In December I started looking into getting one of these bullpups. For those unfamiliar with the design, the Bushmaster M17s originally had its roots in Australia as a competitor in military trials in the late 80s where it's competitor the AUG was selected. The design eventually made its way to the US, and then to Bushmaster's production line. Production at Bushmaster went from 1992 to 2005 when it was dropped from the line.
Original Bushmaster M17s
Gen 1...
Gen 2...
The Bushmaster M17s is a .223/5.56 Stanag mag fed bullpup rifle with a gas operated rotating bolt design based of the AR-18 platform. The overall length is 760mm and the barrel length is 546mm, or about 21.5 inches. The lower is a polymer design with the upper being made of extruded aluminum. The rifle features a bolt hold open and mag release identical to that of an AR15 and while primarily designed for optics, there is a short iron sight setup in the elevate rail/handle. The earliest versions had a thread barrel and muzzle brake / flash hider, but the US assault weapons ban required later version to have a capped muzzle. This is easily removable and a flash hider can be installed without modification. The non-reciprocating charging handle is actually the rear post of the rail, and pulls back to charge much like a Type 97 would.
The really important feature? IT IS NON-RESTRICTED AND HAS A PUBLISHED FRT SAYING SO!!! FRT 41308
Honestly, it isn't the prettiest rifle out there in it's original form. The aluminum upper does not have the best ventilation and can be prone to higher temperatures during rapid or high volume fire and often the shooter requires gloves. However, the rifle does lend itself nicely to customization given its construction. The upper rail is removable, as it the charging handle. K&M Arms (formally K&M Aerospace) out of Arizona has built a business around customizing these rifles.
In my search for an M17s to import I contacted K&M. Here is an idea of what can be done with an M17s...
Now... here is the really exciting news that frankly, I'm surprised someone else hasn't posted this yet. K&M is building their own, and is actively looking to move toward having their version submitted for approval for sale here, as non-restricted.
K&M's version is an all billet design (upper and lower) and both upper and lower are interchangeable with the Bushmaster upper and lowers already approved. You can mix and match, back and forth and will still function. The top charging handle of the Bushmaster M17s has been replace with a side charging handle and the lower accepts AR pistol grips without the thumb web extension. The original push button safety now looks more like an 870 safety. While the initial design is right handed, the ejection port has a deflector allowing for left hand shooting and their is an ambi mag release. The bolt release paddle is also 30% larger than an AR15's. A dedicated left hand version is planned, but there will not be a interchangeable version as one would find with a Tavor. Trigger pull is 3.5 or 5 lbs depending on preference at time of order. The rear of the stock has also been redesigned to accept Magpul AR15 buttpad extensions. The US version comes with a 17.5 inch barrel, but K&M has stated that they would produce a 18.5 inch barrel for the Canadian market should the gun be approved. Production of the first 100 guns has already started in the US and the reception has been good so far. In addition to the .223/5.56 base model, 300 Blackout and 308 versions are being planned, with 6.5 Grendel and 7.62x39 following those in order.
Word is a Canadian based importer has already been speaking with K&M. Now don't get too excited, there isn't one in the country yet, it still needs it's own FRT and will likely need to go to the lab and deal with all of that *stuff*. Whether it will be easier to get approved with the Bushmaster M17s already having an FRT, and with the two version being totally compatible is unknown. With all that in mind it is an exciting prospect.
US price has been set at $1800 USD.
Specs:
Caliber: 5.56mm/.223
Barrel Length: 17.5" (A Canadian version would be 18.5")
Barrel Twist: 1:9
Overall Length: 26.25" (A Canadian version would be 27.25" with the added barrel inch)
Weight: 7lb 3.4oz (+ whatever an inch of barrel adds to weight)
Short Stroke Piston System
Price $1800 USD (unknown what a Cdn price would be after import etc)
Features:
- Billet aluminum Lower: Utilizes standard AR-15 hammer, disconnect, slightly modified trigger, magazine catch, grip, springs and pins.
- 3.5lb smooth trigger pull with patented trigger linkage. (5lb trigger is available if desired)
- Skeleton billet trigger
- Magpul tactical enhanced butt pad
- Push button safety
- 2X QD sling adapters
- 2X AR style takedown pins. (Uses standard AR takedown spring and detent)
- AR180 style bolt carrier with a 3 lug triangular bolt that uses standard AR extractor and ejector
Other Features:
- Uses Standard AR mags
- Uses standard AR pistol grip that can be changed to use most all other AR grip.
