Bushmaster Firearms International

Infobox Company
name = Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC

type = Private
foundation = 1978
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location = flagicon|U.S. city-state|Windham|Maine, U.S.
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homepage = http://bushmaster.com
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Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC is a manufacturer and distributor of guns which is based in Windham, Maine in the United States. Bushmaster's product line revolves around semi-automatic pistol and rifle variants of the AR-15 design. As of the latest 2003 BATF information on firearm production figures, Bushmaster currently is the best selling brand for AR type firearms in the United States.

Bushmaster Firearms

Bushmaster's firearms are typically offered in a 5.56 NATO chambering with forged aircraft-grade (7075-T6) aluminum receivers. Most Bushmaster barrels are 4150 steel, offered in 1:9 twist rate, and chrome-lined to increase durability. Some barrels are available with 1:7 rifling, on special order. Stainless steel or chrome molybdenum barrels are available on certain models. Their name is not to be confused with the Bushmaster Auto-cannon.

History

Bushmaster Firearms originally produced their unique 'First Generation' rifle using an aluminum lower receiver paired to a stamped steel upper receiver. This first generation model used the AK-47 gas system and the recoil spring is located within the upper barrel gas system as compared to the AR-15/M-16, where the recoil spring is located within the butt stock. Originally marketed for police and the military, Bushmaster later changed its unique hybrid version AR-15/M-16 to the standard Colt/Armalite design. The First Generation rifles were chambered for the 5.56mm round. Bushmaster First Generation rifles are very rare and are collectibles.

ACR

On late January 2008, it was announced that Bushmaster had signed a licensing deal with Magpul, whereas Bushmaster would take over the production, future development and sales of Magpul's Masada rifle. The new name for the rifle is the Bushmaster ACR. [Magpul Comments: Bushmaster ACR January 31, 2008 http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=124&t=158557]

Carbon 15

The Carbon 15 series of firearms use carbon fiber composite receivers and selective external parts. This allows for a reduction of weight, and a claimed increase in the strength of the firearm. The design and facilities to produce the Carbon 15 firearms was purchased from the now defunct Professional Ordnance, of Lake Havasu, Arizona.

Dissipator Models

The Bushmaster Dissipator is an attempt at a "best of both worlds" AR carbine, combining the long sight radius of the full-length M16A2 with the shorter (16.1"/406mm) barrel of some of the shorter carbines. This combination would allow the most effective use of the iron sights for a carbine with such a short barrel, and may be preferred if the carbine is going to be used primarily with iron sights. Similar modifications have been accomplished in the past by other manufacturers and by depot-level modification, but these earlier conversions sometimes suffered from reliability problems due to the close proximity of the gas port to the muzzle, which throws the timing of the weapon's gas system off and makes it especially sensitive to gas port diameter and port pressure variables introduced by the ammunition. Bushmaster's solution was to use the front sight tower/gas block in its regular, long sight radius position as for the M16, and then fit a second, "shaved" gas block at the normal position for the carbine-length barrels such as the M4 or CAR-15. This second gas block is completely covered by the standard full-length M16A2 handguards, which may be used without further modification. However, some aftermarket rail systems may require minor modifications in order to be properly fitted. Dissipator barrels are available in heavy, fluted, and "M4" configurations, depending on the weight and balance characteristics required by the user.

M17

The Bushmaster M17S is a semi-automatic bullpup rifle that was manufactured by Bushmaster from 1992 until 2005.

BAR-10

The BAR-10 was meant to compete in the .308 market against Armalite's AR-10 series rifles and Springfield Armory's M1A Rifle by offering a .308 rifle that could accept the relatively inexpensive metric and inch pattern FN FAL magazines. In 2005 Bushmaster discontinued the BAR-10 line of rifles.

Beltway Sniper Lawsuit

In 2004, Bushmaster Firearms agreed to contribute $500,000 to a $2.5 million settlement along with co-defendant Bull's Eye Shooter Supply, paid to some victims and families of victims of the 2002 Beltway snipers. A Bushmaster-manufactured .223 caliber rifle was used in the attacks. The company cited mounting legal fees as the reason for settling. [cite news
last = Manning
first = Stephen
title = Families of sniper victims reach settlement
publisher = Associated Press
date = 2004-09-10
url = http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20040909-095944-5026r.htm
accessdate = 2007-04-18 ]

ee also

*Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine

References

External links

* [http://www.bushmaster.com Bushmaster Firearms, Inc. official website]
* [http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=2&f=28 Bushmaster Forum at AR15.com]