Quality As Good As......

Iraqgunz · May 10, 2009, 9:41pm

Wanted to post a few pics of a new Bushmaster barrel that we recently received. We actually got (10) of them, but this one was getting ready to be installed. We paid 195.00 a piece and waited just over 4 months to get them.

I had to remove the gas block in order to do the install as we use a YHM free floating rail. There is the typical lack of parkerzing under the gas block/ FSB as well as the rear of the gas block. May not seem like a big deal if you live in a hot dry climate, but add in some humidity and moisture… As you can see this one has lready started to rust.

SoDak · May 10, 2009, 11:49pm

What kind of problems can rust cause under the gasblock?

Byron · May 11, 2009, 12:17am

Gunz,

Apologies if this is a stupid question, but why do you guys keep purchasing Bushmasters? I’ve read numerous posts of yours detailing various issues you’ve had with them (including reaming a couple hundred chambers). So why keep going back for more?

I’m assuming it’s as simple as a contract issue, but if that’s the case, can’t you exert any influence over Bushmaster to at least raise their standards for you and your guys?

I know it’s probably just wishful thinking, but I’m curious.

And speaking of earlier problems you’ve had, did you have to ream these chambers or were they actually 5.56?

I hope they treat you well once you tune them to your needs.

kwelz · May 11, 2009, 12:58am

I think I may have the barrel of my BM refinished just in case. Function wise it is perfect now but this kind of things worries me.

spamsammich · May 11, 2009, 12:59am

bean counters :rolleyes: That’s my first guess.

signal4l · May 11, 2009, 1:07am

The people that decided to buy the BM carbines probably arent the ones that will end up using them. This is why my employer bought DPMS. Cheaper= better. More guns for less money. They all look the same

SWATcop556 · May 11, 2009, 3:06am

Agreed. My agency started out with DPMS. The people that make those kind of choices are the ones that wear suits to work and haven’t seen the street since I was in diapers.

They have now begun to purchase RRA which is at least a step in the right direction but not optimal.

I’m just happy that I am able to carry my personal rifle, but there is talk of taking that portion out of the rifle policy. I fight every day it seems to keep it.

Gentoo · May 11, 2009, 5:01am

That is some pretty serious rust right there.

SwatDawg15 · May 11, 2009, 5:10am

S&W has started doing it right. Below is a brand New unfired M&P15X. I was surprised when I removed the FSB. Seems S&W are listening somewhat, and Bushmaster refuses to listen.

Iraqgunz · May 11, 2009, 7:13am

I’m not a metallurgist and I don’t play one on TV. What does rust do to steel? It weakens it. As more of the metal becomes unprotected then the rust will spread.

I have no idea how they make or get their barrels, but I just can’t see that by doing it correctly it would add more cost or be time consuming. When you take this into consideration along with everything else that isn’t done, one can see who truly makes a quality weapon and who doesn’t.

Iraqgunz · May 11, 2009, 7:19am

Answers are below.

Byron:

Gunz,

Apologies if this is a stupid question, but why do you guys keep purchasing Bushmasters? I’ve read numerous posts of yours detailing various issues you’ve had with them (including reaming a couple hundred chambers). So why keep going back for more?

We don’t buy more Bushmasters. But, in order to maintain configuration similarities and standardization we go back to the OEM whenever possible. In this situation Bushmaster actually makes this set up exactly as it needs to be to fit our weapons.

I’m assuming it’s as simple as a contract issue, but if that’s the case, can’t you exert any influence over Bushmaster to at least raise their standards for you and your guys?

Bushmaster generally doesn’t care because in the bigger picture this one time purchase of xxx carbines is small potatos. If you contact them and bring up issues like non or batch tested barrel and bolt HP/ MPI testing you will hear deafening silence.

I know it’s probably just wishful thinking, but I’m curious.

And speaking of earlier problems you’ve had, did you have to ream these chambers or were they actually 5.56?

Those pics will be getting posted later as well. Surprise, surprise the chambers were tights as well.

I hope they treat you well once you tune them to your needs.

sff70 · May 11, 2009, 4:50pm

A pic is worth 1k words. Thanks for posting that.

hatt · May 11, 2009, 9:08pm

Who sells the top quality barrels for under $200? It shouldn’t come as a surprise a $200 part isn’t up to the standards of a $300+ part.

QuietShootr · May 11, 2009, 9:19pm

BUT BUT BUT You Colt/LMT Fanboys are assholes!

:rolleyes:

(The above post is sarcasm…if you agreed with it, TOS is that way----------------------------->)

beavo451 · May 11, 2009, 9:40pm

LMT doesn’t park under the FSB either. Where’s the LMT hate?

markm · May 11, 2009, 9:50pm

AND they don’t use the taper pins on the FSB… I’d buy an LMT though… But it would be relegated to the practice squad.

ST911 · May 11, 2009, 10:25pm

It’s offset by the everything else they do right, unlike others.

tweakmeister · May 11, 2009, 11:59pm

You guys just drizzle oil all around the front sight base to help slow that down?

lanceriley · May 12, 2009, 12:12am

whoa! that’s scary.

From where I am at… bushmaster seems popular. I think it’s because of publicity. they say " IT’S a BUSHMASTER!" and I say… so?

Blankwaffe · May 12, 2009, 12:20am

Yeap a few drops of CLP helps dramatically…if not the brown fuzzy monster will pay you a visit.
I have not seen any issues with my LMT showing rust from under the FSB yet and its been out in some nasty wet/humid weather alot recently…I did see the brown dust show up on the barrel on a older Armalite with a clamp on A2 FSB everytime it was shot.So I make a habit to oil the area on all regardless.