ArmaLite, Inc. AR-180B Rifle

ArmaLite, Inc. AR-180B Rifle Type:  Gas Operated Self Loading Rifle Chambering:  5.56x45mm Capacity:  5, 10, 20 and 30 round detachable box magazines Sights, front:  Elevation adjustable post Sights, rear:  Flip type aperture adjustable for windage Length: 38" Barrel length:  19.8" (18.25" rifled) Weight (unloaded):  6 lbs Suggested Retail Price:  $650

In contrast with the AR-15's (and that of it's 7.62mm NATO predecessor, the AR-10) direct impingement gas system and expensive alloy forgings, Stoner had designed a rifle known as the AR-16 in 1961.  The AR-16 was billed as a low cost alternative to the contemporary US service rifle, the M14.  Its upper and lower receivers were composed of steel stampings, and the internals were designed so that they could be readily turned on a lathe.  It featured a wooden buttstock that could be folded to the left, and a gas system that used a reciprocating piston to cycle the action.  While the design showed promise, with a fifteen inch barrel and a weight of less than nine pounds, only three were produced.

In 1963, after Eugene Stoner had left ArmaLite, an ArmaLite design team including Arthur Miller, Charles Dorchester and George Sullivan scaled down the AR-16 to the 5.56mm cartridge.  The resulting rifle, the AR-18 uses a gas piston system similar to that of the Soviet Tokarev rifles, where the gas is tapped off from a port in the barrel and directed to the rear through a tube fixed to the front sight, forcing a piston to the rear.  The bolt is a seven lugged type, similar to that used in the AR-15, and was rotated into and out of the locked position by a cam pin that moved within a cam slot in the bolt carrier.  The carrier reciprocated on two guide rods mounted along the top of the stamped upper receiver, and featured an integral charging handle which could be pressed forward to close the bolt.

The AR-18 was successfully tested by the US Army in 1964, but the commitment to the M16 frustrated potential military contracts.  In 1967 a production license was granted to the Howa Machinery Company of Nagoya, Japan.  This further frustrated potential US military contracts, as by treaty, Japan was prohibited from selling munitions to belligerent nations, and the US was involved in the Vietnam war at the time.  In 1974, ArmaLite and Sterling Engineering Company, Ltd. of Dagenham, England concluded a production agreement by which both the AR-18 and its semiautomatic variant, the AR-180 would be produced

As a result of continued ArmaLite effort, the Army was directed to re-evaluate the AR-18 during at the end of 1969. It was too late. By the end of 1969 the Army had already standardized the M-16, and the AR-18 was unable to displace it.  Further efforts focused on overseas and commercial domestic sales.  The AR-18 suffered similar results in the United Kingdom a well.  The Ministry of Defense first evaluated the AR-18 in March 1966.  It was found to be attractive in terms of its light weight and ease of manufacture.  It suffered, in the eyes of the British, from lack of gas adjustment and the lack of a buffer system. Automatic accuracy was considered somewhat inferior, and it was considered unsatisfactory in mud and “drag sand” conditions.  The rifle was modified with reinforcement of the hinge area of the lower receiver, addition of an ejection port cover and an improved muzzle brake/flash suppressor and re-tested in August of 1966. The strengthening was appreciated, but the sand and mud test results were largely unchanged, and the lack of a buffer continued to be criticized. A Howa version was evaluated by MOD in January 1969.  While it again failed the mud test, most criticism concerned minor physical characteristics that could be readily resolved.

In fairness to the AR-18, the MOD evaluations are somewhat suspect.  The Royal Small Arms Factory could hardly be considered objective evaluators.  The relationship between Sterling and RSAF was rocky at best, with RSAF benefiting from government preference . It's especially interesting to note that the RSAF’s later 5.56mm rifle, the SA-80, (later adopted as the L85) was essentially bullpup version of the AR-180.  Nonetheless, it was apparent that the AR-18 had not benefited from the intense field use, criticism, and rework that had been lavished on the AR-15. Major elements of its design have reappeared in several other rifles, but the AR-18 itself remains an unfinished work. The Irish Republican Army illegally acquired a number of Howa AR-180s in the early 1970s, and in 1973 the Japanese government halted all exports of AR-18 and AR-180 rifles. Howa produced 3,927 AR-180s between October 1970 and February 1974.

