AR180 Vs AR15

[Cyborg]

Not trying to start a wizzing contest but I just wanted to get some input on the AR180 vs AR15/M16 family.

What is there that is so great about the AR15 to make it cost/worth roughly TWICE what an AR180 does?

They both fire .556 but is there anything in the barrel design, mechanism, whatever that gives one or the other an advantage in stopping power?

What about reliability and maintainability? Is one easier to field strip/reassemble than the other? Is one easier to disassemble and clean than the other?

I am not a rich man and want to get as much of a bang stick as I can for my small amount of treasure.

Thanks in advance and let us please keep this on as high a road as possible. I know each machine has its devotees.

Cyborg

 

[Welding Rod]

Where are you buying AR180s for half the price of an AR?

I dig the AR 180 - if I could buy a new for 5-6 hundred I would be all over it.

 

[alemonkey]

The M16 was adopted by the world's best fighting forces, the AR180 was not. That's going to automatically make it more popular.

 

[Evil Monkey]

The ar15 is much more refined. It has an external release for its bolt catch, and pratically a left sided charging handle. The ar180/180b lacks these basic features, among others.

 

[briansmithwins]

What is there that is so great about the AR15 to make it cost/worth roughly TWICE what an AR180 does?

I'll take a $350 AR180! Where they at? At that price I'll take 2.

Ain't nothing wrong with sheet steel receivers and a gas piston. The AR180 is a good design.

BSW

 

[RedLion]

I wasn't aware that anyone was even making new ar180s right now. It'd be kinda cool considering the ar18 was the original "anti AR", that seems to be the rage right now.

 

[Cyborg]

Welding Rod and briansmithwins,
I have seen Ar180B's advertised for $850 or so. Most Ar15's I've seen seem to be in the $1400 - $1600 and up range.

IIRC, these were for new but I AM getting old and they say the memory is the 1st thing to go - can't remember what is supposed to be the 2nd thing to go.

 

[foggy]

Decent AR's are in <$900 territory now days.

 

[wayne in boca]

The AR180 was designed to be cheaper and easier to manufacture than the AR15.It uses a stamped steel receiver vs the aluminum forgings and/or extrusions of the AR15.The 180B went one step further with a polymer lower receiver.Armalite has at least temporarily ceased production of the AR180B,so good luck finding one now.

 

[Billy Shears]

I seem to remember Armalite pricing the AR180B in the $600 range when they were introduced. Then the price went up to the $800-900 range. I can't imagine the price of production increasing by a third. I think Armalite just decided they could get more, and then found out that people weren't willing to pay that much when they could get an AR15 for not much more.

 

[9mmepiphany]

posted by Cyborg
I have seen Ar180B's advertised for $850 or so

there is a world of difference between the AR180 and the AR180B...you had us all excited

i'd snap up a 180 in a heatbeat...especially a Costa Mesa one...but have no really interest in the B

 

[Billy Shears]

there is a world of difference between the AR180 and the AR180B...you had us all excited

i'd snap up a 180 in a heatbeat...especially a Costa Mesa one...but have no really interest in the B

I have one. They are nice. I used to have a Sterling, but sold it once I got the Costa Mesa. The difference in build quality was quite noticeable. I've read the Howa ones are actually the best made, but can't say from experience.

I handled a B, but didn't like the way it felt. The safety, for example. You couldn't feel it click into place on either safe or fire. It felt like a toy.

 

[briansmithwins]

Most Ar15's I've seen seem to be in the $1400 - $1600 and up range.

You can pay that much, but a basic rifle should go for almost 1/2 that.

As far as the AR180B goes: I'm ok with plastic on my guns, but I want the gun to have been designed with polymers in mind from the get go, not as a add-on. For example, I'd be perfectly happy if you bought me a PS90 or FS2000, but if you gave me a AR180B I'd sell it.

BSW