Claven, thank you. That was probably the most open assesment of the AR18 yet.
Please remember that it was originally designed as a 7.62mm NATO rifle called the AR16. I think that Kevin down there in Florida has actually seen one of the three that were made.
One of the engineers that helped convert and scale this down to 5.56mm was named Sullivan. I understand that he later worked in Singapore helping them with the Singaporean SA80 rifle and Ultimax 100 LMG.
I bought a AR180B new for just under $1,000 including shipping and taxes when they were still coming in. I liked it enough that I bought a second one used a bit later for around $850 with a whole bag of parts included. Should Armalite produce something better or a better lower I would definitely get parts as a minimum if not more.
I also like AR15s a lot too, just as my Tavor, my Swiss Arms or my XCR and so much else.
I would equally like a Keltec SU16 just for the technical innovation that the company always demonstrates.
As much as development stopped on this rifle in the mid 'sixties, it is true. Armalite basically simplified this to produce their update. If you want to see what improvements could look like, take a good look at the Singaporean SA80 rifle and carbine, or any other rifle which this has been the basis of. The UK's SA80 is a poorly copied bullpup version of this,,, copied without the experience or explanation of how the design worked. Please read the book, "Reluctant Rifle, The Last Enfield", for an incredibly detailed acount of this.
Many other rifles have used the basis of a bolt carrier riding on rods and a turning bolt that were initiated by this design.
To each their own. What you are willing to pay is your decision.
What you are willing to accept to part with them is also up to you.
