I’ve owned a few WW ARs over the years (and several Bushmasters before that) and they’ve all been great. Cant compare to the modern Colts as I don’t own one but I’d happily buy a WW again.

 

I have 2 including the retro you are looking at. Both have worked flawlessly and build quality is outstanding. Highly recommend Windham.

 

Hello All
What are your thoughts on Windham Weaponry AR rifles. I know they are old Bushmaster (don't know if it's still the case) but their Improved Retro m16a1 variant is looking good.
View attachment 1006506
How would you compare them to new production Colt Rifles?
What do they do that saves the cost?
Their barrels are Chrome-Moly, are they Chrome Lined as well?
Anyone have experience with them.
Thanks for any info.

They're good rifles. Like you said, Windham is the company that used to be Bushmaster. They essentially sold the Bushmaster company, and years later (after a clause in the sales contract expired) re-opened under the Windham name.

I own one and my former department started buying them instead of Bushmaster or Colt. The only Colts we had were early 1990s heavy barreled carbines. I'd put Windham in the same category as the Colts when Colt was in their prime.

 

In my opinion, They completely dropped the ball when they installed the more modern fast twist 1/7 barrels.

To say nothing of the heavy weight barrel profile.
and added a cartridge case deflector.

The original Vietnam era barrels were rifled with a 1/14 twist, later quickened up to a 1/12 twist optimized for the 55 grain M-193 ammunition.

It kind of seems to me, they simply took an A-2 rifle, slapped an A-1 stock on it and called it "good", we are done for today.

The Brownell's BRN-16A1 version is much more desirable to me, based on these facts alone.

 

Windham makes great firearms but that thing ain't close to an a1 clone.

 

I believe that Windham Weaponry hired back many of its previous Bushmaster employees. That bought a lot of work experience.

 

I have a windham HBC. I like it. Never had any issues with it. Its the only AR I have owned so I cant compare it to anything.

 

Yes, the Windham rifle barrels are chrome-lined (other than the stainless steel barrels, of course).

One thing to know about their rifles is that they continue to use an A2 (rather than F-height) front sight base on all their rifles, including the flat tops. For the large majority of shooters this is no problem, but if you run out of elevation adjustment on the front sight post Windham does sell a longer FSP (a cheap and easy remedy). The good news is that if you're looking at the A1-ish-style rifle the A2 FSB is actually the correct height.

Another thing to know is that they still use commercial-diameter receiver extensions on their collaspible stock rifles. Windham's not alone in this regard as it's a way to save a couple bucks, but it is a little on the cheesy side in my opinion.

Historically, the old original Bushmasters were known for loose bolt carrier gas key staking but I don't think this is a continuing issue with Windham.

Over the years I've owned a few Colts (because Colt!), a Rock River Arms, a LMT, a Windham, and a couple cheaper brands. They all have their minor quirks. Wndhams's just fine.

 

They are a good AR. Buy with confidence if you decide on their product.

 

I have the SRC. It looks like the top rail is skewed a bit, but it shoots fine. Reliable like you want from an AR. The amusing thing to me is after firing a mag, all the shell casings are neatly piled up in one place. Very consistent ejection.

 

If I had the need for another, I think I would buy one just to support the company. I like what the guy did with that company for those people.

 

I don’t know about this particular WW the OP was talking about, but one of my homies bought a WW M4-type back in 2017. It seemed to be well made and worked okay.

Back then it cost just a bit less than a Colt LE6920. I would have paid a bit extra for the Colt. However my homie was in Maryland and he didn’t exactly have a lot of selections to choose from.

 

I would buy WW again. I have had sevral ARs and ended up keeping the M&P15 with a cheapo Sig romeo5.. I only shoot cardboard targets but the M&P,WW AND DPMS all worked for what I do with them.

 

What does the Windham offer that makes it stand out from other companies of the same price range?

 

Windham is in the same commercial category as dpms, psa, delton, spikes, etc.

If this is going to be a range toy and shot only a few hundred roundsa year, ok.