In mid-1968 ArmaLite set up pilot production in its Costa Mesa, California plant.  ArmaLite produced 1,171 AR-18s and 4,018 AR-180s at its Costa Mesa plant between July 1969 and June 1972. The Japanese government subsequently eased it restrictions and allowed the commercial, semi-automatic AR-180 to be exported to the U.S., and by the late 1970s U.S. production halted.  In order to concentrate full effort on the military sales program, ArmaLite elected to discontinue its other commercial firearm activities.  The Japanese restrictions on export of the AR-18 and AR 180 forced ArmaLite to move the production machinery to a new licensed producer.  In 1974 Sterling Armament Company of Dagenham, England, was licensed to produce ArmaLite’s rifles. It took 15 months to complete setup and begin production. ArmaLite imported the Sterling rifles into the U.S., and Sterling and ArmaLite both tried to market the rifles around the world. Sterling manufactured 12,362 AR-180s between the 1975 and 1983, when ArmaLite and Sterling were both sold. 10,946 AR-180s were exported to the United States.

The AR-18 was highly regarded, but didn't find the favor that it could have. Even as ArmaLite marketed the new small caliber rifle, FN and HK were selling more traditional 7.62mm rifles around the world. Colt was selling AR-15s. The AR-18 remained somewhat prone to breakage, and never enjoyed the success ArmaLite expected. The AR-18, however, has proven to be another seminal weapon from ArmaLite.  A number of later rifles, including the problem-plagued L85 (UK), the more reputable SA-80 (Singapore) and the new G-35    (Germany) were derived from the AR-18.

With the floundering of the AR-18, ArmaLite’s owners elected to sell the company. In 1983 ArmaLite was sold to Elisco Tool Manufacturing Company, of the Philippines.   The short-lived third phase of ArmaLite’s history began with Elisco Tool Manufacturing’s 1983 purchase of ArmaLite. The new ArmaLite operation was headed by an Englishman hired to serve as interim president, Bruce Swain. John Ugarte later replaced Swain.  ArmaLite continued to market existing rifles and parts manufactured by Sterling.  Elisco Tool had successfully produced the M16A1 for the Philippine armed forces and police.  Difficulties with Colt over M16 licensing prompted Elisco to seek another 5.56mm rifle, and the AR-18 was the only real contender.  Inventory, tooling, and machinery were dispatched from
Sterling’s plant to the Philippines. The process fell apart not in the U.S. market, but due to political events in the Philippines themselves. (The overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos.)  The political and economic links of the government were dramatically shifted, and Elisco was unable to carry out the AR-18 production. The U.S. arm of the operation was closed in 1987.

In early 1995, the owner of Eagle Arms, Inc., Mark Westrom, purchased the rights and remaining assets of ArmaLite, and the production of ArmaLite rifles resumed in Illinois. The corporation was reorganized as ArmaLite, with Eagle Arms converted to a division of ArmaLite. First shipments of new ArmaLite rifles began in 1995.  From the beginning, one of the questions most frequently asked of ArmaLite and Mr. Westrom was whether plans would be made to re-introduce the AR-180, and based on this, plans were made in 1996 to bring a new AR-180 to market.  Development of the new AR-180 began in mid-1999, and ArmaLite made good use of development, engineering and quality assurance staffs with years of self loading rifle design and production experience.

THE AR-180B

Detailed Description.
The rifle that ArmaLite's efforts eventually produced, dubbed the AR-180B, can best be described as a "modernized" AR-180.  The company's stated goal was to take the best features of the early AR-180 and combine those with the best of applicable AR-15 technology, resulting in what was essentially an AR-180, but one that was much more supportable and maintainable than the early guns.  To this end, an entirely new lower receiver was designed and fabricated from a lightweight and highly durable and heat resistant polymer.  Instead of the early AR-180 stamped and welded fire control components, which proved to be prone to breakage.  The new receivers obviate this problem by using standard (read that "readily replaceable") AR-15 fire control components, including the hammer, trigger, sear and safety.  An additional benefit of the polymer lower is that it allows the use of standard AR-15/M16 magazines; original AR-180 magazines are not only hard to come by, but their locking slots are configured differently from M16 magazines.  All AR-180B assembly is conducted in house, but the major components are manufactured by subcontractors under careful supervision from ArmaLite personnel.

