Ca Approved Bushmaster Help

[Tomwadek]

Hi everyone, Im a new member but not a new viewer. I purchased a ca approved bushmaster years ago as my first gun. The firearm is amazing, it's truely a good rifle except for the fact that it is a top loading rifle. I'm not new to the "assault weapons" hoops and loops, i know about all the "evil" features and such. I'm not telling you guys this to sound rude or a know it all, i just want you guys to know i'm not new to the CA game.

Heres my question: How can I make my rifle into a bullet button accepting rifle?
I really dont want to buy a new rifle because I have just purchased a Socom 2 in urban camo and that took most of my money haha... and the bushamster rifle is a really good. I like how light it is and it has never gave me a problem.

The things i've tried so far: I have tried finding a stripped carbon 15 lower to build and install a bullet button but i cant find one.. and if i do they don't want to ship to CA. I've called bushmaster and they refused to help me... they said, if and only if the rifle is damaged, they would fix it but not ship a new lower.

My second option is to dremel out the mag well and install a bullet button. The problem with that is i'm getting mixed reviews... Some are saying that it would be considered a felony because i am now modifying the rifle...??? Is that true... I dont know what to do.. I know i'm an idiot for buying the top loading rifle rather than building one but at the time i dont remember the bullet button being as popular as it is today and it was a good option in owing a ar15 in CA at the time. If i could do it differently i would build my own.
My last option is i could sell it and buy what i need to build a new one... however like i said i do like the rifle... and that would be my last and desperate option...

Thanks guys in advance... Happy shooting..

[superhondaz50]

easy conversion to do. get sand paper, a file, a dremel, a 1/8" drill bit and some beer. Drill out the rivet and remove the mag crap. dremel open the bottom slightly inward of the cut out lines Bushmaster so kindly left for you on the bottom of the magwell. file any left over scrap off, then sand it smooth. rub some break free into the newly cut plastic to bring back the original luster. Install a B.B. an 10 rounder. Take beer bottle and smash it on the barrel while saying "I christen thee a non-top loader!" Oh ya don't waste the beer you should drink it off the gun

[Tomwadek]

hahaha... is it legal to do though... is it true it's considered "modifying it"

[ke6guj]

There is no law against "modifying". You just have to make sure you don't manufacture an AW. So, be aware of the AW regs and don't assemble it into an AW configuration.

[Tomwadek]

hmmmm sounds good... anyone have any experience with dremel out the magwell... anything i should know before i start... any advice... thanks..

[JTROKS]

hmmmm sounds good... anyone have any experience with dremel out the magwell... anything i should know before i start... any advice... thanks..

Take little cuts, measure twice cut once. Take your time, if you get frustrated put the tools down, relax have a beer. Now if it takes a 6 pack for you to relax I advice not to work on it until you're sober. Remember this, once you grind or cut it off you can't put it back. So be careful.

[Tomwadek]

alrighty thanks guys

[bwiese]

I'd bet Cold War Shooters, DDs Ranch or one of our other friendly out-of-state FFLs could aquire a Bushmaster Carbon15 lower (open magwell) and ship it to your AR-friendly local CA FFL. Just install the Bullet Button device first before assembling the rest of the lower/rifle and you're GTG.

[heycorey]

I'd bet Cold War Shooters, DDs Ranch or one of our other friendly out-of-state FFLs could aquire a Bushmaster Carbon15 lower (open magwell) and ship it to your AR-friendly local CA FFL. Just install the Bullet Button device first before assembling the rest of the lower/rifle and you're GTG.

I've acquired three of them through LanWorld Inc ...

[superhondaz50]

The conversion is really simple, just dremel inwards on the well and file the rest out, it'll look really clean.

[fuegoslow]

I've actually seen a stripped carbon15 lower with an open magwell at CWS's Highland shop about a month ago. $250, so I kept browsing.

[Tomwadek]

im going to try finding the lower from one of the friendly online sites.. the dremel thingy is making me alittle bit nervous haha- thanks guys

[CalJeep]

Make sure to post a picture when you are done! I've always wondered about those Bushies and how they would look after they are "back to normal"

[Tomwadek]

alright guys... i decided to dremel out the magwell myself... I have a couple of questions to ask about the tool... Which dremel should i buy and use.. the Rotary? is there a particular model that is good or powerful enough? Which attachment should i use? If everything goes well im going to get this done no later than monday... thanks guys...

[CalJeep]

I just bought the smallest/lower end dremmel to cut through a spot weld on my DSA FAL. Its a cordless, rechargeable one. It worked fine, so it all depends on what you want to do with it later. I suggest a corded one though. Go to your local hardware store and ask what can cut through plastic the best. Good luck