Armalite AR-180B

[Slater]

This particular rifle seems to have dropped off the radar since it's introduction several years ago, although it's apparently still being made. The seemingly endless iterations of the M4, by many different manufacturers, would appear to have rendered the AR-180B kind of an afterthought in today's market.

Is it regarded as a success, partial success, or a flop?

 

[Evil Monkey]

you used to be able to get one for 450, then 550, then 650, then now for 750 dollars, with an MSRP of 800+.

For that amount of money, you can get an entry level ar15. The ar180b doesn't have a chrome lined barrel, which is an issue with some people. Also, if you let the upper swing downward on the front pivot of the lower receiver, the pivot area will break. It's not covered by armalite.

 

[Eric F]

I was really excited about these until I held one. Official oponion is too little too late= flop

 

[Evil Monkey]

i would still buy one, but not above $600. I held one an thought it was awesome.

I should have bought that when they were only $575 instead of the WASR AK I bought. The ar180b was extremely light, used plentiful ar15 mags, was ergonomic, and just plain handy.

 

[Halo is for Kids]

I wanted one when I was looking for a rifle. After some research and eval. I decided on a mid-line AK.

Pros of the AR180B:
-Takes AR15 mags.
-lightweight.
-ergos are ok.
-Ace makes a folder for it, but you gotta pay:


Cons of the AR180B:
-Price of 700+, I couldn't find one for less than MSRP.
-Scope mount feels tacked on.
-non-chromed bore.


I'd rather buy a Kel-tec SU16C for around $515 than a 180B for $800:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_151/products_id/16091

Good info on the 180B can be found here:
http://www.gunblast.com/AR-180B.htm
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-135173.html
http://www.ar15.com/lite/topic.html?b=3&f=62&t=218119
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_6_49/ai_100727290/pg_1

 

[brentn]

I would take the su16 over the 18b any day.

The 18b is really really popular in canada not becauase of its features, but because of its class, non-restricted. This means that you can take it out on the bush, or anywhere for that matter. The AR's are all restricted regardless of OAL or barrel length, meaning range and gunsmith only, no exceptions.

Point being, there is a person on the cgn forums who is making billet aluminum machined recievers for it to replace the polymer one. Apparently they work very well.. I don't have much information but I can dig if there is a request for it.

The SU16 however looks much more versatile than an 18b, built in bipod and the whole unit is collapsable out of the box, makes it a perfect survival gun if you ask me.

 

[Evil Monkey]

makes it a perfect survival gun if you ask me.

There are pics on the net of broken su16 receivers because of the carrier impacting the rear too hard.

Show me an AR180b that will do that.

 

[Kor]

Point being, there is a person on the cgn forums who is making billet aluminum machined recievers for it to replace the polymer one. Apparently they work very well.. I don't have much information but I can dig if there is a request for it.

You have your request, sir...although, if the aluminum-receiver manufacturer is Canadian, I dunno what kind of hoops one would have to jump through to import one into the U.S. - which could be a deal-breaker...

 

[ftierson]

The weak point in the AR-180B design is the use of a plastic lower receiver along with the original front receiver pivot pin. A number of AR-180B owners have reported breaking the pivot area, and Armalite's manual for the AR-180B explicitly warns against overstressing this area (like, in letting the upper receiver pivot against the lower, striking it too hard).

There are some other problems too.

In addition, Armalite has not supported the AR-180B very well in terms of offering AWB-demise upgrades (but now are finally offering flash suppressors) and other features like chromed bores and folding stocks...

I have a relatively early AR-180B and, while it's a fun toy, I wouldn't pick it for anything serious. And, since you can get several AR-15 clones for less than an AR-180B (and the AR clones are quite robust and will stand up to misuse and abuse pretty well), why would you pick up an AR-180B?

Just my opinion, of course...

Forrest

 

[Onmilo]

Golly, and it isn't possible to break the front pivot pin area of an AR15 or M16 eh??????
Fact is, it is just a bit harder to do but it can well be done, this is also a weak point on the M16 series.
Not so much so with the improved A2 lowers but a super heavy bull barrel and careless hands will cause even one of these to break.

The 180B is an excellent weapon, as stated before, it just came on the scene a bit too late.
Super simple takedown and maintenance and better accuracy than any AK series weapon.
Probably more reliable than an M16 series weapon system when really fouled out too.

With used AR15 carbine available for as little as $600.00 there really isn't a market niche for this weapon except for restricted areas like Canada.

 

[Evil Monkey]

Something I really like about the ar18 design is that the carrier doesn't ride on rails, it rides on 2 guide rods with their own recoil springs.

This system is said to be far more resistant to dirt accumulation. Theoretically, the ar18 design doesn't even need a receiver because the mechanism floats. The only reason for the existence of the receiver is for the cam slot for the bolt cam pin.

 

[Slater]

The basic AR-18 action is used in the British L85 and German G-36 rifles.