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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Colt vs Bushmaster (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/13/2005 10:19:17 AM EDT
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I would like to get options on the differences between a Colt AR15 and a Bushmaster AR15 type carbine. Is one better than the other? What about reliability? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks |
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Colt is better. 100% magnetic particle inspection of bolts and barrels, instead of by sampling. Carbines have the apropriate height front sight tower. They are parkerized under the front sight base. They also have, if you get an LEO model, a mil spec stock, the tue is compatible with the VLTOR and the Crane or LMT Crane knock off stock. Bushmaster is 95% of the gun though, at a reduced price. My favorite is LMT--its 99% of the gun a Colt is, for less money. |
+1 I do believe Colt is probably "better" (and I use that term loosely) but that doesn't mean I would fork out the money for one. The Bushmaster is an execellent gun and will serve you just as well IMO. I second the LMT motion though. When I do my next AR, I am going to go with an LMT upper on a RRA or Bushmaster lower. LMT is as close to Colt as you can get. |
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Just my 2¢. Bushmaster great rifles at a great price if you do your home work and look around before you buy. But Bushmaster doesn’t mark the flat top uppers with the white RAS numbers. Colt on the other hand great rifles and a not so good price. You really got to be on your toes to get one NIB for a good price. The only draw back I think is the large fire control parts pins. |
With MPI, you either find faults or not. Some bigger than others, but I would be very surpised if they let anything that they could see a defect in go into any weapon. But thats just conjecture, I don't really know. |
Very good information in attachment. Thanks for posting it. |
No sweat  It's quite an eye opener, particularly when you see who the major players are in that discussion. |
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Colt is the better option, although not substantially so. If you can swing the extra few dollars, get the Colt. If not, the Bushmaster will treat you right. Both are very reliable AR choices and are #'s 1 and 2 in the business. Sort of like the Wilson Combat .45 versus the Kimber. The Wilson is better, but the Kimber gets it done. Welcome to the site, Loaded45! |
And I might add, How can you talk about Colt if you do not own a COLT. . You said it your self right here
link: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=320953&r=-1&page=8 |
I never seem to find anyone who knows for sure, or who knows what the standards are. If you are doing an MP, you have to be looking for something and you have to have standards, but although I have found many people who will post about the MP testing by Colt, I have yet to find one who claims to know anything about how the process is actually used. Plus, if Colt is finding out that they are rejecting a large percentage of parts due to this test, then it goes to reason that everyone should be doing it. If they are not finding any, or a statistically small portion, then is it really that important. And, again, is there a mil spec standard for this testing as to which parts pass and which fail? If there isn't, then testing doesn't mean much. If there is, what is it? |
I just wondered because I haven't found anyone who seems to be able to answer the question. I think it is a fair question as a test without knowing the grading or pass/fail standards is of very little value in any area. Maybe no one outside of Colt knows. The only AR I own is a Colt that I bought in 1993 and I have never had a malfunction with it. I have also been issued three select fire Colts in my job. Two were perfect, with a very low malfunction rate (usually only after an extended firing session and no cleaning), and one came from the factory flawed and had to be returned. If it is a bad question, I apologize and withdraw it. |
Never complain, never explain. F-ck em if they don't like the question. I got a Bushmaster because the price was $735 for an A3 NIB. I think it's pretty much common knowledge that a Bushmaster is a good product and worth the money spent, but the Colt appears to be the best available in overall quality. Unfortunately, the issue is clouded by all thes bizaaro people who either hate Colt, or, on the opposite side, act like buying a Colt is a wonderful achievement. My advice to both parties: get a life. |
Bet he doesn't have aids either but that doesn't mean he doesn't know it's a lousy thing to have..... Maybe you Colt snobs think it's fine and dandy to support a company that takes an active lead in suppressing your right to own a firearm with bayo lugs, flash hiders and collapseable stocks....but some of us prior Colt owners are more concerned with making sure the companies that support our RKBA get our business. |
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Here's some comparison info: Bushmaster - M4 style barrels 1 in 9 twist - 4150 ordnance steel barrels - chrome lined chamber & bore on barrels - 5.56mm chamber - small pin (more widely available aftermarket parts) - 1 yr warranty - very good resale value Colt - M4 barrels 1 in 7 twist - 4150 ordnance steel barrels - chrome lining: you need to look at this area...some barrels are chrome lined, from what I've seen new 'civilian' models have non-lined ones for better accuracy - 5.56mm chamber - lifetime warranty to original purchaser - better resale value For a weekend plinker, BM is probably a better bang for your buck, whereas the Colt maybe a better investment. hope this helps... ar15_finatik |
