The Armalite AR-180
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over the iconic AR-180 rifle today. This rifle and the original select fire variant are noteworthy firearms that have influenced subsequent designs and are renowned among collectors. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of the AR-180 while delving into some of the rifle’s traits, features, and more.
What is an AR-180?
The AR-180 is a semi-automatic variant of the Armalite AR-18 rifle. The original AR-18 was designed by Arthur Miller (not the famous playwright) and Eugene Stoner in 1963. The rifle underwent evaluation in 1964 at Aberdeen Proving Ground but was ultimately not selected by the United States military due to reliability and function issues with the trial models. The rifle is chambered in the popular
5.56x45mm NATO round and features an 18.25” barrel and folding stock. The rifle features a prominent charging handle on the right side of the rifle, allowing it to be charged similarly to an M1 Carbine or an AK type rifle.
Production of the semi-automatic AR-180 rifles began in 1969 at Armalite’s facility in Costa Mesa, California. The rifle uses detachable box magazines similar to those used by AR-15 style rifles, though they are not interchangeable. Some gunsmiths have made STANAG type magazines fit AR-18/AR-180 rifles, but one must use appropriate followers to not put excess strain on the bolt lock mechanism. The detachable magazines are available in 10, 20, 30, and 40 round capacities. Simply put, the AR-180 is a commercial offering of an iconic and influential
5.56x45mm NATO rifle which is a renowned among shooters and collectors.
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Did The AR-18 See Any Military Use?
The AR-18 was never adopted by a major military power, but it did find its way into use by paramilitaries and armies throughout the globe. The rifle was notably used by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during The Troubles. The popularity and prevalence of the rifle among the IRA and their supporters led to it becoming a symbol of their movement and spawned songs such as “Little Armalite.” Besides its use by paramilitaries, security forces in countries such as Haiti, Malaysia, and Botswana have utilized the Armalite AR-18.
Who Made AR-180s?
In addition to Armalite, the AR-180 (and AR-18) were produced by other companies under license from Armalite. The Sterling Armaments Company, often simply called Sterling, is one of the notable AR-180 manufacturers. The English company was known for producing the L2A1 and L2A3 submachine guns in addition to other types of small arms. The Japanese company, Howa, also notably produced AR-180 rifles.
AR-180 Construction
While the AR-15 and its subsequent variants feature forged and/or billet aluminum receivers, the AR-18 utilizes stamped steel in its construction. This practice makes the rifle’s receivers similar to those found on most MP5 and AK style firearms. The stock and handguard are constructed from fiberglass, similar to early synthetic designs of the time. The handguard is also complimented by the presence of an inner metal heat shield which protects the material and shooter from a hot barrel.
Unique Scope Mounting Solution
The AR-180 features a unique scope mounting process. The receivers feature a dovetail that is spot welded in front of the rear sight. This mount facilitates quick donning and doffing of compatible scopes, such as the 3x scope produced by Armalite. This type of mounting system was a departure from traditional methods utilizing scopes and separate mounts. While traditional scopes needed separate rings to be mounted, the Armalite scope features an integral base which interfaces with the mount on the receiver.
Piston Operation
As opposed to the direct impingement style gas operation system used by the AR-15, the AR-180 utilizes a short-stroke gas piston. While direct impingement designs feature a gas tube which direction gasses back into the action to cycle the bolt, piston designs utilize a physical piston rod. This piston interacts with the bolt and recoil assembly of the rifle, aiding in producing a reliable firing cycle. The piston operating system also features four venting holes which allow for the proper amount of gas to be introduced into the system to facilitate optimal operation.
Folding Stock and Internal Recoil Assembly
The internal recoil assembly system of the rifle allows for it to be fired while folded. An AR-15 cannot be fired with a folding stock due to the fact that the recoil assembly is generally in the buffer tube of the rifle. Since the recoil assembly is located within the receiver of an AR-180, the rifle can be reliably and effectively fired with the stock folded. In addition to allowing the rifle to be fired while folded, the folding stock also allows for an end user to make the rifle more compact and easily stowed.
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An Influential Design
Many of the popular piston driven designs which have been introduced following the AR-18/AR-180 have taken design cues from the rifle. Iconic
5.56x45mm NATO chambered designs such as the Steyr AUG, FN SCAR, CZ Bren, and BRN-180 are among the examples of arms which have AR-18/AR-180 DNA in their operation. Some designs have expanded upon the design and have provided adjustable gas settings to allow for the efficient use of suppressors and cycling of different types of ammunition. Simply put, the rifle paved the way for many popular firearms which are in common use today.
Why Are AR-180s Expensive?
AR-180 rifles are increasing in price due to the fact that they have not been manufactured in decades. As with all historic and vintage types of firearms, the supply of these firearms has dwindled over time. Just to talk rough production numbers, Armalite produced 4,018 rifles, Howa produced 3,972 rifles, and Sterling produced 12,362 rifles. Production of the rifles took place from 1969 to 1985, meaning that the last AR-180 was produced about 39 years ago. As supply dries up and less examples are available, one will find that prices will increase. If you are interested in a rifle like an AR-180, you can keep an eye on places like GunBroker and local consignment racks. Simply put, these types of rifles are expensive due to their rarity and the principles of supply and demand.
Conclusion
All in all, the AR-180 rifle is an iconic firearm among collectors and shooters. The rifle is an iconic piece of firearms history which has influenced subsequent designs and boasts a legacy of its own. Whether you are looking for a
5.56x45mm NATO loading for an AR-180 or something else, we here at True Shot Academy have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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