[MrBret]

Buds has the following I am interested in:
(both are 16" barrel and 223/5.56 caliber)

Bushmaster CAR15 for $699 with red dot
Bushmaster CAR15 223 16 BSH REDDOT $699.00 SHIPS FREE

and

S&W M&P15 for $614
SWL MP15SPORT 811037 5.56 16 AS BLK 10 $614.00 SHIPS FREE

The Bushmaster is 1.5 lbs lights & has the red dot scope thing and a higher cap mag. I think the Bushmaster also comes with a hard case also.

Any thoughts on these or other sub $700 AR's?

Thanks

 

[Zombie Hunter]

I have a Bushmaster Carbon 15 AR pistol and I love it, no misfires what so ever.

 

[Firebug]

I love my M&P15. Don't worry about the magazine. You can get 30 round Pmags for $12. The red dot is junk.

By the M&P and spend the difference on a nice soft case and a couple Pmags.

 

[Cuda66]

I think I'd go with the Bushy, between the two.

 

[MPDC]

On the S&W Long gun forum, the M&P sport is getting some very good reviews. One big advantage is the Melonite treated bbl. which has a 1/8 twist and is made by S&W's subsidiary, Thompson Center Arms, with a 5R twist, same as current US Sniper riles this company makes for the Gvt. (the 5R twist that is).

The overwhelming number of posters love this carbine.

 

[dhunley1]

S&W. I've never had much luck with Bushmaster.

 

[zWarlord]

S&W all day every day over Bushmaster

 

[usmamg]

S&W! Better value

 

[Zombie Hunter]

S&W. I've never had much luck with Bushmaster.

Out of curiousity issues did you have with the Bushmaster?

 

[au01st]

I have owned my Carbon-15 for almost 2 months now. Probably 1,000 rounds down the barrel, mostly steel (Monarch brand, non-corrosive). I have had zero issues with it. Put on an Ergo grip and Spikes ST-T2 buffer tube and have started stocking up on Pmags. Actually, only issue is I went to put my M9 bayonet on for laughs and it was too short...

 

[MPDC]

Interesting thread on the Bushys here bushmaster carbon15 - TheFiringLine Forums

. I found enough anecdotal complaints about them when I researched before buying my M&P and can say I have had zero problems with the S&W. Finish and matings are flawless. Mine has a 1/9 chromed bbl. but I would actually love to have the newer, Thompson Center melonite bbl.with its slightly faster twist and R5 rifling.

What turned me off to Bushmaster was reading several places that the chambers were not up to par for 5.56 rounds and that resulted in problems for some. I remember when it was a venerable brand but like many things, you can no longer rely on just a name. Fortunately , my experience with the S&W brand has been on a par with their reputation for revolvers...........excellent!

 

[NinjawithaGun]

I am also looking into buying the Bushmaster Car15. I looked at bushmaster carbon15 - TheFiringLine Forums and really did not see that many complaints about it. On Budsgunshop.com there are nothing but great reviews about it. Now that you mention the S&W, I might have to start looking into that one too. Any additional info on both the car15 and S&W M&P15 would be very helpful. Thanks to everyone for YALL's input.

 

[Zombie Hunter]

I am also looking into buying the Bushmaster Car15. I looked at bushmaster carbon15 - TheFiringLine Forums and really did not see that many complaints about it. On Budsgunshop.com there are nothing but great reviews about it. Now that you mention the S&W, I might have to start looking into that one too. Any additional info on both the car15 and S&W M&P15 would be very helpful. Thanks to everyone for YALL's input.

I think you'll be happy with either. As far as the Bushmaster it's seems every actual owner here has said they like theirs and have had no problems, the only people who have spoke against them appear to have that opinion from something they heard as opposed to actual experiences themselves.

 

[mvician]

. As far as the Bushmaster it's seems every actual owner here has said they like theirs and have had no problems, the only people who have spoke against them appear to have that opinion from something they heard as opposed to actual experiences themselves.

au contraire

I own a Patrolman's Carbine and have another HB CAR upper.

For the most part the Bushmaster is an OK rifle, there are just some things they could do to take it to the same level as the S&W.

 

[MPDC]

au contraire

I own a Patrolman's Carbine and have another HB CAR upper.

For the most part the Bushmaster is an OK rifle, there are just some things they could do to take it to the same level as the S&W.

+1, again mvician

 

[Zombie Hunter]

au contraire

I own a Patrolman's Carbine and have another HB CAR upper.

For the most part the Bushmaster is an OK rifle, there are just some things they could do to take it to the same level as the S&W.

Making it better and having actuals problems with it are two different things. I never said there was anything wrong with the S&W (I own one of their revlovers and it is outstanding) or even that it isn't possibly a better rifle than the Bushmaster. I'm just saying ther is nothing wrong with the Bushmaster as a basic AR. It always goes bang when I pull the trigger and it hits what I point it at.

I'm not going to get my feelings hurt if people have had legitimate issues with their Bushmaster but this game of "well I heard" or unnamed "issues" doesn't help any one trying to make a decision.

 

[dhunley1]

Out of curiousity issues did you have with the Bushmaster?

Nothing major really, mostly cosmetic. I had some finish/rust issues that I could never get resolved. I'm pretty sure I just got a lemon as I know a few people who own and love theirs. I wouldn't try to talk someone out of buying a Bushmaster though. I just had a better experience with the S&W.

 

[arizona98tj]

I have a friend with a Bushmaster. It has a tight chamber. Rounds that chamber in mine won't chamber in his.

Does Bushmaster provide a true 5.56 chamber?

If I didn't already have two AR-15s, (one an M&P15OR), I would jump on the sub $600 M&P15 Sport. I've been watching it since it came out.....S&W hit the nail on the head with this one. (no, I don't need another AR....at least, not right away )

 

[MrBret]

Sounds like the M&P15 Sport is the way to go I think.

 

[Fdxpilot]

For the money, S&W is a higher quality weapon. I'll second the previous post about Bushy tight chambers. I have seen them have problems with true 5.56 ammo, like XM193 or M855.