Armalite 180B-2 VS. Swiss Arms Classic Green

[Honeydealer]

I am looking for a comparison between these two firearms.

Which is more accurate?
Which is more durable?
Which is easier to service?
Which has better/more available magazines?
Which has better after-market support?

I'd really like to hear the pros and cons of each. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ar180shooter]

Having owned both, the Swiss Arms wins in every category except for magazine availability (and even this will change once NEA releases their new lowers ).

One more thing to consider though is the weight, which the ArmaLite wins by about 3 pounds...

All in all though, I'd rather have 1 Swiss Arms than 2 Ar180b's.

 

[Claven2]

Having owned both, I still have a 180B. The classic green is a better made rifle, but in all honesty the groups were about the same from both, while the 180B had more accessories for less money. It also takes LAR15 mags right out of the box.

Not going to argue the SA is not a better rifle - it is - but in all the ways that don't matter on a range in Canada or shooting gophers.

 

[Ar180shooter]

Having owned both, I still have a 180B. The classic green is a better made rifle, but in all honesty the groups were about the same from both, while the 180B had more accessories for less money. It also takes LAR15 mags right out of the box.

Not going to argue the SA is not a better rifle - it is - but in all the ways that don't matter on a range in Canada or shooting gophers.

What kind of ammo were you using? Because I found that AE 55gr was about the same from both, but IMHO there's no way my Ar180 could have matched the factory target you get with the Swiss Arms.

With good Swiss ammo, the Swiss Arms can hold 1.25MOA out to 300m, the Ar180b is about a 2MOA gun.

 

[JeffMan]

I owned a 180b-2 and was terrified the pin would break. Ended up shooting about 20-50 rounds thru it and then selling it. Before you chime in and say "Glock has a polymer lower"... yeah... I know.

That being said; the rifle is not made by Glock and is not marketed for serious work.

 

[Claven2]

I owned a 180b-2 and was terrified the pin would break. Ended up shooting about 20-50 rounds thru it and then selling it. Before you chime in and say "Glock has a polymer lower"... yeah... I know.

That being said; the rifle is not made by Glock and is not marketed for serious work.

And quite frankly, we don't use our black rifles for "serious work" here in Canada either

Like I said, I'm not bashing the Swiss Classic series of rifles - they are great - they are just too much money for what they bring to the table IMHO. I'm being honest, I've owned almost every black rifle we can legally have in Canada apart from an SL8 and IMHO the SA is overpriced. The 180B is less than half the price and is 80% or 90% as good in this man's opinion.

And even more frankly, if the AR15 were not restricted in Canada, nobody would be giving the SIG rifles a second glance due to price vs. performance.

 

[jjohnwm]

What a relief! Finally, I have proof that I'm not the only guy who thinks the sun rises and sets on Swiss Arms. I've had two, a Black Special Target and a Classic Green. I've also owned an AR180. Enjoyed all three, but not well enough to keep any of them. For the money, I'd take the AR180. A third the price, but way more than a third the rifle. If you just want a plinker/coyote killer/casual shooter to use cheap ammo, I doubt there's any difference accuracy-wise. If I want or need Sub-MOA accuracy, I have bolt guns.

Of course, if I were about to do "serious work"...

 

[winnipegger]

What a relief! Finally, I have proof that I'm not the only guy who thinks the sun rises and sets on Swiss Arms. I've had two, a Black Special Target and a Classic Green. I've also owned an AR180. Enjoyed all three, but not well enough to keep any of them. For the money, I'd take the AR180. A third the price, but way more than a third the rifle. If you just want a plinker/coyote killer/casual shooter to use cheap ammo, I doubt there's any difference accuracy-wise. If I want or need Sub-MOA accuracy, I have bolt guns.

Of course, if I were about to do "serious work"...

Just saying its definetly not a third the price . Its at least half now a days,that's all, ecerything else i can't argue because its your opinion

 

[Ar180shooter]

Just saying its definetly not a third the price . Its at least half now a days,that's all, ecerything else i can't argue because its your opinion

I'd even say that the Ar180's are running more than half the price of the SA.

I've seen a basic Ar180b for close to $1700, and Swiss Arms as cheap as $2600.

 

[jjohnwm]

Seriously? I haven't looked at them lately, but I thought that Swiss Arms were still in the $3500 range. Are you saying the AR180's are going for $1700+ ? If so, that's a whole different ballpark. That's getting way too close to the cost of an XCR or an HK SL8. I was thinking of the AR180 as being somewhere around $1100.

If Armalite does bring out a new and improved version as has been rumoured, that could change everything again.

 

[winnipegger]

Seriously? I haven't looked at them lately, but I thought that Swiss Arms were still in the $3500 range. Are you saying the AR180's are going for $1700+ ? If so, that's a whole different ballpark. That's getting way too close to the cost of an XCR or an HK SL8. I was thinking of the AR180 as being somewhere around $1100.

If Armalite does bring out a new and improved version as has been rumoured, that could change everything again.

