AR180B and AR15 questions.

[Tigerclaw_x]

After some long and hard research, I am considering an AR180B.
The reason is simple: It has a gas piston action, rather then an AR15 gas chamber action. Therefore, it gets less fouled up. The accuracy on it, from what I hear is also very good. I know that it can be a bit picky with the mags, but thats a minor issue. Anyone can tell me about how reliable are they? Is there a "heavy barrel" available for them?

What I need clarification on is AR-15. I shot it once. (in UIC ROTC Valentines day massacre event). Never dissassembled it or anything. However, from what I have gathered, once you get a lower receiver group, you can pretty much swap upper receiver groups as you need.
Is that true? Can AR15 handle a Steel Cased Ammo? I am starting to consider a DPMS A3 rifle with heavy 20" inch chrome lined barrel. Around $800. AR180B barrel is almost as long, but not "heavy" style.
Can someone explain the whole idea about "upper"/"lower" parts of AR15 for me. From what I understand, you can pretty much buy them separately and then put them together with pins and screwdriver. Is that correct?

 

[lamazza]

once you get a lower receiver group, you can pretty much swap upper receiver groups as you need.

Pretty much for the original caliber and under. Obviously, you will not be able to jam a .308 magazine into a .223 mag well, but you can put a 9mm mag in..,etc.
You can shoot steel case, but I would not recommend doing it in a rifle chambered for .223 only as were some of the Olympic ARs. The cases will stick sometimes because of the lacquer sealent-get an AR that is chambered for 5.56/.223.

 

[Tigerclaw_x]

What do you think about...

AR 180B. Need feedback on them. They seem to use FN FAL short stroke gas system. Just how good are they?

As far as AR. Are DPMS rifles any good? They have some basic rifles, in 20" barrel for 800 bucks.
From whom should I get the upper and lower assembly?

Thank you

D

 

[Colorado Fatboy]

Personally I would not consider a DPMS. Better products are available for about the same cost.

Go over to www.ar15.com and read up.

 

[theHeretic]

I have a AR180b. As far as reliability, thus far mine has been excellent, but I have used only .223 cartages. As I understand it, the chamber is somewhat of a hybrid, being dimensionally a .223 with a little extra free boar like the 5.56. I certainly would not use steel cased ammo at any rate.

As far as a heavy barrel, I don’t know of any being available.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

hThe Ar-180B is a nice little rifle, I really like mine. It uses a short stroke piston with a rotating bolt like an Ar-15. Some people have had problems with their lowers cracking at the front hinge pin, but that has never been a problem for me and Armalite is pretty good about replacing them.
The only problem I have had with my 180B was when shooting Wolf steel cased ammo that would lock the gun up. Apparently 180s have a pretty tight chamber.
There is some aftermarket stuff out there check out www.stormwerkz.com
www.riflestocks.com and www.midwestindustriesinc.com .

edit to add also checkout the AR-10 and Ar-180 Forum at Ar15.com.

 

[D-Man]

I've thought about the AR180B recently too because I liked the stock longer sight radius, the different (possibly cleaner/better) gas system, and the ability to add a folding stock.

But when I tried checking on prices, it seemed like these were going for $750 or so around my area, and that's just too close to what you can get a decent AR for. While not a superb price, I almost picked up a Bushmaster M4A4 for $899.
With the extra $150 you get a chrome-lined barrel, a flat-top to mount optics, a better stock, and an expansive (and expensive) array of options to customize the gun.

If you plan on going the upper/lower route, I've heard good things about Stag.