AR180b Meetup

[7.92 NorCal]

I'm looking at building my own AR18 upper. Small issue is i've never even layed eyes on one. A lot of little questions I have that could instantly be answered if I could handle one-- painstakingly eyeing online pictures and handling ancillary parts only gets me so far.

Anyone in the Bay Area got an AR180b they'd be willing to let me come over and fondle?

I'd treat you to a meal or something for the hassle

[sigstroker]

You must have quite a machine shop.

Are you going to make a lower too? They won't fit on an AR-15 lower.

If you want to waste a mountain of money copying something you can just buy, do it with Brownell's new BRN-180 upper. At least it fits on an AR-15 lower.

[7.92 NorCal]

You must have quite a machine shop. Are you going to make a lower too? They won't fit on an AR-15 lower.

No, i would buy a Nodak spud lower. Depending on how I do this it wouldn't require much of a shop at all. Access to a mill, which i can get through who i know. Machine a trunnion and rail. The rest of it depends how i go about it. Its mostly a square tube after all. Doing a one off like this means I can just hand fit everything.

If you want to waste a mountain of money copying something you can just buy, do it with Brownell's new BRN-180 upper. At least it fits on an AR-15 lower.

Well aren't you just a wet blanket. Making stuff is fun, and at the end i get an AR18. Frankly in terms of money spent it'll still probly come in less than the going rate for an 180B. Why bother making this post? If i wanted a piston AR15 i would buy a piston AR15.

[Quiet]

Well aren't you just a wet blanket. Making stuff is fun, and at the end i get an AR18. Frankly in terms of money spent it'll still probly come in less than the going rate for an 180B. Why bother making this post? If i wanted a piston AR15 i would buy a piston AR15.

Maybe because the Brownells BRN180 uses the AR180 system and it is not a gas-piston AR15.
They just made it so that it can use commonly available mil-spec AR15 pattern lowers.

Good luck finding parts for the AR180B, since Armalite discontinued it about 12 years ago.
You may find current production parts/support in Canada (Kodiak Defense WK180C), but then you will have to deal with ITAR and needing to get US State Department approval for parts importation.

[FeuerFrei]

It can be done. Easier said than done IMO.
It ain't like whacking up an AK kit.

http://ar180s.com/ar-180b-shorty-project-part-vii/

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/-ARCHIVED-THREAD----AR-180B-Shorty-Project-Update/123-681342/&page=1

[7.92 NorCal]

Maybe because the Brownells BRN180 uses the AR180 system and it is not a gas-piston AR15.
They just made it so that it can use commonly available mil-spec AR15 pattern lowers.

Thats exactly what it is, a gas piston upper for an AR15. Just because it uses a modified AR18 dual guide rod isn't something that appeals to me. Using an AR18 piston setup is hardly unique to Brownells at this point, its a ridiculously common system. Brownells is cool for doing it, but i find i find the actual product boring. I dont want a dressed up AR15, i want an AR18. Which means something that looks, feels, and operates like one.

Good luck finding parts for the AR180B, since Armalite discontinued it about 12 years ago.
You may find current production parts/support in Canada (Kodiak Defense WK180C), but then you will have to deal with ITAR and needing to get US State Department approval for parts importation.

Armalite actually still has piston cups and pistons in stock. About 7 more. Numrich has springs, and i already bought their last ar18 guide rods. I wish i could find a front sight block because thats going to be an annoying part to make.

You're right about Canadian parts, I've already searched and couldn't find anything readily available. What i actually plan to do is cannibalize certain components from Brownells when they're available. Namely op rod and bolt carrier assembly. I did some video analysis on the bolt carrier and some vital dimensions are seemingly the same as an AR180. I already have some idea about what i'll need to modify to get it functioning properly for an NDS18 rather than an AR lower.

It can be done. Easier said than done IMO.

Thats true for anything, though. This project is within my skill and means.

In this case the most difficulty seems to be trunnion and rails. If i could get my hands on a real example then i could get close enough dimensions that i can hand fit anything when it actually gets to that point.

Depending how i go about making the upper receiver that could be one of the more difficult aspects too. Easiest but least appealing would be using some square tubing. Wall thickness would be too thick, and tolerances for straightness wouldn't be sufficient.

Most appealing would be making my own stampings. That would certainly be the most expensive option, without even accounting for the learning curve.

Im actually pondering a third option, but i need to talk to the machine shop at work and get their opinions on how well it would work. It might turn out to be a good middle of the road option.

I've already bought some stuff from Rick, his site has been a vital source of info so far.

[Over It]

OP if you want a chance to get this done for a reasonable amount, you need to reach out to this guy. http://stgeorgearms.com/leader-t2/ There might be manufacturing processes or parts that can help your project.

The Leader Dynamics T2 is an Australian version of the AR-180. I have both and the T2 is pretty basic compared to the AR-180, but the dimensions of the receiver is close. Bolt is different.

Good luck on your project.

[7.92 NorCal]

OP if you want a chance to get this done for a reasonable amount, you need to reach out to this guy. http://stgeorgearms.com/leader-t2/ There might be manufacturing processes or parts that can help your project.

The Leader Dynamics T2 is an Australian version of the AR-180. I have both and the T2 is pretty basic compared to the AR-180, but the dimensions of the receiver is close. Bolt is different.

Good luck on your project.

Thanks, i saw some stuff about new T2s getting released, i hadn't thought about it as a a potential source of info or parts.

I might reach out, but as a company I wouldn't expect them to be divulging about any processes to just any random hobbyist like me. Applicability would be questionable too, given that they'll be set up for small scale production, while i'll just be doing the equivalent of a hand fitted prototype. They're also not selling to Ca, apparently.

[1911su16b870]

I'm looking at building my own AR18 upper. Small issue is i've never even layed eyes on one. A lot of little questions I have that could instantly be answered if I could handle one-- painstakingly eyeing online pictures and handling ancillary parts only gets me so far.

Anyone in the Bay Area got an AR180b they'd be willing to let me come over and fondle?

I'd treat you to a meal or something for the hassle

Click here:

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/upper-receivers/brn-180-ar-15-complete-upper-receiver-assembly-prod122861.aspx

Click add to cart...Click on cart...check out...and...now you haz one!

[7.92 NorCal]

Click here:

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/upper-receivers/brn-180-ar-15-complete-upper-receiver-assembly-prod122861.aspx

Click add to cart...Click on cart...check out...and...now you haz one!

No thanks

[BRC]

[7.92 NorCal]

Thanks

I've already contacted Rick, he's agreed to collaborate when the time comes.

Its just one of those things, without handling somethings there's too many trivial little things than i would want to hassle him with. If I could just get one in my hands for maybe half an hour i would get all those pesky details out of the way.

[sir9usr]

If you can make it down to SoCal, you can look this one over...