Of course, and now someone who likes Colt is a snob  If you're as concerned about the RKBA as you claim, then I sure as hell hope you aren't recommending Bushmaster then. Tell me, how exactly was the RKBA served when Bushmaster settled with the DC sniper victims last year, rather than fight a bogus lawsuit orchestrated by the VPC? They settled because they didn't want the cost of litigation to exceed their liability insurance limits. In other words, financial expediency was more important than the RKBA, and doing what's right. To the collective horror of just about all of us in the firearms industry Bushmaster sold us out by setting the most damning legal precedent in second ammendment history. So, I just hope your disdain for Bushmaster is every bit as caustic as your disdain for Colt. I'd hate to think that all of your bluster was just a hypocritical, self-righteous smokescreen to justify a kneejerk, seething hatred of Colt. |
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Don't let the COLT guys fool ya - go to a good gunshop, and take apart a COLT, and a BUSHMASTER. When I did it, the bolt in the COLT was emasculated compared to the BUSHMASTER, the trigger pins are non mil-spec, and the fit & finish on the COLT wasn't as good as the ARMALITE or the BUSHMASTER. I bought the BUSHMASTER. It's fired 6k rounds and I'm still waiting for malfunction #1. |
No reasonable person can realistically claim that Bushmaster is junk. I happen to collect Colts, but I also have two Bushmasters and a half dozen Rock Rivers in the safe. I own more brands than most of the people who call me a Colt KoolAid drinker. It's not a question of being "fooled", it's a question of which one is a better buy for Loaded45. Both rifles have their strengths and weaknesses, but many experts agree that Colts run better out of the box than other brands. If you haven't done so already, click this link and see why AR15 Deficiencies The Bushmaster will be a little cheaper, but the Colt has better resale value and a lifetime warranty. He would be well served with either, depending on what's more important to him. |
Yes, please do so. I only ask because I have been shooting the darn things for over sixteen years now, without ever really educating myself about them. I am just having fun learning about AR's. I am a little amused by the whole Colt/non-Colt thing, but I guess it is like the Ford/Chevy debate. It des seem like there would be a lot less posts here without it so I guess it could be the grease that keeps things going here. 
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No sweat! Magnaflux particle inspection is a non-destructive testing method to locate cracks and imperfections in many types of metals, including both ferrous and non-ferrous. Supposedly other types of materials can be inspected as well, although I've only seen the process used for gun parts. The process is pretty straightforward, and effective. There are two basic methods for testing that I am familiar with. The basic "wet" process goes as follows: A component being inspected is thoroughly cleaned/degreased and an oil containing fluorescent dye is applied. After having several minutes to set the dye is removed and another chemical is applied to draw out whatever dye is left behind. A fluorescent black light source is then applied to the component, and cracks and imperfections become visible under the light. To my knowledge, Colt uses the "dry" method, because it is more effective at finding small defects. The "dry" process goes something like this: The component being tested is thoroughly cleaned/degreased and then placed into a fixture that creates a magnetic field within the component. While this magnetic field is energized a bath of iron oxide particles that have been treated with a chemical dye are applied. The particles will migrate to any imperfections in the component. It should be noted that I'm vastly oversimplifying both processes, but my description should at least give you a basic overview of how it's done
Eggsellent!  Thank you for the continued job security
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| Actuall;y, my definition of a Colt Snob is any jerkoff ignorant enough to espouse a supposed superiority over another product without any proof what-so-ever that this so called superiority is justified. My Colt shot fine, as others have already pointed out, parts interchangability isn't always there with a Colt, the bolts are modified because sheep like some on here believe that we shouldn't trust anyone with a real bolt, a real lower, a flash hider or a bayonet lug.........so save your prattle for someone who might love Colt as much as you. I neither love nor hate their products, merely their business practices. |
That is what I thought but figured he might like to explain. Arn't all the bolt carriers on post 1989 Colts (blue labels) all the same? My LE6920 has the exact same style carrier as my MT 6601, and MT6700. What does it matter, all Ar bolt carriers are cut down in some way. Here is a question, What is the problem with the large fire control pins? Is it because you can't install different fire control parts? |
This thread clearly illustrates Bushmaster's superior business practices. |
I doubt the validity of your post, because I don't think you have a clue of what you are talking about. Please see highlighted red area. 
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Wow, as many times as this comes up, I'm always amazed that it goes on for so many pages. Why not find someone that owns a Bushy and someone that owns a Colt and give each a test drive? The differences between both brands are subjective. As someone pointed out a long time ago, this is like Ford vs. Chevy. Personally I own several of each......and guess what? Neither has ever given me any problem. I take that back, both have had problems due to crappy magazines. Bottom Line: You will not be disappointed with either. -REAPER2502 |
At least a Bushmaster industry partner responded in the thread - good, bad or indifferent. When's the last time a Colt rep or industry partner chimed in on an issue pertaining to their products here???? [crickets] |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Colt vs Bushmaster (Page 1 of 2)
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