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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - BRN-180S

Posted: 2/20/2020 8:38:24 AM EDT

Picked up a new BRN-180 upper yesterday and dropped it on one of my SBR lowers. Liking it.

Posted: 2/15/2020 11:15:48 AM EDT

[#1]

Neat

Posted: 2/15/2020 11:43:03 AM EDT

[#2]

Nice. I really wish they put the charging handle on the right (left) side though.

Posted: 2/15/2020 11:50:46 AM EDT

[#3]

Yeah, totally interested in one of these, but $$$

Posted: 2/15/2020 12:05:56 PM EDT

[#4]

Its about $900 but its not that bad considering its basically what SIG is selling as their Virtus upper conversion for about $500 more and there arent many other true side folder conversions out there.

Posted: 2/15/2020 12:09:06 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nice. I really wish they put the charging handle on the right (left) side though.

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I like not having the charging handle and the stock on the same side. Given it reciprocates it wouldnt help things.

Posted: 2/15/2020 12:31:48 PM EDT

[#6]

that is sweet, looks like a poor mans mcx (with less indian mim)

what stock adaptor are you using for the side folder?

How does it shoot, accuracy, recoil impulse?

I have a 14.5" bcm mid length with H2 buffer and surefire muzzlebreak and it is probably the softest shooting rifle I have ever had outside of a .22LR

Posted: 2/15/2020 12:49:01 PM EDT

[#7]

Side folders are hot. Who makes that one?

Posted: 2/15/2020 12:50:01 PM EDT

[#8]

Nice config.

ETA: I haven't found the best round for mine yet; leaning towards Black Hills 50gr. TSX Optimized. Lighter bullets seem to be more precise.

Posted: 2/15/2020 1:17:16 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Side folders are hot. Who makes that one?

View Quote

Thats a SIG MCX stock. SIG discontinued them for som SIG-centric jackass reason. This is temporary until the stamp comes back on my New Frontier side folder upper.

Havent shot it yet. Next weekend is the soonest I will be able to get to the range. I think Brownells could do better at marketing them . They seem to be aiming for the retro AR180 crowd. Bag that. Its a good platform in its own right for those seeking a true side folder.

Posted: 2/15/2020 2:01:14 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thats a SIG MCX stock. SIG discontinued them for som SIG-centric jackass reason. This is temporary until the stamp comes back on my New Frontier side folder upper.

Havent shot it yet. Next weekend is the soonest I will be able to get to the range. I think Brownells could do better at marketing them . They seem to be aiming for the retro AR180 crowd. Bag that. Its a good platform in its own right for those seeking a true side folder.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Side folders are hot. Who makes that one?

Thats a SIG MCX stock. SIG discontinued them for som SIG-centric jackass reason. This is temporary until the stamp comes back on my New Frontier side folder upper.

Havent shot it yet. Next weekend is the soonest I will be able to get to the range. I think Brownells could do better at marketing them . They seem to be aiming for the retro AR180 crowd. Bag that. Its a good platform in its own right for those seeking a true side folder.

Dammit unobtanium forged in Valhalla. I'd make do with an AR-18 repro that fits an AR lower. Brownells, you listening?

Posted: 2/15/2020 7:08:33 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Dammit unobtanium forged in Valhalla. I'd make do with an AR-18 repro that fits an AR lower. Brownells, you listening?

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Side folders are hot. Who makes that one?

Thats a SIG MCX stock. SIG discontinued them for som SIG-centric jackass reason. This is temporary until the stamp comes back on my New Frontier side folder upper.

Havent shot it yet. Next weekend is the soonest I will be able to get to the range. I think Brownells could do better at marketing them . They seem to be aiming for the retro AR180 crowd. Bag that. Its a good platform in its own right for those seeking a true side folder.

Dammit unobtanium forged in Valhalla. I'd make do with an AR-18 repro that fits an AR lower. Brownells, you listening?

