Anyone have any experience with this rifle? Read that it was originally designed as a cheaper, easier-to-manufacture 5.56MM rifle, but the world was already committed to the AR-15. How do the two compare as far as accuracy, reliability, etc.?

Try doing a search on this or the semiauto AR180, you should find lots of info.  It's accurate with 55 grain ammo due to its 1/12 twist, the folding stock is cool but fragile, it is reliable with good mags, it handles well and the controls are the same as a 15, except the charging handle which is actually a bolt handle that looks like a crank on the 18.  I have two (Sterling and Costa Mesa), Costa Mesas and Howas are more valuable than Sterlings.

Go here:  www.sterlingwebpages.com/ar180site/ar180home.htm

Quoted: Try doing a search on this or the semiauto AR180, you should find lots of info.  It's accurate with 55 grain ammo due to its 1/12 twist, the folding stock is cool but fragile, it is reliable with good mags, it handles well and the controls are the same as a 15, except the charging handle which is actually a bolt handle that looks like a crank on the 18.  I have two (Sterling and Costa Mesa), Costa Mesas and Howas are more valuable than Sterlings. --------------------------------------------- I have one AR-18 Costa Mesa and have just gotten my first Beta C mag for it.  If you don't want to 7016th guy with an M16 or converted AR-15 at the machine gun shoot, like cool things that are a bit different the AR-18 might be the machine gun for you. As the "C. Ranger" states above both AR-18 and the semi AR-180 must be feed only 55 gr bullets for accuracy.  With the correct bullet weight and good ammunition this "puppy" is a tack-driver. Heck of a recommendation but these rifles were a favorite of the "IRA" - nickname "The Widow Maker."  They even wrote songs about these guns !!! "CAUTION" delving into old ArmaLite's may be habit forming and therefore hazardous to your wallet !!"  Proceed with caution. (There's the original AR-10, the two shotguns black and gold, the original AR-1 sniper rifle, the....... etc.) Go here:  www.sterlingwebpages.com/ar180site/ar180home.htm

It was designed by Armalite to ideal for nations wanted to adpot a light rifle that can be manufactored in a regular machine shop. Not too many nations adpoted the rifle because of the established marketing of the M16 and most nation already just adpoted the 762 NATO battle rifle systems. It is reliable because of the gas piston recoil system. It is a bit fragile of a rifle. Accuracy is good with 55grs bullets. Forget about using 62grs bullets. It will thumble during its ballistic arc.