[GunGeek]

Well I couldn't help myself...came across an AR-180 at a price I couldn't ignore today. Put it on layaway while I figure out how to fund this thing.

So once I take delivery, I'll be able to be a member of the "Belfast Rifle Team" now that I have the proper equipment. I'll get photos soon as I have the rifle in hand.

 

[Skeptic49]

I hope it was a real Howa or Armalite. Those plastic lower guns have a bad reputation.
Geoff
Who notes at least they tried, but AR prices are so low...

 

[GunGeek]

I hope it was a real Howa or Armalite. Those plastic lower guns have a bad reputation.
Geoff
Who notes at least they tried, but AR prices are so low...

There was a 3rd maker of real AR-180's, Sterling; and mine is a Sterling. I actually have a preference for Sterling's for AR-180's, I think they're the nicest. The Costa Mesa Armalites were not well made and had a very bad reputation for breaking hammers. Howa's were good quality, but not real great aesthetically. By the time Sterling started making them, they were well made and aesthetically pleasing. Somewhat uncommon for a military style rifle, my entire Sterling AR is hot blued...so it looks nice.

 

[stand watie]

GunGeek,

Is your Sterling part of the (canceled) Haiti contract perhaps?? = Those are NICE.

yours, sw

 

[GunGeek]

GunGeek,

Is your Sterling part of the (canceled) Haiti contract perhaps?? = Those are NICE.

yours, sw

I have no idea...were those 180's or 18's? From 1965 until around '71-'73 Armalite actually had decent sales of the AR-18 to law enforcements around the world because it was one of the only 5.56 rifles that was available. I know some were sold to Haiti, but I have no idea if they were sold by Armalite Costa Mesa, or Sterling.

I just assume mine is a commercial/civilian AR-180.

But I am excited to have another 180 after all these years. Sure it has it's faults, but it was always one of my favorite rifles for various reasons, and it's nice to have another one.

 

[stand watie]

GunGeek,

Haiti ordered (and then canceled) a group of semi-auto Armalite rifles for their national police (I think from Sterling) & I just wondered if yours was one of those rifles.
(Thereafter the so-called "Haiti contract rifles" were sold to civilians.)

My question was simply out of "idle curiosity". - The Haiti rifles were reportedly NICE.

yours, sw

 

[GunGeek]

GunGeek,

Haiti ordered (and then canceled) a group of semi-auto Armalite rifles for their national police (I think from Sterling) & I just wondered if yours was one of those rifles.
(Thereafter the so-called "Haiti contract rifles" were sold to civilians.)

My question was simply out of "idle curiosity". - The Haiti rifles were reportedly NICE.

yours, sw

I've never seen anything that correlates the SN to the year of production. I've only seen a SN range, and the years that Sterling made the rifles. I guess you just take your best guess from there. Unless they were specifically marked Haiti, I'm not sure how you'd know.

But that would be very interesting...wouldn't break my heart if mine was a former Haitian rifle. I know Haiti had issues with coups and coup attempts, perhaps the cancelled order stemmed from one of those?

 

[stand watie]

GunGeek,

I have NO clue about that. - I just remember reading somewhere, when I was working for OAS, that Haiti had ordered/canceled Armalite rifles for their police. - That ALL that I "think I know" about that subject.

yours, sw

 

[Javlin]

That's not a bad looking rig at all Kevin :thumbsup: had to go look it up upper alittle squarer upper and the charge handle is interesting .

NRA Museums:

 

[DavidE]

Here's another article that AR-180 fans might dig, courtesy of the TFB E-Mail list:

POTD: Modernized AR-180 - The Firearm Blog