AR-15 with carbon fiber upper and lower receiver?

[drjoker]

I saw and ad in the papers (Cabela's) for a Bushmaster with TRS-25 red dot sight for $650. That seems like a real good deal for a AR-15 style rifle. However, I see this in the ad, "carbon-composite upper and lower receiver. Includes two-30 round magazines, soft case, and sling." I've never shot an AR-15 before, but I remember reading somewhere that the receiver is aluminum. Did Bushmaster make a boo boo? Will this rifle fall apart on me? Most importantly, Is it NOT mil-spec?

Thanks,


Nevermind, I found the answer here: http://ingunowners.com/forums/long_guns ... belas.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It is NOT mil-spec and the doggone thing really is made of carbon fiber. I'm not getting it.

[dicion]

I saw and ad in the papers (Cabela's) for a Bushmaster with TRS-25 red dot sight for $650. That seems like a real good deal for a AR-15 style rifle. However, I see this in the ad, "carbon-composite upper and lower receiver. Includes two-30 round magazines, soft case, and sling." I've never shot an AR-15 before, but I remember reading somewhere that the receiver is aluminum. Did Bushmaster make a boo boo? Will this rifle fall apart on me? Most importantly, Is it NOT mil-spec?

Thanks,

I believe that you are correct in this assumption, that this makes it non mil-spec due to the materials used in construction.

I have no idea how well carbon-composite parts will perform though, they may be more fragile than milled aluminum, they may be stronger, I have no idea.
Doing a quick web-search, there's a lot of armchair quarterbacks that say they've heard of problems, but have never seen on themselves.
Some also say that mil-spec parts do not fit perfectly in some of the ones they have seen, this could be teething problems, or a larger problem, not sure.

Personally, I'd get a traditional milled one, at least until this technology is older and more proven. It seems to still be quite new.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

Forum member igotta40 bought one a few month back, hit him up with a message. They have been around for about 10 years now, there should be plenty of info on the interweb.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_fiber" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ghlight=Carbon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ghlight=Carbon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ghlight=Carbon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ghlight=Carbon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gun-review.com/reviews/ratin ... =109&cat=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gunblast.com/Bushmaster-Pistol.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_carbon15_index.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Or you could just buy your neighbor one and see how he likes it. I kid I kid.

[gigag04]

Personally, I could not encourage anyone to get a bushmaster after owning one for a while.

[jeeperbryan]

Chances are the carbon fiber is probably fine. There were a bunch of people raising a stink about polymer mags (pmags) when they first came out. Now it's becoming rare to find people that don't use pmags.

Me personally though, I wouldn't buy one of the carbon fiber guns. Unless it was significantly cheaper, then it would be pointless in my eyes.

[RECIT]

I know the carbon fiber rifles and pistols are a lot lighter than a standard mill spec rifle. Unless you are trying to build or buy a SUPER light weight rig I would just go with the norm. Bushmaster has been making a carbon15 rifle and pistol for quite a while. I thought about one for a pistol, but then thought I would be turning it into an SBR and changed my mind.

[TXlaw1]

Personally, I could not encourage anyone to get a bushmaster after owning one for a while.

Care to give some explanation? That would make your post much more helpful. Thanks.

[gigag04]

Personally, I could not encourage anyone to get a bushmaster after owning one for a while.

Care to give some explanation? That would make your post much more helpful. Thanks.

Sure.

I had to have the gas key properly staked as it wasn't done. Bushmaster does not High Pressure Test or Magnetic particle inspect every bolt and barrel leaving the factory, they batch test these parts at best. Most non-combat uses would be fine. But, I wanted the added peace of mind for working weapon.

If price is an issue the S&W rifles are decent, though some things are still left to be desired.

[RECIT]

I have a S&W rifle that came from the factory with a crooked gas block. I never noticed until I mounted a front sight to the block and it was way off. Not perfect but has been trouble free as far as reliability. I have also had an Armalite that came from the factory with a warped barrel and would key hole five feet to the right at 15yds or so. There are lemons or oops rifles that make it out of every batch I'm sure.

[TXlaw1]

Personally, I could not encourage anyone to get a bushmaster after owning one for a while.

Care to give some explanation? That would make your post much more helpful. Thanks.

Sure.

I had to have the gas key properly staked as it wasn't done. Bushmaster does not High Pressure Test or Magnetic particle inspect every bolt and barrel leaving the factory, they batch test these parts at best. Most non-combat uses would be fine. But, I wanted the added peace of mind for working weapon.

If price is an issue the S&W rifles are decent, though some things are still left to be desired.

Thanks, gigag. That helps. How about them Aggies!!!

[Silent Professional]

Can't recommend.

FYI, "Mil-Spec" is a misleading term. Just because something is "Mil-Spec" doesn't mean it's good, i.e., the Beretta M9.

[big 54r]

Can't recommend.

FYI, "Mil-Spec" is a misleading term. Just because something is "Mil-Spec" doesn't mean it's good, i.e., the Beretta M9.

I beg to difer...I carried the Beretta M9 while in the military and I think it's an excellent sidearm...for sitting in my safe!!!

To be honest though I think most issues with the M9 where/are aftermarket mag related issues not oem mag issues. But still.....

[Zoomie]

If you're set on mil spec, your living in the past, mil spec is good, but modern science has given us better milling processes (EDM for example) coatings (NP3) and materials (the magpul composite).

I agree that the M9 is a good gun and most problems are from those "lowest bidder" mags, and a few problems from people who don't know what lube is.

The bushmaster lower is not made of carbon fiber, its a different polymer/carbon composite.