Bushmaster Assault Rifle Very Rare Stoner Inspired 70’s Carbine AK47 AR15

SOLD FOR: $1,775.00

LSB#: WY240714MT007

Make: Bushmaster Firearms

Model:  Assault Rifle

Serial Number: F00715

Year of Manufacture: 1970s

Caliber: 5.56

Action Type: Semi Automatic

Markings: The upper is marked “BUSHMASTER /ASSAULT RIFLE/BUSHMASTER FIREARMS/ PORTLAND MAINE USA / 5.56MM/ F00715”. There is a “B” on the selector.

Barrel Length: 18 inches plus the birdcage style flash hider.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable conical post threaded to the gas block, protected by two ears on either side. The rear sight is a  two position flip aperture style sight similar to an AR15/ M16 rear sight. It is adjustable for windage.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The buttstock is a skeletonized steel. The LOP measures 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the steel buttstock. The Pistol grip is a standard M16 style A1 pistol grip. The forearm is made of wood and seems to have been customized. Trifle comes with a bipod mounted to the front. The furniture set rates in about good overall condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: No magazine comes with this rifle. The rifle receives standard AR15 Magazines

Type of Finish:  Anodized gray and black paint

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and shows strong rifling near the chamber that softens out the closer to the muzzle. There is no notable erosion in the bore. 8.5/10 Bore rating in this writer’s opinion.

Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows wear here and there but overall responsible storage. Due to missing some parts like a small C-Clip that holds the front access pin in; this gun has not seen a lot of use which is a great thing for future owners. The original charging handle shroud /sleeve is missing. The screw heads are tool-marked with strong slots and very serviceable. The hammer and hammer spring has been replaced; there is no detent to hold in the selector(allowing it to free spin). The trigger guard is missing. The blue buffer in the rear of the receiver is still supple. There are light bits of surface rust beginning to form on the feet of the bipod, and at the birdcage. The pins are serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about very good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Mack Gwinn was a US Army Special Forces officer in Vietnam (he retired from the service as a Captain) who had extensive experience carrying and using a Stoner 63A. When he returned home, he decided to get into the firearms industry. His first work was the Ranger 7, an improvement on John Foote’s FAC-70, but this did not see production. What did get into production was his Bushmaster Assault Rifle, a long-stroke gas piston rifle with an AR style bolt and fire control group, apparently inspired by elements of the Stoner. The design was sound (and fairly simple), but unfortunately the manufacturing was quite crude.

The Bushmaster was originally produced by Gwinn Firearms, until it was transferred to a company called Quality Parts, which renamed itself Bushmaster Firearms in the process. The example we are looking at today is a Bushmaster-production one. Eventually production of the Assault Rifle ceased, and Bushmaster became much better known for making AR-15 rifles. Gwinn remained in the industry, designing a number of significant items including a QD barrel system for the Browning M2 for FN, a drum magazine for the AR and Mini-14, and most recently the MGI Hydra modular barrel system for the AR.

Click this link for a complete run down on information.  Bushmaster Assault Rifle: A Stoner-Inspired 70s Carbine

This is one of the only actual “Assault Rifles” as it is marked as such. The rifle is rare as they come and is truly an epic piece in the lineage of the AR15 Story. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition in our pictures.-K.F.