Armalite AR180B Frequently Asked Questions, revised Dec. 26/07

[Armedsask]

Not to sound like a tool add stripping to the list my first time I had to hunt online for it


Now I am allmost up to par with yours damn you and your lower your killing me

How is your lower coming along? I still haven't had the time to make a cut on mine.

 

[Liquid_Snake]

very slow stupid school eats my cash along with beer

 

[black_bear]

Well, I called about getting an estimate on the new barrel it will be $400.00 for just the barrel, which I think is reasonable? But for the gas block he would have to see the rifle because he could either see if a commercialy-availabe AR15 gas block could be opened up to a larger size, or if he would have to build one from scratch. For now, I am going to get the rear sight milled off and get the receiver drilled & tapped and try to get a scope base on it, and I will wait a little bit for the barrel as I am going into IPSC right away I can't wait til the rifle will be totally finished, although it will cost quite a bit for the rebarrelling, railed forend, etc. but it will be worth it in the end to have a non-restr. black varmint rifle

EDIT: BTW the gunsmith is Ultimate Accuracy not PGW

 

[Armedsask]

He would most likely have to mill a new gasblock.

 

[black_bear]

Ya, that's what I was thinking.....

 

[daniellybbert]

whats the barrel twist rate?
and how heavy of bullets are good for the gun

 

[Johnnybago]

Barrel's 1 in 9" twist, and the specs on armalite.com say she'll shoot up to a 77 grain. The cheap ammo I buy is 55 grain, though it'll still melt through a steel .22 target at 100 yards.

 

[Scarecrow]

Garbage lower no matter what apology you make for it.

 

[koalorka]

It's the AR that never was.. haha. Now if only I got a Colt I could be a black rifle uber-snob!

 

[Johnnybago]

So, how did you break it??

 

[Snuffy]

How do you guys pain the lower Armlite logos on the lower?

I would like to know also how you broke it? Was it during operation or tare down?

 

[Scarecrow]

Not mine. Posted on ARF. I put it here so nobody could downplay what happends when you play around with a design made for metal parts.

AR180B = fake assault rifle. Don't leave home with one.

 

[Lawrence D]

Ok I wanted to buy an AR180 B - non restricted, but after I saw and read what could happen to the hinge on the lower receiver, I got very concerned.

> How often does this happen?

> Why does it happen?

> Can it be prevented?

> Could it be repaired if it breaks?

> Would the repair last and how much do they charge?

Thanks for any tips and advice, guys.

 

[suprathepeg]

Ok I wanted to buy an AR180 B - non restricted, but after I saw and read what could happen to the hinge on the lower receiver, I got very concerned.

> How often does this happen?

> Why does it happen?

> Can it be prevented?

> Could it be repaired if it breaks?

> Would the repair last and how much do they charge?

Thanks for any tips and advice, guys.

Isn't this covered earlier in the thread???

 

[Lawrence D]

Isn't this covered earlier in the thread???

Not all of my questions are in the FAQ's.

 

[Armedsask]

Ok I wanted to buy an AR180 B - non restricted, but after I saw and read what could happen to the hinge on the lower receiver, I got very concerned.

> How often does this happen?

I know of three times. The lowers are replaced at no cost to the user by Armalite.

> Why does it happen?

Bad batch of polymer, user abuse, design flaw.

> Can it be prevented?

Yes. Not letting the upper drop free and slam open. Material issue can not be prevented

> Could it be repaired if it breaks?

No, but it is replaced free of charge by Armalite no questions asked regardless of warranty.

> Would the repair last and how much do they charge?

See above.

Thanks for any tips and advice, guys.

Due to the infrequency of the pivot point breaking, it really isn't much of an issue. Also, the customer service and replacement solves this problem if it ever happens.

For those calling this a bad rifle, an AR15 wannabe, or a poor excuse for an assualt rifle, I just shake my head. It never was supposed to be an AR15. It never was an assualt rifle . It's a cheap .223 semi-auto. Trying to make it more will only leave you disapointed.

 

[Lawrence D]

I know of three times. The lowers are replaced at no cost to the user by Armalite.



Bad batch of polymer, user abuse, design flaw.


Yes. Not letting the upper drop free and slam open. Material issue can not be prevented


No, but it is replaced free of charge by Armalite no questions asked regardless of warranty.

See above.


Due to the infrequency of the pivot point breaking, it really isn't much of an issue. Also, the customer service and replacement solves this problem if it ever happens.

For those calling this a bad rifle, an AR15 wannabe, or a poor excuse for an assualt rifle, I just shake my head. It never was supposed to be an AR15. It never was an assualt rifle . It's a cheap .223 semi-auto. Trying to make it more will only leave you disapointed.

OK now I wouldn't mind spending the money to get one. I'll stay super careful not to damage it.

Thanks for the very detailed directions.

 

[Snuffy]

I like the paint on the lower reciever. How and what type of paint do you normally use?

 

[Turf]

I like the paint on the lower reciever. How and what type of paint do you normally use?

I used Testors Acrylic model paint (another board members idea) Works great. But if you want to get real fancy Use Bonanza Gold or Silver for highlighting the logo and other things. Sorta like this:

It has a Midwest forearm rail system. I have shot about 3000 rounds through it without any problems. Have always checked the pivot pin area when cleaning and found no cracks. Mind you when I clean it, I treat it like my very first virgin. It is a great rifle and one I will never sell.

 

[Johnnybago]

For those calling this a bad rifle, an AR15 wannabe, or a poor excuse for an assualt rifle, I just shake my head. It never was supposed to be an AR15. It never was an assualt rifle . It's a cheap .223 semi-auto. Trying to make it more will only leave you disapointed.

According to wikipedia:

"A semi-automatic version of the AR-18 design known as the AR-180 was later produced for the civilian market between 1969 and 1972 at Armalite's Costa Mesa manufacturing plant. The Costa Mesa AR-180s were one of the first military-type semi-automatic rifles to become widely available in the USA. Howa, of Japan, continued production of the AR-18/AR-180 from 1972 until 1974, and Sterling in the UK produced the AR-18/AR-180 from 1976 to the mid-1980s. Some of the Sterling-made rifles appear to have been purchased by IRA sympathizers, and found their way into the hands of the Provisional IRA, where the rifle was known as the "widowmaker"."

It's true that it's not an actual assault rifle but I thought it was interesting that the IRA used it in an operational role. Which does lend SOME credibility to it's potency.

To quote someone from a message board that I don't recall, this gentleman stated that his 180B "Slaughters coyotes like a madman".

Hell, it's black, it's scary looking to liberals, and it's non-restricted, so I can throw in the truck and take it to the farm whenever. That's why I bought mine.