new bushmaster [Archive]

ronham10

12-17-2006, 01:57

Just bought a new bushmaster modular carbine. I would like to know if there is a special break-in procedure for the barrel?

flybywire

12-17-2006, 02:34

is that the fluted barrel?

Eric911

12-17-2006, 07:33

No break in required. Field strip, clean and lube prior to use. Then, have at it!

ronham10

12-17-2006, 08:54

flybywire: yes, it's a fluted barrel

eric 911: thanks for the info. I'll clean and lube and go to the range today if it doesn't rain today here in south florida.

superbee24

12-17-2006, 09:14

chrome lines barrels. shoot atleast a couple of hundred rounds through the barrel before running a brush through it.

Clean and lube the rest of the gun.

Skintop911

12-17-2006, 16:26

Don't forget to swap out Bushy's extractor spring assembly for the correct one. Or add an O-ring.

superbee24

12-17-2006, 17:07

Hey skintop, can you elaborate on that. Thanks.

Skintop911

12-17-2006, 21:53

Bushmaster refuses to install the correct carbine extractor spring assembly (black insert), using the rifle unit instead (blue insert). The rifle unit will function up to a point, but is best exchanged or augmented.

ronham10

12-17-2006, 23:21

Skintop911: thanks for the advice but where can I get the extractor assembly with the black insert?

superbee24

12-18-2006, 08:29

My extractor came with the black O-ring on the spring already installed. Is this not the way they come from Bushmaster?

Skintop911

12-18-2006, 10:58

Originally posted by superbee24
My extractor came with the black O-ring on the spring already installed. Is this not the way they come from Bushmaster?

With rare exception, no. Is yours a Bushmaster?

The exceptions I've seen were on gov/agency guns with special contract provisions. Those guns also usually had extended feedramps.

Once in awhile, one of those contract guns or components for them will be seen in commercial sales.

Skintop911

12-18-2006, 11:00

Originally posted by ronham10
Skintop911: thanks for the advice but where can I get the extractor assembly with the black insert?

Lots of good vendors out there. Why not support the ones that are active here, like G&R Tactical. (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?display=home)

GlockWheeler

12-18-2006, 11:48

I ordered 4 spring upgrade kits from Grant this weekend. For $3.50 per set, I think it's a good deal.

c4igrant

12-18-2006, 13:07

Originally posted by GlockWheeler
I ordered 4 spring upgrade kits from Grant this weekend. For $3.50 per set, I think it's a good deal.

Thank you for your business and your order is going out today!

C4

superbee24

12-18-2006, 13:38

Skintop, That explains it. Yes, mine is a Bushmaster.

It is the Texas edition available thru GTDistributors. It is built to the same specs as the 3500 or so that were supplied to TX DPS by them. I believe the only difference is that mine has the Texas logo but not the DPS logo.

It does have the extended feed ramp.

Thanks
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l152/superbee24/BushPic1.jpg

c4igrant

12-18-2006, 13:51

Originally posted by superbee24
Skintop, That explains it. Yes, mine is a Bushmaster.

It is the Texas edition available thru GTDistributors. It is built to the same specs as the 3500 or so that were supplied to TX DPS by them. I believe the only difference is that mine has the Texas logo but not the DPS logo.

It does have the extended feed ramp.

Thanks
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l152/superbee24/BushPic1.jpg

What is funny to me, is that BM KNOWS what components to use to make the AR more reliable, but CHOOSES to not use them in their standard AR's (not special ordered SWAT models). :upeyes:

To give people an idea how stupid this is, the difference in price between a blue extractor insert and a black extractor insert is most likely 5 cents. The price difference between a rifle barrel extension and a M4 barrel extension is about $1.50. The difference between an A3 upper receiver and a M4 upper receiver is between $2-$5.00 dollars (if at all). So for all of about $5.00, BM could turn out a more reliable AR, but choose not too. :thumbsup:

C4

superbee24

12-18-2006, 14:19

C4,

I am new to the Bushmaster world. Thanks for you insight.

I knew that the model I was buying was the same as the TX DPS contract guns so all things considered would you agree that it is one of the "better" guns that Bushmaster puts out for the price ($898 out the door ).

Superbee

ronham10

12-18-2006, 17:34

I spoke to a technician at BM today. He told me that there is no difference between the blue and black insert in the extractor assembly except the color. He also said that the spring in the assembly has 4 coils similar to colt, etc..

How can I tell if my BM has an extended feed ramp?

Skintop911

12-18-2006, 21:23

Originally posted by ronham10
I spoke to a technician at BM today. He told me that there is no difference between the blue and black insert in the extractor assembly except the color.