Nodak spud has an updated NDS18 lower that is compatible with the BRN180 upper. GO to Nodak Spuds website to see it.

Posted: 2/15/2020 7:37:32 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Nodak spud has an updated NDS18 lower that is compatible with the BRN180 upper. GO to Nodak Spuds website to see it.

View Quote

At double the price of Brownells and without the 1913 rail in back .

Posted: 2/19/2020 8:31:10 PM EDT

[#13]

I like it better this way. I was going to SBR a New Frontier folding receiver but I managed to pick up a MDT folding attachment for chassis guns and adapt it to the AR-15 receiver and the lines just flow together well with the magpul UBR.

Posted: 2/20/2020 8:38:24 AM EDT

[#14]

Topic Moved

Posted: 2/20/2020 10:28:54 AM EDT

[#15]

Keep us updated on this. Definitely interested.

Posted: 2/20/2020 1:01:18 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Its about $900 but its not that bad considering its basically what SIG is selling as their Virtus upper conversion for about $500 more and there arent many other true side folder conversions out there.

View Quote

They are on sale for under $800 at Brownells.

Posted: 2/20/2020 1:10:08 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
that is sweet, looks like a poor mans mcx (with less indian mim)what stock adaptor are you using for the side folder?How does it shoot, accuracy, recoil impulse?

I have a 14.5" bcm mid length with H2 buffer and surefire muzzlebreak and it is probably the softest shooting rifle I have ever had outside of a .22LR

View Quote

I have the BRN-180S as well. With a 10.5", you will want to use heavier bullets in the 69 to 77 grn range. 55 grn just do not group well. I have the pic adapter on mine that is on Brownells site. Recoil impulse is a little sharper and it is a flame thrower, as can be expected. My next test will be cold vs hot barrel to measure shot group movement. I expect them to open up but not move if the barrel was stress relieved properly. This is of particular interest to me since it is a pencil barrel.

I found that the weight and footprint of the BRN-180S is just about the same as an HKMP5A3. Very compact. I am running mine with a Franklin Armory BFSIII binary and it functioning well.

Posted: 2/20/2020 1:56:41 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

They are on sale for under $800 at Brownells.

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Could have picked on up yesterday for $700 plus tax.

Posted: 2/21/2020 2:27:14 PM EDT

[#19]

I bought a 16" BRN 180 yesterday. It should be here next week.

Posted: 2/22/2020 5:02:43 PM EDT

[#20]

Took her out today. Ran 100% until the indoor range guy noticed I was shooting Wolf steel bullet and interrupted me. I hate indoor ranges. Anyway no idea what it was doing for accuracy as it was an indoor range at 35 yards and I dont really care about accuracy all that much anyway. I did manage to get the scope zeroed before I was so rudely interrupted. I'll have to make the run to the nearest outdoor range next weekend and get it zeroed at 100 yards. I did end up changing scopes as the lever was hitting the scope mounts on the elcan.

Posted: 2/22/2020 8:49:49 PM EDT

[#21]

I'd love to know how it runs suppressed, if you're able to check that out.

Posted: 2/23/2020 3:28:44 PM EDT

[#22]

Yeah. I'm waiting on a trifecta for my specwar. I did make it to the same range today with some allowable ammo. The silencer will be welcome I'm sure. Lots of non indoor range friendly percussion and fireballs. Ran great .

Posted: 4/8/2020 6:45:02 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
I like it better this way. I was going to SBR a New Frontier folding receiver but I managed to pick up a MDT folding attachment for chassis guns and adapt it to the AR-15 receiver and the lines just flow together well with the magpul UBR.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/821x434q90/922/qCqRAg.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1366x560q90/921/cpPQT4.jpg

View Quote

@Mikes71Camaro

Can you tell me a little more on how you adapted that MDT to a standard lower?

