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Author Topic: AR-180B lower receiver failures  (Read 2003 times)

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Offline db22

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AR-180B lower receiver failures
« on: August 29, 2008, 09:25:04 AM »
Has anyone encountered or heard of a failure (crack, failed hinge, etc.) in the Armalite AR-180B? A friend who doean't do computers/internet has tasked me with looking into the failure of his rifle's hinge (I'm happy to help, since he regularly invites me to fish from his boat). The entire lower is made of molded plastic, and the owner's manual warns explicitly of possible cracking in ths area if the rifle is opened too far when cleaning.

My friend swears up and down that he did not cause this failure -- it separated during shooting. I have come across one other failure during shooting. Just wondered if anyone here might have heard the same story. Thanks!
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"The said constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." -- Samuel Adams

Offline rzwieg

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2008, 09:07:10 PM »
Wow! Maybe they should have left it a stamping.

Before I got a Bushmaster I looked into the AR 180B. Might be a good thing to pass on.
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Offline db22

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2008, 12:32:30 PM »
Since the first post in this thread, Armalite Customer Service has issued an RMA for the lower and promises to replace it completely. It will go out Monday, and I hope they replace it with a better design. Both of my attempts to repair the hinge failed after two shots each, and the fact that the maker issued a return authorization even after I performed a repair that normally would have voided the warranty tells us something about the original design.

I am impressed with the AR-180B in every way but the poor choice of materials for the lower. I have heard enough tales from the bush about the M-16's direct-gas operation to prefer a piston and pushrod arrangement. The dinky little SKS I have has never failed to operate after hundreds of rounds, whether clean or dirty. The breech doesn't get dirty, because propellant gas never reaches it.
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"The said constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." -- Samuel Adams

Offline darrell8937

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2008, 01:24:20 PM »
While they have been some problems with the lower hinge on the older rifles, the newer ones are reinforced.. A member said" Maybe the should have left it in stamping." They were many problems with the stamped steel lowers. Parts breakage, Hard to get parts etc! The Polymer(180b. Uses ar 15 parts and mags. The 180(stamped Steel) used a special mag!) I do however have this problem in the back of my mind ! Polymers can be excelent in firearms! If done properly.
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Offline db22

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #4 on: December 25, 2008, 07:16:23 AM »
Happy ending -- Armalite replaced the complete lower assembly at no charge. My friend's AR-180B is now in pristine condition, but he has no intention of shooting it. It will be traded for an AR-10. Since the 180's failure, he bought a Bushmaster M-4 style AR in 5.56, and wants a companion rifle in 7.62. I'd still prefer a pushrod-operated self-loader, but my friend is a long-service Army vet who lived with the direct-impingement system throughout his service, and he finds it reliable. He did, however, leave the Army before the current Mideast wars, and has never carried the rifle in a sandy, dusty environment.

I have heard that some Special Forces personnel are equipped with the new HK416, which does use a mechanical connection between the gas port and the bolt carrier. It is interesting that nowadays some units are equipping themselves with non-standard weaponry, such as the USMC buy of Kimber 1911s.
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"The said constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." -- Samuel Adams

Offline Totenkopf

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #5 on: December 25, 2008, 11:12:39 AM »
DB22,  Delta has been using a mechanical blowback system in the m4 for 10 years. Also issued H&K usp 45 tactical.
Seals regullarly use the scar. http://world.guns.ru/assault/as70-e.htm
And use a sig 220 quite often. The little nine just doesn't have enough umph.
The special forces outfits just have to report to SOCOM, so you can get by with a lot since you don't have to conform to the same standards as the rest of the millitary. We had at our disposal virtually any small arms available. 90% of the time we carried the m4 in combat. Stateside we used the others to learn their limitatations.
Good ending on the 180b. The fellow is better off with what he chose.
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 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Offline darrell8937

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2008, 08:26:21 PM »
Yep..  Gass operating rod ar 15 platforms are available. If you have the coin.. $$$$(mechanical blow back are mostly 22 semi autos and sub machine guns or their semi civil versions.) ;)
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Offline darrell8937

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2008, 08:30:40 PM »
P.S

Here is a link.. for the ar15 operating rod conversion!
http://www.ar15.com/lite/topic.html?b=3&f=124&t=310274
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Offline darrell8937

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2009, 01:23:05 PM »
Bushmaster also offers a operating rod conversion. I just might go that route on my new RRA Ar Lower.. I shot the hell out of a M16a1 in the early to mid eighties! Boy did my eyes sting on a hot and humid day.. Cold and dry days not much better. PS.. The Ar180 is looking promising.. Better every range session(aka Back yard) it stills does not like the 5.56 Nato.. 223 going ok.. not great. more to follow
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Offline darrell8937

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2009, 01:24:24 PM »
Ooops.. Forgot the "B"    sorry!
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Offline darrell8937

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Re: AR-180B lower receiver failures
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2009, 01:28:27 PM »
Update: After breaking her in Per Armilite(Shoot the hell out of it) program, to get it to loosen up and function. She now functions great. Not a single malfunction with about 200 rounds, some ss 109, some winnny q3131a, some fiochi, remmy bulk..  looking good! Though I did have to scold Armalite as the front site was too short to get on paper at 25 yards.. was too short. I wrote them a email. they appoligised. It was a known issue! They sent me the ar standard site. much taller. Now prints with plenty of adjustment. Free! I got this rifle for 499 bucks because of these issues. Now I am happy. As with any rifle. It must prove itself. Don't give up if there are some problems. Most can be worked out.
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