Ar-108b

dermolotov

dermolotov

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What are the commanding prices for the AR-188Bs now? -

They're unrestricted so naturally it is always an eyeopener. But I hear a few plastic issues with them and the one time release makes it hard to find
 
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AR-180 "A"s (if you're referring to the Sterling, Costa Mesa or Howa models) are prohibited because they are listed as such under Former Prohibited Weapons Order #13 thus making them 12.5 prohibited firearms. Them being prohibited has nothing to do with being "FAL-based" (which they're not), able to take full auto parts or any other such nonsense people like to spread. They're prohibited because they were specifically named as part of a list when the various prohibited firearms OIC's were passed. Probably because in 1984 a large, unknown man stormed an LAPD police station and, along with the also named prohib SPAS-12 shotgun, killed over a dozen police officers searching for Sara Connor.
The "B" models aren't especially rare in Canada, but they have been out of production since 2007 or so. This is making them harder to find as more and more gun owners are not parting with them. What they're worth is what a buyer is willing to pay for it. I wouldn't pay more than $1100 and I own several of them. I've seen them go for $1500 at gun auctions and on our own EE they are listed, bare bones, for $1700 or over.
 
ThrowBack said:
AR-180 "A"s (if you're referring to the Sterling, Costa Mesa or Howa models) are prohibited because they are listed as such under Former Prohibited Weapons Order #13 thus making them 12.5 prohibited firearms. Them being prohibited has nothing to do with being "FAL-based" (which they're not), able to take full auto parts or any other such nonsense people like to spread. They're prohibited because they were specifically named as part of a list when the various prohibited firearms OIC's were passed. Probably because in 1984 a large, unknown man stormed an LAPD police station and, along with the also named prohib SPAS-12 shotgun, killed over a dozen police officers searching for Sara Connor.
The "B" models aren't especially rare in Canada, but they have been out of production since 2007 or so. This is making them harder to find as more and more gun owners are not parting with them. What they're worth is what a buyer is willing to pay for it. I wouldn't pay more than $1100 and I own several of them. I've seen them go for $1500 at gun auctions and on our own EE they are listed, bare bones, for $1700 or over.
Click to expand...

Lol, 10/10 comment, informative and funny.
 
FAL based? Are you talking about that piece of #### Vulcan made? The only part that's FAL based on those is the handguards. And it barely qualifies for AR-180 based. It's the kind of gun that happens when your company has ruined their reputation with exploding .50 cal. rifles and had so many lawsuits they had to change their name at least twice to avoid said reputation, so nobody will sell your company parts other than out of their reject piles, and you finish it all off with a visit to Home Depot.

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Why does the Terminator need full auto? He can simply go for brain shots and never miss. They should add "b" to the names of all rifles, since that makes them safe to own.
There would be a market for a $1300 rifle that takes AR-15 mags.
 
I bought mine new in 2007 which I believe was one of the last ones imported and I paid $1400 for it. I really like the rifle and doubt that I'll ever sell it even though I usually take my NR ACR with me for 223 field play.
I've seen them on the EE for over $2000 but don't know what those actually sold for.
If there was a steady supply of spare parts I would feel better about suggesting more people buy one but with very few parts available it's hard to.
Just recently one of the shops in Calgary supposedly got some parts in from a third party manufacturer but I haven't looked into it much yet.

If I was shopping for one I would probably put my budget to around $1600 and I would only buy one that has not been modified. Installing the AR stock adapter requires cutting the receiver and is not reversible and adding the Midwest Industries quadrail just adds weight in an attempt to look more tacticool. I bought it knowing it was not an AR and no furniture swapping will ever make it an AR so I leave mine as an AR-180B and am happy with it as is. These rifles are also best using the iron sights just like the Swiss Arms rifles are (in my opinion). If you get the rail and put a scope on it you need a cheek riser or you have a chin weld and your sight over bore is pretty high.

The plastic issue is really a non issue, the internet has gotten people paranoid that their gun is a ticking timebomb about to break at any moment but the truth is that Armalite got a bad batch of polymer for one run they did, most of those rifles went to the US market and Armalite replaced all effected lowers (the ones brought to them anyway) under warranty. The very few other rifles that have broken have mostly been from user abuse like releasing the rear take-down and letting the upper swing open and slam the lower which can break the lower receiver around the pin. Stormwerkz has a fix for it if you do end up with a broken one and now there is the NoDak Spud aluminum lower which for $400 would be a great fix for a broken rifle but there is no way I'm going to spend that much money on a rifle that's not broken just so I can have aluminum instead of polymer.
Some people just don't like polymer on their rifles but if you look around there are plenty of rifles out there with a lot of polymer that no one worries about like the HK SL8 series, Bushmaster ACR, etc. These rifles don't have any issues with it and it helps keep weight and cost down so I think those fears or the stigma about polymer is a little unfounded, it's not like it's Chinese toy plastic.

The 180B-2 is a great rifle, it's light, reliable and as accurate as most of the other non restricted offerings we have available to us. I have around 1000 rounds through mine and the action just keeps getting smoother and the trigger is getting better as well. I may swap out the trigger one day but for now it is good enough for what I do with the rifle.
 
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Yup. Everything cr5 said pretty much sums it up. I don't think I paid quite as much as $1400 when I got mine from the 2007 batch from Wolverine. I still have the receipt somewhere.....I'll have to look it up. Doesn't matter, it was 10 years ago anyway.

Another huge advocate for the 180B here. Mine have all been very accurate, durable and reliable. I'd own all of mine even if AR-15's were non-restricted as I like the history and the nostalgia of the AR-18/180. Would I own 180B's if the original Sterling/Howa/Costa Mesa 180s were unrestricted here? Probably not, as I've handled and fired several original 180's (including, recently and in a different country an AR-18) and I think they're amazing rifles, albeit the cheap spot welded sheet metal feel. Until we get a complete repeal of our current gun laws and the original 180 gets moved off the "list", the 180B is a good compromise for the Canadian market and a great non-restricted rifle for a bush/coyote/plinking gun to boot. Readily taking STANAG magazines is an definite added bonus.
My $0.05 (pennies don't exist anymore)
 
I'm currently talking to a guy about an AR180 - the idea being to build a gun off the upper and furniture on a Nodak lower. It'll be restricted, but as close as you can get to an AR18 and still be able to shoot it. The STANAG mags will be a big plus, I still have 5 new ATRS mags in the bags. Fingers crossed he wants to see at least part of the being shot.
 
With the original 180 upper built on a Nodak lower the bolt hold open may not function on the last shot. Making it AK-like with respect to your bolt not being held open on an empty magazine. Otherwise, great idea. Keep us posted on how it works out.
 
I am currently running an Ar180b with a Nodak lower and i have to say i enjoy shooting it more than my ARs at the moment.
the rifle is defintley on of the will not sell firearms.
 
I have an origonal AR180 upper on a polymer 180B lower. It is fantastically light. The eventual plan is to drop it on one kf my aluminum lowers when I get around to cutting a few more.
 
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