180 Platform buying Question

iloveruger

iloveruger

Regular
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Ontario
So if i had buy one now, will it be

1 - Kodiak Defense WK180 Gen 2, 5.56mm, 18.7" Barrel

or

2 - Black Creek Lab SRV2 Siberian 5.56/223 18.6” Barrel, Semi Auto Non Restricted


below is not exactly 180 but similar price range

3 - Kel-Tec RDB Hunter 5.56 NATO Semi Auto Bullpup Rifle 20-Inch Barrel 20rd Magazine Ambidextrous Design OD Green Polymer Stock
 
Of the Canadian built ones:

Best bang for the buck - Mk. 1 WK-180 with a pinned gas block and magnetic charging handle (the ones Wolverine had a hand in).

Best built - Sterling R18

Other rans

Best of the best - APC223

Best overall if you can live with its features or you turn it into a money pit (Albeit an awesome one) - SL8

The Siberian suffers from NEA and is more expensive than the WK.

The Crusader is too close in cost to the R18 not to just go with the R18 right out of the gate (and get the most excellent rifle length gas system and a trigger tech trigger to go with it)
 
Last edited:
The reviews so far are suggesting that the BCL Siberian is holding up very well after the firing pin update. The only negative experience I read or heard of was above with the gas block. That may suggest that some of the first runs had some material problems. Hope he will get it sorted out with BCL.

Unlike Kodiak it seems as if BCL is upgrading or improving the rifle without calling it ver 1, 2 etc. Actually a good move if they solve the problems.
 
I've handled the Wk gen2 and an RDB. If you don't mind tinkering (especially choking off the gas) the WK can work and you buy Canadian and have a conventional layout. The RDB has a very simple gas adjust and is a bullpup and a far superior trigger... You be the judge on what features you want.
 
the gen2 180 with the non reciprocating charging handle hands down out of those three for an all purpose gun...
BLC/NEA to me is always a crap shoot. ive already seen pics of broken bolt carriers and the gas block looks hoekey.

the rdb is a fine gun, the hunter/survival model is fantasic lite gun.... but it is not ment for target shooting. the barrel is far to lite. the heat poi walk is very high on most of them and the groups open way up. they are ment to shoot like 5 rounds max at a time then cool down. if you insist on pushing it, you will slag the barrel very quickly. used as a hunting/pest control /bug out gun its great, if thats the purpose of your purchase then for sure buy this one.
 
Last edited:
LordEvilPepper said:
the gen2 180 with the non reciprocating charging handle hands down out of those three for an all purpose gun...
Click to expand...

Attended a Service Rifle shoot this weekend using an R18.

We had one gen 2 180 break its op rod / piston.

R18 ran like a champ and held its own against a couple of SL8s and CZ Bren2s...
 
I've now seen a handful of reddit and CGN posts of cracked gas blocks on the SRV2 Siberians. One guy fired one round and his block cracked along the bottom. Not sure if it's a material or assembly (over torque?) issue and I don't think BCL has commented on it. Something to keep an eye on.

I've been keeping an eye out for more templar reviews. It looks like it's built pretty solid, but like other have said, the R18 MK2 for a bit more money might be a better option.
 
beltfed said:
Attended a Service Rifle shoot this weekend using an R18.

We had one gen 2 180 break its op rod / piston.

R18 ran like a champ and held its own against a couple of SL8s and CZ Bren2s...
Click to expand...

I wonder if those breakages have something to do which ammo people are running. 556 runs at higher pressure, not by much but who knows.
 
There is also the Lockhart Tactical Raven in 5.56 and the Crusader Arms Templar as other 5.56mm options. The Lockhart Tactical Raven is not AR-180-based - it's its own animal.

Are you looking for 180-based platforms specifically, or anything that can shoot 5.56 reliably? Since you're including the RDB, I'm assuming the latter.

