Armalite AR-180B

[Greg0]

An I am looking for my first AR type rifle and the Armalite AR-180B has an attractive price.

Anybody have experience with the AR-180B? Likes/dislikes?

This will be for purely recreational shooting.

-Greg0

[imanaknut]

I just got my AR-180B last night, and have to say that I am very happy with it, although I haven't had a chance to fire it yet.

If you are looking for a true AR type rifle as your first one, the 180B is not the right one to start with. It is totally different than the standard AR-15. With a true AR, all parts are interchangeable within the family. They are all (most all) made to the same military spec, although some better then others. Most will agree that the Armalite, Bushmaster and Colt are the best of the bunch. Price-wise, as well as being a true AR, I would recommend the one of the Bushmasters. They run from $700 and up, and are true mil-spec firearms. You might get lucky and find one for less, but after the DC shooter using a Bushmaster, I doubt it.

Don't get me wrong, the AR-180B is a great rifle at a great price, and it uses the standard M-16 USGI mags and ammo, but that is where the similarity ends. FIY and for what it is worth, I have a Bushy XM15 E2S 20" H-BAR and am thrilled with it. The 180B is about 3 pounds lighter, and as I am a small person, I think that I will enjoy it more, but I still love shooting the Bushy.

Hard choice, my 2 cents, for an inexpensive shooter, you can't go wrong with the AR-180B, if you can find one. If you want a true AR-15/M-16 style rifle, go with a Bushmaster.

[Greg0]

Ok, having shopped around a bit I have scuttled the 180B idea. But have three new questions.

1) I am now considering are true AR pattern guns and may want to mount a scope of this rifle. Is the A3 the best idea or can one mount scopes on the A2 handle. Some tell me that scopes mounted on the A2 are too high for good shooting.


2) Is there any real advantage to a stainless barrel vs a chromoly? Should one avoid the "chrome lined" barrels.

3) And a real naive question, what does HBAR mean?


Thanks,

-Greg0

[imanaknut]

There are scope mounts for the carry handle but most people that I know prefer to mount a scope on a flat top.

H-BAR stands for heavy barrel.

Not being a metalurgist, I am not sure about the two barrel types you mention, but it is probably more personal preference than anything. As for chrome lined barrels, there are those that say that chrome lining hurts accuracy. It does greatly extend the life of the barrel though.

[imanaknut]

Correction, HBAR actually stands for Heavy-Barrel Assault Rifle.

[Circuits]

Does Armalite attach some special meaning to "HBAR"? Everyone else uses "HBAR" to mean plain old "Heavy Barrel".

[imanaknut]

I actually found the "Heavy-Barrel Assault Rifle" in the paperwork with my Steyr USR. Up until reading that, I always thought that it just stood for Heavy-Barrel. Maybe it is just an Austrian thing!

[5toolman6]

http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/barrelsbolts/

Barrel Manufacturing Stampings
Manufacturing Stamp Meaning

MP Magnetic Particle Tested
C Chromed Chamber
CB Chromed Bore
HBAR HBAR Barrel Profile

[imanaknut]

Greg0, I finally got to shoot the AR-180B and have to admit, following the Armalite break in procedure is a pain, but the rifle is one sweet shooter. It is very light, almost no recoil, easy to point, easy to swing around and aquire the target. I did run into the old AR/M-16 mag fail to feed problems though, just like the "real" AR-15 / M-16s have with mags with worn out springs. I was using a standard issue USGI mag and it decided not to push the rounds fully into position to be stripped off by the bolt. New spring took care of that problem. Other than that, the first 100 rounds during break-in fed and fired nicely. My advise, if you have the opportunity, buy one! Mine cost $599 plus tax. It is a great rifle!