Looking to get my first Ar-180 variant
- Thread starter Trow
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Thunderhog
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
Wait for the new Sterling R18 MK3, I'm betting it will be a nice rifle that actually works.
Don't make the mistake some of us did and buy AR180 models that are not reliable......
Don't make the mistake some of us did and buy AR180 models that are not reliable......
Thunderhog
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
Regular Gunnuts BS debate in 3:2:1:.........
That’s what I’m trying not to do I don’t want to end up with one that I like how it looks but doesn’t performWait for the new Sterling R18 MK3, I'm betting it will be a nice rifle that actually works.
Don't make the mistake some of us did and buy AR180 models that are not reliable......
The AR180 is quite polarizing, to say the least. Lots of inconsistency among all the models, and all of them claim to be the best. I'm not going to get one, though I would love something semi-auto in 223/556 eventually. Mostly waiting to see how things play out for now. Buying a gun for it's looks can be bittersweet... you might love it, you might hate it and let it rot in your safe.
The rest of the question depends on what kind of shooting you want to do. Just wanna blast away with cheap(ish) ammo? Maybe a 22LR, or 22WMR. Perhaps even an SKS, if you want something with a proven track record and a little more jam.
Thinking slowly firing at targets 100-300yds away? Now you are getting into bolt action territory.
Another thing you can always do is walk into your local gun store and ask to try stuff out. See what's comfortable, what feels good and intuitive to you. Ma and Pa shops can use all the help these days, and are happy to help you get into the sport.
Welcome aboard.
The rest of the question depends on what kind of shooting you want to do. Just wanna blast away with cheap(ish) ammo? Maybe a 22LR, or 22WMR. Perhaps even an SKS, if you want something with a proven track record and a little more jam.
Thinking slowly firing at targets 100-300yds away? Now you are getting into bolt action territory.
Another thing you can always do is walk into your local gun store and ask to try stuff out. See what's comfortable, what feels good and intuitive to you. Ma and Pa shops can use all the help these days, and are happy to help you get into the sport.
Welcome aboard.
I would not look for AR180 based rifle in Canada.
I don't think we have anything AR180 based that actually works apart of original AR180b. And painful experience with Canadian variants creates almost hate to this indeed great platform.
Wait and see, there's some minor hope for SAI MK3, though a lot of controversy behind people and origins. Also IRG has been teasing us for 4 years. And while you wait, buy something else.
I don't think we have anything AR180 based that actually works apart of original AR180b. And painful experience with Canadian variants creates almost hate to this indeed great platform.
Wait and see, there's some minor hope for SAI MK3, though a lot of controversy behind people and origins. Also IRG has been teasing us for 4 years. And while you wait, buy something else.
I’m looking at 223/556 I already have a 22lr and a 12g, so I’m looking at getting a reliable rifle with a bit more snot than my 22. I already go to a smaller local shop and I do my research online so I can get the most amount of reviews or feedback as quick as possible
That’s kind of what I’ve noticed seems like most if not all seem to have issues I’m wondering if I should wait and see what happens with the election and if that opens things back up or if I should go ahead and get one now incase the laws get even worse in the future
I think it was Greentips who said "Buy what you want, and shoot it". Sage advise.
That's 100% a personal decision. Do you want to potentially spend money and still be disappointed? Or are you willing to wait and see if the laws get better, or worse?
edit: punctuation
That's 100% a personal decision. Do you want to potentially spend money and still be disappointed? Or are you willing to wait and see if the laws get better, or worse?
edit: punctuation
Thunderhog
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
There is no realistic reason we as Canadians cannot own and shoot actual AR15 style rifles without any restrictions.
They used to be non-restricted at one time, I wish I would have bought one then. The new style Ruger Mini 14 and Mini 30 are also great rifles that should never have been prohibited.
The issue is global extremists that want control and to disarm the entire worlds population. Maybe Pierre Poilievre can change these ridiculous draconian laws that Trudy socks and sell-out Singh have shoved down Canadians throats. If AR15's ever become non-restricted again, I would buy one in a heartbeat, or the Ruger Mini series rifles, another great choice.
The USA Federal election next month will be a game changer, if the cackling witch gets in, she's coming for their guns, if Trump gets in, hopefully he can make America Great Again! LOL
The witch will no doubt start a civil uprising, which will result in a lot of bloodshed. This isn't good, but might be necessary........
Either way one chooses, get out and enjoy your freedom while there is a little left. These next two elections in North America will dictate what guns you can own, if any!
They used to be non-restricted at one time, I wish I would have bought one then. The new style Ruger Mini 14 and Mini 30 are also great rifles that should never have been prohibited.
The issue is global extremists that want control and to disarm the entire worlds population. Maybe Pierre Poilievre can change these ridiculous draconian laws that Trudy socks and sell-out Singh have shoved down Canadians throats. If AR15's ever become non-restricted again, I would buy one in a heartbeat, or the Ruger Mini series rifles, another great choice.
