So just my 2 cents
I own a WK180C and have done so for circa 16 months, in that time I have put 6000 rounds through mine in target shooting, competition, and hunting situations.
What I would say is this:
- It is a $1200 rifle, not a $3000 rifle, you need to temper your expectations based on that. It wasn't made in the past in the millions and sold as cheap surplus and it isn't being made by a mass manufacturer.
Before I go into further detail I will point you to
this list of NR Black Rifles that are currently available and in production. It'll give you an idea of what other options at different prices are out there.
So the good:
- The rifle is highly reliable
- The rifle has an ambidextrous safety
- The rifle can is mostly Aluminium and so rust resistant
- It will chew up any ammo, with bulk American Eagle or Tula ammo you'll get 2-2.5MOA at 100m, I am able to hit sheep and smaller sized targets out to 500m without major issue
- It can take widely available AR15 components such as: Stocks, magazines, triggers, pistol grips and handguards
- As the rifle can use STANAG magazines it can use 10 round pistol mags
- It comes with a good handguard to start with and it has MLOK slots to allow for modification
- The rifle comes with an adjustable length stock allowing it to be used by nigh on anyone
- The gas system is reliable
- A bolt hold open/release catch can be purchased for the rifle
Now the middle
- Taking the gas system out is not as easy as I would like, I would recommend not bothering, yes really, it is a carbine length gas system in a near rifle length barrel. As such it is a little over gassed and functions very reliably.
- The trigger is a circa 4.5kg trigger, it is a smooth trigger and not gritty but the pull weight is high. This won't stop you doing anything but I would suggest replacing it with a trigger of your choice
- You should double stake the castle nut once you are happy with the stock, mine came loose, that's not saying all do but it's worth checking
Now the bad
- The 2nd generation cocking handles break easily, Kodiak will replace them very quickly, I suggest asking them for a spare or two when they do replace it. A 3rd generation cocking handle may be in the works and Spectre offers an aftermarket replacement option
- The piston can break, same as with the cocking handle get a spare
- The handguard screws are very heavily torqued on. Don't try to take them out unless you absolutely have to. You don't need to remove it to clean the gas system so I'd just leave it be
Side note
- The cocking handle on both the 1st and second generation bolts can rub along the inside of the receiver and produce superficial marks. This in no way inhibits the functionality of the rifle.
A youtube search provides plenty of alternative opinions to my own.
I have previously
compared AR15 and WK180C accuracy
The WS-MCR is a comparable alternative that should be researched alongside the WK180C