Not much info on the Raven yet - a few posts at Reddit and a short, low-round count review on YouTube, but looks promising (?)

https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/1348p7d/lockhart_tactical_raven_556_teaser/

https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/134cwk7/lockhart_tactical_raven_556_clips/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLhy03iF654

The Crusader is too close in cost to the R18 not to just go with the R18 right out of the gate (and get the most excellent rifle length gas system and a trigger tech trigger to go with it)
Click to expand...

The Crusader with the TriggerTech upgrade is $2250: https://www.crusaderarms.ca/product/Templar/18?

R18 with TriggerTech upgrade is $2700 normally, though you're able to get them on sale (blemished, according to Arsenalforce.ca) for $2500.

$250 difference, I'd agree, for sure... $500 difference... or paying a 20% premium... less sure.

I agree that the R18 looks better machined and weighs less. Performance-wise, I'm not sure there's much difference. But time and testing will tell.
 
scianna54 said:
I wonder if those breakages have something to do which ammo people are running. 556 runs at higher pressure, not by much but who knows.
Click to expand...

I believe all of the WKs from the later released first gen. onward were chambered in 5.56. The issue isn't ammo per se, it is the fact they are over gassed and the op rod design not robust enough. IMHO.

MacPapRonin said:
I agree that the R18 looks better machined and weighs less. Performance-wise, I'm not sure there's much difference. But time and testing will tell.
Click to expand...

The R18 is pretty hefty at ~10-11 lbs with an optic.
For a light weight carbine, I think the earlier Gen. one WK or the Siberian are contenders.

LordEvilPepper said:
k, but r18 wasn't in the OPs list, so of the three the OP listed the wk180 is still my choice for the reasons i stated
Click to expand...

Fair point.
 
The R18 is pretty hefty at ~10-11 lbs with an optic.
For a light weight carbine, I think the earlier Gen. one WK or the Siberian are contenders.
Click to expand...

R18 is 7.8 lbs with no optic or magazine, per their manual
Templar is 8.2 lbs with no optic or magazine
Siberian is 6.9 lbs with no optic or magazine
WK180C Gen 1 is 7.2 lbs with no optic or magazine
WK180C Gen 2 is 7.25 lbs with no optic or magazine

Not contesting your info at all - just providing context for others.

I'm actually thinking that given the problems of most of these models with gas piston systems and the completely unfathomable decision to never just simply copy the AR-180 system directly (apparently the WK181 has something which is much similar), the direct impingement system on the Lockhart Tactical Raven 5.56mm may actually be a better bet.

Then again, in that price range ($2700), you might as well get an X95, or for $500-700 more, a Bren 2.
 
Last edited:
iloveruger said:
So if i had buy one now, will it be

1 - Kodiak Defense WK180 Gen 2, 5.56mm, 18.7" Barrel

or

2 - Black Creek Lab SRV2 Siberian 5.56/223 18.6” Barrel, Semi Auto Non Restricted


below is not exactly 180 but similar price range

3 - Kel-Tec RDB Hunter 5.56 NATO Semi Auto Bullpup Rifle 20-Inch Barrel 20rd Magazine Ambidextrous Design OD Green Polymer Stock
Click to expand...
If using for hunting or target shooting, I’d go with the BCL.
It’s about a lb lighter and it’s a slimmer profile.
I think the BCL will be easier to find a more accurate load as well,
If you’re into reloading.
 
Thanks all for the info. For the Cost and easy availability i just bought the Siberian. i liked the bronze color as well. already guilty on how much i spent in last 2 months. This is my third rifle in less than a month :D (thank god i cancelled my SKS order)

i got a pretty good deal on the Siberian. Thanks to one of the site sponsor.

It will be here in 1-2 days.

Any info on how to verify it has updated firing pin ?
 
iloveruger said:
Thanks all for the info. For the Cost and easy availability i just bought the Siberian. i liked the bronze color as well. already guilty on how much i spent in last 2 months. This is my third rifle in less than a month :D (thank god i cancelled my SKS order)

i got a pretty good deal on the Siberian. Thanks to one of the site sponsor.

It will be here in 1-2 days.

Any info on how to verify it has updated firing pin ?
Click to expand...

Video on you tube as to how to take it out, easy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom