Bushmaster is Back (& Better Than Ever)

The storied black-rifle company is back, and they’re making guns for women.

by posted on October 28, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Bushmaster 450 Lede

Everyone knows that the AR-15 platform makes for terrific firearms for women; their adjustability and customizability practically guarantee that. But when an AR-15 manufacturer sets out specifically to make a rifle for women, that’s very exciting news. It’s even more exciting when that AR-15 manufacturer is Bushmaster—a company that once appeared to be a casualty of the Remington bankruptcy. Bushmaster is back, bigger and better than before!

The biggest news for NRA Women is that Bushmaster is releasing a new rifle chambered in the meaty .450 Bushmaster caliber … and it’s lightweight. What’s really interesting about that is that under normal circumstances, a larger caliber combined with a lighter-weight firearm will usually result in increased felt recoil. Not so with the .450 Bushmaster.

“Our engineers actually designed this rifle using me and some of our other female employees as a ‘model,’” said marketing manager Isabelle DeCocco. Lifting it into my hands, I was immediately impressed with how little it weighed (let’s just say that I don’t work out much). “The secret is our Snakecharmer muzzle device,” she shared. “It reduces perceived recoil so much that we could lighten the rifle without making this gun hard to shoot.”

This optics-ready black rifle has a fixed stock, 20” barrel and an overall length of 40”. A Picatinny rail awaits whatever aftermarket device you’d like to install, and a very nice two-stage trigger. The rifle comes with a five-round magazine and is compatible with all manner of larger-capacity mags.

That, however, is not the best part. The best part is that this rifle is 100% made in America using parts sourced from America. That means that there are no components stuck on a boat in any American port … and that means that Bushmaster has them in stock. MSRP $1329.99; bushmaster.com

Latest

Hamlin Pavlich Interview Atlanta Annual Meetings
Hamlin Pavlich Interview Atlanta Annual Meetings

Pulling No Punches: Katie Pavlich Interviews NRA EVP Doug Hamlin

Pavlich poses the tough questions on national gun politics and the state of the NRA.

Quick Tip: Bending Over with a Slung Gun

You dropped something at the range. How do you pick it up safely while keeping your long gun out of the dirt?

Join an Exclusive Interactive Town Hall with NRA EVP & CEO Doug Hamlin

This exclusive event will provide important updates about the NRA and its efforts to protect and promote Second Amendment rights.

Interlimb Interaction

All of the safety rules are important, but rule No. 2 is partially based on a physiological phenomenon that involves how your limbs work in tandem.

The Armed Citizen® June 20, 2025

An attempted domestic assault ended with the aggressor being dropped off at a hospital—with multiple gunshot wounds. 

New Guns 2025: Ruger LCP MAX with Manual Safety

Two models are offered with a left-side safety; one model also comes with a magazine disconnect and loaded chamber indicator.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.