Upgrade this AR-15 or buy a new one? PIC

bigjimmy · December 19, 2012, 07:18 PM

Hello,

First post.

I have a Bushmaster AR-15. This gun was bought during the Clinton ban so the stock does not collapse. I would like to buy a new flat-top upper to put on this gun so I can use an EO-Tech sight that I have and add on other accessories.

I really do not know too much about the compatibility between the different AR-15 parts makers. So I have several questions:

1. Should I just buy a completely new gun or buy a new upper and stock for this one? I wondering what makes most sense economically.

2. If I do buy a new upper, does it have to be a Bushmaster or will any AR-15 upper work?

3. If I get a new upper do I need to get a bolt assembly that is specific to that upper or will my current one work?

Here is a pic of my current rifle:

Thanks for any help guys.

Jimmy

Mobuck · December 19, 2012, 08:48 PM

Generally speaking, any AR 15 upper will fit on any AR15 lower. There are some tolerance variations that may make the fit looser than you'd like or tighter than is prudent to jam together.
While it's considered acceptable by some to swap BCG between uppers, I would only do so as a last resort. I've found that new bolts and new uppers seem to be fine but used bolt and used or new upper is a question mark.

Quentin2 · December 19, 2012, 09:18 PM

You might want to test the water and see how much these older A2s go for. I'd say you would do better selling it and getting something more modern, maybe from PSA.

With the current market conditions you might get a good price for the old BM but then pay more for the new AR.

GlenF · December 19, 2012, 09:54 PM

I recognize that muzzle break. Big noise.

A while back I bought a used Bushmaster carbine that looks a lot like the one you pictured. Except mine had the collapsible stock. Anyway, I kept the lower and purchased a LMT upper which fit perfectly.

sailskidrive · December 19, 2012, 10:49 PM

Quote:

You might want to test the water and see how much these older A1s go for. I'd say you would do better selling it and getting something more modern, maybe from PSA.

I just sold a low end DPMS parts gun for $800; I'm sure you could unload that A1 right now if you wanted to. I personally would look around for its replacement before you dispose of it.

ripnbst · December 19, 2012, 11:13 PM

Palmetto State Armory has an upper that will fit on your lower for sale right now that they ACTUALLY show as "In stock". At least earlier today it was.

I would just buy another upper and run it on your existing Bushy lower. You could always put it back to the way it is currently and sell it complete later and buy a lower closer to the deadline if we think that is actually where we will end up.

Then you would essentially have two complete rifles, one to sell or not, your call.

Mobuck · December 20, 2012, 12:44 AM

Sorry guys, that's not an A1. That's an A2 rear sight.

Quentin2 · December 20, 2012, 04:17 AM

Yep, A2 upon closer look.

Dr Big Bird PhD · December 20, 2012, 04:30 AM

In the wake of all this hysteria, I don't think buying a new AR right now is terribly savvy. It'll probably be easier to buy uppers/stocks/parts than complete rifles.

Auto426 · December 20, 2012, 04:48 AM

Quote:

In the wake of all this hysteria, I don't think buying a new AR right now is terribly savvy. It'll probably be easier to buy uppers/stocks/parts than complete rifles.

It's extremely difficult to buy anything AR at the moment. Those who aren't experienced with them are buying complete guns the second they hit dealer shelves, and those are are familiar with them are buying up any components that can get their hands on. And naturally, the higher demand is driving up prices on everything.

I personally would buy a second rifle, one free of the AWB era "features". Keep the old one, and maybe consider upgrading it when all of this panic buying settles down.

Bwana4 · December 20, 2012, 11:35 PM

well all the AR;s are off the shelves here in NJ, and we're the third most restrictive state. I had a double my cost offer for a heavy barrel Remington AR w/ 2-16x great quality scope. The problem is finding another this time. If you can get anotherm then sell it, otherwise, all parts are more or less compatible- just read the forums! There's 5 years worth of info at our fiingertips.

The prices if AR's junped at leats $300 here in the last 4 days.

iraiam · December 21, 2012, 03:43 AM

I'm in the same boat, I have a match grade colt that I'm in the process of upgrading to a flat top upper. plus another upper I have for it.

I was going to sell it until I saw the price of one just like it a LGS, about what I paid for it in 1994, so I'll just keep it, it's a good one.

bigjimmy · December 23, 2012, 05:57 PM

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the responses.

I ended up purchasing a new upper, stock, and BCG.

When/if everything dies down, I might purchase another lower so I have two guns. We'll see.

