[SHOT 2026] The OG Bushmaster—the Gwinn Assault Rifle—Is Back
![You can get the updated version of Mack Gwinn Jr.'s design in original form, or somewhat updated, in .223 or 7.62x39. [Zac K.]](https://cdn-fastly.thefirearmblog.com/media/2026/01/27/18101/post.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
You gotta love the mad scientists at Hydra Weaponry. While everyone else is busy building AR-pattern rifles with modern lightweight materials and trick designs, the crew at Hydra isn’t afraid to delve into history, reproducing the designs of Mack Gwinn Jr. At SHOT Show 2026, they were showing off one of their latest creations, a revival of the Gwinn Assault Rifle, aka the “Original Bushmaster.”
The madlads at Hydra @ TFB:
- SHOT 2025: Marck-15 Hydra 10mm H21 Is A Hard-Hitting PCC
- [SHOT 2024] Hydra Weaponry Has Survival Pistol and Modular AR Components
- [Big 3 East]: MGI Hydra New Full Length Handguard
- MGI's MARCK-15 Hydra Vipera SMG 9mm Pistol Now Available
Hydra history
Based in Maine, Hydra is best-known for their pistol-caliber carbines and AR-pattern rifles that use the barrel quick-change system originally designed by Mack Gwinn Jr.
Gwinn was a special forces soldier during the Vietnam War and spent the years after the war designing the kind of weapons he wished he’d had on those jungle missions. He founded the original Bushmaster Firearms company in the 1970s; that was sold off, and while they’re still in business, Gwinn’s designs are now made by Hydra Weaponry (formerly known as MGI). He died in early 2024; his son owns Hydra Weaponry now.
![The Hydra pistol-caliber carbine lineup; like their rifles, these can be quick-swapped into other calibers. Can you spot the .30 Carbine model? [Zac K.]](https://cdn-fastly.thefirearmblog.com/media/2026/01/27/18102/shot-2026-the-og-bushmasterthe-gwinn-assault-rifleis-back.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
One of Gwinn’s earliest designs was the Bushmaster Assault Rifle, which kinda-sorta looked like an AR had a baby with a Stoner 63, with some AR-style parts but long-stroke gas piston instead of direct impingement. You can see Forgotten Weapons’ deep dive into that rifle here; see details on Hydra’s revival of the design below.
![Hydra now has a magazine well that converts their rifles to allow belt-fed ammo. [Zac K.]](https://cdn-fastly.thefirearmblog.com/media/2026/01/27/18103/shot-2026-the-og-bushmasterthe-gwinn-assault-rifleis-back.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
The new “Bushmaster”
The new version of the rifle is similar to the original pattern, but updated with Hydra’s caliber-change technology so that it can also be chambered in 7.62x39 and use AK mags. With ambidextrous charging handle on top, iron sights and wood furniture, it’s just like the original, but buyers can also opt for a more tactical version with synthetic stock and optic mount.
![Note the Gwinn-designed Survival Pistol on the bottom. Hydra brought this to the 2024 SHOT Show. Of course, it's another unique Gwinn design. [Zac K.]](https://cdn-fastly.thefirearmblog.com/media/2026/01/27/18104/shot-2026-the-og-bushmasterthe-gwinn-assault-rifleis-back.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
They’re aiming for a price around $2,000 or under that. Unfortunately, you can’t order them from their website yet, but we’re sure it’s coming soon.
Professional hoser with fudd-ish leanings.
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Neat.
Does it feature the refrigerator magnet to keep the stock folded like on the original?