So now you just have to decide if they are worth the $355 difference in price.

Those are the major differences off the top of my head. Bushmaster on the other hand commonly has issues such as improperly staked gas keys, gas keys too loose, overtorqued barrels and various other minor issues but they are very good about fixing their problems. Practical difference: The Colt extracts more reliably but the Bushmaster is easy enough to upgrade to the same standard for about $25.įinally, Colt has much, much better QC than Bushmaster but if something does go wrong, then good luck getting it fixed.

Colt comes with a black extractor insert and heavy duty extractor spring. Practical difference: Colt buffer is 1oz heavier which comes in handy with suppressors but otherwise does nothing beyond aiding reliability just a tiny bit.īushmaster comes with a blue extractor insert and normal AR15 extractor spring. With the Bushmaster, you may be limited to 69gr or less rounds (some Bushmaster barrels can handle up to 75gr, some cannot - kind of a crap shoot).īushmaster comes with a standard carbine buffer. Practical difference: The Colt will stabilize heavier, longer rounds better than the 1/9. Practical difference - the Colt feeds hollowpoints, long OAL rounds better and is more reliable in high cyclic rate situations (full-auto, suppressor).īushmaster uses a 1/9 twist barrel. Practical difference: The Bushmaster will roll using some tactical slings, the Colt won't.īushmaster uses standard AR15 feed ramps. These circulate air around the barrel better but also make the rifle hotter to hold and are narrower.īushmaster uses a standard rifle front sling. The Colt has higher QC to prevent bolt breakage but it still happens with both models.īushmaster uses standard carbine handguards instead of double-shield M4 handguards.

The Bushmaster barrel pictured below was almost 10 years old when this picture was taken and it had been out in the rain and used quite a bit:īushmaster does not magnetic particle test or proof test its bolts. Practical difference: You'll get a little rust there but not much. Practical difference: You may need a taller front sight post with the Bushmaster using some sights.īushmaster does not parkerize under the front sight base. Here are the major differences between bushmaster ar-15 and colt ar-15 If anyone cares.īushmaster uses the rifle front sight base instead of the F-marked front sight base.

Milspec m4a3 bushmaster