I wish it was still 1100! but god no, theyre all over 1500 now

 

[fnrob]

Seriously? I haven't looked at them lately, but I thought that Swiss Arms were still in the $3500 range. Are you saying the AR180's are going for $1700+ ? If so, that's a whole different ballpark. That's getting way too close to the cost of an XCR or an HK SL8. I was thinking of the AR180 as being somewhere around $1100.

If Armalite does bring out a new and improved version as has been rumoured, that could change everything again.

Yup, it's sad but true. I'm glad I got my 180B when I did, because there's no way in hell I'd pay the asking price now when I could get a brand new MR1 for that price.

 

[pitdogboy]

Had both..Sold both. SA is leaps and bounds better quality but the 180-b is a nice gun all things said.

For me the caliber was useless so adios.

The best thing would be to buy both

 

[X-man]

AR-180B. Plastic lower, no longer produced and has a tendency to crack at the pin hole. No problems when they were still in production, Armalite stood behind the product, but IIRC, they're now out of 'spares.' So, break one and you are screwed. Only reason why mine found a new home.

If NEA were to reach a deal with Armalite to license a billet aluminum model or to come up with their own adaptatation, I'd pick up one. ArmedSask machined a clone that turned out really nice.

I was getting 1.5 MOA with handloads. 2-3 with factory AE 55gr FMJ. Plenty accurate for a 'black rifle.'

I still wouldn't trade 2 for 1 for any of my Swiss Arms though. (Yeah, I drank the Swiss Koo-Aid the last time I visited Bern)

In terms of quality, the Swiss Arms beats the Armalite, no question. I've also found all of mine to be more accurate as well.

They are heavy, however, so if you're 'weight sensitive,' might not be the best rifle for you.

The Shooting Edge, the original importer/distributor always provided outstanding support and with NEA now bringing to market a line of Swiss rails, accessories, & Canada Ammo's 'cheaper' mags, my choice would be the Swiss Arms.

Prices for used Armalites in the EE are getting pretty ridiculous as well, so I'd hold out for a used XCR or HK SL8 if you're on a budget.

Keep in mind too, that at times, great deals can also be had on good, used Swiss Arms rifles as well. Just ask Otokiak. IIRC he picked up a BlueStar for something like $1500.

I found mine for about $500 more. Alas, the others have been purchased new from TSE, but watching how the Canadian dollar was doing, I still managed to save hundreds on each, as retail price were adjusted up/down on new shipments.

 

[Ar180shooter]

Keep in mind too, that at times, great deals can also be had on good, used Swiss Arms rifles as well. Just ask Otokiak. IIRC he picked up a BlueStar for something like $1500.

I found mine for about $500 more. Alas, the others have been purchased new from TSE, but watching how the Canadian dollar was doing, I still managed to save hundreds on each, as retail price were adjusted up/down on new shipments.

Damn, paid a fair bit more than that for mine... $3000... but it came with a bunch of other stuff, including 10x CanAm mags.

I wish it was still 1100! but god no, theyre all over 1500 now

Yah, if they were $1100, I'd still have one.

 

[Bcviking]

I see Frontier is selling Swiss arms classic green for $2999 i think thats the cheapest one i seen from a dealer, i was gona order one but yesterday i seen a NIB black special with 1/7 barrel for $2800 on the EE had to act ,, im glad i got the 1/7 cause i like to shoot heaver grain handloads but did want the green color oh well.. wish me luck its my first SA rifle, well i guess if i dont like it wont be hard to sell .. hope it shoots as good as my Swiss K31.

 

[wood800]

I see Frontier is selling Swiss arms classic green for $2999 i think thats the cheapest one i seen from a dealer, i was gona order one but yesterday i seen a NIB black special with 1/7 barrel for $2800 on the EE had to act ,, im glad i got the 1/7 cause i like to shoot heaver grain handloads but did want the green color oh well.. wish me luck its my first SA rifle, well i guess if i dont like it wont be hard to sell .. hope it shoots as good as my Swiss K31.

Your lucky, I was checking that add out too, please write about how it shoots once u get it!

 

[Bcviking]

Your lucky, I was checking that add out too, please write about how it shoots once u get it!

Yep sure will .. i have a Millet DMS1 1x4 scope on a AD cantilever riser ,, I have to get a B&T rail i guess but heard NEA is making a low profile rail?? But not sure if my scope setup would clear the rear drumsight with a rail lower than the B&T made one.. but the lower i could get the cheekweld down the better..

 

[cyclone]

Yup, it's sad but true. I'm glad I got my 180B when I did, because there's no way in hell I'd pay the asking price now when I could get a brand new MR1 for that price.

I hear you on that: my AR-180B was bought used - but with Midwest rails and scope mount - for the same price I paid for my lightly used MR-1.

Between the AR-180B and MR-1 , I still find the MR-1 to be more fun........and much easier to cheek-weld for a scope.

Although the MR-1's trigger is pretty nice , right from the factory...

I owned a 180b-2 and was terrified the pin would break.

That's because you contemplated cleaning it....