VALUE FOR MONEY
Selling at a Street Price of $200, the Bushmaster MPW full auto BB gun is a smaller, lighter successor to the wildly-popular DPMS SBR. The price is similar, functionality is similar – including full auto! – but the MPW is supplied with a red dot reflex sight and is much closer to a sub-machinegun configuration than the DPMS.
The HAM Team thinks that $200 price is realistic. It’s becoming the standard for CO2-powered, BB-firing replica long guns in the way that $100 is the benchmark price for replica air pistols.
However, the existing DPMS SBR from Velocity Outdoor sells for the same price. The DPMS is bundled with a – probably – superior red dot sight, BUIS iron sights and a separate forend grip. The action is very similar – maybe even the same for the two models. Both guns are bundled with a BB speedloader.
So if you want a 100% score in the Value For Money category, the DPMS would be it. The Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun offers the “cool factor”.
| HAM Test Rating | 95% |
|---|---|
| Value For Money | Realistic M4-style, full-auto blowback BB gun at the right price. |
| Firearm it Copies | None, exactly |
| Best BB Tested | Umarex Steel Bbs |
| Street Price at Time of Test | $199.99. |
| Ammo Type | .177 BBs. |
| Power Source | 2 x 12 Gram CO2 cartridge. |
| Useful Shots per Fill | Up to 220. |
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Crosman Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun![]()
BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT
Crosman Bushmaster MPW
REALISM – LOOK AND FEEL
The Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun is not – so far as the HAM Team is aware – a replica of any specific Bushmaster firearm. To us, it looks closest to the Bushmaster SquareDrop pistol, although with a fake suppressor and collapsible stock.
But there’s no denying the very strong “shorty AR” resemblance. Anyone handling the MPW will immediately recognize the feel, balance and weight and operational characteristics of the M4 platform.
The manufacturer reinforces this realistic look and feel by promoting that stocks, pistol grips and other accessories designed for centerfire ARs will fit the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun.
So, is the MPW an exact firearms replica? No. Does it look, feel and handle like an M4 that you’ve just not seen before? Absolutely!
We tricked-out the test MPW. Just for fun…
ACCURACY AND POINT OF IMPACT
HAM Tester Doug Wall found that the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun delivered excellent accuracy. At 6 Yards, all the HAM test BBs grouped easily inside one “minute of soda can”. Umarex Steel BBs produced the best group with the test gun, giving an impressive 10-shot group size of 1/2-inch x 7/8-inch with semi-auto fire.
Moving back to 10 Yards, the Umarex BBs continued to deliver soda can-sized groups.
Of course, the M4-style subguns like the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun were never intended for precision, long-range shooting. So this level of accuracy is fine both for any BB gun and also the MPW. If you miss the first time, just keep shooting. And, if in doubt, set the selector lever to full auto.
This will make you happy even if you don’t hit the target!
HAM Tester Doug Wall sighted-in the red dot sight for use with Crosman BBs at 6 Yards. As he noted on the target, the point of impact could be adjusted to keep each type of BB on the bull, even though he did not do this for the test.
Many replica BB guns do not have adjustable sights, so being able to adjust the point of aim to match the point of impact is another benefit of the MPW.
Note that you’ll need a 2.5 mm Allen (hex) key to clamp the red dot reflex sight onto the MPW. To make windage and elevation adjustments, a 1.5 mm Allen key is required.
COMPARISON TO MAKERS CLAIMS
Before going further, it should be mentioned that the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun tested by HAM was a pre-production model. If you have any doubt, that’s confirmed by the serial number 18L00001.
In fact, some of you may have fired this actual gun! It was heavily used and enjoyed on the Pyramyd Air airgun range at the 2019 NRA Meeting.
This is important to know, because most pre-production models of anything – airguns, cars, computers – will have some aspect of their performance that requires improvement.
In the case of this BB gun, everything seemed to be fine except for one thing. The Muzzle Velocity was slow, as noted below…
Maybe the test gun was shooting a little slow – it would probably make 410 FPS at 90 degrees F. The manufacturer’s claim for the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun is “up to” 430 FPS. This is the same as for the DPMS SBW which has a barrel of the same length. It’s very likely that full production guns could be faster.
So what about the 1,400 rounds per minute cyclic rate claim for full auto fire? We have no way to count that fast! So we’re going to believe Velocity Outdoor on this one.
CONSISTENCY
The Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun tested by HAM displayed very good consistency.
Accuracy was good with all the standard HAM test ammo – not just one type. And the Muzzle Velocities likewise were fairly similar. This means that you don’t have to be too particular over the type of BBs you feed into this gun.
Standard Deviation – the measure of shot-to-shot consistency in a string – was also very good at an average of just 6.7 FPS. That’s in PCP territory for consistency!
Trigger pull weight varied a little more – plus or minus half a Pound about the 9 Lb 13 Oz average. But this was still pretty good and HAM Testers did not perceive any significant difference during our shooting tests.
REALISM – TRIGGER AND ACTION
The trigger and action also gain high scores for realism.
The action is cocked by using the M4-style charging handle. As this is operated, the ejection port cover springs open – just like on the firearm. The fire modes – safe, semi automatic and full auto are selected exactly as on the firearm, also. And the bolt and magazine releases function, too. What more could you want?
Blowback is felt well during operation, particularly with new CO2 cartridges, of course. This enhances the sensation of firing and feels very satisfying to the shooter.
