Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles AR-180

Anyone of you have experience with AR-180s, especially Brownell's BRN-180 uppers?
Thanks in advance, Dave.

For a range toy they look fun. Look cool, neat heritage, etc etc

A couple YouTube influencers highlight the shortcomings.

Here’s a good look at themhttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uX3cvVl35tc&pp=ygUHQnJuIDE4Ig%3D%3D

A guy we shoot with has one and I haven’t heard anything weird happen. And the ability for run a folder is nice as a truck gun. Less gas in the face suppressed. Well sort of.


That said it’s pretty expensive and you can build/buy a workhorse AR at the moment for what that upper runs. And that’s the crux for me.. I think the bigger niche is the 300 blackout side of things personally. Where you get a short short package folded, and the lack of inherent accuracy isn’t a big deal,

And it’s a Pws product. That’s a major turn off.

Not first hand experience like you asked, so take those musing for what you want.

Been looking at them myself, along with the Adams Arms uppers. No downside I see to the current versions, which have been tweaked to correct earlier problems. I’m leaning towards the BRN because it can use a folding stock, and the bolt seems simpler and more robust than the Adams. Only minor “disadvantage” is that heat can build up during extended firing near the gas block, but that seems preferable to me to dumping it into the action. Both models have adjustable gas blocks for those who want to use a can.

The BRN is also available in .350, which is interesting to me.

I have been using an Armalite AR180B for many years. This model uses an AR15 fire control set. Mine has a LaRue Tactical. I had my gunsmith cut off most of that ugly 'wart' on the muzzle, and install a regular AR muzzle brake. It takes AR magazines.
It has proved very reliable, as accurate as your standard type AR, and has good ergonomics. It has a gas operated, piston action.

Where the AR-18/BRN-180 shines is when shooting suppressed. Then again, any piston system is more pleasant to shoot suppressed over a gas gun.

I agree with the above, if I was going that direction a suppressed .300, .350, or 7.62 would be more appealing than another .223.

@Mannlicher, nice rifle!

I used to own the Armalite AR-180b and sold it b/c I needed cash. I have regretted it ever since, even though it was a "ban" production and had the integral brake. I have since purchased a Brownells BRN-180 in 16" 5.56, and it is very nice. Not quite as light as the Armalite, but still very lightweight and pleasant to shoot. I long for it to be more "retro" though. The AR lower doesn't look sexy like the original!

I have the same gun but it is still original. I bought it from a friend who was selling off many of his firearms to make sure his wife and child were in good financial shape before he passed. He had terminal cancer. Never bitched about it or said woes me. I wish I had been friends with him longer. You are missed Bill S.