Windham Weaponry

[Big Dog]

I just got an email from Windham. They’re considering new calibers to manufacture. Apparently, 6.5 Grendel is on the short list. I own one of their 5.56 rifles and it’s damn near a tack driver at 100 yards (maybe farther but I haven’t tried yet).

[LRRPF52]

Windham Weaponry is basically the real Bushmaster, after Freedom Group bought Bushmaster for the brand recognition and distributor networks that were in place.

Freedom Group started using DPMS parts with Remington barrels on the Ilion, NY labeled guns, which have "D" stamped on their bolt carriers and the Bushmaster logo modified to exclude the Bushmaster ARM pistol.

The owner of Bushmaster set up shop again in Windham, Maine, and started cranking out rifles again. My 2nd and 3rd AR15s were pre-ban early 1990s Bushmasters around the time of the Clinton AWB, and had great barrels. They had their chrome-lined barrel worked out quite well, and I've seen some of those guns subjected to insane high volume schedules that kept shooting and shooting.

The other parts were where things departed from the TDP substantially.

I haven't seen a Windham gun though, so I don't know if they have updated the parts to get online with most of the Mil-Std or not.

When I worked at a retail FFL, we sold boat loads of XM15E2S carbines on a regular basis, and when the guns were subjected to high volume, some of them experienced early failures with gas keys coming loose.

Some things to consider about the WW rifles are whether or not they use:

* 7075 T6 Type III anodized receivers with Mil-Std dry film baked into the upper
* M4 feed ramps ( I think they do now)
* Commercial vs Mil-Spec Receiver Extension Tubes

They also started using Carpenter 158 for their bolts after re-starting the Windham line. I like their lightweight little carbines with the pencil barrels.

It will be interesting to see what they do for 6.5 Grendel offerings, as they have several target, hunting, carbine, pistol, and military-like models in various chamberings, including 7.62x39.

[WSAR15]

They're up the road from me in Maine. I've bought AR15 parts from them and they were excellent quality. Also, they respond very nicely and helpfully to questions. I'll buy 6.5 Grendel goods from them any day.

[grayfox]

Are they going to use the mk136 bolt face depth (chamber) and bolts?

[VASCAR2]

Most common problem with old Bushmasters were canted A-2 front sights. I think they did have very good chrome lined 1:9 twist barrels.

[NeilVT79]

Most common problem with old Bushmasters were canted A-2 front sights. I think they did have very good chrome lined 1:9 twist barrels.

I know my old Bushy upper has canted FSP, whichever rear sight i put on it the windage is nearly maxed out. Other than that its been a great shooter.

Would i have to re-drill the pins to straighten or just need a clamp on?
Apologies for hijacking this thread.

[grayfox]

There are a couple of set-screw gas blocks that are designed specifically so you don't redrill or need to match. They look like the wyndham blocks I saw in their diagrams. Don't know if theirs is exactly that but it matches a couple of mfrs I've seen.

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[montana]

The Bushmaster barrels I used, "many moons ago" had very tight chambers and steel case ammo would stick in the chamber. They also had a small gas port which required full power loads to cycle. I had short stroke issues with UMC and Winch white box ammo. The gas port had a step diameter that I had never seen before in other barrels.

[Big Dog]

I can’t speak to any of the specific details of their plans regarding materials or actual specs. I just wanted to share that yet another manufacturer is seriously considering adding the chambering to their line-up.

I CAN speak to the quality and accuracy of their products in general. My WW rifle has a railed gas block so the canted FSP is a non issue. My friend’s WW FSP seems correct and his rifle was pretty easy to sight in. IIRC, it took only 4 rounds after setting things up roughly with a bore sight and the necessary windage adjustment was faily minimal. As far as I know, it’s still GTG. The fit & finish is reall top notch - slip fit no shake, as my old armorer used to say. It’s really a nice rifle.

[LRRPF52]

One area and void in the Grendel market after the ATF shut down Saber is chrome lined barrels.

Windham Weaponry could really change that since they know how to make/source a chrome-lined, accurate barrel.

As long as they work out how to compensate for the SAAMI Grendel chamber's throat, which is designed for steel cased use from the start, they could have a winner with that option.

[tag2501]

had a 2005 era 24 inch varmint Bush
master. Tack driver, but had not well-staked gas key, very fixable. if I knew they were building the same accuracy rifles, I'd buy another.

[Moonie]

Ok I’m new to Ar so please be gentle! I just received a windham weaponary 5.56 but I would love to change the caliber to 6.5 grendal what would I have to do? Do I need to get a whole new upper or just a barrel bag and buffer? Is my lower going to accept any upper or does it have to be by windham?

[Old Bob]

Ok I’m new to Ar so please be gentle! I just received a windham weaponary 5.56 but I would love to change the caliber to 6.5 grendal what would I have to do? Do I need to get a whole new upper or just a barrel bag and buffer? Is my lower going to accept any upper or does it have to be by windham?

Theoretically, you would need only the barrel, a Grendel II bolt (.136" deep bolt face) & magazines for the Grendel cartridge. Depending on the length of your gas system & the diameter of your gas block journal, you might need to change your gas tube & gas block. There may be other things you'll need to tweak to get your AR to shoot smoothly. If you have problems & you're not sure how to address them, just post what they are. Someone on these forums will give you the advice you need.