The AR-15 rifle is turning fifty soon, which has come a long way from its initial service M16 battle rifle. The AR-15 firearm started as the AR-10 designed by Eugene Stoner, due to some after war bureaucracy Japan did not allow the testing of AR-10 rifles due to the non-aggression treaty following WWII. During the first release of the M16 there were a number of problems in the jungle warfare.

Lacking the chrome lined barrel and using the gas operating blow back design, these firearms had many problems with dirt, which didn’t help the fact government issued ammunition at the time was particularly dirty. During the progression of these AR-15 rifles, the A2 was produced with a better blow back design and chrome lined barrels. At first met with criticism, due to the smaller 5.56x45 NATO round and polymer plastics. Over time soldiers became more comfortable with this cartage and firearm, with the theory that a solider would be able to have better accuracy. The 223 AR-15 rifles allow the carry three times as much ammunition per solder.

And then Bushmaster stepped into the scene, the civilian market has never been the same. With the Bushmaster AR-15 rifles beginning production in 1978, the AR-15 rifle now found secured its place in history. Stepping away from military rifles Bushmaster realized that this design was perfect for varmint hunting as well as competitive shooting, the legacy began.

Bushmaster rifles soon took the market by storm and now are the most popular AR-15 rifles on the market, which allowed them to purchase companies like Stag Arms. Taking the AR-15 firearm where nobody thought possible, since starting as a fluke. The AR-15 rifle is still the largest selling rifle on the market, and still used by Law Enforcement Agencies, and military. With a few minor adjustments made to the solid AR-15 lower receiver.

The Bushmaster M4 is basically just a series of cuts in the AR-15 lower receiver, which was designed for tracer ammunition and to reduce blowback dirt jams. The Bushmaster AR-15 rifle is known as the jam proof AR-15, with the ability to even take steel cases ammunition, which most AR-15 rifle owners will cringe at. The Bushmaster firearms are used by over fifty militaries from Australia to Zimbabwe.

Bushmaster rifles have come full circle since catering to civilian markets, now with international sales and contracts, they have dominated their industry. Bushmaster also began the release of AR-15 pistols which take standard AR-15 / M16 magazines, and have shown a considerable amount of popularity on the civilian market. Bushmaster rifles are number one for a reason, and show no time of stopping of slowing, despite Smith & Wesson and others offering similar AR-15 style firearms.

When choosing your AR-15 rifle, remember that Bushmaster is on top of the market, and has been there for almost forty years. When contemplating a AR15 purchase don’t settle when you can ensure the quality of any Bushmaster AR-15 rifle.