AR-18 – Page 6 – AR180S.COM

October 31, 2016

AR-180S Project

The AR-180S project is full steam ahead!

Some time back I purchased a Costa Mesa upper that was still in the white. It was a left over after the plant closed and had never been built. It has some cosmetic issues and I think this is why.

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The seller was nice enough to let me borrow an original AR-18S barrel and hand guard retainer. Our agreement specified I could not give out any dimensions. I was more than happy to comply.

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He also gave me an incomplete stamping that I worked over to match the original part.

The stamping was torn and on closer inspection I discovered that it was too thick and this explains why it tore when run through the stamping die.

I had an old C MP C barrel that had been converted for use in a 180 and the rifling near the muzzle was in bad shape. Cut that sucker down I say.

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Like all of my previous shorties the hand guard cap was the most troublesome. I worked on it today and closed up the gaps and welded them. Then started shaping and trimming and grinding.

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I next started drilling the holes.

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Then the most interesting part, forming the locating ring.

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Test fitting.

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Stamp should be back in the next four weeks I hope and I really want it up and running in time for the SAR West show.

So far I have not cannibalized any guns to make this. That may not last. At the very least I will need to borrow some parts from another gun.

Still to be done.

Drill and pin the front sight base.

Cut the bayonet lug off the front sight base.

Drill gas port.

Find the proper retaining clip for the rear sight assy.

Make an op rod.

Test fire on my 180B SBR lower or Costa Mesa lower if the stamp is back.

Grin from ear to ear.

July 16, 2016

ArmaLite AR-180 Scopes

As I have collected more AR-180 scopes I have been able to note certain features and changes that occurred over the production run.

I first wrote an article about the early scopes or first generation scopes back in 2014. First Generation Scope

Now that I have multiple scopes from each generation I felt I should expand on my earlier article.

Lets look at the group so far.

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Here they are shown from left to right in order of production date.

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The three on the right are first generation, inverted post reticle, marked in meters, serial numbers starting in 67.

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Scopes four and five are second generation, inverted post reticle, marked in yards, serial numbers starting in 71.

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The last two are third generation, cross-hair reticle, marked in yards, no serial number.

The first thing that jumped out at me was the ArmaLite and power engravings. They appear to become thicker in the later scopes and the change happened during the second run of scopes. Those made in 1971.

The first second gen scope is numbered 711201 and this scope has markings like the early, first gen scopes. The second scope is numbered 712116 and has markings like the late, third gen scopes. Somewhere between these two scopes the change happened.

If anyone has any scope numbered between these two I would like to know the serial number and style of marking. I think we can pin this down a little closer.

The shape of the downward leg of the 7 is different on the second generation scopes, independent of the thickness of the lettering. Early and late scopes have a curved leg on the 7. Second gen scopes have straight leg.

Sorry, my numismatic past still surfaces from time to time. Next thing you know, I will have my loop out looking for variations.

The markings for the bullet drop compensation knob are also different. Not just the meters vs. yards but the spacing and placement of the markings. The knobs are all on the “1 to 2” position.

Early

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Second gen

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Third gen

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Finally some notes about inspection stickers. I do not have any on my second gen scopes but there are different ones on the first and third gen scopes.

Early sticker is on top front of scope.

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Third gen is on the bottom front

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Still looking for the variation that has a “K” sticker on the windage adjuster cover. I’m not sure yet where that one falls into the mix.

July 7, 2016

The AR-180 Police Carbine

I’ve seen references to the AR-180 Police Carbine in the past but to date no pictures have surfaced.

Surfing the web this morning I stumbled across a Japanese web site that appears to show the lower for one such animal.

The lower for a AR-180 Police Carbine is shown along with a Costa Mesa AR-18 on the web site.

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It is speculated was that Sterling built 200 of these semi automatic Police Carbines. I believe they where short barreled rifle versions with the same dimensions as the full auto AR-18S. Unfortunately no upper is shown with these pictures. The serial numbers of the Police Carbine start with SS which is unique in the AR-18/AR-180 family.This particular gun is serial number SS 225 which would mean that at least 225 of them were built.

Lets hope pictures of a complete gun surface. We would also welcome the Sniper version with serial numbers starting with SW and the Pistol version with serial numbers starting with SP.

I love the hunt. If anyone has any pics or comments please contribute.

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December 9, 2015

SAR West: After Action Report

Plenty of AR-180 action at SAR West this year.

I saw 5 Sterlings and a Costa Mesa, all over priced and I’m sure the dealers took them back home.

I looked over an early Howa on Saturday morning but wasn’t prepared to spend that much money. (I had to sell something first)

Turns out good friend on the site Tommy snagged it along with a Hybrid scope, Colt scope with an Armalite base. He brought it by for me to look at and take some pics. Serial number S000045. The earliest one I have seen.

There are far too many of these hybrid scopes for them not to have come from the factory like this.

The furniture had been painted but Tommy reported back that a few hours with paint remover brought it back to it’s former glory.

I was able to pick up a stripped Costa Mesa lower and an AR-15 barrel that had been sort of converted to work on an AR-180. Another project in the making. It’s an early three digit receiver and a C MP C barrel that has had the shoulder turned back to line up the gas port. I think I might turn this one into a more accurate AR-18S Clone. Of course this project is not going anywhere till I get the internal parts. The search continues.

Oh and a new scope to add to the collection. A second gen, inverted post, marked in yards with serial number 712116. A pretty high number.

I was also given access to another Hard Times Armory full auto conversion from the guys at AZFirearms.com and I was able to open it up and take some pictures of the inner workings. There will be a full article on this one forth coming. Special thanks to those guys for allowing me the access.

I also picked up a very few flats from Chuck. Now the question is, how to bend them properly.

I also did a lot of horse trading and came home with a couple project revolvers. Before 180s I was a die hard Colt Double Action man. I guess I still am in many ways.

December 3, 2015

SAR West Gun Show

I just got back into town from Vegas about 12:30 this morning and I am preparing to head to Phoenix for the SAR West gun show. I have never attended this show and I hope to get the most out of it. I will be wandering around with my AR-180S Shorty and a backpack full of AR-180B Lower Parts Kits. I’ll be stopping by the NoDak booth to check out his retro stuff and I am hoping he has some NDS-18S lowers with him. (Ok, I’m hoping he has one in particular, the one I ordered some months back.) I’m also hoping to run into Bill, a great gunbroker seller who I have purchased some AR-180 parts from before.

Make sure you say “Hi” if you see me walk by.

The best part however is going to be staying with Chuck and Shirley and all the other guests at their house. I can’t wait to meet all the great folks.

Sleep has been a little lacking for me this week and I don’t see that trend changing anytime soon.