The upper receiver remains true to the original AR-180 pattern.  It's primary component is a squared off tube made of cut, folded and welded sheet metal.  The forward end of the tube is terminated with a threaded "trunion" into which the barrel is screwed.  This trunion is held in place by eight plug welds (two on each side).  The AR-180B uppers will fit onto an original Costa Mesa, Howa, or Sterling lower, but require a slight modification to the guide rod assembly as the rear sight is narrower.  The net result is that the owner of an original AR-180 with a damaged or worn upper receiver now has an alternative that allows for resurrection of the piece.  The upper receiver also mounts both the rear sight and the permanently attached scope
mounting point.  The rear sight aperture is an L-shaped flip type identical to that used on M16 and M16A1 rifles.  One aperture is set for ranges from 0 - 200m, while the other is for 201 - 460m (the rifle's maximum effective range according to ArmaLite).  The aperture is mounted in between protective sheet metal ears,

AR-180B rear sight assembly.  Note two position L shaped aperture with long range aperture up for use. Also note AR-15A2 style windage adjustment knob

AR-180B scope mounting plate.  Plate is plug welded to receiver top and edges are dovetailed.

The 1:9" twist barrel is an unlined lightweight unit made of 4140 chrome-moly steel.  The lack of a chrome lining duplicates the specifications of the original AR-180 and is not nearly the critical flaw it is described to be by AR-15 purists.  While a chrome lining makes for easier cleaning to an extent, and provides resistance to the erosive effects of full automatic fire, it also makes for a rifle that, all other things being equal, will be less accurate than one with an unlined barrel.  ArmaLite has conducted extensive testing and reports no failures stemming from unlined barrels or chambers, even when using eastern European or Russian ammunition having lacquered steel cases.  AR-180B chambers are of a hybrid type, with headspace being set to SAAMI specifications (Minimum 1.4636", Maximum 1.4736"), but using a slightly longer throat to accommodate NATO and military cartridges.  Another interesting feature of the barrel is the integrally machined muzzle brake.  The barrel is approximately 19.8" long.  Of this length, the rifled portion (including for the sake of this definition the chamber area) is 18.25".  The remaining 1.55" is counterbored to a

AR-180B integral muzzle brake

diameter of approximately 6mm, and has two rows of three ports arranged in line with the axis of the bore.  One row is at approximately one o'clock, the other at eleven o'clock.  The counterbored portion not only serves as a gas expansion chamber for the brake, but also protects the rifling from undue cleaning wear when the barrel is cleaned from the muzzle end.  ArmaLite advertises the standard AR-180B barrel as being capable of 2 MOA accuracy, the same as early AR-180s.

The rear of the front sight is threaded to accept the fixed gas piston, which can be removed for cleaning.  Fitting over the gas tube is the relatively short operating cylinder, which is linked to the operating rod by a connecting link.  This connecting link is intended as an aid to disassembly and reassembly only.  When a round is fired, some of the high pressure propellant gas is vented through the gas port in the barrel.  It then travels through the gas block into the gas piston and expands in the gas cylinder forcing it sharply rearward.  This in turn moves the connecting link and operating rod to the rear, where the operating rod impacts the bolt carrier, thrusting it sharply rearward.  The entire assembly is returned to position by the operating rod spring.

AR-180B operating group as seen from the top.  The front sight/gas block is to the far left.  To its right is the operating cylinder inside of which is the fixed gas piston.  To the right of the operating cylinder is the connecting link, which connects it to the operating rod.

The AR-180B is, with a few exceptions, finished with a durable and business like magnesium phosphate finish.  Parts subjected to high temperatures and pressures, such as the gas piston and cylinder are hard chromed.  Some other parts, notably those in the fire control assemblies, are finished using a salt bath nitrating process.  The intent is to provide a finish that emphasizes reliability and durability over aesthetics.  This is in keeping with ArmaLite's intent to provide an inexpensive, lightweight carbine ideally suited for the needs of both law enforcement and informal target shooters.  ArmaLite's plans for AR-180B accessories plans are accordingly low key:  Scope mounts will be available in early 2002, one with twin rings similar to the AR-15 style mounts, and another for mounting a red dot sight.  A flat top upper receiver with a Picatinny rail will be available in late 2002.

