Which one-Colt AR (20"), Bushy (16")?

G

geegee

New member
Hello folks-I'm new to this board, but would welcome some learned opinions here. I've got to choose between a new Colt AR15, with a 20" barrel, or a Bushmaster Carbine , with a 16" barrel. Which would you choose, and why? The cost difference is only $100 cheaper (for the Bushmaster). I'm not a hunter, so self defense will be the primary use. Thanks in advance, geegee.
 
While I prefer 20" over 16", get the Bushmaster. If you're using it for self-defense, the 16" will make things easier in close-quarters, also.

Last I heard, Colt was still rather proprietary. If you ever decide to modify the gun, you'll have an easier time with the Bushmaster. Besides, Bushmaster makes as good a gun as anyone else.
 
Go with the Colt, i have a Colt AR15 HBAR and love it. And if you worke with it you will find that it can be just as good as a 16" for CQB.
 
Get the Bushmaster. It has an aluminum buffer vs. the Colt's cheap plastic buffer. It has an aluminum trap door vs. Colt's cheap plastic trap door. It has a fully chrome-lined bore vs. Colt's cheap chrome-line chamber. As for personal preference, I much prefer the carbines over the 20" rifles.
 
For self-defense, get the carbine. Light, swingability in close quarters, and it isn't too bulky for when you gotta strap it over your back and bug out.

I've always felt that the Colts and Bushy's were neck-n-neck in the quality department.
 
I'd get the Bushmaster, then you have the option of getting additional uppers for any and all uses. I got a shorty and later added a 20 heavy barrel flattop upper, takes about 2 minutes to change over. Great accuracy and reliability from both.
 
Another vote for the Bushmaster. Colt has some odd, Colt only parts in them. If you should decide you want a after market trigger, you will find it easier to get a AR 15 trigger than a Colt trigger. Also if you want to change uppers, you will run into the same problem. Colts just look like AR's now.
 
BM, for the reasons cited above. I have a BM 16" and it is great. BTW, the accuracy is so good you could still hunt with it if you wanted.
 
Another vote for Bushmaster

The feedback I've heard here and at the range from (recent manufacture) Colt shooters has not been good. I now know of three Bushmasters belonging to friends and family and they are all doing well.

Second on the vote for the short barrel for self defense as well. Handles and carries great. Shoots well at my self defense distances which range from point blank to about 150 meters.
jack
 
the colt may have a smaller front pin than the standard AR
Colt did this so their lowers will not accept a preban upper

Bushmaster makes the most "mil-spec" civilian ARs in the USA
 
1. All claims from any manufacturer that they produce commercial rifles fully in conformance with the MILSPEC are false. Only M16A2 rifles produced by Colt or FNMI, and accepted by the Army’s Tank automotive and Armaments Command fully meet the requirements of the MILSPEC, and they are not legally producible for sale to the public. Even Colt brand commercial rifles are not in conformance with the drawing portion of the MILSPEC. In fact, ArmaLite’s rifles are closer to the government designs than
2. The M16A2 Rifle is manufactured in accordance with MILSPEC MIL-R-63997. A MILSPEC (military specification) describes a product. There are two key elements to a MILSPEC; a verbal description of what the product is and does, and a list of reference documents governing production of the product. In the case of the M16A2 Rifle, the key document is Drawing 9349000, which is a package of drawings setting forth the dimensions and tolerances for the M16A2 Rifle.
3. No commercial, semiautomatic rifle from ANY manufacturer meets both the verbal descriptions of the M16A2 and the technical drawing package.
4. ArmaLite does not claim that its rifles are made to the full provisions of MIL-R-63997. All ArmaLite/Eagle Arms rifles, however, are manufactured to the written requirements set forth by MIL-R-63997.
5. ArmaLite and Eagle Arms rifle parts feature excellent interchangeability with MILSPEC M16A1 and M16A2 parts. With the exception of parts designed for semiautomatic use only, no known incompatibilities exist.

Just some think i found.
 
Isn't a chrome line bore milspec and if it is, I thought Armalite don't have chrome line bores.
As for the main question, go with the BM, they are built excellent.
 
I see Everbody likes Bushmaster, what about Les Baer, I was thinking about getting a Les Baer IPSC model for IPSC three gun matches. they are more money but they are already custom build.
 
char923: The only reason a Baer isn't considered is because of the money. Here it is November, and my shooting budget was expended in August! This rifle thing kind of caught me by surprise. From here on out, it's ammo, ammo, ammo. geegee
 
John Farnam runs tactical carbine classes all over the US

He has had trouble with Colt...breakage, etc.

Good luck, generally w/ Bushmaster

Really likes the M96 best
 
whenever I've seen questions like this asked on ar15.com, at least four out of five responses give the nod to Bushmaster. They're also especially recommended to those new to ARs.

Me, I'm already planning for a Bushy M4 flattop with a nice ACOG. I asked about accuracy, and I've been informed that hitting man poppers at up to 500 yards is doable....sounds pretty damn accurate to me.
 
Another vote for the Bushy. I've had mine for over a year and love it to death. Why pay even $100 more for a Colt when you could spend that money on mags, ammo, bipod, scope, etc.


sks
 
I just bought an AR and went with a Bushmaster 20". I really need the added sight radius of the 20" barrel, but most users notice no real difference in the practical accuracy of the different barrel lengths. Most agree that the 16" is the best length for a "general purpose" AR. I'm very happy with mine;) . I haven't done any real accuracy testing yet, but so far I've been able to hit everything I've aimed at. Functioning has been 100%, even with the oft suspect 10 round factory mag. Have fun!
vanfunk
 
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