Brownells Retro Rifles

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
 
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?
 
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-content/uploads/2012/11/CH-180-01Carrier_mod.jpg

The positioning of the charging handle on the WK is also much further back on the carrier than on the AR180.
 
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?
 
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.
 
I've been watching the recent InRangeTV videos on youtube with the Brownells BRN-10A, and they were big fans of it. If we had that available in Canada I would buy it in a heartbeat
 

Here John, I did post this in the Black Rifle section.

13:45 in the bottom video talks about the proprietary upper an lower.
I don't know a thing about these types of rifles but I am very interested !

#1 Is this rifle available in Canada if so is it Restricted or Non Restricted BR10 A Heavy barrel ? .308

#2 What is the difference between an AR 10 and AR 15 ?

Thank You !
Leavenworth
 
#1: Unclassified as far as know. I' not sure if a sample has been submitted

#1: Main difference is that the AR10 is a larger rifle that uses 308 cartridge (and other cartridges based on the 308 case ala 243 WIN, 6.5 CM...) .

I don't know a thing about these types of rifles but I am very interested !

#1 Is this rifle available in Canada if so is it Restricted or Non Restricted BR10 A Heavy barrel ? .308

#2 What is the difference between an AR 10 and AR 15 ?

Thank You !
Leavenworth
 
#1: Unclassified as far as know. I' not sure if a sample has been submitted

#1: Main difference is that the AR10 is a larger rifle that uses 308 cartridge (and other cartridges based on the 308 case ala 243 WIN, 6.5 CM...) .

Thanks for the reply ! Maybe someone can chime in on weather there has been a sample submitted ?
Leavenworth
 
Any chance to bring in the brownells glock slides with RMR cutouts? those are the cheapest way to mount a red dot and if you are already dealing with them... Would it be possible?
 
Obviously as an American I'm not a potential customer for you (regrettably, but our countries' laws are what they are)... but if I might offer a suggestion since you guys might be in a position of influence, have you ever considered trying to nudge them as a second source for C7 and C8 clones? :)
 
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