If one is looking for a serious use weapon that will see 10-30 thousand rounds a year, do yourself a favor and get a BCM, Daniels Defense, LMT, Noveske, Knights Armamnet, or Colt.

You will thank me later…

 

This, pretty much.

I bought a Bushmaster A2 clone back in 1991. It was Quality Parts Co. of Maine in those days. That was during the ABC (Armalite, Bushmaster, or Colt) days. The Bushie was the most mil spec because the Colt was only available HBAR and with the big screw-off front pin. Bushmaster was available in govt profile barrel and standard pins (albeit with semi auto bolt carrier and commercial size buffer tube).

Fast forward: Still shooting that rifle. Many, many rounds down the tube. Including some dirty steelcase east european stuff. The only thing I've replaced is a firing pin (roughened end) and extractor spring (preventative maintenance). And I only clean it every few years, yes, years. Runs like a top. The only malfunctions ever have been bad magazines; a couple of 20 round GI type had spread their lips which cause double-feeding.


But, yes, if you're going to shoot it a lot, I'd get a Colt 6920. A few hundred dollars more than the basic ones, and much more rifle. I sure like mine!

 

I have 1 WW AR's (556) and 2 uppers (762x39 and 300BLK). No problems at all and shot well out of the box.

Only time I called support, it was because their 300BLK upper had problems with subsonic loads. Although they could not fix that problem, they were very responsive and tested my upper with various loads. They confirmed that those subsonic loads would not consistently cycle with their upper.

I have since learned that it is really tricky for 300BLK uppers to cycle both super- and subsonic loads without messing with combinations of adjustable gas blocks, buffer spring and buffer weights and loads with specific powders (AA1680 seems to be better), and/or putting on a suppressor. IIRC, there are a few complete pistols and rifles like from the AAC corporation (300BLK originators?) that work.

Not the cheapest, but I would recommend them, especially when they have sales.

 

I have their .308 rifle. The buffer tube was defective… drilled too deep. The carrier thus slammed into the lower receiver causing damage. I called and they said yeah they were aware of the problem, that the defective buffer tubes were supposed to be used on the .223 rifles but some of them made it to the .308 rifles. WTF? Instead of measuring and removing all defective tubes from stock, they decided to “move them to the .223” rifles, as they had less recoil and the problem was less apparent. That’s what they told me. Idiots. Apparently they don’t care much about quality parts and quality guns if that’s how they throw crap together…

They did ship me a new in spec buffer tube that I installed myself (per my request) and they asked for the old one to be shipped back to them.

 

I know there are good rifles but I don't really understand their love affair with commercial buffer tubes and carbine length gas systems.

 

Simple. Not a single actual gun guy makes decisions. Only a bean counter moron would stick with commercial tubes.

Commercial tubes and most carbine length gas tubes should have been phased out 10+ years ago.

 

Okay, here is the secret to Windham Weapons along with the former (Bushmaster firearms).

They are NOT manufacturers..... They are assemblers.

They buy parts on the open market and assemble rifles

Uppers, Lowers, Barrels, and many other parts are bought on the market.

Hense, companies tend to buy the least expensive parts possible and hobble together firearms.

 

To greater and lesser extents EVERYBODY does that. The vaunted Colt uses hammers, triggers, disconnectors, and selectors made by Schmid Tool. As does LMT. Colt's plastic furniture is made by P&S Products (supposedly using a formula proprietary to Colt). Colt's been known to sub-in barrels made by others, including Green Mountain Rifle Barrel. Bolt carriers across all brands are almost certainly made by Toolcraft Inc. Does anybody really think they're manufacturing their own springs and pins too? Other small parts? Of course not. Due to the lack of economies of scale that would result in a rifle at a price point that wouldn't be able to compete.

What matters is the standard to which each company sets those parts.