Posted: 4/8/2020 10:03:03 PM EDT

[#24]

Really wasnt that much of a problem. The MDT adapter plug is about 1/8" too thick to fit in an AR receiver and allow the folding attachment to bolt up all the way. I had to machine .150" off the adapter before screwing it into the receiver and it worked just fine. I did have to shorten the receiver bolt too. I did it on a lathe but in a pich you could just screw a bolt into the plug and run it over some coarse sandpaper until its shaved down enough to fit. Its just aluminum.

I did switch the 180S over to a dedicated folder NFA lower but the MDT folder lives on in my dedicated 22LR SBR.

Posted: 4/9/2020 7:50:52 AM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
Really wasnt that much of a problem. The MDT adapter plug is about 1/8" too thick to fit in an AR receiver and allow the folding attachment to bolt up all the way. I had to machine .150" off the adapter before screwing it into the receiver and it worked just fine. I did have to shorten the receiver bolt too. I did it on a lathe but in a pich you could just screw a bolt into the plug and run it over some coarse sandpaper until its shaved down enough to fit. Its just aluminum.

I did switch the 180S over to a dedicated folder NFA lower but the MDT folder lives on in my dedicated 22LR SBR.

View Quote

Thanks.

I'm setting up the 16" with an ACE folder but may look at this for the 10.5.

Posted: 4/9/2020 6:57:43 PM EDT

[#26]

When set u right the MDT folder is miles ahead of the LAW folder. Unlocks MUCH easier and you can get them in lock closed and locked open capable versions. I dont know why they dont offer a AR adapter? Wheat they do offer is easy enough to modify but it would work on both chassis guns and AR's if they offered a short adapter plug.

Posted: 5/9/2020 4:56:23 PM EDT

[#27]

I'm loving mine so far

Posted: 5/26/2020 10:23:56 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:

I have the BRN-180S as well. With a 10.5", you will want to use heavier bullets in the 69 to 77 grn range. 55 grn just do not group well. I have the pic adapter on mine that is on Brownells site. Recoil impulse is a little sharper and it is a flame thrower, as can be expected. My next test will be cold vs hot barrel to measure shot group movement. I expect them to open up but not move if the barrel was stress relieved properly. This is of particular interest to me since it is a pencil barrel.

I found that the weight and footprint of the BRN-180S is just about the same as an HKMP5A3. Very compact. I am running mine with a Franklin Armory BFSIII binary and it functioning well.

View Quote

Interesting- I've had the opposite experience- my BRN-180S hates Hornady 75gr T2 TAP and Steel Match. The only 5-shot group under 2MOA has been with 64gr Gold Dot. Thus far it's been a disappointment. I'm going to put a standardized test scope on it to see how that goes.

Posted: 9/25/2020 8:42:20 PM EDT

[#29]

Picked up a 300 BO upper and SBR'd a BRN-180 lower . I see Brownells discontinued the .223 version of the upper.

Posted: 9/26/2020 9:17:21 AM EDT

[#30]

Similar to my foldy boi

Attached File

Eventually needs red dot, sling and a Surefire light

Posted: 9/26/2020 12:09:45 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/744x558q90/r/924/huPPkT.jpg

Picked up a 300 BO upper and SBR'd a BRN-180 lower . I see Brownells discontinued the .223 version of the upper.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/744x558q90/r/923/ytjnXu.jpg

View Quote

They only discontinued the Gen1 .223 Wylde. There's a Gen2 .223 Wylde upper w/ new handguard retainer and adjustable gas system, just like the 300blk.

Posted: 9/28/2020 10:16:27 AM EDT

[#32]

I had to put a little Retro slant on mine.

Shown with my AR180S SBR Clone.

Most recent retro addition was the cut down AR180B hand guards. It also has a pistol brace prototype I am working on.

Nodak NDS-1815 lower that I designed and licensed to Nodak Spud.
Airsoft knock off of a Law Tactical folder.
Doublestar A2 shorty tube with A2 spacer.
Pistol grip, flash hider, and hand guard end cap of my design.

Very light and handy, well balanced. I really love it.