Bushmaster Full Upper, Should I buy?

CrazyIvan · 09-07-2007, 06:23 PM

The gun shop here has a brand new Bushmaster A2 full upper. It has a Carbine Receiver, 11.5" barrel with a 5" flash supressor and a standard ribbed forward tube stock.

They want $459. for it.

I was debating whether I should get an A2 or an A3, and eventually settled on the A3...but man, this one looks awesome...and seems to be a good price.

Here it is: Bushmaster - Parts & Accessories

What do you think? Is this gun shop offering it for a good price?

Pred · 09-08-2007, 11:52 AM

Huh? $459 for an upper, no railed forearm, and no bolt carrier group? No way, not even a flat top at that. This is why I hate Bushmaster/Colt. Somewhere along the lines they've come to believe they can charge as much as they want for something. Dude, you can go to Del-Ton and buy a chrome lined M4 profile upper, with an installed free float 4 rail forearm, flat top with T marks, and get the bolt carrier group/charging handle for about $50 more. At that, since Bushmasters site doesn't say it's chrome lined, you could go buy a M4 profile upper without the BCG/CH for $330.

Beer Forever · 09-08-2007, 12:09 PM

That is kind of pricey. For that price you can get a Stag with the Arms #40 rear flip up sight and the bcg. You can't go wrong with Stag.

AR15.COM :: Forums :: Stag Arms 2H Uppers - In Stock $475 complete

CrazyIvan · 09-09-2007, 10:34 AM

Actually the bolt carrier group comes with it, on Bushmaster's website, you have an option to order it without those parts for $425. But the one in the shop for $429 has everything, just slap it on my lower and it is ready to go.

. But yea, I kinda wanted an A3 with rails.

at4rxj · 09-09-2007, 01:03 PM

It's more expensive to buy something and then later on make it into what you really want, even if you save a little now...

Beer Forever · 09-09-2007, 02:19 PM

I got a really good RRA 16'' mid length upper for like $420 shipped. It is bad to the bone. I really like it a lot

AR15.COM :: Forums :: RRA Mid Length A4 16" Chrome lined & SS uppers IN STOCK 8/22 TOO LOW TO PRINT

CrazyIvan · 09-09-2007, 08:01 PM

BF: I noticed below the pictures in that ad:

Quote:

******NOBODY BEATS ARE PRICES**** Or Service

"ARE" instead of "OUR" ??? lol. Not sure, but could be cause for concern.

GoodAim · 09-09-2007, 08:14 PM

Yea I don't trust people who can't spell when they are supposed to be representing a large company. Things that make you go HUM.

tacticalcity · 09-17-2007, 03:16 PM

No offense, but you guys are asking all the wrong questions.

The questions you should be asking are these:

1) Is the upper chrome lined?
2) Does it have M-4 feed ramps?
3) What is the twist rate?

Answers that increase value:

1) A chrome-lined chamber and bore can tripple the life of the upper and therefore are a must for any rifle that will do more than sit in a closet and collect dust. Most uppers are only chrome-moly, and they wear out very fast.
2) M-4 feed ramps are a nice option to have. The assist in feeding the ammunition and reduce the ammount of jams and drastically increase reliabilty.
3) Most uppers have only 1-9 twist rate. That's fine for plinking. However 1-7 twist rate is preferred. If you plan to shoot anything other than cheap 55grain ammo you need a 1-7 twist rate (1-8 will do but it is usually only found on stainless barrels which wear out too fast).

You can't just call it an upper and then look at things like "hanguards" to determine it's value. That's like saying a Pinto is better than a Shelby Mustang because you like the paint color better on the Pinto.

As for railed handguards, they are not all made equally. YHM make it so darn heavy you need to be Rambo to lift it, much less carry it around all day. Knight's Armament and Daniel defense weigh a lot less but cost a lot more. I would buy a really good upper with really high-end specs and then add the handguards six months later when you can afford them. That way your upper not only looks great, it shoots great too!

Just my opinion of course. Everybody is different.

