I just located and acquired an original bushmaster assault rifle. Next to no info on the web about these rifles. Can you guys help me learn more anout this rifle and maybe a source for parts and accessories?
:help::help:
This is a joke right? I apologize, but sarcasm is hard to get through text on a forum.
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Can you rephrase that question so that we can provide some help, or at least pictures and a description with things like a model number?
The model as stamped on the serialized upper is bushmaster assault rifle. It looks similar to a ar180.
I do know that it was originally produced as gwinn assault rifle before bushmaster came into existence.
Is this the late odd AR-18 based Gwinn thing that looks like a steampunk Galil made from a railroad girder? If so, I’m at a complete loss for accessories, since those are rare birds, and never really caught on. That’s a 40 year old rifle, so accessorizing it likely pointless - parts are the major issue, especially if you plan to shoot it.
[Edit] Ah, it is, that looks like a Gwinn Folder (Para) model. That’s a 40 year old weapon, and parts are going to be scarce.
My oh my, that thing sure is…interesting looking.
Goddamnit.
Mine isn’t a folder. I hope I can locate a folding lower for it though.
I was going to say how fugly that particular piece is, then I remembered the thread I just started so i will kindly shut up.
Am interested to hear more about this particular piece of firearms history though. And to the OP, considering what it is (Which is to say rare and strange), you may be better off keeping it for a rainy day/selling it to a collector opposed to worrying about accessories depending on what you paid for it and what they are going for.
You should see the looks I get when I ask most people about a bushmaster assault rifle. I get called all sort of names and worse. They tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about. Then I show them that it really is called a bushmaster assault rifle. They usually look like a cat that got caught eating the canary. Lol
The accessories I mean are folding stock lowers and the retaining clip that needs to be removed to field strip it. I have heard that the clip is easily lost. I don’t bubbafy firearms under any circumstance if possible.
I wasn’t aware anything existed that was so poorly marketed - I’m still reading up on the history of that thing, but finding quality parts for it might truly be a nightmare (except for parts shared with extant platforms) - the highest serial # I’ve encountered is still under 2000, so the pool of spares is going to be tiny, and probably badly overpriced.
That said, just mentioning that the upper was serialized was helpful enough - there are plenty of internet neophytes who are liable to provide the exact same initial post you did in regard to a Carbon 15 or some other pre-ban Bushmaster modern AR-15.
I suspect some AR15 FCG components carry over, since that was part of the design, looks like the barrel/bolt might be interchangeable, but I see NO value in doing it, these are rare enough that you’ve got something far more valuable as a collection/conversation piece than something updated with new go-fast whiz-bang parts on an operating system that could probably be as easily replaced with a new ACR (curiously from Bushmaster too).
Yeah the number on this one is just a little more than 500. Fairly low serial number. Its in decent shape though.
Bushmasters 1980s cheapo entry into the assault weapon market. Stamped receiver rifle similar in concept to the AR-18/AR-180 series.
Interesting and somewhat collectible as a now sorta rare long out of production firearm but generally not as reliable as a Mini 14.
Is this is?
Unless you are getting it for your reference collection, I would seriously suggest an Armalite 180 instead. Better quality rifle, more availability but still a rare bird, etc. Only downside is you have to find original Armalite magazines or modify AR magazines (not exceptionally difficult).
Already got it. But if you know anyone that has an ar180 or 18, I have a mag for them. It needs a good home. I don’t have a rifle to use it in. Its a sterling 40 rounder.
I could always use another Sterling 40 rounder for my Howa 180. What do you want for it?