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The goal of the AR180B pages to to answer all your questions on
this utility rifle. Over my years of using and tinkering with the
AR180B I have gather a rather good amount of knowledge of the rifle
and become some what of a go to guy when some one has question on
the rifle.
Brief History of the Armalite AR180B
 The
Armalite AR180B is a development of the AR180, which was in turn a
civilian version of the AR18. The AR180B differs from the AR180 in a
few minor but also major ways. The biggest difference is the use of
advanced polymers to construct the lower receiver with metal inserts
to hold the trigger components. Now I know many of you gun lovers
will say plastic is for toy guns but I have had my AR180B since 2003
and it has performed flawlessly over all the abuse I have given it.
This is a rifle you can use, abuse and depend on. In addition to
using a polymer lower the AR180B also uses standard AR15 trigger
components and the rifle will accept many after market drop in
trigger components. The AR180B also accepts standard USGI AR15
magazines so no more modifying magazines to use in your 180B.
Another change to the lower is the use of a fixed stock rather than
a folding stock which was found on the AR180. This fixed stock was
to keep the rifle within the confines of the Assault Weapon Ban.
With the sunset of the AWB there are a few choices for folding stock
modifications to the AR180B.
 In
addition to the polymer lower receiver the AR180B has a integral
muzzle brake with 3 ports on either side at the 2 and 11 o'clock
positions. The brake does a very good job of deflection the gases
upwards but it is very loud! The very first modification to my
AR180B was to have that muzzle brake hacked of and the barrel
threaded for a standard A2 flash suppressor. This makes the rifle
sound a lot more quiet to the shooter and it looks a heck of a lot
better.
Operation:
The AR180B is a gas operated semi automatic rifle that uses
the same gas piston design as the original AR180 to operate the
bolt. Gases are tapped off the barrel at the front sight block and
directed to the gas piston. The gases force the operating rod back
which in turn acts to push the bolt carrier back. The bolt carrier
holds a standard AR15 rotating bolt and rides on two guide rods. The
use of the guide rods means the AR180B can operate with much crud in
the receiver area as the bolt carrier doesn't actually have to touch
the sides of the receiver. This also makes the rifle easier and
cheaper to manufacture as tolerances can be rather loose.
Accuracy:
Probably one of the most asked question about the AR180B is
accuracy, how good is it? This author isn't much of a marksmen, I
shoot well but am by no means a "sniper". I shoot nothing
but surplus ammunition, usually Federal or Eagle 55 grain FMJ. At
100 meters, in the prone postion, using the Eotech I can keep them
in a 4 inch grouping with relative ease. If I try a little harder
and do my part, I have had the groupings down to 2 inches and under.
With hand loads or match ammo and better optics I'm sure some one
could do better. I have never actually sat down and tried to get her
shooting small groups. The AR180B is no tack driver, it is a utility
rifle. I have used my rifle with great success on gopher and coyote
hunts. That's what the AR180B is, a utility varmint rifle, not a
super accurate race gun for long range precision shooting.
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