In that case, he'll likely tell you that you can't use an M16 carrier in a semi-gun, too. :upeyes:

He also said that the spring in the assembly has 4 coils similar to colt, etc..

Number of coils is only one of many minutiae in spring manufacture. See also: material, resistance, heat treatment, etc.

How can I tell if my BM has an extended feed ramp?

Bushmaster M4 "Patrolmans Carbine" on the left, without ramps; Colt LE6920 on the right, with ramps.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/883273/IMG_0772.jpg

c4igrant

12-19-2006, 09:09

Originally posted by ronham10
I spoke to a technician at BM today. He told me that there is no difference between the blue and black insert in the extractor assembly except the color. He also said that the spring in the assembly has 4 coils similar to colt, etc..

How can I tell if my BM has an extended feed ramp?

The blue inserts are softer than the black inserts and anyone can tell this by sqeezing them. Why this guys statement doesn't hold water is because they ship the "swat" versions with BLACK inserts. If there was no difference, then why have different colors going into weapons going to different groups of shooters??

Some time ago, the Military came up with an upgraded extractor spring (5 coil). Four coil springs are the most common ones used.

Skintop covered the M4 barrel extensions.

C4

Dalton Wayne

12-19-2006, 09:18

I think my Bushmaster patrolman's carbine has the extended feed ramps
http://pixpipeline.com/s/f69c782eed05.jpg (http://pixpipeline.com/d/f69c782eed05.jpg)

Mnukedude

12-19-2006, 10:15

Originally posted by Dalton Wayne
I think my Bushmaster patrolman's carbine has the extended feed ramps
http://pixpipeline.com/s/f69c782eed05.jpg (http://pixpipeline.com/d/f69c782eed05.jpg)

I don't think so, though it is hard to tell in the pic. If your ramps do not extend so far that the ramp actually extends beyond the circular rear of the bbl extension, cutting a couple of short grooves into the reciever, you don't have extended feed ramps.

c4igrant

12-19-2006, 10:26

Dalton Wayne

12-19-2006, 10:30

Ok It runs great I am very happy with it, however had I known this stuff prior to getting it I would have looked at other options...

c4igrant

12-19-2006, 10:31

Originally posted by Dalton Wayne
Ok It runs great I am very happy with it, however had I known this stuff prior to getting it I would have looked at other options...

The extended feed ramps aren't all that important unless you get into heavier ammo or run FA.

I would pay much more attention to your extractor (and the internals within it) and carry a spare bolt.

C4

CLee0507

12-19-2006, 22:07

Very sorry to hijack this thread but are the different color inserts for the extractor only important in the carbine length gas system or rifles too. My factory Bushmaster 20" A2 rifle has the blue one and I have not experienced any problems whatsoever.

c4igrant

12-20-2006, 08:17

Originally posted by CLee0507
Very sorry to hijack this thread but are the different color inserts for the extractor only important in the carbine length gas system or rifles too. My factory Bushmaster 20" A2 rifle has the blue one and I have not experienced any problems whatsoever.

In the beginning, blue inserts were for standard gas length weapons (20") and black inserts were for carbines. The Military has now gone to the harder inserts for all weapons.

Truth be told, the color of the insert doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is the stiffness of it. The harder (or stiffer) the insert is, the better.

C4

Blah!

12-20-2006, 08:37

hmm...I just looked and mine has a black one too. patrolmans upper straight from BM.

superbee24

12-20-2006, 08:45

C4igrant "The only thing that matters is the stiffness of it. The harder (or stiffer) the insert is, the better."

:laughabove: :animlol: :rofl:

I have been saying that all my adult life! :thumbsup:

Sorry, Grant....had to do it.:rofl:

c4igrant

12-20-2006, 09:12

Originally posted by superbee24
C4igrant "The only thing that matters is the stiffness of it. The harder (or stiffer) the insert is, the better."

:laughabove: :animlol: :rofl:

I have been saying that all my adult life! :thumbsup:

Sorry, Grant....had to do it.:rofl:

That's what I get for trying to be helpful! :supergrin:

C4

DaveA

12-21-2006, 13:35

I checked my BM 20" and the extractor has the blue ring as well. Just picked up some replacement springs from Grant as well. Good advice until I can get a different brand bolt. Which are good replacements? As soon as I typed this I thought "Bet C4 knows" LOL

c4igrant

12-21-2006, 13:37

Originally posted by DaveA
I checked my BM 20" and the extractor has the blue ring as well. Just picked up some replacement springs from Grant as well. Good advice until I can get a different brand bolt. Which are good replacements? As soon as I typed this I thought "Bet C4 knows" LOL

Good talking to you.

Shoot your BM bolt until it breaks (which may never happen). Buy a CMT or LMT spare bolt to have on hand.

C4