 

I bought my first AR this year and it was a new Windham Weaponry MPC-RF. I was the only bidder on Gunbroker for it and bid $800, after shipping and a credit card fee I paid $863-ish for it, about $880 altogether with a background check. In hindsight, I should have maybe bought it from a cheaper dealer, but it was my first online gun purchase, and was also bought during the panic when other bare-bones ARs were going for around $1,000 or more, so I didn't complain. The prices have come down now though, but I think I got a good deal, all things considered.

One of the things that attracted me to WW was their story, combined with the fact that the founder rehired his old staff, bought up his old equipment, and put hard-working Americans back to work doing what they loved, AND they were an independent company that wasn't owned by a conglomerate or corporation. That alone made my purchase worth it. My limited research also revealed very positive reviews and compliments as to the quality and reliability, so that also played a part in my decision.

I love the rifle. My buddy and I shot about 100 rounds through it. Mind you, I have limited personal experience with AR-platform rifles, so my tastes may be more primitive than yours. I love the M4 profile with the carbine-length handguard, collapsible stock, and A2 sight post, with that grenade launcher cutout on the barrel and the bayonet lug (completely unusable, I know, but still....). I keep mine next to my desk just so that I can look at it. There's just something about it that I love.....they are very addictive to look at, and I find myself wanting more, lol.

I need to put a red dot optic on it, but there's too many to choose from.

 

One of the things that attracted me to WW was their story, combined with the fact that the founder rehired his old staff, bought up his old equipment, and put hard-working Americans back to work doing what they loved, AND they were an independent company that wasn't owned by a conglomerate or corporation. That alone made my purchase worth it. My limited research also revealed very positive reviews and compliments as to the quality and reliability, so that also played a part in my decision.

I had always intended to buy one for the same reasons. One of those Youtube reviewers gave them a good review and was blasted for it.

 

Look at the Fulton Armory build.

 

I've had a Windham for about 6 or 7 years now. No particular problems, but I don't shoot it all that much. When I do, it's pretty consistent although POI does shift when the barrel warms up.

 

A fried of mine bought one a couple of years ago. It was his first AR and a great starter gun. He still has it and uses it for home defense and range. I don't think he has even put 1000 rounds through it yet but I remember he fired the first 600 rounds without cleaning it and it worked without any stoppages with factory lube. I convinced him to clean it at around 600 rounds. I would say it was pretty reliable, and he paid about $760 for it out the door new.

 

Its all moot now. They have gone out of business. They cant compete in this market with PSA and their $450 AR15 rifles.

 

The owner passed away, who knows, there might have been a lot of bank debt. Hence the auction of everything.

 

I've owned a shameful number of AR-15 rifles ranging from top drawer manufacturers to mom & pop producers. I shot nearly 8 years of NRA matches with them at 200 and 600 yards. A lot of rounds passed through those rifles from cheapy Russian, WWB, to my own match reloads. I've never had a malfunction with any AR rifle that couldn't be traced to substandard ammunition.

All of those rifles were "Mil-Spec" and I only had one brand new rifle that was "Bad" due to an excessive trigger pull. Poor quality control let that rifle slip out to the customer as the 15 pound trigger pull was easily found and just as easy to repair.

In all those years of shooting matches, I personally witnessed ONE malfunction. One of our regular shooters had the forward tip break off of his charging handle. Friends loaned him a charging handle and he was able to finish his match.

One very good shooter refused to clean his rifle. I looked at his rifle which was filled with black, gritty goo. Still, it performed faultlessly.

I shot the best AR scores of my life with much maligned Olympic and Bushmaster rifles. I disregarded Internet "expert" chatter and those rifles just kept right on shooting perfectly!

Summed up: I've never owned a "bad" AR-15 rifle nor ever saw one that I considered "junk". They all shot straight, reliably and accurately.

Flash

 

Owner died? That makes sense. He was old school and had a sense of duty to his employees. So he probably kept the place afloat longer than it should have been. Probably wanted to keep everyone working and earning a paycheck. Even if he had to dig into his own pockets to make that happen.

The family came along, looked at the books, and saw the money bleeding out the place, and decided it wasn't sustainable to keep it open.