Posted: 2/2/2009 5:35:20 PM EDT
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I recently traded for a pre-ban Bushmaster lower that does not have a prefix before the serial number. The guy I got it from said Bushmaster offered him a complete rifle (about 15 years ago) if he would return the lower to them.
As I understand it, all Bushmaster ARs have always had a prefix before the number. Does anyone else have one like this? 
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Pretty cool, but the last thing you need is the ATF finding out and taking it away from you because it's not serialized correctly. That would suck hardcore. I'd call BM and see if they'd trade you a complete rifle for it again. Why not two? Hell, it was worth one rifle to them 15 years ago 
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i don't see what's unusual... IIRC, serials are required to contain letters as well as numbers. per GCA 68. someone will be along to correct me... I have a lower that has a serial number that is all letters. Off the top of my head, I can't think of a single firearm in my collection that has letters in the serial number; just numbers. Also have a pre-'68 shotgun with no serial number on it at all; they weren't required by law before then, and all the pre-'68 guns with no serials are still legal. |
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i don't see what's unusual... IIRC, serials are required to contain letters as well as numbers. per GCA 68. someone will be along to correct me... Not sure if the GCA says that or not, but all of my Rugers don't have any letters. Revolvers, high quality semi P89 , mark 22s, or any of the mini 14s. Maybe they are exempt
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I recently traded for a pre-ban Bushmaster lower that does not have a prefix before the serial number. The guy I got it from said Bushmaster offered him a complete rifle (about 15 years ago) if he would return the lower to them. Does anyone else have one like this? http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x318/IndianJoe_photos/IMG_0217-1.jpg Hope you DIDN'T pay extra. The SN# of a gun can be anything in english. Letters are usually used by the factory just to cut down on the # of digits needed to stamp. If you have a yearly run of say, 99,000, It is cheaper to go B00001 in year two than to buy a new machine that stamps 1,000,000 in 10 years. ETA: It's also very a convenient way for the MFG to keep track of the year of FMG for warranty purposes. |
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Quoted: So does the FS-T on my desk.Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: i don't see what's unusual... IIRC, serials are required to contain letters as well as numbers. per GCA 68. someone will be along to correct me... I have a lower that has a serial number that is all letters. My USPc only has numbers |
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I understand that many manufactures use only numbers, however I was asking only about Bushmaster AR serial numbers.
As I understand it, all Bushmaster ARs have always had a prefix before the number. It's really no big deal, but if anyone has any factual info to dispute or verify this, please let me know. |
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I spoke with Jared (sp?) at Bushmaster today, and he confirmed that all Bushmaster rifles definitely have "L" or "BFI" before the serial number.
Apparently this has to be a mistake made by the person stamping the receiver, making this lower possibly one of a kind. Mystery solved. 
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I take it he didnt offer you ther same offer as your buddy? The conversation was short and sweet.... BM- Hello, this is Jared. Me- Hi, I recently acquired a BM lower with a serial number showing no prefix, is this common? BM- Every BM AR lower ever made has "L" or "BFI" as a prefix. Me- Are you sure? BM- Absolutely positive. Me- Thank you, have a nice day. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I take it he didnt offer you ther same offer as your buddy? The conversation was short and sweet.... BM- Hello, this is Jared. Me- Hi, I recently acquired a BM lower with a serial number showing no prefix, is this common? BM- Every BM AR lower ever made has "L" or "BFI" as a prefix. Me- Are you sure? BM- Absolutely positive. Me- Thank you, have a nice day. If it were me, that conversation would have had at least 2 more questions before the "thank you, have a nice day." |
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I take it he didnt offer you ther same offer as your buddy? The conversation was short and sweet.... BM- Hello, this is Jared. Me- Hi, I recently acquired a BM lower with a serial number showing no prefix, is this common? BM- Every BM AR lower ever made has "L" or "BFI" as a prefix. Me- Are you sure? BM- Absolutely positive. Me- Thank you, have a nice day. "The lower I have has no prefix, do you know of anyone who may be able to tell me about its history?" |
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I spoke to customer service, the rep asked me to send a pic, and they would research the lower.
Most everyone I've talked to about this agrees it is probably a mis-stamp. If it was counterfeit, there would have been more than one show up in the last fifteen years. The stampings are exactly like my other BMs other than the missing prefix. I'll update as soon as I hear back from BM. |