Colt vs Bushmaster
Comparing the same features,what are the pros & cons of one vs the other,including resale?
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I've been asking myself the same question for almost a year. (I'm looking to buy one or the other, but can't decide what I'm willing to pay for.)
I think of Colts as the Schwinn bicycles of the AR-15 types. Excellent quality, but enough weird design features to ward off those who really like interchangeability.
Resale-wise, Colt beats Bushmaster hands down. Pre-ban Colts in certain configurations demand a premium. However, the unusual features then get in the way.
Most affordable Colts come with the infamous "sear block," which means the lower receiver was manufactured to prevent one from legally or illegally converting the rifle to full-auto. For most, this feature is meaningless. For Armageddon scouts who really want the conversion ability "just in case," the Colt sear block is a fatal flaw.
Many Colts on the market also will have the so-called "large pin," which means the take-down pin connecting the upper and lower receiver assemblies is larger than that found on other manufacturers' rifles. If you want to mate your Colt lower to another maker's upper, you'll need the proper hardware.
Finally, many Colts you'll find are so-called "slab sides," meaning they lack the protective extrusion surrounding the magazine release that you'll find on M-16's since the mid-1980's. The lack of the "raised fence" is viewed by many as an aesthetic and practical flaw.
I'd take either one if someone felt like giving one away. I'd buy that magical "pre-ban green label (i.e., no sear block), raised fence, small take-down pin Colt" in a heartbeat, if only because the thing's resale value would be unbelievable. I'd buy a Bushmaster next week if the finance committee would just approve the damn purchase.
For what it's worth.
Edit: I just looked for pre-ban Colts at GB and found the very same magical rifle I described above. (Offered by "postban," it is a newly minted Colt M4-A3 style (w/o true M-4 barrel) resulting from factory errors on a refinish job.) It's neat; check it out. Reserve
price: $2700. No way that gets past the finance committee.
Edited by - Rifleman.308 on 11/11/2002 20:23:220 -
Buy an original 95%+ preban Colt if you want an investment. They seem to sell faster than BM's consistently. It's like a Harley. If you want a shooter, I would buy the cheapest set up possible and put the brand barrel I wanted on it, BM or Colt. 0 -
There are no "inexpensive" Colt AR's......no matter whether they are "Pre-Ban" or "Post-Ban!" But, you can always seem to get your money back when you sell.....or even a little profit. For Investment purposes.....buy the Colt!
Want a great shooter.......buy a Rock River. If you can afford it, buy a Colt and use the bottom to mount a couple or three Rock River Uppers in different configurations/calibers......!
Fish Shudder at the sound of my Name!0 -
There's no difference in the quality. Both have been gov't contract M16 manufacturers at one time or another. Colt didn't invent this rifle, they just bought the rights to exclusive manufacture.
As has been said, when you have a Colt you are restricted to using mostly Colt parts. Bushmaster is made completely to gov't specs and will use parts or add-on goodies from most any manufacturer and still give the same service as it's high dollar cousin. If you are willing to leave it in the box for investment purposes, go with Colt. If you want a shooter go with the Bushy.
Insisting on a Colt AR type is like wearing designer jeans. Even though others are as good or even better, some feel that displaying a particular brand name infers status.
IMHO.0 -
I agree with TXS, if you want investment Colt is the way. If you want it to shoot go with the Bushmaster. Thats what I did as I have no intentions of reselling any gun I purchase. 0 -
Or, buy the colt and shoot it just like anything else. It will still sell for more money even after 10,000rnds than the BM with 10,000rnds through it. It is six of one, half dozen of the other. You will pay more for the colt, but you will sell it for more also. Buy the first one you can afford and start having fun. the damn things are a blast(no pun intended) to shoot. Mil spec mags are available still in plastic wrap for $25, and surplus ammo is dirt cheap.
A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.0 -
Rifleman.308 - I looked at that newly minted Colt M4-A3 style offered by "postban", and I must say, if he didn't have documentation from Colt ... I'd have never believed Colt to be so inept and incompetent as to "break" his pre-ban lower, then drill the wrong size pin holes in it ... sheesh!
Even if it was re-built by Colt, its still a re-finished parts gun ... But a $2700 reserve for a re-finished-parts gun? I guess a fool and his money are soon parted ... here's the link for anyone interested: http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=6108165
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Chance favors the prepared mind
kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com0 -
For the money I would choose one of the many Bushmaster Models.There a good quality gun.
Best!!!
Rugster
Toujours Pret0 -
I love my Bushmaster, I can empty a 30rnd clip at 50 yards with open sights and standing prone in six seconds and keep all the holes in the chest of a full sized silouette. If I take my time I can shrink the pattern to the size of a gulf ball. I have a red dot on mine now but am thinking about putting a compact 4x or 6x scope on top. Buy either one, youll love it guaranteed.
When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....0 -
Kimberkid - re the M4-A3: Given that the rifle has brand new Colt upper and lower receivers, and the lower still qualifies as pre-ban, I'd rate the stripped lower alone to be marketable at $1,500+. The rest is just math.
I didn't mean to imply that I would buy it, even as a gun-safe queen. That prancing horse just isn't worth that much. And NO $2,700 rifle is getting past the finance committee in the foreseeable future.
For what it's worth.0
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