The USA Federal election next month will be a game changer, if the cackling witch gets in, she's coming for their guns, if Trump gets in, hopefully he can make America Great Again! LOL
The witch will no doubt start a civil uprising, which will result in a lot of bloodshed. This isn't good, but might be necessary........
Either way one chooses, get out and enjoy your freedom while there is a little left. These next two elections in North America will dictate what guns you can own, if any!
My friends and I have multiple 180s between us. No issues.
You're not going to hear so much from the people who like them as you are from people who don't, or had problems with them. Probably because the haters will jump all over the likers, as we've seen on this site countless times.
Many of the bugs have been worked out. It's unfair to compare a 180 to an AR for instance because the AR has been around for 60 years. Of course they run great now, you just can't own one.
I am old enough to remember the late 80s-90s when everyone and their brother started making ARs, till then it was basically a Colt thing.
Colt guns worked great, other manufacturers not so much.
Look up some great quality manufacturers like Olympic Arms (sarcasm) for instance, you couldn't find an upper whose holes lined up with the lower half the time.
They are coming out with a Gen 3 soon, more expensive (projected to be about $1700) you could wait for that design maybe. Me peronally, I like the gen 1 because it is the lightest of the bunch.
I'm rambling, gonna stop now.
You're not going to hear so much from the people who like them as you are from people who don't, or had problems with them. Probably because the haters will jump all over the likers, as we've seen on this site countless times.
Many of the bugs have been worked out. It's unfair to compare a 180 to an AR for instance because the AR has been around for 60 years. Of course they run great now, you just can't own one.
I am old enough to remember the late 80s-90s when everyone and their brother started making ARs, till then it was basically a Colt thing.
Colt guns worked great, other manufacturers not so much.
Look up some great quality manufacturers like Olympic Arms (sarcasm) for instance, you couldn't find an upper whose holes lined up with the lower half the time.
They are coming out with a Gen 3 soon, more expensive (projected to be about $1700) you could wait for that design maybe. Me peronally, I like the gen 1 because it is the lightest of the bunch.
I'm rambling, gonna stop now.
Tarrantula
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Parts unknown
Raven, hands down if not 100% set on 180b
All the Canadian 180s have various issues (I have owned and own a few, WS-MCRs, Crusaders, BCL Siberian, etc) some serious, some not so serious. They've all been hashed out ad nauseum in specific threads on here. The one with the least amount of issues that I've heard of is the R18 Mk2 but it is no longer made/sold and also the most expensive ($2600ish iirc). The new crop of 180s might be better (R18 Mk3, WK180 gen3, BCL Badger, etc) but no one knows for sure at this point.
What I'd suggest is you determine for yourself what the use case of the rifle is. If having a rifle that runs reliably out of the box and has been rigorously tested is a requirement, I'd suggest getting something else that has a history of reliable use, the best value these days being a Tavor X95. If this is just to be a range plinker and the potential of having issues that might need warranty work isn't a huge deal, then get a Canadian 180. Of those currently on the market, I think the BCL Siberian strikes a good balance between value and performance (granted I've only put a bit over 1k rounds through one). The ones I've shot have been reasonably accurate with good ammo (<2 moa) and reasonably reliable beyond a few light strikes. They have some idiosyncracies like the inability to be "mag-podded" (ie rested on the mag while firing) and the mag release and bolt release have been known to come loose but those are manageable for a plinking rifle.
What I'd suggest is you determine for yourself what the use case of the rifle is. If having a rifle that runs reliably out of the box and has been rigorously tested is a requirement, I'd suggest getting something else that has a history of reliable use, the best value these days being a Tavor X95. If this is just to be a range plinker and the potential of having issues that might need warranty work isn't a huge deal, then get a Canadian 180. Of those currently on the market, I think the BCL Siberian strikes a good balance between value and performance (granted I've only put a bit over 1k rounds through one). The ones I've shot have been reasonably accurate with good ammo (<2 moa) and reasonably reliable beyond a few light strikes. They have some idiosyncracies like the inability to be "mag-podded" (ie rested on the mag while firing) and the mag release and bolt release have been known to come loose but those are manageable for a plinking rifle.
Most of the stuff on the market today had birthing problems and most of the negative reviews you read today are from people who either never owned one or had one years ago. Even the WK180 gen 1 is reliable if you maintain it and do some minor modifications which are readily available. It also depends very much on how many rounds you will shoot over the years, most recreational shooters rarely shoot more than 1,000 rounds in 5 years.
The best 'bang for buck' is one of the first WK-180 clones that Kodiak and Wolverine collaborated in producing.
The early guns had pinned gas blocks and while 'bare-bones', they were and still should be good value for money.
Kodiak has and have maintained good warranty service, even if you hear of issues with poor reliability.
Be prepared to get your hands dirty with upkeep, diagnosis of issues and potential repair - this is true of any semi-auto rifle.
