I am new to the AR scene and have a few questions? I bought a NY complaint Bushmaster M4 A3. I thought that it was the only post-ban M4 carbine that you could own living in NY. Now doing some research and reading the below thread about Bushys it was not the wisest buying choice:( Beside selling the carbine, what should I do to upgrade to make it more reliable? I know I’m going about this ass backwards but this is where I’m at and would appreciate any help. The carbine will be used for casual shooting . Thanks in advance:)
Honestly bro, just shoot the piss out of it and enjoy. Don’t worry about what you don’t have. Clean it, keep it wet, take it out and shoot it. If it proves to be reliable just keep going and have fun. Spend your money on ammo, a good sling and a range membership.
That said there are a few small changes you could make to ensure better reliability;
- Either a BCM or FN bolt from C4iGrant or Bravo Company USA. Both of those should come with a heavy duty extractor spring or a Crane o-ring for more positive extraction.
- Send your bolt carrier to someone like C4iGrant or GotM4 and have them properly stake the gas key. Your’s probably isn’t staked the right way.
- Purchase an H buffer.
Other than those items I wouldn’t mess with it unless you have to. 
I second M4arc’s comments. Don’t worry about it. Just shoot it and enjoy it!
This one was made for you:
“Oh No! I bought a BM/RRA/Stag before I knew better!”
The anti-Bushmaster Kool-Aid is pretty thick here it seems.
I doubt you’ll have a problem, they’re fine rifles. I’ve had 3-4k rounds through mine with no malfunctions that weren’t caused by faulty magazines.
I wouldn’t buy another complete Bushy though, the price you pay for what you get isn’t that great. The last rifle I put together was a Bushmaster upper on a CMMG lower and it’s also been 100%.
Don’t worry about the naysayers, it’s a Bushmaster, not a damn Olympic or Hesse.
NY Complaint… Does your M4 have a full size A2 stock or a non-moving fake adjustable stock? Which buffer/spring does it have? long or short?
I would just swap out your BCG and buffer as M4arc had suggested. I did the same to my BM.
Needed Parts:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/LMT-Bolt-Carrier-Semi-AR15-p/bcg-lmt-ar15.htm
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/H-Carbine-Buffer-p/buffer%20carbine%20h.htm
I also changed out the stock and the front sight post but that was just because I wanted too. (Pic is near the bottom of the page)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=642&page=11
Thanks Ammotech, I was gonna ask what an H buffer was but didn’t want to look like a dork! My 6920 buffer should be fine stock ya think? Thanks again
For me, I had to swap out my extractor springs, inserts, add an o-ring, and replace my buffer with an H-buffer.
You should be good to go with it. Shoot it till it jams, then find out what causes it and upgrade that part. In about 2-3k rounds you should have all the kinks ironed out smooth.
As long as we’re changing parts that so far have proven to work just for the sake of it we had better get a different barrel too as the Bushy isn’t parkerized under the front sight base.
IIRC that’s just a preferential thing, I don’t see where it is that much of an issue, I think LMT skimps on that as well.
Settle down.
No one is swapping out parts just because they came on a Bushmaster (except for the gas key). I make sure that all of my carbines have HD extractor springs or a Crane o-ring and a H buffer. It’s just cheap insurance.
Don’t turn this thread south.
I will admit my stock carbine buffer and bushy BCG live in my #2 rifle.
This was just because I upgraded to a SOPMOD stock which I think comes with an H buffer (couldn’t tell a difference) and I wanted a full auto carrier so I got an LMT unit for the perceived greater reliability it would add. I should mention that I needed a BCG anyway for rifle #2.
Still no problems with either the buffer or inadequately staked BCG; 99% of people never will experience any.
Shoot your rifle and don’t worry about it, buy ammo and mags.
The heavy “H” buffer has an “H” on the face.
I should’ve known that. Well I assumed it was a carbine buffer until I saw the only one LMT sells on their website is the H buffer. Apparently my kit didn’t include that though.
I wish I found this sight before I bought ,where you heard that before;) To answer the NY compliant question, it came with a fixed adjustable stock,10 rd mag and no bayonet lug. I really had no interest in black rifles and really just impulse bought due to the upcoming political climate. If they were gonna ban it I wanted one just to stick them in the ear. Turns out now its the one gun that comes out of the safe every day. With the module design of the AR and all the different available configs, its has become one of favorite guns. So I’m here to learn:D So H buffer and I think I’ll just buy the LMT bolt and carrier assembly. Keep the stock one for a spare …To start!!! Thanks again.
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Added nothing useful to the thread.
You said it all… despite my experience with the M16A2/A4 platform, for my entry into the ownership of a private weapon I too started with a Bushmaster; a damn fine one too. As I shot it and learned more regarding the platform I realized that in addition to enjoing myself at the range I would also need to possibly rely on the weapon at work (L.E.) so I upgraded to a Colt 6933 when I felt comfortable doing so.
Being in your position you have done just fine. The members of this forum that are far more technically experienced than us have made great recommendations as to parts you may want to and/or should replace on your rifle. You can do that obviously as you choose and put the rifle through its paces as you learn and in turn get sucked into the hobby haha.
I may not have added anything to this topic but maybe a “+1” to what the rest of the members have said to you, but just wanted to one; say congrats and finding this as something you enjoy and two; take it slow, learn, have fun and enjoy your new rifle as is until you decide you want or need to upgrade.
Just remember, how well the rifle suits You is all that matters so just simply enjoy it and learn all you can! Have a good one.
Welcome to the site, there is much to learn here and enough to keep you up many late nights reading.
I think that the stock that you have has the rifle length spring and buffer. If that is the case then you do not need an “H” carbine buffer.
http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_parts_stocks_grips_p2.asp#10050878988PK
“Complete Fixed Position Tele-Style Stock Assembly
This assembly includes the full length A2 Buffer Tube, Buffer and Spring.”
Double check this before you order any parts!!!
For starters, why don’t you bring that BM out here into the light. Tell us the model you chose, length of barrel. Any muzzle device? Got any pictures?
Like before salting your foodplate, perhaps you should taste it first. Take that BM out for a date and see how she swings. Then you can start spicing things up. 