Ar180B vs su16

ddub900

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Just watching the EE as always and notice the price people are asking for the ugly azz ar180B. Even back in the day I wouldn't be paying the $1200 they were selling for... Now with the kel-tec SU16 and AR stock adapter why would one pay for the AR180B ? Am I missing something? I'm not bashing the AR180 either I just don't like the way they look and would like to know pro's and con's.... Thanks
 
The AR180b seems to be on par with all the other non restricted black rifles available in Canada right now as far as accuracy goes from what I've see on these forums and others.
I own a stock condition AR180b
They are good rifles, not great. They are definitely reliable function wise.
They are a little above average in accuracy.
They are non restricted.

Truthfully they are a great utility rifle. They were introduced to the commercial market back in the 80's as a competitor to the AR15 in the good old US of A and marketed as the poor mans AR15. Initially, I have read they retailed down there from around $500-600!!!!

It's unfortunate but our laws dictate that if we want to take a rifle that looks kind of like the AR15 anywhere but a gun club, we have to pay sickening prices for mediocre product at best. Very unfortunate but that's the line we sit on and that's the line that AR180b sits on with its other ridiculously overpriced cousins.

In all honesty if I ever sold mine which is in great condition, I would not ask more than $1200 for her. Even at the retarded prices people try to hock theirs at on the EE people still buy them and the prices are still only about half of what some of the Swiss and XCR rifles are going for for a rifle that shoots about as good.

However, there is support and replacement parts for more modern rifles that are still being produced. Not nearly as much around for the AR180b although Armalite still advertises spare parts sets on their site for pretty inflated prices.

It's a toss up sir.

I personally like the AR180b, if it had an aluminum lower, more robust stock, and a little money into development and slight improvements, I would even go out on a limb and say I could prefer it over the AR15. They are incredibly light weight and very well balanced in stock condition, I like the piston gas system and the cocking handle attached to the bolt carrier. If they just switched it to the left hand side then we'd be rocking and rolling! :rockOn:
 
You would not be disappointed with the SU 16. I bought one last month and have no regrets. I have put 60 shells through mine with no problems, and surprisingly it will shoot 2" groups at 100yds with surplus ammo.
 
Well...on the upside, you probably wouldn't have the AR180b's receiver get punched out by its bolt carrier group.
 
I hear many horror stories regarding the AR180b and bad malfunctions etc etc

I can tell you this though, I have shot the unholy sh*t out of mine using any and every ammunition under the sun and have had no issues with it whatsoever.

It just keeps on going.
 
Are AR180's even as available as the SU16?

That would be one of the facts that'd really nail home the answer of which to get. That said, if the Ar180 is one you've always wanted/liked then maybe hold out for it?
 
I hear many horror stories regarding the AR180b and bad malfunctions etc etc

I can tell you this though, I have shot the unholy sh*t out of mine using any and every ammunition under the sun and have had no issues with it whatsoever.

It just keeps on going.

Same.

It's such a great design that just keeps going and going.

I LOL at all of the "OHNOEZ! POLYMER RECIEVERZZZZZ" people.
 
There is something that you can't put your finger on exactly with the AR180b

It's just such a stripped down, bare bones, simple design. I don't actually find it all that ugly of a gun.

It's brilliant in its simplicity. I gained much more of an appreciation for it after I got mine and stripped it down in detail.

It's a damned shame it came unto the scene as the AR18 when it did, had the US Army chosen the design and invested millions of dollars into improvements and refinements, it had some serious potential. Sadly it was never really a fully developed design from the start.

To the OP, I haven't shot an SU16 but I have shot the Ar180 a lot. So all I can tell you is that if you can find a stock condition one for under $1,300-$1,400 in great condition (our gun laws and gun market being what they are currently) you won't be disapointed.
 
Have to agree with Travis.
I like my AR180Bs a lot.
I own much else in 5.56mm, ARs, SAs, Tavors, an XCR a CSA and now even a SU16.
There will always be a place in the locker for them all.

About the 180, light and simple. I don't abuse it but I don't baby it either.
 
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