Pros and cons of AR-180B vs. AR-15

[Texfire]

So I've been looking at something in 5.56 for my next rifle purchase. I've been looking at something in the AR-15 family, probably a Rock River in a flattop configuration with a collapsable stock.

After reading about the advantages of DSA's Gas Trap Carbine, and knowing that I won't be able to afford one, what do ya'll think about a 180B?

Pros:
-Like the Gas Trap Carbine, the 180B has a short pistol gas system which is theoretically cleaner in operation
-Uses widely available AR-15 magazines
-It's actually cheaper than an AR-15

Cons:
-Loses the capability of changing to uppers in different calibrations.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Any other pros and cons?

 

[Dionysusigma]

The AR-180B, while a fine rifle, just feels... well, cheap. It's reliable and accurate, but...

If I want a polymer rifle in .223/5.56 that takes AR mags, I'll go with a Kel-Tec SU-16C.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The AR-180B will also heat up faster and be less comfortable to shoot when hot. You are also limited to the old Armalite proprietary scope mount instead of a much more useful 1913 rail.

AR180s are neat rifles though...

 

[Fingolfin]

For me no chrome lined barrel on the 180B is a deal breaker, among other things. I really wish somebody would take the 180 design, update and refine it because it has a lot going for it.

 

[KaceCoyote]

I adore the AR-180. Its very light, very pointable, very reliable and very cool. It can also take a REAL folding stock.

Still, the SU-16 does the same thing, for cheaper. I do love the 180 but the SU does everything the AR-180 does..and nowadays is doing it for about 3-400 bucks.

 

[LaEscopeta]

I've been considering getting at an AR-180B as well; here are some reviews I found:

http://www.cruffler.com/Features/JAN-02/review-January-02.html

http://www.gunblast.com/AR-180B.htm

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_6_49/ai_100727290

http://savvysurvivor.com/armalite_ar180b.htm

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=89972

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=62&t=218119&page=1

http://graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=13804&sid=874a46f5d370bf04f21ed637a70827fd

 

[Zundfolge]

The AR-180 was originally designed as a "value priced" alternative to the AR-15 ... but now days they are priced about the same as an AR-15 (mostly because there are so many manufacturers of AR-15s and AFAIK only one manufacturer of the AR-180).


If they could get the price down to the $400 range for a NIB AR-180 then I think they would be worth buying, but since they cost almost as much as an AR-15 and you can do so much more with the AR-15, I fail to see the point.


If I was looking for a value priced .225/5.56mm I'd go for the SU-16 instead.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Mine was very finicky as to which magazines it liked. Even mags which performed perfectly in my Colt AR-15A3 gave me stoppages in the AR-180B. I wound up trading if off.

 

[Dr.Rob]

The AR-180 will be around in 500 years. (That's my Serenity joke for the week.)

 

[MuzzleBlast]

You can actually obtain an AR15. When was the last time you saw an AR180b in a gun shop?

 

[modifiedbrowning]

I have both and while I prefer the Ar-15, I would not be disappointed if all I had was the AR-180B. It is a fun little rifle.
Here's a good link to some aftermarket stuff for the 180.
www.stormwerkz.com.
Also, Midwest industries has just come out with a railed handguard for the AR-180B. You can check it out at Ar15.com in the Ar10&Ar180 section.

 

[Texfire]

You can actually obtain an AR15. When was the last time you saw an AR180b in a gun shop?

Actually that was what started this question. There is one hanging up in my local shop right now. It's priced just under $600. I like the way it points for me and the weight. I'm just concerned about giving up the modularity of the AR.

Tex

 

[ny32182]

There was one in a shop around here not long ago also.

Nothing particularly wrong with it... it just felt kind of cheap to me. I'll stick with my LMT M4gery.

 

[rbernie]

The AR platform is kinda like the ultimate Lego set - there's almost nothing you can't replace, fix, change, mod, alter, or add.

Can't do that with the AR-180.

 

[idakfan]

There has been some reviews in this rifle on FalFiles within the last few months.

I'd pass.