I’ve had several readers contact me about the new Forgotten Weapons video about the AR-180. It is very good and I recommend everyone check it out.
Original Sterling AR180S!
I was contacted by a reader about doing a shorty conversion on his AR180B and he mentioned that he was in possession of an Original Sterling AR180S. Unfortunately the upper was in pieces. Turns out he had given the Sterling and the AR180B to another gunsmith to do the conversion on the B. Some time later, after finding out the conversion had not been started, he took back his stuff and wasn’t sure how to put it back together.
It also happens that since the 80’s this Sterling has been living less than 5 miles from my house! What are the odds?
So he brought all the stuff over and we put it back together for him. I also got a good look at some of the unique features of this awesome SBR.
The hardest part of the conversion process for me was always the front hand guard retainer. Nice to get a look at an original up close.
Original proof marks, in case anyone had any doubts.
The hand guards have to be hand fit to the retainer.
The thing that absolutely blew me away was the hand guards. Unique perforated heat shields and something else I have never seen before, extra vents cut into the lower hand guards. If you have ever shot a shorty AR180 then you know how hot the hand guards get. What an elegant solution Sterling came up with.
By the way we have seen this gun before on this very blog. I just didn’t know who owned it. Turns out these were from a long ago add on gunbroker when the current owner was flirting with the idea of selling it.
Now I just need to talk him into selling it to me!
Firearms News Article
My very first article as an author is coming out in Firearms News.
Look for it on newsstands November 19th or better yet subscribe!
Fusion Lowers are Almost Here!
The Fusion lowers are getting close.
These will be the 80% version that will be available through my website. When they arrive I will be testing different jigs to get an idea which ones will work. I can say with confidence that those versions that surround the entire lower and are designed for forged lower will not work without mods.
The magwell area will interfere. Those jigs that attach to the rear of the lower should work.
As well as those popular router jigs.
For those that are looking for a 100% solution I am proud to announce that Nodak Spud has licensed my design and will be producing what they call the NDS-1815. This is the first prototype and the first run should be fully machined and off to anodizing by the end of October. I’m very excited to see this come to fruition.
It’s been a long road bringing these to market but I’m sure you will be as happy with these as I am.
The BRN-180S is On it’s Way!
I got a pre production version a few days early. I wanted to see how it would fit on my prototype lower.
What do y’all think?
It’s even lighter and more compact that my AR-180S SBR!
The BRN-180S upper is shown with my lower, pistol grip and flash hider. An SB Tactical folding adapter and DoubleStar Strongarm brace and tube. High quality parts to say the least.
I hope to have some 80% lowers ready for you guys soon. Keep an eye out for an announcement right here.