Rare Preban Armalite AR-180 AR180 5.56 20” Sterling Rifle AR-15 M16 AR-18
SOLD FOR: $1946
WOA#: WY230413JH001
Make: Armalite
Model: AR-180
Serial Number: S19290
Year of Manufacture: Pre-ban, 1979-1985
Caliber: 5.56MM
Action Type: Semi-Automatic
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “ARMALITE AR-180 CAL 5.56mm”, “PATENTS PENDING”, “MFG. FOR / ARMALITE. INC. / COSTA MESA. CALIF. / U.S.A. / BY / STERLING ENGLAND”, “S 19290”, and “SAFE / SEMI”. Both sides of the pistol grip are marked “AR-18 / ARMALITE”. The right side of the receiver is marked “SEMI / SAFE”. The right side of the barrel is marked “.223 NP 1.73” 17 5 TONS”.
Barrel Length: 18”. 20” with 3 Prong Flash Hider
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable post with protective wings and the rear sight is an adjustable flip aperture marked “200” and “400”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The buttstock, pistol grip, and handguard are black synthetic. It has a side folding stock and there is a scope rail welded to the receiver in front of the rear sight for a proprietary ArmaLite quick-detachable scope mount. The three prong flash hider is similar to that used on early M16s. The receiver has an upswept charging handle on the bolt and dust cover. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the unfolded buttstock. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition. There are some light scratches and scuffs but they remains faint and few. There are no chips or cracks.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 20rd Armalite AR-18 Magazine. The AR-180 uses a proprietary magazine derived from the standard AR-15 magazine.
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 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some insertion wear on the magwell with a few light scratches on the receiver. But overall there are very few light scratches on the rifle that are hardly noticeable. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this Pre Ban rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
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: Total of one magazine and its attached black canvas 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. ArmaLite produced 4018 AR-180’s in their Costa Mesa, CA location before production went overseas to Howa in Japan and then Sterling in England where another 12,362 rifles were produced. Spare parts aren’t easy to come by and this rifle isn’t what you’d call a “traditional beauty,” but what it lacks in looks it makes up in history, class, rarity, and reliability. This AR-180 has been well kept and comes with its original AR-18 straight mag. Don’t miss out on a rare gem such as this! Good luck!