Finally got an AR-180b! My first "Black" Rifle!

Travis Bickle

Travis Bickle

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Just wanted to post this up as I have some questions regarding the rifle and some pics and info to share from Armalite.

First off, I finally scored an AR-180b! :rockOn:

My first black rifle! It's awesome, I love the design. So much so that I actually prefer it by far to the AR-15/M16/C7 design.

It's lighter, its easier to handle, easier to strip, the gas system is much cleaner, I was shocked after putting 200+ rounds through it how clean the whole interior of the rifle and action were compared to the AR-15 platform! It is much simpler to manufacture which could drive the price very low if it were produced in enough quantities again. Most importantly for me it's simple! There isn't an edge or a corner on there that doesn't have a function or purpose, in some peoples eyes that may make it ugly but I prefer function over form any day.

I weep at what could have become of the design had it been given the chance to develop further. Which brings me to this; I sent a letter to Armalite requesting info on starting production on the AR-180b again. This is partially what they replied with:

ArmaLite still owns the rights to the AR-180 series rifle.

Currently it is in the engineers hands being upgraded and modified for better reliability.

Take that with however much salt you want but it got my #### half hard :D

Anyhow, I got her zeroed at 100 meters and the accuracy rivaled any AR-15 platformed rifle that i have ever shot with irons. It's no sniper rifle nor was it ever intended to be. It's a bare bones, very efficiently designed utility rifle.

This whole post is pretty scattered and rambling so I apologize, but I just wanted to post some info and my new found love of this sadly brushed aside rifle.

And as a bonus, here's some gun #### :D

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I intend to get a detailed range report up to follow. Stay tuned.
 
The 180-B is a really, really decent rifle design.

I have no issue with the lower, but I do wish the upper was machined instead of sheetmetal / spot welded.

What were your questions?
 
Sweet looking rifle. The AR180b is what it is and that is one of the closest things to an AR that is non-R.

Your smile says it all.:rockOn::sniper:
 
Travis Bickle said:
Just wanted to post this up as I have some questions regarding the rifle and some pics and info to share from Armalite.

First off, I finally scored an AR-180b! :rockOn:

My first black rifle! It's awesome, I love the design. So much so that I actually prefer it by far to the AR-15/M16/C7 design.

It's lighter, its easier to handle, easier to strip, the gas system is much cleaner, I was shocked after putting 200+ rounds through it how clean the whole interior of the rifle and action were compared to the AR-15 platform! It is much simpler to manufacture which could drive the price very low if it were produced in enough quantities again. Most importantly for me it's simple! There isn't an edge or a corner on there that doesn't have a function or purpose, in some peoples eyes that may make it ugly but I prefer function over form any day.

I weep at what could have become of the design had it been given the chance to develop further. Which brings me to this; I sent a letter to Armalite requesting info on starting production on the AR-180b again. This is partially what they replied with:

ArmaLite still owns the rights to the AR-180 series rifle.

Currently it is in the engineers hands being upgraded and modified for better reliability.

Take that with however much salt you want but it got my #### half hard :D

Anyhow, I got her zeroed at 100 meters and the accuracy rivaled any AR-15 platformed rifle that i have ever shot with irons. It's no sniper rifle nor was it ever intended to be. It's a bare bones, very efficiently designed utility rifle.

This whole post is pretty scattered and rambling so I apologize, but I just wanted to post some info and my new found love of this sadly brushed aside rifle.
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beautiful looking rifle. i would buy one if i could find one new. the responce you got from armalite is the same answer they have had for the last 4 years. so im not expecing anything new from them anythime soon.
 
The AR-18/AR-180 went through three manufacturers in the US, the UK and Japan, before fading. It didn't achieve a lot of commercial success, in spite of being a relatively inexpensive rifle.
The 180B uses the polymer lower with AR parts, no doubt further reduced costs.
Maybe the design can be improved and returned to the marketplace. There is certainly a strong demand for black rifles.
Before the AR-18 was introduced, there was the prototype AR-16 in 7.62x51. If I were in the business, I think that is the one that I would work on. There would be a real market for this one, and less established competition.
 
tiriaq said:
The AR-18/AR-180 went through three manufacturers in the US, the UK and Japan, before fading. It didn't achieve a lot of commercial success, in spite of being a relatively inexpensive rifle.
The 180B uses the polymer lower with AR parts, no doubt further reduced costs.
Maybe the design can be improved and returned to the marketplace. There is certainly a strong demand for black rifles.
Before the AR-18 was introduced, there was the prototype AR-16 in 7.62x51. If I were in the business, I think that is the one that I would work on. There would be a real market for this one, and less established competition.
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Definitely.

That and a reproduction of the original AR-10 which could potentially even land it in the non-restricted category as well seeing as it was not based on the AR-15 platform at all :evil:
 
Travis Bickle said:
Sorry,

My questions were:

What parts of the trigger group are compatible with the AR-15/M16 platform?

Is the hammer spring compatible?

Thanks.
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Congratulations on the purchase.

To answer your question, the trigger and hammer assemblies both are compatible with that of an AR-15. Several people (myself included) have swapped the stock trigger group out on their 180Bs for 2 stage AR triggers, which is well worth doing, IMO. The only catch is that you have to use the trigger and hammer pins that came with the AR-180B, as the receiver is too wide to use the shorter pins that an AR-15 uses.
 
fnrob said:
The only catch is that you have to use the trigger and hammer pins that came with the AR-180B, as the receiver is too wide to use the shorter pins that an AR-15 uses.
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Beat me to it.

Awesome rifles, my only complaint was that on the second one I owned the magwell was perhaps a little out of spec and would cause the cartridges to face-plant (jam) just under the barrel (where the M4 style feed ramps would be). I corrected the problem by putting in my own extended-feed ramps.

My spot welded rail also lost a spot weld. No problem though as I had Joe at DLASK weld a proper, low, picatinny rail all along the top (absolutely awesome).

I'd definitely pick up a revised version from Armalite if they ever produce one.
 
Mr. Spectacular said:
The 180-B is a really, really decent rifle design.

I have no issue with the lower, but I do wish the upper was machined instead of sheetmetal / spot welded.

What were your questions?
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I like the sheet metal lol

It gives it a real utility feel and look.

And hey, it might not be pretty but it's strong enough :D

If only they were still available for the intended "poor mans AR-15" price they were originally sold for eh lol
 
saskcop said:
I am surprised that the AR15 crowd hasn't started flaming ya yet.
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lol

Bah! I have fired many many a round through a C7 and C8 and still by far prefer this platform.

It has the best of both worlds; simple function and design of the soviet bloc operating system and precision, accuracy and ergonomics of the modern Western guns.

I've made my choice :D

Flame on! w:h:
 
Any chance you might be bringing in down to the silverdale range so some of us might see what an awesome rifle this is?
 
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