upper over the standard 16" shorty. Also, they mention that they can provide a fluted barrel for the shorty, so is there any weight difference if you go with this option? Finally, is it worth it to get a pinned and welded muzzle brake? Does it help reduce recoil noticeably? Does it affect accuracy? Which of the following do you recommend - Y Comp, Mini Y Comp, Smith?

Thanks in advance.
 
Rock
Just a thought, How about the A2 heavy barrel, no break and a Reflex site system mounted on the A2 carry handle mount. I saw one like that and it was extremely nice. You may also think about the Dissapator with the full lenth site radius.
I have a VMatch with a 16inch heavy barrel and I don't see where the break could help much.
Also you can get the complete rifle from http://www.impactguns.com for $699.00, Bustmaster A2 16inch heavy barrel and you don't have to mess around.

Just a thought

Karsten

[Edited by Karsten on 05-21-2001 at 07:41 PM]
 
RJ - I recommend that you go with the standard 16" rather than the M4. The Bushy 16" is a heavy barrel whereas the M4 is standard diameter and has the step-down for attaching the flare/grenade launcher. While the M4 characteristics would be ideal for a tactical rifle and have that "evil" appeal, your stated intended use would be better served by the heavier barrel.

As far as muzzle attachments with .223, I see no advantage and prefer the clean muzzle unless we are talking full auto or sustained rapid fire.

Noban
 
Perhaps I should have clarified the intended use. The IDPA matches (at least the Texas Tactical matches we will be holding) are patterned after tactical scenarios, i.e., running through a short course making shots out to 50 to 75 yards, with most in the 25 to 50 yard range. Firing positions will be standing, kneeling, and prone, with quick target acquisition necessary since it is a timed event. That's why I was thinking the reduced weight might be nice. A friend has the shorty with a fluted barrel and gets good accuracy, plus the weight is pretty comfortable for bringing it up to shoulder height and making fast shots. I am mainly interested in hearing the benefits of the M4 configuration over the shorty. If aesthetics is the only selling point, I won't bite. But a further reduction in weight wold be nice.

Karsten,
I really don't want another complete rifle, not when I can get another upper for half the cost. Also, why get an A2 setup when you can just mount an optic directly to the rifle with a flattop?

Noban,
I appreciate the advice.
 
Noban,
The only reason I mentioned the sale price of $699 is that for $175 more you get a complete rifle.
As for the carry handle and the A2 mount with a Reflex site you will alway have Iron sites. I was under the impression the IDPA frowned upon all the bells and whistles that caused them to break away from IPSC. So should you have a match that limited Red Dots and other site system, the twist of the knob and your safe. On the other hand, the Reflex when mounted at the same hieght as the front and rearr site is way cool. There is a little triangle at the very top of the front post.

Like I said just a thought....Cover all your bases.

Karsten
 
Rock Jock,

My local IDPA club also shoots 3 guns. I also have numerous Bushmasters.

My recomindation would be the Dissapator with a fluted barrel and the AK muzzel brake. I have the Bushmaster AK muzzel brake on 3 of my Bushmasters and have looked and have not been able to find anything that even comes close.

The fluted barrel, will make the barrel lighter and cool off faster, plus you will still retain all the advantages of the heavy barrel.

The Dissapator upper gives you the advantage of a longer sight radius, which helps dramatically with accuracy. With the full length handguards and the fluted barrel, helps the barrel cool faster and has close to the same feel as your 20" as far as the handguards go.

Even the guys at Bushmaster told me to go with the AK comp over the y-comp and they have never led me down the wrong path. I have spent close to $100 on a muzzel brake and have yet to find anything that comes close to the Bushmaster AK brake. I would also recomend the A2 instead of the A3 upper for IDPA, just personal preference.

Just so you know I have shot better at matches (that only allow iron sights) with my Dissapator with AK muzzel brake than my M4.

Just my .02, hope it helps, good luck.

USMC03
 
I think I am close to a decision. An M4 upper weighs 4.1 lbs, a dissapator weighs 4.7 lbs., and a shorty with fluted barrel weighs 4.6 lbs. So, the M4 is at least 1/2 lb lighter than the next alternative. I like the idea of a very light AR configuration, so I'll go with the M4. Bushmaster claims that the pinned and welded AK muzzle brake reduced felt recoil by 70% and muzzle climb by 90%. The only drawback is lots of noise, which is OK because I use double hearing protection.
 
NEW - Bushmaster "Superlight 16" Barrel Assembly for Pre Ban Rifles (includes
bayonet lug and flash suppressor). Definitely the lightest 16" barrel we've ever
offered - as requested by many of you. Diameter is .625 inches from the chamber
all the way forward - similar to the original Vietnam era A1 barrel profile.
Headspaced at the factory, this new lightweight is available as a Barrel Assembly
(with all parts forward of the upper receiver) - or as "Barrel Only" with barrel nut;
handguard cap, A2 Birdcage Suppressor and front sight.

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/barrel-assemblies/abbl16sla.asp

BARREL WEIGHTS...
For informative purposes (and because we answer these questions all the time!) here are the comparative weights of our barrels.
All weights are in pounds (for a milled front sight, subtract 0.2 lbs.)
10" - Heavy Bbl. - 2.0 / Fluted Bbl. - 1.9
11.5 " - Heavy Bbl. - 2.2 / Fluted Bbl. - 2.0
11.5x5.5" - Heavy Bbl. - 2.6 / Fluted Bbl. - 2.5
14.5" - Heavy Bbl. - 2.5 / Fluted Bbl. - 2.2
14AK" - Heavy Bbl. - 2.7 / Fluted Bbl. - 2.4
14VO" - Heavy Bbl. - 2.7 / Fluted Bbl. - 2.4
16" - Heavy Bbl. - 2.7 / Fluted Bbl. - 2.3
16 Dissipator" - Heavy Bbl. - 3.0 / Fluted Bbl. - 2.6
20" - Heavy Bbl. - 3.5 / Fluted Bbl. - 3.0
24" - Heavy Bbl. - 3.9 / Fluted Bbl. - 3.1
26" - Heavy Bbl. - 4.0 / Fluted Bbl. - 3.2
And our Military style barrels...
XM177 Bbl. - 1.7 lbs.
M4 Bbl. - 2.0
M4AK Bbl. - 2.2
M4VO Bbl. - 2.2
M4 Dissipator Bbl. - 2.3
20A2 Bbl. - 2.5

And, Weights of our Upper Receivers...
A1 Type - 0.7 lbs.
A2 Type - 0.8
V Match (flat-top, also designated as A3 type) - 0.6
A3 - 1.2 (including weight of A3 Type Removable Carry Handle)
A3 Type Removable Carry Handle only - 0.6

http://www.bushmaster.com/faqs/techdatafaqs.asp
 
dissapators are 16 inch barrels with the sight radius of a 20 inch rifle

the front sight is moved close to the barrel end

some folkes don't like the design cause of the non standard gas tube
 
rock jock,

Might want to call Bushmaster at 1-800-998-SWAT and get a catalog. Actually the Dissipator has the 16" gas block hidden under the had guards. The reason that they don't use the full length gas tube on the 16" barrel is because the gas won't build up propper pressure to cycle the rifle reliabily.
 
Well, I ordered the M4 upper today from Bushmaster, sans the muzzle brake. The reviews I read on muzzle brakes were pretty much divided on whether it was useful or not. The one universal comment was the noise factor, and for a small reduction in recoil I just couldn't see having to deal with the extra bang, even with the double ear protection I routinely wear.

BTW, service from Bushmaster was good except for their policy of charging extra for a credit card. Not too happy about that.
 
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