AR-18 in 7.62, has anyone done it?

[Bratwurst]

Hi all

A brief idea spark made me wonder whether or not anyone has ever produced a 7.62x51/.308 AR-18 rifle.

Obviously the AR-10 and 102s are 7.62 predecessors that are now verboten.

If someone were to manufacture a AR-18 that could take triggers, grips, stocks, rails and magazines as the AR-102s and 10s I can see it being something that could be sold as a full rifle or a receiver/bare upper kit to fill the gap while allowing existing AR-10/102 owners to transfer some of their now banned rifle components in a legal fashion to a new rifle.

Obviously under the current climate this is highly risky, but I'd love to know whether it is something that has been done in the past or is feasible today.

 

[MattieRoss]

The AR-180 is the Semi-Auto AR-18, the AR-18 is fully auto. Any variant, even if made into semi only would likely be prohibited. I cannot remember if the current OIC covers the Canadian made version of the AR-180 that came out a few years ago. Someone else can chime in with the current status of that rifle.

 

[BattleRife]

A brief idea spark made me wonder whether or not anyone has ever produced a 7.62x51/.308 AR-18 rifle...

If someone were to manufacture a AR-18 that could take triggers, grips, stocks, rails and magazines as the AR-102s and 10s I can see it being something that could be sold as a full rifle.

Just like the AR-10, the 7.62mm version came first. Stoner designed the AR-16 as a NATO battle rifle, but was later talked into making a miniaturized version in 5.56mm, that he called the AR-18. Stoner did not like the SCHV concept.

I don't see however how the second part of your rationale would work. The stamped receiver of the AR-16 has virtually zero design compatibility with parts you mention. Just like as the AR-180 can share only some furniture with the AR-15, almost no parts of an AR-10 would work with an AR-16.

 

[tiriaq]

Done decades ago. AR-16 in 7.62x51. Predated the AR-18. A-16 begat the AR-18, which begat the 180B, which begat the Canadian versions. AR-16 was manufactured only as prototypes. Thought was that the market wanted 5.56, not 7.62.
I suppose a 180B could be scaled up to 7.62x51. Or a WK-180.
Don't know if a manufacturer would want to invest in the time and money developing a product that would likely wind up on the prohibited list.

 

[Bratwurst]

Thanks to all those who mentioned the AR-16, I was not aware of it's existence. Likewise thank you for the clarification on AR-18 vs AR-180

The WK180C and WS-MCR are both AR-180 derivatives which are able to utilise AR-15 triggers, stocks, pistol grips, magazines and some handguards. This is why I believe that a newly designed AR-16/180 in 7.62x61/.308 could be done in such a fashion as to be able to utilise parts from the AR-10/102 type rifles (especially the latter on account of it's commonality in Canada).

As currently the modern sporting rifle options in 7.62 seem to be rather expensive it seems like there may be the opportunity to produce a Canadian made alternative.

Naturally the current climate is risky.

 

[tiriaq]

I don't think that "risky" describes it. Given the direction the current government is going, prohibition is just about guaranteed.
Of course, the court cases could be successful, and a new government could be formed.

 

[Bratwurst]

I don't think that "risky" describes it. Given the direction the current government is going, prohibition is just about guaranteed.
Of course, the court cases could be successful, and a new government could be formed.

Without wanting to de-rail this thread I honestly have no idea how accurate that is. On the one hand the OIC could have just banned centrefire semi-autos, but didn't, on the other the |RCMP could just add stuff to the FRT list (but so far that appears to have slowed down or even stopped)

It's extremely hard to jusdge because the lack of logic or consistency is so huge.

Anyhow I think a 7.62 variant would be a great thing.

 

[Ustauk]

As stated above, it is unlikely anyone will take the risk of re-designing the non-restricted AR-180 based modular semi-automatic firearms available to use a larger cartridge, given the existing regulatory climate.

Both Spectre Ballistics and and Maple Ridge Armoury have indicated they are interested in taking their modular, manual action receivers that take AR-15 bolts in a manual bolt carrier, and otherwise use AR parts, and up-scaling their bolt carriers to handle AR-10 bolts, and their firearms' chambers and ejection ports to handle larger cartridges. Both have indicated this will have to wait until after their first runs of .556 receivers are complete, and the design work will mean the larger caliber variants will not be available until sometime after the fall.

In the event the regulatory climate improves, that will likely mean prohibitions will be dropped, and the Stags and other AR-10 like rifles can come out again, negating the need for an up-scaled AR-180 based design.

 

[can14]

I have the Ar18 and Ar180, both prohibited and original parts are hard to locate
If you build one using Ar15 parts , it could become prohibited because of the parts it seems now
Anything using AR15 parts could go under " a type" heading and be prohibited