- Comes with the Tangodown grip
- Semi free float barrel
- Non reciprocating charging handle switch able to both sides of the receiver
- Standard AR Flash hider threaded 1/2-28
- Ambi mag release that is standard AR style
- Modular side rails that can be mounted in any of the side slots
Original Bushmaster M17s
Gen 1...
Gen 2...
The Bushmaster M17s is a .223/5.56 Stanag mag fed bullpup rifle with a gas operated rotating bolt design based of the AR-18 platform. The overall length is 760mm and the barrel length is 546mm, or about 21.5 inches. The lower is a polymer design with the upper being made of extruded aluminum. The rifle features a bolt hold open and mag release identical to that of an AR15 and while primarily designed for optics, there is a short iron sight setup in the elevate rail/handle. The earliest versions had a thread barrel and muzzle brake / flash hider, but the US assault weapons ban required later version to have a capped muzzle. This is easily removable and a flash hider can be installed without modification. The non-reciprocating charging handle is actually the rear post of the rail, and pulls back to charge much like a Type 97 would.
The really important feature? IT IS NON-RESTRICTED AND HAS A PUBLISHED FRT SAYING SO!!! FRT 41308
Honestly, it isn't the prettiest rifle out there in it's original form. The aluminum upper does not have the best ventilation and can be prone to higher temperatures during rapid or high volume fire and often the shooter requires gloves. However, the rifle does lend itself nicely to customization given its construction. The upper rail is removable, as it the charging handle. K&M Arms (formally K&M Aerospace) out of Arizona has built a business around customizing these rifles.
In my search for an M17s to import I contacted K&M. Here is an idea of what can be done with an M17s...
Now... here is the really exciting news that frankly, I'm surprised someone else hasn't posted this yet. K&M is building their own, and is actively looking to move toward having their version submitted for approval for sale here, as non-restricted.
K&M's version is an all billet design (upper and lower) and both upper and lower are interchangeable with the Bushmaster upper and lowers already approved. You can mix and match, back and forth and will still function. The top charging handle of the Bushmaster M17s has been replace with a side charging handle and the lower accepts AR pistol grips without the thumb web extension. The original push button safety now looks more like an 870 safety. While the initial design is right handed, the ejection port has a deflector allowing for left hand shooting and their is an ambi mag release. The bolt release paddle is also 30% larger than an AR15's. A dedicated left hand version is planned, but there will not be a interchangeable version as one would find with a Tavor. Trigger pull is 3.5 or 5 lbs depending on preference at time of order. The rear of the stock has also been redesigned to accept Magpul AR15 buttpad extensions. The US version comes with a 17.5 inch barrel, but K&M has stated that they would produce a 18.5 inch barrel for the Canadian market should the gun be approved. Production of the first 100 guns has already started in the US and the reception has been good so far. In addition to the .223/5.56 base model, 300 Blackout and 308 versions are being planned, with 6.5 Grendel and 7.62x39 following those in order.
Word is a Canadian based importer has already been speaking with K&M. Now don't get too excited, there isn't one in the country yet, it still needs it's own FRT and will likely need to go to the lab and deal with all of that *stuff*. Whether it will be easier to get approved with the Bushmaster M17s already having an FRT, and with the two version being totally compatible is unknown. With all that in mind it is an exciting prospect.
US price has been set at $1800 USD.
Specs:
Caliber: 5.56mm/.223
Barrel Length: 17.5" (A Canadian version would be 18.5")
Barrel Twist: 1:9
Overall Length: 26.25" (A Canadian version would be 27.25" with the added barrel inch)
Weight: 7lb 3.4oz (+ whatever an inch of barrel adds to weight)
Short Stroke Piston System
Price $1800 USD (unknown what a Cdn price would be after import etc)
Features:
- Billet aluminum Lower: Utilizes standard AR-15 hammer, disconnect, slightly modified trigger, magazine catch, grip, springs and pins.
- 3.5lb smooth trigger pull with patented trigger linkage. (5lb trigger is available if desired)
- Skeleton billet trigger
- Magpul tactical enhanced butt pad
- Push button safety
- 2X QD sling adapters
- 2X AR style takedown pins. (Uses standard AR takedown spring and detent)
- AR180 style bolt carrier with a 3 lug triangular bolt that uses standard AR extractor and ejector
Other Features:
- Uses Standard AR mags
- Uses standard AR pistol grip that can be changed to use most all other AR grip.
- Comes with the Tangodown grip
- Semi free float barrel
- Non reciprocating charging handle switch able to both sides of the receiver
- Standard AR Flash hider threaded 1/2-28
- Ambi mag release that is standard AR style
- Modular side rails that can be mounted in any of the side slots
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