[Vanity] USEFUL opinions wanted: Bushmaster AR15 O.R.C. M4 (Optics Ready Carbine) 16"

Bass Pro Shop ^ | 4/2/2012 | blueflag

[Blueflag]

Bass Pro Shop advertising a Bushmaster AR15 O.R.C. M4 (Optics Ready Carbine) 16", 30-rd, collapsible stock.

Curious about any FReeper experience with this carbine.

Priced at $979.99

Out of stock at most of the usual places online, so I thought it might be a popular firearm.

What is the FReeper opinion of this?

This is a .223/5.56 NATO rifle. Not gonna debate .223 v .308 on this thread. That is a different purchase.

Please provide your USEFUL opinions.

[Repeat Offender]

I'm not going to debate the ammo with you........but I can't in good conscience ever recommend a CAR-15 variant rifle.

I had several requiring remedial action (different mags). This is while under heavy fire in an urban environment.

So for your $1k you can

a. Buy two Ak-47s and 500 rounds

b. buy one Ak-47 and 3k rounds

c. buy one ak-47, 1k rounds, and tell the wife how much money you saved.

Any of those choices will leave you with a superior rifle that won't let you down when life depends on it.

And you can trick it out all the same (I have a collapsible M4 buttstock, SAW pistol grip, tri-rail dust cover, broomstick, and EOTECH on mine)...even with the mods including EOTECH....I still didn't spend $979

That's my two cents........you can take it or leave it if you want. I had a relatively new, and well maintained M16A4 rifle. When it counted I was sitting there pulling it apart as rounds zipped all around me. Raw terror isn't one of those things you can put into words very easy......

[Repeat Offender]

JAMS Should be, I had several JAMS requiring remedial action.

[El Laton Caliente]

I picked up 5 lowers from Palmetto state armory when they ran them at $49.95 in December... Haven’t got one assembled yet.

[shag377]

What is the barrel twist? 1 in 9 or 16 is standard. Bushmaster is a good brand and can shoot .223 and 5.56 ammo. I have one and love it. But if you want home defense, get a shotgun or a Moisin-Nagant.

[pterional]

With the Department of Homeland security buying 450 million rounds of 40 cal hollow point and 150 million rounds of .223 cal you know there is going to be a war.

.223 is a great caliber and a AR 15 rifle is so popular and there are so many options it is like “Barbie doll for men”. You can work on it yourself and replace the upper or lower receiver.There are so many parts available.

Buy it and practice, practice, practice.

[Raven6]

I now own and operate (in addition to my training company) an old fashioned retail gun store... I have access to them all. Sadly, Bushmaster quality is not what it used to be. When they moved the production from Windham, Maine, to the Remington factory, quality dropped. I will not carry Bushmaster, but will carry the weapon that is still being built by the former Bushmaster employees - Windham Weaponry. Windham Weaponry is the "old" Bushmaster crew, still located in Windham, Maine. They are highly motivated to build a quality weapon for two reasons: 1) They can and they know they should; and 2) They would like to put their former employer, Bushmaster, out of business. Nothing like revenge to motivate someone.

I sell the Windham Weaponry WW-15 flattop, complete with carry handle out of my shop for what you are being asked to pay for the flattop Bushmaster alone.

Just my opinion, but I would go with Windham, or Rock River.

[APatientMan]

“Check Windham Weaponry”

My opinion, too.

[Vendome]

LOL
You poor guy.

[Vendome]

LOL
You poor guy.

[Blueflag]

Bought it. Got a great deal. On plane. More Thursday.

Happy AR day. :-)

[ebshumidors]

I don’t own a Bushmaster but I know quite a few who do. The rifles a picky on ammo. PSA builds quality rifles at less cost. Send them an email with what you have in mind. They build to spec. See what they quote in time and price before you buy. I never got a deal at Bass Pro.

[The KG9 Kid]

"But if you want home defense, get a [...] Moisin-Nagant."

