Posted: 12/6/2008 4:54:58 PM EDT
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The newer ones with the polymer lower.
I saw one at the GS today and was wondering about the quality of these. I've wanted one for a while but not sure of the quality or things I should look for. |
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I have no personal experience, but have been told to avoid them. I don't know the reasons to avoid them though. The Chief of the small department I work for part time carries one in his trunk though.
I think the main thing is that they were almost as expensive as a low end AR, so why not buy the AR? |
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I think the main thing is that they were almost as expensive as a low end AR, so why not buy the AR? They have a piston driven action which puts them in a separate class for inexpensive guns. I've had one for 4 years and it has been reliable, accurate and fun to shoot. There is a picatinny rail mount for the top of the upper and a few other parts available. The downside is a lack of tacticool aftermarket add-ons. |
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I think the main thing is that they were almost as expensive as a low end AR, so why not buy the AR? They have a piston driven action which puts them in a separate class for inexpensive guns. I've had one for 4 years and it has been reliable, accurate and fun to shoot. There is a picatinny rail mount for the top of the upper and a few other parts available. The downside is a lack of tacticool aftermarket add-ons. That isn't really a downside if you like to keep things simple. I do remember seeing a post somewhere recently where they cut off the integral muzzle brake and threaded it for a standard A2 birdcage. Is the bore chrome lined in those? I ask mainly as my Chief keeps his in the trunk of the squad car and I don't know how much maintenance he does on it. |
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I had one, my first EBR. Good basic gun, but as mentioned above it doesn't have a lot of aftermarket stuff. It was a good deal when it was a $600 gun, not so much now; as said above, it's almost the price of an AR15 nowadays. One nice thing about them, they're very light, ~6 lbs. Very accurate too. They're made by Armalite, who offers a 1" scope QD dovetail mount for it. There are also Picatinny QD mounts available. One downside of the gun's polymer lower is the front hinge to the upper, if you're not careful during disassembly/cleaning you can break the hinge.
If the one you saw is not Armalite, but Vulcan/Hesse, run away, it's a piece of junk. |
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All I want to do is mount a red dot. The front sight was slightly canted to the left. I prefer a simple rifle. Is $595 a decent price? The front sight is easily straightened, just loosen the clamping bolts and adjust the sight's position, then retighten. $595 IS a good price nowadays. And no, the barrel is not chrome lined. It IS chrome moly. Here is Armalite's page on the -180B. MSRP is now $852. Again, if it's not an Armalite, run like hell. Here is the GunBlast review of the gun. Here are two Picatinny rail mounts for the -180B. They work fine for mounting a red dot scope, it's what I had on mine. |
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Would make a decent alternative to a .223 AK. They share a few of the same advantages (gas piston, simple stamped-steel construction), plus the 180B accepts standard AR magazines, has better iron sights, is American-made, has a solid warranty, etc. At the right price, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on one. |
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Weren't they supposed to make one with an aluminum lower, or was that a bs rumor? I remember reading something in the ArmaliteAR10/AR180B forum that they were looking into making a aluminum lower, but they didn't want to pass on the cost of R&D into the M15 line. I'll be the first in line if Armalite offers a steel/aluminum lower, factory folding stock, and preferably a chrome-lined bore |
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Ah, that's right, my QD Picatinny rail is a Midwest Industries.
Midwest Industries AR 180B stuff |
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Weren't they supposed to make one with an aluminum lower, or was that a bs rumor? I remember reading something in the ArmaliteAR10/AR180B forum that they were looking into making a aluminum lower, but they didn't want to pass on the cost of R&D into the M15 line. I'll be the first in line if Armalite offers a steel/aluminum lower, factory folding stock, and preferably a chrome-lined bore Me too, I'd buy 2. |
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You know there's a whole forum for Armalites on arfcom, right? Anyway, at $595, I'd buy it. No I didn't, sorry. Where is it? Linky |