Brownells Retro Rifles

[CRBurton]

Brownell's just announced a retro AR15, the BRN-Proto. And if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they've paid a complement to Wolverine and Kodiak, and created a modernized AR180 variant, the BRN-180, except is is an AR-15 compatible upper receiver.

The BRN-180 would be restricted up here, so it shouldn't cause too much trouble for the WK180-C, but it may put a crimp in any future U.S. sales. On the other hand, they want $800 U.S. Dollars for it; the $1100 CAD price from Wolverine and Kodiak for the WK180-C is testament to the value of their rifle, and may allow it to still compete against the BRN-180.

I would be curious if the retro-style charging handle from the BRN-180 would work with the WK.

The BRN 180 ....actually looks almost identical to the other Canadian made 180 and has the same gas system as It as well

[Ustauk]

Brownell's just announced a retro AR15, the BRN-Proto. And if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they've paid a complement to Wolverine and Kodiak, and created a modernized AR180 variant, the BRN-180, except is is an AR-15 compatible upper receiver.

The BRN-180 would be restricted up here, so it shouldn't cause too much trouble for the WK180-C, but it may put a crimp in any future U.S. sales. On the other hand, they want $800 U.S. Dollars for it; the $1100 CAD price from Wolverine and Kodiak for the WK180-C is testament to the value of their rifle, and may allow it to still compete against the BRN-180.

I would be curious if the retro-style charging handle from the BRN-180 would work with the WK.

One thing someone on another forum noted was the retro-style charging handle might also act as a brass deflector. If the Brownell handle isn't compabile with the WK, could Wolverine fab one up that looks similar? And could you run the original charging handle on the left side at the same time as you have the paddle style one on the right, purely to deflect brass?

[HeK]

One thing someone on another forum noted was the retro-style charging handle might also act as a brass deflector. If the Brownell handle isn't compabile with the WK, could Wolverine fab one up that looks similar? And could you run the original charging handle on the left side at the same time as you have the paddle style one on the right, purely to deflect brass?

The AR-180 has a keyway in the bolt carrier to prevent the charging handle from rotating. The WK180 doesn't have one, it's completely round.

http://stormwerkz.com/wordpress/wp-c...arrier_mod.jpg

The positioning of the charging handle on the WK is also much further back on the carrier than on the AR180.

[Ustauk]

The AR-180 has a keyway in the bolt carrier to prevent the charging handle from rotating. The WK180 doesn't have one, it's completely round.

http://stormwerkz.com/wordpress/wp-c...arrier_mod.jpg

The positioning of the charging handle on the WK is also much further back on the carrier than on the AR180.

Thanks!

[Ustauk]

Brownell's just announced a retro AR15, the BRN-Proto. And if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they've paid a complement to Wolverine and Kodiak, and created a modernized AR180 variant, the BRN-180, except is is an AR-15 compatible upper receiver.

The BRN-180 would be restricted up here, so it shouldn't cause too much trouble for the WK180-C, but it may put a crimp in any future U.S. sales. On the other hand, they want $800 U.S. Dollars for it; the $1100 CAD price from Wolverine and Kodiak for the WK180-C is testament to the value of their rifle, and may allow it to still compete against the BRN-180.

Here's a in depth video about the BRN-180 comparing it against the original AR-180 from Brownells official channel.

The guide rods, rod springs, bolt and bolt carrier are all shorter then the original 180's and presumably the WK's , as they are shortened to accommodate being an AR-15 upper, so no parts commonality there. As noted upthread, the charging handle has an indexing key piece that would need to be milled out of the WK's bolt carrier group in order for it to work with the WK. The hand guard and its mounting bracket are both proprietary, so the WK is superior in that respect. The piston and mounting parts look like they may work with the WK, as they were directly copied from the AR-180. Of particular interest is they've reproduced the original AR-180 flash hider, and it apparently shoots quite nice. Wolverine may want to bring that in to sell to WK owners, as its a standard AR-15 threaded flash hider.

In the comments section of the Youtube video, I see continued complaints that this is not a true AR-180 reproduction, with people noting an American company has made AR-180 lowers. Well, so has Wolverine and Kodiak It looks like Brownell's partnered with PWS to develop and manufacture the BRN-180. If Wolverine and Kodiak could produce a retro-looking handguard, maybe they could partner with Brownells to sell the WK as an AR-180 Retro?

[Dodo Dug]

Here's a in depth video about the BRN-180 comparing it against the original AR-180 from Brownells official channel.

The guide rods, rod springs, bolt and bolt carrier are all shorter then the original 180's and presumably the WK's , as they are shortened to accommodate being an AR-15 upper, so no parts commonality there. As noted upthread, the charging handle has an indexing key piece that would need to be milled out of the WK's bolt carrier group in order for it to work with the WK. The hand guard and its mounting bracket are both proprietary, so the WK is superior in that respect. The piston and mounting parts look like they may work with the WK, as they were directly copied from the AR-180. Of particular interest is they've reproduced the original AR-180 flash hider, and it apparently shoots quite nice. Wolverine may want to bring that in to sell to WK owners, as its a standard AR-15 threaded flash hider.

In the comments section of the Youtube video, I see continued complaints that this is not a true AR-180 reproduction, with people noting an American company has made AR-180 lowers. Well, so has Wolverine and Kodiak It looks like Brownell's partnered with PWS to develop and manufacture the BRN-180. If Wolverine and Kodiak could produce a retro-looking handguard, maybe they could partner with Brownells to sell the WK as an AR-180 Retro?

Good video... a little long though. Great comparison.

[mr.bean]

I want the M16A1 Please!

[driller212]

This isn't a wk180 or 180 thread, there are plenty of those to be discussing it. Keep on topic please.

[R00KIESHOOTER]

Will the M16a1 be brought in earlier, if the 180 takes longer to obtain it's FRT? Or are you waiting to bring them all in at the same time?

[SigWig]

BRN-601 for me,