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Posted: 2/18/2005 7:44:47 PM EDT
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I'm looking at this here Can you tell me about this gun. Pros and cons. Is this a good price? Thanks, |
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Bushmaster makes a great gun. They are (pretty much) universally recomended. I would skip the 11.5" bbl w/4.5" fh and get a 16" or at least a 14.5" with perm. attached fh. I just don't see the point of having a short barrel thats not really short. But thats just me. |
OK price. You could get a 16" and then buy that slipover FH that mahes it look like the rifle you posted about. WIZZO |
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DO NOT BUY THIS RIFLE!!! You will become an AR Junky like the rest of us. Every pay check will go into getting more, more , more stuff for your AR. It will start with the Accuwedge, then an Aimpoint, then a Magpul M93A2 stock. The next thing you know you will be pimping out your wife to fund your next build.  |
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I definitely do NOT recommend the 11.5"+5.5" configuration. Given that your overall barrel length must be 16", you lose the ONLY advantage of the 11.5" barrel (reduced overall weapon length), but get stuck with all of the liabilities of the short barrel: - low velocity = lousy terminal ballistics - extreme muzzle blast - extreme flash - HBAR weight I recommend the 14.5" M4 barrel with a permanently installed Phantom FS. You'll have the same 16" overall barrel length, but most of that will be BARREL, with just enough of that length used for an effective flash suppressor. And it will be much lighter and handier, just like the real military rifle. -Troy |
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Is this the one you are talking about ? What is the difference between the a2 and a3 versions? I plan on mounting a red dot scope. Can you mount scopes ontop the carrying handle? |
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i think you would be much better off with the second rifle. especially since it is your first AR. a3 if you really want the short barrel just buy a new upper later (or 2, or 3, or 4 etc..) and it's like a whole new rifle. that's the beauty of the ar system. just my opinion. to answer your question: an A3 is actually a flat top receiver. this rifle comes with a removable carry handle. so if you wanted to mount a scope or red dot site you could remove the carry handle and do so. an A2 has the carry handle but it is not removable. not ideal for mounting a scope. it can be done but the scope sits too high above the barrel IMO. |
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Do yourself a BIG favor and get the flattop. Like many, I had doubts about optic reliability for years and resisted flattops. It is instructive to note that many of our soldiers and marines are carrying optic-equipped rifles in Iraq and Afghanistan without even backup irons. That's the kind of quality and ruggedness that GOOD optics offer today (don't expect that kind of performance with "budget" optics though). Today, I would advise everyone to go with a flattop receiver unless you are going to compete in Service Rifle, which requires an A2-style upper. -Troy |
I would echo the above sentiments exactly. The Bushmaster is but one example of the choices available that fit that bill Search this site extensively enough and you will find many that are worthy of your first AR in the M4 A3 configuration. either the 14.5" bbl with permanently attached FH (to make minimum legal length) or a 16"-er......is the way to go. welcome to arfcom, jason! |
Jason93, If this is going to be your first AR, and it seems you are looking for a carbine/M4 model, I would go with a 14.5" or 16" bbl. If you get the 14.5"bbl get the flash suppressor and not the mini y comp. I would also suggest buying your first AR and not building it yourself. It's not too hard to build one, but its not easy either. Learn about how to completely break an AR down before you try to spend the time and money to put one together. As most here have said you cant go wrong with Bushmaster. Get the A3 flat top with a removeable carry handle. You should also check out the EE for deals on complete AR. You will be surprised at the money you could save shopping the EE. Good luck and welcome to the addiction! 
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