Celebrating the Armalite AR-180
A reader sent me some pictures this weekend and we were unable to identify the maker of this bolt. It has many similar attributes to the AR-180 bolt but the dimensions are not the same.
The overall length is 2.75″ and the “tail” is 1.0″ long.
The bearing surfaces look to be in the same place as on the AR-180 bolt, but the tail is too long.
A 5.56 cartridge fits perfectly.
Please comment with your thoughts on this and lets see if we can’t help him figure out what this bolt fits.
Big shout out to Chuck over at GunLab.net who has started work on AR-180B parts. First up is the safety and he has worked out an awesome two piece design.
First some pics from Solidworks.
Here is a video of the safety lever being made.
And a couple pics of the actual part.
Yep, there will be a few available.
The plan is to offer a set of parts that will supplement your AR-15 lower parts kit and allow you to fully populate a Nodak NDS-18S. Previously the only way to do that was to buy a complete AR-180B Rifle and strip out the lower parts. This will allow you to buy a lower, AR-15 lower parts kit, and this lower kit and get a working lower for your AR-180B, AR-180, or Vulcan V18 upper.
Things have been busy around here and I think it will only get busier. Just the way I like it.
My new job has me out of town during the week but I love to travel and weekends with the family can’t be beat.
Next stop the San Francisco bay area then on to Oklahoma City and Amarillo TX.
The parts lot that I purchased is leading to a potential new project. (Don’t they always)
Thinking about building an AR-180B in .458 SOCOM. Why not, right.
I’m thinking a disapator with carbine length gas and full length handguards in a 16″ barrel.
Mods may have to be done to one of the guide rods and ejection port as the clearance may not be enough to clear the larger case.
Tony Rumore turned down a case head to fit the bolt and snapped this pic to show how little clearance there is.
I have a stripped Bravo upper and bolt carrier group, front sight bases and all the piston parts. Everything to build an upper but the barrel but how boreing would it be to build a stock one. First thought was .300 Blackout but then it struck me. Go Big or go home.
Maybe I can fit the 180C gas block under the hand guards and use a stripped 180B front sight base at the end of the barrel.
I’m going to be moving ahead with this project as funds and time allow. (As I get back to work I gain more of one and less of the other)
By the way I still have a few complete bolt carrier groups available for sale from the parts lot. Pick one up for your next project or as a spare. I don’t have to tell you how hard the bolts are getting to find.
Made up a new flash hider from an original print that I was given access to. (Sorry it’s not anything I can share or publish at this time)
You can see how it differs from the one that I reverse engineered from a picture. I do believe, however that the one I used as an example was not built to the same specs as the one that later made it into production
.
The new to me AAA SAP is begging to be made into an SBR and I am trying to find an original stock.
The rear of the reciever was cut off when it was made as a pistol so some type of adapter would have to be made.
I am also considering the left over Vulcan V18 stock as shown in the teaser pics from my last post.
I still have to get it to the range to test fire it before I even consider sending off for a stamp on this one.
As always I am watching my local craigslist to see if I can find a bigger lathe and possibly a small milling machine.
I am also looking for someone with a Leader T2 MkV that is in southern AZ so I can take some side by side pics and show the differences that were made when AAA took over production.
Thanks for the feedback on the new mail system. It seems to have worked other that the fact that I sent out basically a blank message.
I hope the email you get for this one will be much improved.
Many weapons can trace their lineage back to the AR-180. Some of this is somewhat convoluted and hard to follow. Such is not the case with the Australian Automatic Arms series of guns.
The story starts with Charles St. George and Leader Dynamics. In the late 70’s St. George along with his partners, started Leader Dynamics and manufactured among others, the T2 MkV.
This gun bears a striking resemblance to the AR-180 both inside and out. Charles St. George even says he was largely influenced by the AR-180 in this interview from Ian at Forgotten Weapons.
The company was dissolved and the rights to to produce these guns was sold to Australian Automatic Arms in Tasmania. Some minor modifications were made and production commenced.
Unfortunately, the timing could not have been worse as the Assault Weapons Ban stopped importation in 1993. It has been reported that the Australian government shut down and closed the plant shortly after that.
Only about 700 of these particular SAP pistols were ever let into the country.
This pistol in particular happened to call out from me from a table at my local gun show a few weeks back. She came home with me.
One improvement I particularly like it that the self contained bolt carrier/guide rod assembly. I makes field striping that much easier and you can’t loose any springs!
One interesting thing about this design that is not readily apparent, the gas system is offset to the right to make room for the charging handle. You can clearly see this in the picture of the bolt carrier group.
I will be bringing you more information on this gun and how it compares to our beloved AR-180 soon. For now,enjoy the pics.
These come from a self professed AR-180 Fanatic, John.
With 14 rifles I would say his diagnosis might be accurate, at the very least, he has a severe case of RBRD.
That’s Retro Black Rifle Disease for those who are unfamiliar with the acronym. A disease that I too, suffer from.
Here is just a sampling of some of his collection from the last time he pulled them out of the safe.
I especially like his early Howa. I hope to have one of those myself someday.
He likes to shoot his ,which is what they were made for, and reports great success with steel case ammo.
He also has a surplus of parts, accessories, and guns for sale so send me a message via the contact form if you are looking for anything and I will put you in contact with him.
Thanks again for all the e-mails and suggestions. Keep them coming and don’t forget to subscribe and comment.