AR-180B receiver group.  Note color matching between sheet metal upper and polymer lower.  Also note row of spot welds in upper receiver that secures interior guide rails to receiver wall.

AR-180B broken at pivot point for disassembly.

AR-180B field stripping really is a snap.  Once the magazine is removed, and the rifle cleared, the rifle is cocked.  A cartridge tip or a punch is laid in the trough at the rear of the upper receiver and pressed toward the muzzle.  This disengages the rear of the guide rod assembly from its locking recess in the lower receiver.  The rifle can then be broken like a shotgun at the pivot pin located at the front of the lower receiver.  The guide rod assembly is pulled out to the rear.  The charging handle is grasped and pulled out and back.  When

The bolt group is disassembled much like that of an AR-15.  Once the firing pin retaining pin is removed, the firing pin and firing pin spring are free to drop out the rear of the assembly.  This in turn frees the cam pin so that it can be pulled out, which in turn frees the bolt to be pulled out to the front.

Once the guide rod assembly is removed, the upper handguard is free to be rotated up at the rear and off the rifle, exposing the operating rod assembly.  Pulling the operating rod to the rear with the muzzle down will permit removal of the connecting link, after which the piston and operating rod are readily removed.  If desired, the gas tube can be unscrewed and removed from the receiver.  No further disassembly should be required.

AR-180B bolt group, disassembled

AR-180B operating group, disassembled

PRODUCT REVIEW

External Inspection
The AR-180B was packaged in a blue and white ArmaLite box, which was fitted internally for the rifle.  The rifle was carefully packed in a full length heavy gauge plastic bag.  In a separate bag were enclosed an operator's guide, ten round magazine, sling, and an ArmaLite logo action lock.    Finish on the metal parts was a a uniformly and professionally applied black phosphating with no suggestion of streaking or discoloration.  The injection molded plastic parts were a matte black, with few if any signs of molding marks.  Markings included ArmaLite logos on the left side of the upper and lower receiver, model designation and caliber on the left side of the upper and lower receivers, manufacturer and serial number data on the left side of the lower receiver, and fire control position markings (safe/fire) on the lower receiver.  Maker and model designations are stamped on the pistol grip as well.  Interestingly, ArmaLite saw fit to stencil a 1950's style defense acceptance stamp to the underside of the lower receiver behind the pistol grip.  (This stamp is ArmaLite's factory verification marking for new rifles.)

One thing struck us immediately about the AR-180B.  As were the earlier AR-180's, this was one UGLY rifle.  But it's not as if ArmaLite tried to make it  pretty and failed.  Instead, form entirely follows function on the AR-180B, and there's not a line, a curve or a gesture incorporated into the rifle unless it enhances accuracy, reliability or ergonomics.  The message is clear - this gun isn't a work of art to be admired and fussed over - it's a tool meant to be used, and used a lot, with little regard for much but the effects on the target and mechanical reliability.

Upper to lower receiver fit was very positive with no play or rattling.  The reciprocating parts moved smoothly with no hint of undue lateral movement or binding, and fire controls operated smoothly.

Shooting the AR-180B
We were really chomping at the bit to see what the AR-180B would do on the range.  With range bag and rifle in tow, we headed off  to the NRA range in Fairfax, Virginia.  Not sure what to expect from the AR-180B, we brought along a Colt AR-15 (20" lightweight barrel, triangular handguards, flip sight, no forward assist) to act as a control.

Ammunition
We brought along several types of 5.56x45mm ammunition with which to test the AR-180B.  The selection included:

Winchester USA Q3131A (Israeli Military M193) 55 grain FMJBT
South African Military 55 grain FMJBT
US Military (Lake City) 55 grain M193

Accuracy
Targets were both 3" black centers and 1" orange dots set at the range's maximum of 50 yards.  Factory indexing for the AR-180B was slightly off, with groups impacting high and to the left of point of aim.  This was readily and rapidly corrected with minimal sight adjustment.  Five shot center to center group sizes ranged between 0.75" and 1.25".  Accuracy results are indicated below:
 

As can be seen, the AR-180B more than lived up to ArmaLite's stated goal of 2 MOA.  What's surprising (and impressive) is that the AR-180B performed markedly better than the AR-15.

