Recent experience with AR-180B?

[Dave Markowitz]

I am considering picking up another EBR in case the AWB doesn't go away as I think it will, or in case a replacement is tacked onto something like PATRIOT II. (A scary thought, but you can never be too paranoid, right? RIGHT?) In particular, I am seriously considering an AR-180B.

The purpose of the rifle will be range use and of course SHTF, and just to P.O. the antis. I currently have a Mini-14 which is very reliable, and I do have 9 PMI mags for it.. I also have a Saiga converted to look like an AK-103, in 7.62x39, and with beaucoup mags. I have owned a Bushmaster Dissipator in the past.

I shot an AR-180B belonging to a friend and really liked the feel. It's the right weight for a 5.56mm rifle and I like that the barrel is ~20". I'm not worried about the lack of accessories available for it compared with those available for AR-15s, since I don't plan on hanging all sorts of gewgaws off it.

I'd like to hear from folks who've had one for awhile and run a good number of rounds through it. How is your rifle holding up? How is the reliability? How was ArmaLite's customer service, if you needed it?

Thanks.

 

[LeadPumper]

How is your rifle holding up? How is the reliability? How was ArmaLite's customer service, if you needed it?

Ok, since you asked...

Being the owner of an AR-180B, I'd like to tell you how my rifles holding up. But I've never been able to put more than a box of ammo through it.

I bought the first AR-180B I saw in the state. The only one I've seen since either, come to think of it. Paid around $700 for it at a show here in Maryland early last year.

So far it's been to the range only a couple of times. First time it shot three feet to the right at 50 yards, making me max out the windage to get it on paper. 6-8" groups no matter the ammo, though it did seem to like the heavier stuff better.

Second time I had the front sight aligned with barrel (was slanted first time out), and shot just left of center at 50 yards. Smaller groups, but this time it wouldn't cycle the bolt. I had to manually cock the thing after each shot.

Turns out the front post gas hole thingy wasn't aligned properly with the barrel gas port thingy so not enough gas was getting to the tappet-piston thingy to unlock the bolt.

<sigh>

So back to Armalight it went, round about the third week of March. Only contact I've had with Armalite has been through Email, they won't answer my questions over the phone as they can't confirm my 'ownership' (I had a local shop ship it back to Armalite)

I did get an email from the repair department on April 28th saying they were fixing it and it should be shiped out by the end of the week.

That was three weeks ago.

I like the rifle, it's light and handy. Hardly recoils at all, and runs cleaner than a standard AR. (OK, that may not really be true, the crud's just in a different place.)

Now I just hope to get it back someday...

-LeadPumper

 

[Dionysusigma]

Only in my dreams...

If I were to ever get something in .223 or 5.56 it'd be an AR-180B or Kel-Tec's new version of the SU-16. Goodness knows the mags and ammo are really easy to find.

 

[SRYnidan]

I don't own a 180B yet but I have a close friend who lets me shoot his. He has had absoulutly no problems with it and has had it better than a year. I wish that my sterling 180 had as nice a trigger. The rig is light handy and relatively inexpensive. I like them alot no would everyone send a letter to Armalite and tell them to get off the dime and make a universal scope mount with the quick detach base and a weaver reail on top.

 

[Mannlicher]

As often happens, my experience with my AR180B is, dare I say, 180 degrees out from Leadpumper.
I shoot mine several times a month, and other than a little trouble early on with a dirty chamber (from shooting a LOT of Malasian milsurp), I have not had a hiccup.

I get good 'combat' accuracy, equal to any of my AR15 rifles (Except my Preban HBAR). I use Orelite, USGI, and a few aftermarket mags, that all feed with no problems.

I would not feel ill equipped in any situation with this rifle.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

I have probably over a 1,000 rnds thru my Ar-180B and the only malfs I have had have been mag related( my 180 does not like my Orlite mag). The only other complaint I have is that my front sight post is too short, I have it cranked all the way up and the gun still shoots high. Easy enough fix if I ever actually get around to getting a new post.

 

[cheygriz]

Quite a few years back, I had a side folding stock AR-180 made by Sterling of England. it was a fine rifle, well made and gave me complete reliability, and was "combat accurate."

I wish I had it back! I like my AR-15 better, but I still loved the AR-180. We all come to a point in life, however, where we have to make a choice between guns, or washers, driers, baby beds doctor's bills etc. I know I made the right choices, of copurse, but I'd still like to have the old Sterling AR-180 back!

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Thanks guys. I did do some searching through the archives before my OP but wanted to see if anyone had any more recent updates. Overall, it looks like the experiences are more positive than negative, so I will probably wind up getting one.

Now, I just need to find one.

 

[LeadPumper]

Doh!

As luck would have it, I stopped by the range today for some much needed 'me' time. Lo and Behold, there was a box from Armalite sitting brhind the counter with my name on it.

My wayward rifle had returned at last!

Fixed free of charge by Armalite (gotta like that!) Only problem was no repair ticket indicating what they fixed...

Oh, well. Guess I'll go clean it and see what they did.

Now then, when's that next MD shoot???

-LeadPumper

 

[Dave Markowitz]

LP,

Hope your rifle works good now. As for me, my own AR-180B is going to have to wait. I ran across a Marlin Camp Carbine in .45 ACP today at a price too good to pass up.

 

[jacketch]

Dave, Glad to hear that you found a good deal on the Camp Carbine. Let us know how it shoots.

I have an AR180b and am extremely happy with it but would also consider a .45 Camp Carbine if I could get one for a good price.