AR180B Failure... please read.

[shackels]

For my first post I'd like to ask if anyone has ever had their AR180B.. the newer production rifles break as follows:
Took my brand new AR180 to the range.. Fired about 50rnds. Had a few fail to feeds... once in a while the bolt wouldn't lock completely forward...
I opened her up to take a look at what might be the problem...
The rail that the bolt carrier rides along had detached completely... Looks like the spot welds holding it in place had failed..
I've never heard of this happening before.... neither has the dealer I bought the rifle from.... 'I have a new upper on the way... Hopefully this was a freak occurence
'Just wondering if I'm the only one to have had this happen...

thanks.

 

[MarineTech]

2300 rounds through mine so far. No failure of the rails or any other parts.

 

[shackels]

2300 rounds through mine so far. No failure of the rails or any other parts.

That's good to hear... It's reassuring that I've not found anyone who's had this happen... It's never been mentioned anywhere that I can find....
'Just moreproof that what happened to my particular rifle was a freak QC issue and that the new upper will likely not break so easily...

 

[jacketch]

I have about 6k rounds through mine and the only problem I've had was the piston wasn't screwed together tight enough and on the second mag it failed to go into battery. It was a quick fix and I haven't had a problem since.

eta Lots of good AR180B info here http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=62

 

[Mannlicher]

no failures here

I have been shooting my AR180B for over two years now. I also experienced the problem you mentioned of the bolt not going fully into battery, but after some careful cleaning of the locking area, that never happened again.
Mine has proved very reliable, and with the red dot site, is my low light go to gun now.

 

[swingset]

1,000 rounds through mine so far. No problems like you mentioned. The chamber on my gun was VERY tight when new, so much so in fact that I stuck a couple cases and steel-cased ammo wouldn't run at all. After some polishing and 500 rounds, it's better.

Also, the area of the mag well directly opposite the trigger guard was so loose that mags would rock forward and a round would fail to strip off the magazine. After building it up about 1/32" with JB weld, and filing it smooth, the mags fit tight now and it's 100% reliable.

Overall, I like the gun, but it was built rather halfass, and it's a shame because it's a good design but the execution leaves alot to be desired, IMHO.

 

[Westicle]

Here are pictures of a buddies ar180b that failed, broke the hinge pin on the 15th round that he fired, he is second owner but the gun was well kept.