Oh, honestly.

[Blueflag]

Oddly I got a deal at Bass Pro - 15% off ammo, holo scope, rifle, sling, case etc due to a promotion on their credit card and our great credt + $150 off on the list of the firearm when it rang up. They verfied the [unexpectedly lower] price with the manager, and I got a deal. Saved over $350 all together.

I had looked at the PSA comparable version, and cound not FIND one actually available for under $1100. Indeed it might be a better firearm, but for $450 less, I can buy a lot of ammmo, or count the holo scope as ‘free’ in comparison.

As far as ammo; a buddy of mine has this rifle. HE says its pickiness (to him) is tied to the brand of magazine, not the ammo. When he doesn’t fire his own reloads, he says he has fired hundreds and hundreds of Remington 55g .223 UMC without issue. I bought a bunch @ $9.50/box, less 15%.

SO, I have the beginnings of my “must have” firearms.
Sig P220 .45 ACP
two pump action .22 LR and one semi auto .22 LR
Remington 6 shot 12 gauge
And now the Bushmaster .223

Trained and proficient on all but the Bushmaster. Lots to learn. It’s a foreign animal compared to what I have owned/shot for years.

I’ll get some personal training from my son as RSO. He’ll be home for 30 days before he ships off the OCS in Quantico. He’ll straightn me out ;-)

[Blueflag]

I didn’t buy the AK, bought the .223 AR.

*DID* buy the Eotech. ;-) Amazing sight.

I need a rifle everyone in the familty can employ if needed.

Went back and forth mentally on .223 v .308. Finally went with interoperability (family memebrs) and picked .223.

[Blueflag]

HAve the shotgun and the .45.

This AR is a sport shooting rifle and a medium range zombie repellent.

[airdalechief]

I also have the S&W M&P AR-15 and a $500 EOtech on it. It’s a good AR. I will not shoot Wolf ammo because Delton’s AR 15 comes with a flyer stating their warranty is void if you shoot Wolf ammo in it.

Just my 2 cents ... your opinion may vary.

[ebshumidors]

Sounds like you got a deal. Anyway, come to an Appleseed and we’ll make you a better shooter. See my tagline.

[willyd]

Some options and AR 15 for sale. Vince is a good guy and very knowledgeable if you want to contact him.

[Wildbill22]

Depends on the AK version you buy -vs- the AR version. I have had an SAR-1 and SAR-2, both of which jammed with the inexpensive ammo, especially the SAR-2 it was a real problem, and my AR has never jammed -yet- even with the cheap stuff, but I avoid it unless I am desperate.

Not disagreeing with the cost equation though. I would recommend a nice InterArms Polish Tantal style AK in 5.45x39, with a folding stock, or if you are even slightly handy you can buy a chrome lined Saiga pretty cheap and convert it, just be sure you stay compliant with your US made parts count. Ammo for that can be had for $135 a can of 1080 rounds of Russian surplus 7n6. Thats about 13 cents a round. Add a decent laser for the home defense.

The AR is nicer, but you get what you pay for. The Russian stuff is good enough for home defense on a budget and a whole lot of plinking fun on the cheap.

[Repeat Offender]

I need a rifle everyone in the familty can employ if needed.

I will say that is a good choice, especially if there are others in the family that have experience with a limited variety of weapons. That is definitely an important factor to consider.

I agree about the EOTECH. I am very pleased with mine. The heads up display is a plus in urban scenarios (room-to-room).

I try not to come off as a know-it all, but I've had more "real world" situations than I care to remember. I try to pass off my experience for others to use for their own decision.

Truth be told, I have a ton of accesories for M4/M16 variant rifles and have contemplated buying one for the just in case, or plenty of extra ammo on the ground factor.....I just haven't been able to break the mental block.

. Anyhow, it sounds like you made a well thought out family conscious decision, which is all that truly matters.