Some models also remove the forward assist and the dust cover, and use a thinner barrel design to save additional weight. It saves weight by using polymer instead of the traditional steel or aluminum in the upper and lower receivers. The First Generation rifles were chambered for the 5.56mm round.īushmaster First Generation rifles are very rare and are collectables.Īccording to the company in 2010, Bushmaster began making the ACR available to the civilian market, posting it on its website. Originally marketed for police and the military, Bushmaster later changed its unique hybrid version AR-15M-16 to the standard ColtArmalite design.

This first generation model used the AK-47 gas system and the recoil spring is located within the upper barrel gas system as compared to the AR-15M-16, where the recoil spring is located within the butt stock. Stainless steel or chrome molybdenum barrels are available on certain models. Some barrels are available with 1:7 rifling, on special order. Most Bushmaster barrels are 4150 steel, offered in 1:9 twist rate, and chrome-lined to increase durability. It also announced that as a result, Bushmaster, TAPCO, DPMS, and StormLake Barrels would no longer be produced. Those who chose to give up their shares would get paid off by an unidentified lender. Windham Weaponry was founded by the former Bushmaster owners in 2011 in Windham, ME in order to put Maine people back to work who lost their jobs when Bushmaster moved out of state in March 2011.Īccording to the company: It is apparent that the Sandy Hook tragedy was a watershed event that has raised the national debate on gun control to an unprecedented level. In December 2010, Freedom Group announced that operations at the Windham, Maine, facility would cease as of March 2011. The company became part of the Freedom Group, owned by Cerberus Capital Management, in April 2006.

Bushmaster serial number list bk