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The AR-180 compared to the AR-180b

The AR-180 and the AR-180b are built in different ways. But which gun is better?
Our pictures will help illustrate the differences and similarities of these two rifles.

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Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO (M193)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 940 mm (738 mm with folded stock)
Barrel length: 464 mm
Weigth: 3.09 kg with empty 20 rds magazine, 3.317 rg with loaded 20 rds magazine
Magazine capacity: 20, 30 or 40 rds

AR-18 was designed by Armalite company, USA, in 1963, as a competitor to M16.
AR-18 had stamped "folding" receiver, and gas drive with gas piston, which is more reliable than direct gas system of M16, especially in adverse conditions (proven many times by AK-47). The lack of the recoil damper enabled implementation of the side-folding buttstock. The charging handle is located on the bolt carrier, at the right side of the weapon.
AR-18 was select-fire weapon, while AR-180 was semi-auto "civilian" variation.
Initially manufactured in USA by Armalite, later license to this design was sold to HOWA company of Japan and to Sterling company, Great Britain. Total of no more than 20.000 AR-18s and AR-180s were developed.
Many refer the AR-18 as exellent gun, and it's failure had the roots in the political situation - at that time (1960s-1970s) USA and USSR gave aqay millions of M16s and AK-47 to everyone who claimed to be "friendly" to one or another country, so there were almost no place for AR-18. As of note, AR-18 was quite polular among terrorists from IRA, who gawe to the rifle the name "Widowmaker".
According to the latest press-releases, Armalite is going to re-iccarnate AR-180. It will be (probably) called AR-180B, and will not be similar to original Ar-180. Instead, they (Armalite) are going to install new upper receiver with AR-180 style bolt/bolt carrier and gas system assemblies atop of the lower receiver of the new design, with magazine weil and trigger group being similar to tohose from Armalite's M15 rifle (their own variant of AR15). This will give to the new rifle partial parts interchangeability with other AR-15 style rifles, as well as ability to use ALL M16/AR15 type magazines.