Thanks guys.

Jimmy

jackpine · December 23, 2012, 08:12 PM

If you look at mounts available you can get a "goose-neck" scope mount and place your EO-tech on that and the stocks are easy to swap out. I would buy a new stock and reciever extention and order a CAR stock wrench and do it to it.

December 19, 2012, 07:18 PM	#1
bigjimmy Junior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 2	Upgrade this AR-15 or buy a new one? PIC Hello, First post. I have a Bushmaster AR-15. This gun was bought during the Clinton ban so the stock does not collapse. I would like to buy a new flat-top upper to put on this gun so I can use an EO-Tech sight that I have and add on other accessories. I really do not know too much about the compatibility between the different AR-15 parts makers. So I have several questions: 1. Should I just buy a completely new gun or buy a new upper and stock for this one? I wondering what makes most sense economically. 2. If I do buy a new upper, does it have to be a Bushmaster or will any AR-15 upper work? 3. If I get a new upper do I need to get a bolt assembly that is specific to that upper or will my current one work? Here is a pic of my current rifle: Thanks for any help guys. Jimmy

December 19, 2012, 09:18 PM	#3
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,243	You might want to test the water and see how much these older A2s go for. I'd say you would do better selling it and getting something more modern, maybe from PSA. With the current market conditions you might get a good price for the old BM but then pay more for the new AR. Last edited by Quentin2; December 20, 2012 at 03:54 AM.

December 19, 2012, 09:54 PM	#4
GlenF Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: Lawrence, Kansas Posts: 62	bigjimmy I recognize that muzzle break. Big noise. A while back I bought a used Bushmaster carbine that looks a lot like the one you pictured. Except mine had the collapsible stock. Anyway, I kept the lower and purchased a LMT upper which fit perfectly.

December 20, 2012, 04:30 AM	#9
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 673	In the wake of all this hysteria, I don't think buying a new AR right now is terribly savvy. It'll probably be easier to buy uppers/stocks/parts than complete rifles. __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

December 20, 2012, 11:35 PM	#11
Bwana4 Member Join Date: March 28, 2009 Posts: 43	sell it well all the AR;s are off the shelves here in NJ, and we're the third most restrictive state. I had a double my cost offer for a heavy barrel Remington AR w/ 2-16x great quality scope. The problem is finding another this time. If you can get anotherm then sell it, otherwise, all parts are more or less compatible- just read the forums! There's 5 years worth of info at our fiingertips. The prices if AR's junped at leats $300 here in the last 4 days.

December 19, 2012, 08:48 PM	#2
Mobuck Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 1,471	Generally speaking, any AR 15 upper will fit on any AR15 lower. There are some tolerance variations that may make the fit looser than you'd like or tighter than is prudent to jam together. While it's considered acceptable by some to swap BCG between uppers, I would only do so as a last resort. I've found that new bolts and new uppers seem to be fine but used bolt and used or new upper is a question mark.

December 19, 2012, 11:13 PM	#6
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,038	Palmetto State Armory has an upper that will fit on your lower for sale right now that they ACTUALLY show as "In stock". At least earlier today it was. I would just buy another upper and run it on your existing Bushy lower. You could always put it back to the way it is currently and sell it complete later and buy a lower closer to the deadline if we think that is actually where we will end up. Then you would essentially have two complete rifles, one to sell or not, your call.

December 20, 2012, 12:44 AM	#7
Mobuck Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 1,471	Sorry guys, that's not an A1. That's an A2 rear sight.

December 20, 2012, 04:17 AM	#8
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,243	Yep, A2 upon closer look.

December 21, 2012, 03:43 AM	#12
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 401	I'm in the same boat, I have a match grade colt that I'm in the process of upgrading to a flat top upper. plus another upper I have for it. I was going to sell it until I saw the price of one just like it a LGS, about what I paid for it in 1994, so I'll just keep it, it's a good one. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason

December 23, 2012, 05:57 PM	#13
bigjimmy Junior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 2	Hey guys, Thanks for all the responses. I ended up purchasing a new upper, stock, and BCG. When/if everything dies down, I might purchase another lower so I have two guns. We'll see. Thanks guys. Jimmy

December 23, 2012, 08:12 PM	#14
jackpine Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Posts: 289	If you look at mounts available you can get a "goose-neck" scope mount and place your EO-tech on that and the stocks are easy to swap out. I would buy a new stock and reciever extention and order a CAR stock wrench and do it to it.