Celebrating the Armalite AR-180
I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that I am reposting my original blog posts over to Twitter/X.com.
I’ve been having some issues with other social media platforms shadow banning me so I’m doing this to hopefully build my audience over there.
First post is live.
Jump over there for a trip down memory lane or see my older content for the first time.
Please follow, like and share my stuff over there. I can’t do this without your support.
Thanks again.
Rick
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Just a quick note to my subscribers.
Updated charging handles for the BRN-180 series of uppers are now in stock and shipping. https://ar180parts.com/product/brn-180-charging-handle/
They have been made slightly longer to ensure no clearance issues with the dust cover as well as the addition of an o-ring to limit unwanted rattling.
There is also a sale going on for the rest of the month of July. Cone flash hiders are $10 off. No coupon needed. https://ar180parts.com/product/ar180s-cone-flash-hider/
Thanks for supporting the site with your purchases. It keeps this information available for all the fans of the AR180 platforms.
I’ve received some emails lately about roll pin availability for the original AR-180’s. I decided to take a deep dive into the subject and I am happy to report that we should be able to source our roll pins by using or modifying AR15 roll pins.
Lets start with the largest roll pin on the AR180, the magazine catch pivot. It is .094″ in diameter and .562″ long. You should be able to make use of an AR15 trigger guard roll pin. It is .093x.625. Most of them are super tight in a trigger guard so I don’t see any reason they wouldn’t work. They would just need to be cut down.
Next we have the ejector retaining pin. It is exactly the same as what is used in an AR15 bolt. They both measure .062x.437. By the way, all the ejector and extractor parts from an AR15 bolt can be used in your AR180 bolt.
Two of the same pins are used in the bolt catch and the bulkhead plungers for the butt stock. They measure .062x.312. The closest thing from an AR15 is an A2 windage knob roll pin. It measures .062x.375. Take a little off the top and you will be good to go.
Finally the guide rod retaining plunger and the dust cover use a .062x.250 roll pin. The exact roll pin is used in A1 rear sight drums.
These roll pins can also be ordered in the exact size needed but often you are buying them in bulk to get one or two. Repurposing AR15 roll pins might be a better way to go for some folks.
I’ve considered doing just that. Ordering all the sizes needed for the AR180 and selling them as a kit. Let me know in the comments below, would you buy one?
As of January 1, 2023 all Costa Mesa AR180’s are C&R eligible!
AR180 production in Costa Mesa CA took place from 1969 to 1972 but since production records no longer exist it was impossible to exactly date a particular gun by serial number. That is no longer the case as all of the 4018 rifles produced fall under the Curio & Relic classification.
How do we know? Lets go directly to the source, https://www.atf.gov/firearms/curios-relics
A regulation implementing federal firearms laws, 27 CFR ยง 478.11, defines curio or relic (C&R) firearms as those which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons.
To be recognized as C&R items, firearms must fall within one of the following categories:
Personally I think all of the original production AR180’s (Howa & Sterling) should be considered C&R, but I don’t make the rules. For those that don’t know all AR18’s are considered C&R. There is a separate list that you can download at the link above that lists them. The AR18’s were not yet 50 years old when they made it on the list. I’m not sure why they left out the 180’s.
Why does this matter? If you get yourself a C&R FFL license for $30 you can have a C&R weapon shipped right to your door.
My postal carrier delivered my AR18 right to my hot little hands. It was an awesome experience. Now we can trade our 180’s the same way!
Playing with some ideas I have had floating around in my head as well as trying out some a new filament color, Army Green.
For those not familiar, the AR-16 was a prototype designed by Eugene Stoner when he still worked at ArmaLite. The furniture was wood but I always liked the shape of the hand guard. The part that stands out for me is the hand stop and the metal heat shield that sticks out the front.
I decided to give it a go and designed a couple prototypes.
So far I am very pleased with the outcome. The goal will be to creat one hand guard that works for both the long and short versions of the BRN-180. The green might not be your cup of tea but it photographs well. It will certainly be available in basic black.
What do you all think? Leave me your comments below and no this isn’t an April fools joke. I actually posted an article!