09-07-2007, 06:23 PM	#1
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,338	Bushmaster Full Upper, Should I buy? The gun shop here has a brand new Bushmaster A2 full upper. It has a Carbine Receiver, 11.5" barrel with a 5" flash supressor and a standard ribbed forward tube stock. They want $459. for it. I was debating whether I should get an A2 or an A3, and eventually settled on the A3...but man, this one looks awesome...and seems to be a good price. Here it is: Bushmaster - Parts & Accessories What do you think? Is this gun shop offering it for a good price? __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me Last edited by CrazyIvan; 09-07-2007 at 06:29 PM.

09-08-2007, 11:52 AM	#2
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	Huh? $459 for an upper, no railed forearm, and no bolt carrier group? No way, not even a flat top at that. This is why I hate Bushmaster/Colt. Somewhere along the lines they've come to believe they can charge as much as they want for something. Dude, you can go to Del-Ton and buy a chrome lined M4 profile upper, with an installed free float 4 rail forearm, flat top with T marks, and get the bolt carrier group/charging handle for about $50 more. At that, since Bushmasters site doesn't say it's chrome lined, you could go buy a M4 profile upper without the BCG/CH for $330. Last edited by Pred; 09-08-2007 at 11:56 AM.

09-08-2007, 12:09 PM	#3
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	That is kind of pricey. For that price you can get a Stag with the Arms #40 rear flip up sight and the bcg. You can't go wrong with Stag. AR15.COM :: Forums :: Stag Arms 2H Uppers - In Stock $475 complete __________________ Paramedic sks forever

09-09-2007, 02:19 PM	#6
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	I got a really good RRA 16'' mid length upper for like $420 shipped. It is bad to the bone. I really like it a lot AR15.COM :: Forums :: RRA Mid Length A4 16" Chrome lined & SS uppers IN STOCK 8/22 TOO LOW TO PRINT __________________ Paramedic sks forever

09-09-2007, 08:14 PM	#8
GoodAim Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Beaumont Tx Posts: 383	Yea I don't trust people who can't spell when they are supposed to be representing a large company. Things that make you go HUM. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Power is useless with out Direction.

09-09-2007, 10:34 AM	#4
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,338	Actually the bolt carrier group comes with it, on Bushmaster's website, you have an option to order it without those parts for $425. But the one in the shop for $429 has everything, just slap it on my lower and it is ready to go. . But yea, I kinda wanted an A3 with rails. __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me

09-09-2007, 01:03 PM	#5
at4rxj Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 851 Images: 10	It's more expensive to buy something and then later on make it into what you really want, even if you save a little now...

09-17-2007, 03:16 PM	#9
tacticalcity Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sacramento California. Posts: 4	No offense, but you guys are asking all the wrong questions. The questions you should be asking are these: 1) Is the upper chrome lined? 2) Does it have M-4 feed ramps? 3) What is the twist rate? Answers that increase value: 1) A chrome-lined chamber and bore can tripple the life of the upper and therefore are a must for any rifle that will do more than sit in a closet and collect dust. Most uppers are only chrome-moly, and they wear out very fast. 2) M-4 feed ramps are a nice option to have. The assist in feeding the ammunition and reduce the ammount of jams and drastically increase reliabilty. 3) Most uppers have only 1-9 twist rate. That's fine for plinking. However 1-7 twist rate is preferred. If you plan to shoot anything other than cheap 55grain ammo you need a 1-7 twist rate (1-8 will do but it is usually only found on stainless barrels which wear out too fast). You can't just call it an upper and then look at things like "hanguards" to determine it's value. That's like saying a Pinto is better than a Shelby Mustang because you like the paint color better on the Pinto. As for railed handguards, they are not all made equally. YHM make it so darn heavy you need to be Rambo to lift it, much less carry it around all day. Knight's Armament and Daniel defense weigh a lot less but cost a lot more. I would buy a really good upper with really high-end specs and then add the handguards six months later when you can afford them. That way your upper not only looks great, it shoots great too! Just my opinion of course. Everybody is different.