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I am Thinking about buying a AR-180

gap1916
Ok - It is Christmas time coming up. I am thinking about buying an original AR-180 for plinking and all around fun. Tell me why I should or should not do this. Thanks for all the input. Merry Christmas to all. [8D]

vicg1 I am talking about the original AR180 NOT the AR-180B.

p3skyking: How much to convert Orlite mags?

Greg
Former
USMC
ANGLICO
0

Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • vicg1
    AR180 or AR180b??? The "b" is the new one... to that I say NO!!!!!

    Junk Junk Junk Junk IMO

    vipersig.jpg
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  • rufe-snow
    Owned a original Costa Mesa AR 180 for almost 20 years.

    Although it functioned well, it wasn't as accurate as the Colt AR 15's I had also owned.

    It's Achellies Heel was the hinge on the folding stock! It made the 180/18 way to fragile to be usable as a military rifle. It was just marginal as a range/desert blaster. I was always carefull how I treated it.

    It always puzzled me greatly, what the idiots who designed the hinge were thinking. The 18/180 would have been more competitive with the AR's if it had a sturdier folding stock like the FAL.
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  • mag
    A Howa just sold on GB for $750. There is another on gun boards for $820 shipped. I was also thinking of one of these but have about decided not to get one. Replacement parts would be a big problem. I think these rifles are a lot like AKs in that they are not designed to last indefinitely. You would need to keep it properly lubed and clean to avoid rust or galling of the sliding surfaces.

    The weak stock pivot is not really a problem for non-military { i.e.gentle } usage.

    check out www.sterlingwebpages.com for more info.

    If you want one just get it and be [:p]

    If in GA I know where you can go handle 3.

    mag
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  • p3skyking
    I have an original Howa made rifle. I like it. It functions very well (has NEVER jammed), is accurate, and the folding stock is an asset for compactness.

    The Costa Mesa version is made almost as well as the Howa, but I understand the Sterling made ones suffer from quality control.

    My folding stock is quite tight and secure, but I have seen some that rattled a bit. A spot of silicone could remedy that.

    I consider the AR18 to be a little brother to my FAL, similar controls and mechanics. Wish it had a carry handle too. I also have an AR15, but I like the 18 better.

    ADDENDUM: Forgot to mention that it has a 1 in 12 twist I think. 55 grain bullets are bullets of choice. Slow twist is inherently unstable from what I gather and while accurate, devastates tissue target. 62 grain slugs are not really suited for any distance. About the only complaint I have is that Armalite should have used the same magazine as on the 15. I convert AR15 mags so I can use them in both the 15 and 18. Very simple.

    What men call a hero...is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.
    A man who is in love with learning is a man who is never without a bride, for there is always more. L'Amour
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  • Mr Gee
    if your gonna pay current prices $8-9-1000 bucks for it there many other firearms out there for that kind of money that are a lot better i owned a 180 sterling functioned perfect it had the military clip on-off scope as well sold it 8 years ago for 850 added 150 an bought a M1A NM Springfield
    more better goooodda

    confused....but learning
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  • p3skyking
    quote:Originally posted by gap1916

    p3skyking: How much to convert Orlite mags?



    I haven't any AR15 Orlite mags to convert, so my experience there is nil. I've only used metal mags. With the small retaining slot, it may not be fesable.

    What men call a hero...is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.
    A man who is in love with learning is a man who is never without a bride, for there is always more. L'Amour
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  • mark christian
    I've owned all three semi automatic variants as well as a AR-18 dealer sales sample machinegun from Costa Mesa. The Howa was the best followed closely by the Costa Mesa product, while the Sterling could not come close to the other two as far as quaity in concerned. I suggest that you carry the rifle with the stock folded as a rule of thumb because I also found the stock-hindge to be a weak point. Years ago virtually all commercial AR-15 type magazines were cut to work in either an AR-15 or an AR-180. Today this is not the case and locating magazines may well be a problem (although I have had no need for such magazines in over a decade).

    The rifles themseleves are very simple and were intended to be mass produced by countries with very limited production facilities as opposed to the AR-15 which is a more sophisiticated design and requires more advanced production techniques. The select fire version known as the AR-18 was tested by the US military numerous times during the 1960's and although found to have potential as a service rifle, there was no need for it due to our commitment to the AR-15/M16. The only military force I am aware of that ever adopted the AR-18 was Swaziland who purchased a few thousand examples from Sterling. Quite a few PD's purchased AR-18/180's during the 1970's due to the difficulty in obtaining M16 rifles from Colt (who held the production rights) and the higher costs of purchasing AR-15 semi autos when compared to the AR-180. This was all so long ago that I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of the story.

    Mark T. Christian
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  • celse
    I would not buy it for a shooter the hammers tend to brake and there are no replacement avalable. Armor Lite are starting to offer some parts but no hammers as of yet.
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