Which is a better rifle? A Bushmaster Ar-15 or a Colt Ar-15?

Question

I recently bought a Bushmaster Ar-15 semi automatice rifle. I did extensive research on it and I find it to be a fantastic weapon. It is metal, 20 inch heavy barrel and has a carry handle with a dust cover and forward assist. I have heard that Bushmaster focuses all of it's attention into that one model of rifle, but a friend said that Colt made the superior rifle. But I have heard that when you buy a Colt, you're just buying the name. Any thoughts?

Please provide why you believe as such. Specifics please. Thank you

Answer 1

I own several Bushmaster HB target Rifles and I have two Colt Ar's. The Bushmaster is actually a "clone" of the original Colt but Bushmaster makes a fine weapon with a lot of attention to detail. Colt has sold manufacture rights to 9 U.S. companies who all produce these rifles. As you might know already Colt Manufacturing was sold to F.N a while back and they are producing the Colt AR under contract agreement with Colt.
I can honestly say I prefer the Bushmaster HB Target Rifle over the Colt. Since I shoot them in NRA sanctioned matches, I have the best results I have ever had with the Bushmaster. Bushmaster is the only manufacturer that is focused on the AR and just a few variations, carbines etc, unlike the other gun manufacturers. Colt was credited with being the first, but Bushmaster was the industry leader and remains so for consistent quality and out of the box accuracy. Enjoy your rifle!

Answer 2

When you're buying a Colt, you're buying more than just the name. Too bad the company's not doing so well, ironically, one of the major competitors of Colt is the array of used Colt guns available in the market.

There are a lot of AR-15s I shot (I cannot tell you how many some of my friends have), and I have shot quite a few of them. Just from shooting, I cannot really tell the difference, but some of the AR-15s from Bushmaster are pretty damn good.

I myself own a DPMS, it's a 16 inch barrel, flat-top receiver, with M4 stock. I also got an EOTech on it.

Answer 3

Colt Ar-15

Answer 4

I have shot both.
I'm issued a colt H-bar at work, but I'm unable to put a scope on it to compare it to the bushmaster I own. Using iron sights and my qualification scores Id say both are to close to call.

If pressed on the issue as to which one I like better due to quality or ease of use Id pick my bushmaster, only because the take down pins are easier to to remove on the bushmaster and the upper fits the lower without any play, where as the colt (early 90's) is difficult to remove the pins to field strip without a punch or something to press against the pin. When assembled the colt has just enough play between the receivers that it is noticeable. Now this has never caused a problem when shooting. It my also be because of use and age as I am not the first person this gun has been issued to.

Scoped my bushmaster is very accurate. My personal best group, using my reloads and 60 grain hornady V-Max bullets over H335 powder shot into 3/8 of a inch (measured center to center, 3 shot group) at 100 yards using a 18 power scope. That's on par with my heavy barrel bolt gun.
Both are quality guns and built to mil spec.

Answer 5

Good Ar 15

Answer 6

These days there are so many AR-15 clones out there and they are pretty much all the same.Exept for the price some cost more than others and some companies offer diffrent features than others.When I was in the ARMY we had Colts and I seen a few DPMS but that was a few years back.Now almost all of the companies have contracts with the government to make rifles.To answer your question about buying the name I think that is true about COLT

Answer 7

Bushmaster

Answer 8

Ar15 Colt

Answer 9

I'd suggest you rent or borrow a Colt. This way you can compare both weapons in real time on the range.

Answer 10

I own a home built clone. Model1Sales with a Mega Lower.

of the prebuilt clones, I'd prefer Rock River or DPMS.