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Posted: 3/4/2007 11:15:45 AM EDT
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I have tried a search so please don't flame me if this has been covered.I am purchasing my first AR.I have ordered a Bushmaster Homeland Defender based on what my local shop told me.I have searched the internet and can not find a stat sheet on it.Do any of you have any experience with this model?What can you tell me about it.I would love a spec sheet telling me what options and upgrades it comes with over the standard Bushmaster M4A3 type.Thanks for any info you can provide me. Yman |
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probably should have asked the question before buying it.heck http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/request.asp |
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I checked the BM website and it offered nothing.My dealer told me it comes with a floating quad rail with covers.It also has the detachable handle.Surely someone has this thing.Post some pics and info please.The reason I went ahead and got the HD is my dealer said with the rails and other stuff it came with it was worth the extra $ now.He said if I upgraded the standard BM M4A3 it would cost me more in the long run.He has several on order as well as the standard M4A3.You guys tell me.Which one?? Thanks Chris |
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Bushmaster M4 A3 Homeland Defender W/Acc Price: $1,289.99 Suggested Retail: $1,499.99 Manufacturer: BUSHMASTER FIREARMS INC Manufacturer Item #: BCWA3F-16M4HD Features: 4-Rail Free Float Handguard, 9 sure-grip panel covers, Hogue pistol grip, Homeland Defender laser etching 
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We have one at hte shop that's been hanging there fro a while. It's over priced for what you get. The free Float is a Yankee Hill, decent products, but they have added way too much to the cost of hte gun for it. Maybe if it was a Daniel Defense or a LaRue, but not a YHM. The standard M4A3 Bushy's were retailing around $1000-1095, they have added a $100 free float to it and added $250 to the price. Save the money and buy a standard Bushy or Rock River then add the accessories you really want to it. |
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No disrespect intended, but I think your first mistake was listening to what someone working in a gunshop told you. What did you pay for it? In the end, Bushmaster is one of the best manufacturers, so you have a reliable, well made firearm, perhaps overpriced. Seydou |
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Like I said I still have the option to get the standard M4A3.He told me tax and out the door for the Defender would be $1100 or $970 out the door for the Standard M4A3.He ordered them at the same time and I told him to put my name on the Defender.If I chose to get the other he would not mind.So what do you guys recommend between the two? Thanks again Yman |
HD will be more rare down the line, get it, it will serve you well. i shot my XM15E2s HBAR today, no scope, shooting wolf 55gr and some handloaded 52gr hp's, 3 shot groups at 50 yards were all touching, i had forgot how sweet it is. i mainly shoot the 2 16" carbines i have. 
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I'd go with the $970. Yankee Hill makes good stuff (I have their drop-in forend on my carbine), but there is far better out there for not much more money. Midwest Industires is turning out a very nice railed forend that beats the YHM unit for fit and finish, and that's just one example. From my own experience, I would urge you to forego the purchase entirely and buy an assembled lower separately from the assembled upper. That saves you the excise tax and allows you to pick the upper configuration that you want the most. It's all about the details, man. Given the choice of the two options you list, I would definitely go with the cheaper one and spend the extra money on ammo and magazines. Once you are familiar with the weapon, then you can make an educated decision about the add-ons you really need. Of course, I'm the guy that did just the opposite and now have a carbine instead of a middie like I orignally wanted. Still, I have a black rifle and that says a lot. |
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You can find a Colt 6721 for that kind of money. 'Free Float' don't mean squat on a 16" carbine, and you can't just take a screwdriver and upgrade to one later if you don't get the HD. In other words, it's probably not wise to pay extra for a worthless feature in the first place, but it's even les wise to get a gun without free float thinking you can upgrade it yourself later. www.colt.com/law/ar15a3.asp |
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Build it Yourself. I am paying about $100 more than you are and this is what I have in it: Spike's Infidel lower Del-Ton M4 t-marked, chrome-lined upper, w/BC and Daniel Defense 7.0 railed forearm RRA lower parts kit Magpul Miad grip Magpul CTR stock Magpul ladder rail covers VLTOR extension tube M4 buffer YHM flip up rear BUIS Smith Vortex FH TongoDown Vertical foregrip It's like building Leggos!! |
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For a first AR, I always suggest simple over complicated. How do you know you'll even want rails until after you've shot it for a while? The Yankee Hill forends made for Bushmaster are the "Standard" rails and are HEAVY compared to most others. YHM even makes another one, the "lightweight" that's a better choice. Get the standard M4A3, spend the extra money on mags and ammo, and go shoot it. After you've had it a couple of months and shot it a couple dozen times, THEN you're ready to decide on optics first, then rails. |
Shouldn't this be in the EE? |
He bought it, he's not selling it. |
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After calling Bushmaster I made my decision.I will opt for the Regular M4A3.I found out that the HD was a 16" and I wanted the 14.5.He also explained what a floating rail was for.For what I want this gun for I do not need a floater.I plan on getting several mags and lots of ammo when I pick it up.I will not waste any time on adding what I want on it though.I will research and get a good quad rail system, Tac light, vert grip, Aimpoint w/mount and a BUIS. I will search and find what best suits me but if you have any advise please tell me. Thanks Yman |
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YMAN, if this forum has anything, it's an abundance of experience. You've done well so far. Just get ready to drop major cash on playmates for your new rifle. You'll soon find yourself justifying more expenditures with some of the dumbest excuses, things you would never have thought you'd utter. It's fun! |
No my gun. I could not buy a PT1911 and the CT grips and ship them separate for that amount. To illustrate that the HD from Ellett should not cost more.
Glad to see you get out of the HD deal. Did not seem like a good one. 14.5 SBR will cost ya $200- more for the fun tax. I like the SBRs too, but I do see some really conflicting information on the terminal ballistics of 223 from shorter than than 16". At 14.5 inches and beyond the propellant gasses are still accelerating the bullet. So it does not reach full speed. Some say that about 16" too and insist on 18", but that is arguable. Might depend on the load. I believe at <16" it is not arguable. So I think you definitely give up range, energy transfer, and possibly stability with the SBR. Like I said before I have seen some sweet looking ones here though! |
this post just made me go  I've upgraded a non free float to a free float, and i tell you what, I damn for sure noticed a difference between the two. I'd hardly call it worthless. Whats wrong, pay too much for a free float setup or something? OP: Disregard this guy's misinformation. Sounds to me like you're getting a decent deal either way. You'd probably end up spending more than the difference to outfit the gun with rails and shit anyway. |
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