Armalite AR-180B 5.56/.223 18.25” Semi-Auto AR-15 AR-18 Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1445
WOA#: WY230808BH001
Make: Armalite
Model: AR-180B
Serial Number: 203546
Year of Manufacture: Post 2001
Caliber: 5.56
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Gas Operated Piston
Markings: The left side of the lower receiver is marked “ARMALITE / RIFLE 5.56MM / AR180B”, “ARMALITE INC. / GENESEO IL. US”, with a metal inlay marked “203546” and “SAFE FIRE” for the selection options. The left side of the upper is marked “ARMALITE” AR-180B / 5.56mm”. The left side of the pistol grip is marked “AR-180B / ARMALITE”. The right side of the lower is marked “FIRE SAFE”. The right side of the grip is marked “AR-180B / ARMALITE”.
Barrel Length: 18.25” with integrated muzzle brake/ported barrel.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable post with protective wings and the rear sight is an adjustable L-type flip aperture. The top of the receiver has a picatinny rail for sight and optic options.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The lower receiver is polymer. The buttstock is a fixed polymer stock with a checkered trap door with a storage compartment. The pistol grip is smooth polymer. The handguard is a polymer lower and upper vent ports and ribs on the bottom for grip support. The bottom of the grip and the bottom of the gas block have sling rings with an attached canvas sling.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None. Uses standard AR-16/M16 magazines.
Type of Finish: Black
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows slight scratches and rubs marks on the sides of the upper receiver. The top of the rear sight has finish loss on the edges. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition. There are little to so signs of precious operation.
Mechanics: The action function correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Black Nylon Sling
Our Assessment: The “AR” in “AR-15” or “AR-10” stands for ArmaLite Rifle, the company that would put forth the groundbreaking and classic rifle that sees immense popularity today. ArmaLite didn’t stop at one or two rifles; though, they created several, including the AR-18, a select-fire firearm that would inspire the civilian variant AR-180. Eugene Stoner’s ArmaLite AR-10 design chambered in 7.62 NATO was the design his company submitted to the US Army, who was looking to replace the M1 Garand. By 1957, the AR-10 made a late appearance in the military trials. Unfortunately, this firearm had a steel sleeved aluminum barrel and the design suffered a burst barrel during a military shooting torture test, damaging the company’s reputation and causing it to lose out on the military contract to the M14. But it wouldn’t take long for the AR design to experience a resurgence, and the US military would select the AR-15 design to become the infamous M16. With the military’s selection, Eugene Stoner and other engineers needed to create an alternative to the AR-15, leading themselves to the AR-18 design in 1963. The semi-auto only versions were named the AR-180. ArmaLite produced less than 5,000 AR-180’s in their Costa Mesa, CA location before production went overseas to Howa in Japan and then Sterling in England. In 2001 Armalite introduced a more modernized AR-180, the AR-180B, sporting a lightweight reinforced polymer lower as well as a few more updates to create a rifle that is fit for police use as well as maintaining its classic looks. Please see our photos and good luck!