[SHOT 2026] The Hydra Weaponry Bushmaster Rifle

Mack Gwinn was a Special Operations Soldier, a Vietnam veteran, and a firearms designer. He designed a multitude of interesting firearms throughout his career. This includes the famed arm pistol and the oft-forgotten Bushmaster Assault Rifle.

Gwinn Firearms would eventually become Bushmaster after Gwinn sold the company. The rifle is a bit of a footnote in modern history, but it’s coming back as the Bushmaster Rifle from Hydra Weaponry. 

Hydra Weaponry is owned by Mack Gwinn’s son, and a few years back, they released the arm pistol alongside their modular AR design. This year, they brought the Bushmaster rifle to the show. They’ve created both a wood-stocked, iron-sight-equipped replica of the original in 5.56 and a more tactical model. 

Hydra Weaponry expanded the Bushmaster into the 7.62x39mm cartridge, and it’s fueled by AK magazines. They were able to use the same technology from their Hydra ARs to easily convert the gun to 7.62×39 and make it capable of utilizing AK magazines. There is also a more modernized, tactical variant for those who want optics and modern stock options. 

The Bushmaster Rifle Resurrected 

The gun has the ambidextrous top-mounted charging handle, uses an AR-style safety and magazine release. This is a long-stroke gas piston gun that takes a few cues from the AR, the AK, and the Stoner 63 system. 

While the original purpose of the Bushmaster Assault Rifle was to compete with the AR-15/M16 it never succeeded. Existing models are extremely rare and extremely expensive. However, the new model from Hydra aims to sell for around $2,000 or less. While it’s certainly pricey, this isn’t exactly a gun you can find anywhere else. 

In the modern era, Hydra is even trying to compete with the AR; they are simply producing a gun that was never made in great numbers and hasn’t been produced for decades. Stuff like this is why I come to SHOT Show. It’s different, it’s fairly unique, and it offers me an option I’d never be able to own otherwise.