- Bushmaster Firearms International
Infobox Company
name = Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC
type = Private
foundation = 1978
founder =
location = flagicon|U.S. city-state|Windham|Maine, U.S.
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homepage = http://bushmaster.com
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intl =Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC is a manufacturer and distributor of guns which is based in
Windham, Maine in theUnited States . Bushmaster's product line revolves aroundsemi-automatic pistol and rifle variants of theAR-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 theUnited 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 4150steel , offered in 1:9twist 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 usecarbon 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 againstArmalite 'sAR-10 series rifles and Springfield Armory'sM1A Rifle by offering a .308 rifle that could accept the relatively inexpensive metric and inch patternFN 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]
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