Recoil and Ergonomics
Given that the 5.56mm cartridge doesn't produce much in the way of recoil to begin with, we fired the AR-15 as a benchmark.  In comparison, the AR-180B's recoil was perceptibly heavier and sharper when firing from the bench.  There was no perceived difference when firing offhand.  We attribute this to the difference in weight (the AR-180B is almost 1.5 lbs - 20% - lighter than the AR-15) coupled with the greater mass and velocity of the AR-180B's reciprocating parts.  Despite this, the recoil was in no way unpleasant or unmanageable.  The AR-180B's integral muzzle brake performed well, and there was much less shot to shot movement of the muzzle on the AR-180B than on the AR-15.  However, muzzle brakes come with a price, and the AR-180B produced much more muzzle blast and noise than the AR-15.

The AR-180's stock and pistol grip proved to be significantly more comfortable than that of the AR-15, despite the fact that the AR-15 was outfitted with the earlier (and more comfortable) A1 style furniture.   The AR-180B's furniture is based on the original ArmaLite drawings.  The rifle comes comfortably to the shoulder, and the eye aligns effortlessly with the sights, in a manner that is more natural than almost any rifle we've had the pleasure to shoot.  Indeed, the only self loading rifles that proved more comfortable to the CRUFFLER.COM staff were an M1 Garand and an FN-49 - hardly in the same class!

Fire control surfaces were easy and comfortable to reach with the firing hand, including the selector lever and the magazine release.  Magazines from all USGI contractors locked in perfectly and dropped free when the release was pressed (although ArmaLite notes that some USGI magazines may have to be removed by hand).  The selector lever had a decidedly less positive feel to it than that of the AR-15.  This is due to the fact that the detent spring (which doubles as the bolt hold open spring) is working on a larger surface than on the AR-15.  While it feels different, it is no less positive, and we had no experiences, despite our best efforts, of the safety slipping into or out of engagement inadvertently.  The trigger pull on the AR-180B was the only negative aspect of the rifle's feel, being of the same somewhat hard single stage type as found on military M16 series rifles.  However, we did notice that the trigger pull began to smooth out with use toward the end of our testing.  It is also worth noting in this regard that the AR-180B is offered with the option of a two stage National Match trigger installed at the factory.

Reliability
We fired approximately 1,000 rounds through the AR-180B, and used twenty different magazines, some of which were known to be suspect in terms of reliability.  Despite this, the gun fed, fired, extracted and ejected every round we put through it.  It never failed to lock back on the last round, and never failed to lock or release every magazine used.  This despite our best efforts to hold the rifle in unconventional ways so as to engender failures.  Reliability was 100%.

Conclusion
The AR-180B is a wonderful shock to the system for the firearms market, proving once again that sound application of engineering principle and the idea of form following function can produce a result that is gratifyingly effective and economical.  Quite an insult to the "if it isn't forged and machined it can't possibly be good" crowd!
 

There are two groups of people with respect to the AR-180B.  Those who should be grateful for its appearance on the market, and those who should be very, very afraid.  In the first group are law enforcement officers and agencies who've been looking for a durable, accurate, lightweight and reliable 5.56mm carbine with which to augment or replace their patrol shotguns, hobbyists looking an entry level self loading EBR (Evil Black Rifle), or anyone interested in getting a lot of "bang for the buck."  On the other hand, the AR-180B represents a significant threat to the traditional military style self loading rifle market.  Currently AK, AR, FAL, G3 and M14 copies, clones, and variants command retail prices that start at $800.00 and work their way upwards of $2,000.00.  With the advent of a reliable, accurate, and well made 5.56mm autoloader costing $650.00 or less, companies offering other military style self loaders may do well to reconsider their pricing policies.  We also think that the AR-180B poses a challenge to the law enforcement and security market that the manufacturers of commercial style autoloaders such as the Ruger Mini-14 and Mini-30 would do well to heed.

A view inside the AR-180B's upper receiver.  Note the stamped guide rails and the barrel screwed into the trunion.  The lateral holes in the upper part of the trunion serves to locate the guide rods, while the silver circle in the center is the rear end of the operating rod.

And now, our Buy-O-Meter rating for the ArmaLite AR-180B:
 
 

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