I own a bushmaster with a 16" barrel. Would it be legal to buy and install a 14.5" barrel in the state of Texas? The bushmaster sight seems to indicate they rifle would only be legal for Police etc. But the overall length of the weapon with a 14.5" barrel would still be longer I believe than many other legal rifles.

The 14.5" barrel would only be legal if it had a flash hider or muzzle break permanently attached to it that would bring the total length to over 16". The only way to legally have less than a 16" barrel is to register it as a Short Barreled Rifle which is a $200 tax stamp and a Form 1 to the ATF.

lex nailed it.