The trigger of the MPW tested by HAM averaged 9 Lbs 13 Oz pull weight. This is high, but it is not higher than the high end of M4 trigger pull weights.
Trigger feel is of a long two-stage operation.With the stout pull weight, there’s no doubt of when the MPW is going to fire. Overall the trigger feels satisfactory. This is not meant to be a match trigger for 100-Yard accuracy! As a trigger for plinking and fun use, it’s just fine and close to that of the original.
Finally, the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun field strips exactly like an M4.
Although Velocity Outdoors does not promote this as a feature, they do give instructions for how to do this to maintain the gun. It’s just one more way that the MPW satisfies in realism.
SHOT COUNT
The Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun tested by HAM gave van outstanding shot count! We attained 220 shots from two CO2 cartridges before the action ceased to cycle at about 250 FPS.
That’s enough gas for eight magazines full of BBs, plus a little spare.
With the strong blowback action, that’s extremely good performance.
The included BB speedloader is a valuable addition that’s bundled in the box with the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun. Like most such devices, it’s a little temperamental, however, work with it and it will help you load BBs much faster than you can otherwise. You’re going to be needing it!
The DPMS onwer’s manual suggests that there’s a hold open position for the BB follower. This would save a lot of stress on thumbnails. However, despite having two DPMS magazines for use in this test, the HAM testers were sadly not able to find this hold open position. Our thumb nails suffered as a result.
The satisfyingly-heavy drop-free magazine is loaded not only with BBs, but also with two 12 gram CO2 cartridges. It’s necessary to follow the instructions and load the left one first.
The CO2 cartridge piercing screws are tightened using the Allen wrench that clips back in place inside the magazine. Very neat.
MUZZLE VELOCITY
Muzzle Velocity is not the reason people buy full auto BB guns like this. It’s the fun factor. Furthermore – as everyone knows – the FPS of CO2-powered airguns falls as they are fired. It falls like a stone if they are shooting at 1,400 rounds per minute on full auto, like the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun!
In our cool, 59 degree F, basement range, the HAM Team recorded a maximum of 350 FPS for a 10-shot string. That’s firing semi-auto at a consistent, measured pace.
Typically, the Muzzle Velocity of CO2-powered airguns changes by about 2 FPS per degree Farenheit. This means that at 90 degrees, the test gun would shoot at around 410 FPS. That’s within striking distance of the manufacturer’s specification.
| BBs | Average Muzzle Velocity | Average Muzzle Energy | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crosman Copperhead 5.13 Grain | 328 FPS | 1.22 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
| Umarex Steel 5.29 Grain | 342 FPS | 1.37 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. Best Tested. |
| ASG Blaster 5.32 Grain | 333 FPS | 1.31 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
| Hornady Black Diamond 5.36 Grain | 350 FPS | 1.46 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
| Daisy Avanti 5.44 Grain | 324 FPS | 1.27 Ft/Lbs | Excellent |
APPEARANCE AND FINISH
Overall fit and finish of the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun tested by HAM was very good.
Detail on the external molded parts is very well reproduced, as we can see from the sharp branding below.
There’s a minimum number of mold seams and these are very well finished. The overall effect is functional, sturdy, realistic and high quality.
The six-position collapsible stock looked right and functioned well. The quad accessory rails around the barrel are synthetic. But they, too, are well molded and function well when accessories are attached to them.
The black/Flat Dark Earth color scheme looks good and realistic, too…
BUYING AND OWNING
At the time of writing this review, the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun is not yet available in stores. But judging by the success of the DPMS SBR, it’s likely that you’ll be able to buy this BB gun online, in big box stores and many other places that Velocity Outdoor distributes products. It will be easy to find!
The MPW scores in several ways as a long-term purchase. Firstly, it carries a 12-month warranty. This is 4x longer than Umarex Legends replicas and the same as the SIG SAUER MCX/MPX.
Secondly, the valve is built-in to the magazine. This means that valve problems – among the most likely with any CO2-powered airgun – can be cheaply fixed by swapping magazines. The MPW uses the same magazine as the DPMS, so it’s already available. The Legends MP40 – for example – also benefits from having the valve in the magazine. The SIG designs – for another example – do not.
Thirdly, Velocity Outdoors – the company formerly known as Crosman Corporation – has a long history of providing parts support for their products. As with all new introductions, a Parts List for the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun is not yet available. However, one is already published for the DPMS and many of the action parts undoubtedly will be the same.
True, Crosman does not make all of the parts available as spares. However, they do clearly indicate which parts are available. Such public support for parts availability is unique to this company in the airgun world. It’s much appreciated by knowledgeable owners and – combined with great customer service backup by phone – is a strong reason to buy Velocity Outdoor products.
The Owner’s manual for the MPW was not available for this review. However, we used the one for the DPMS. It provided the information we needed, is well-illustrated and available in multiple languages. The MPW manual doubtless will be very similar.
SAFETY FIRST. As with all BB-firing airguns, it’s necessary to wear shooting glasses when firing this airgun. Also do not shoot at hard surfaces or water. BBs tend to bounce off these surfaces and may hit you, or something other than what you intended. If in doubt, don’t pull the trigger! Due to the realistic appearance of this product, handle it as you would a firearm. Do not display it in public or in any place where it could be mistaken for a cartridge firearm.
6-YARD TEST TARGETS
10-YARD TEST TARGET
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Crosman Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun![]()
BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT
Crosman Bushmaster MPW
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