Bushmaster AR-15s Are Back, And It's Better Than Ever

In the 1970s, a man named Mark Gwinn, Jr designed the first Bushmaster Assault Rifle upon returning from the Vietnam war under the defunct firearm manufacturing company, the Gwinn Arms Company of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to capitalize on the rising trend of military assault rifles. Around this period, rifles slowly shifted from M14 to M16, which now feature aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, and small caliber, and the firearm industry wanted to hop into the trend.

However, Gwinn’s success did not last long. He was forced to sell his company to Quality Parts (reformed to Bushmaster Firearms International), who will continue manufacturing and innovating his iconic AR-15s until today.

Well, its ownership has been quite a spectacle, to be honest, primarily because of the notoriety caused by some of its rogue handlers, starting with the 2002 D.C. sniper attacks and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting.

Only August last year, the company finally managed to stand back up and running again. They even revive their original brand name and some of its firearms lines, including the XM15-E2S series, 450 Bushmaster, Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR), and BA50 brands.

Check out the five firearms series available for purchase below.

Bravo Zulu Series

Bravo Zulu is the first Bushmaster addition to its AR-platform options since its relaunch last year. It is available in seven configurations, each with the BFI free-float M-LOK handguard and a QD sling swivel mount, with MSRP ranging from $995 to $1,910.

Bravo Zulu Specs

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223 REM)
Weight: 6.21 lbs without magazine
Length: 33.5″ – 36.5″
Barrel: 16″ Salt Bath Nitride
Twist: 1:8, 1:24
Trigger: DM2S/BFSIII Trigger/450 Bushmaster
Magazine: 30 RD Thril Polymer-matrix
Grip: Thril Rugged Tactical Grip

Bushmaster Bravo Zulu — (Image source: Bushmaster)

M4 Patrolman’s Series

Bushmaster’s M4 Patrolman series boasts an updated version of A4 upper and M4 feed ramps, increasing the weapon’s durability and reliability. You can have yours for as low as $949.99.

M4 Patrolman’s Specs

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223 REM)
Weight: 6.7 lbs without magazine
Length: 32.5″ -36″
Barrel: 16″ Salt Bath Nitride
Twist: 1:7
Trigger: MILSPEC or BFSIII
Magazine: 30 RD Aluminum

The Flat Top, on the other hand, features an American-made flip-up rear sight that can be mounted with a red dot.

M4 Patrolman’s Flat Top Specs

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223 REM)
Weight: 6.7 lbs without magazine
Length: 32.5″ -36″
Barrel: 16″ Salt Bath Nitride
Twist: 1:7
Trigger: MILSPEC or BFSIII
Magazine: 30 RD Aluminum

bushmaster AR-15 series — (Image source: Bushmaster)

QRC Series

Quick Response Carbine (QRC), formerly Optics Ready Carbine, is among the proven and tested rifles of the Bushmaster, featuring a lightweight frame and ready for optics (1×20 red dot). Its MSRP range from $879.99 to $1,189.99.

QRC Specs

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223 REM)
Weight: 5.18 lbs without magazine
Length: 32.5″ -36″
Barrel: 16″ Salt Bath Nitride
Twist: 1:8
Trigger: MILSPEC or BFSIII
Magazine: 30 RD Aluminum

The pro version of the QRC is equipped with a B5 system M-LOK handguard, cushioned stock, and no-slip texture pistol grip.

QRC Pro Specs

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223 REM)
Weight: 6.3 lbs without magazine
Length: 33″ -36″
Barrel: 16″ Salt Bath Nitride
Twist: 1:8
Trigger: MILSPEC or BFSIII
Magazine: 30 RD Aluminum

450 Bushmaster

The 450 Bushmaster is primarily intended for hunting and has a reduced felt recoil with a lighter weight, making it a dependable and handy hunter’s rifle. You can grab yours today for an MSRP of $1,329.99.

Specs

Caliber: 450 Bushmaster
Weight: 7.06 lbs without magazine
Length: 40″
Barrel: 20″ Salt Bath Nitride
Twist: 1:24
Trigger: DM2S, 2 Stage
Magazine: 5 RD Aluminum

450 Bushmaster 20 inch — (Image source: Bushmaster)

All-new Bushmaster Rifle

Bushmaster unveiled its newest action rifle, the BA30, in January, and it is scheduled for release later this year.

In its press release, the firearm manufacturing company expressed its excitement for the arrival of its newest addition bolt action rifle that promises “accuracy, speed, and reliability for both hunters and precision shooters.”

The BA30 is crafted using the XM-10 barrel and bolt, aiming to deliver versatile straight-pull bolt action in the market through its premium components, including interchangeable XM-10 barrels, bolts, handguards, and muzzle devices, grips, triggers, and magazines.

BA30 Coming Soon — (Image source: Bushmaster)

Bushmaster firearm enthusiasts can also look forward to the extended features of the BA30, namely the Type III hard coat anodizing, a 1913 stock adapter, an ambidextrous bolt handle, and mag release.

“Bushmaster is excited to add this easy caliber conversion bolt action rifle to the market,” Bushmaster CEO Sun Naegele stated. “As you all know, this is not an Adaptive Combat Rifle, but we are full steam ahead on the ACR project for 2022 and are looking forward to bringing it back.”