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Sturmgewehr.com just listed a Howa-built 97% specimen for $1500. I imagine you could hack a couple bucks off that. I think it was listed as having a scope mount and other items as well.
DonS, it's interesting that you had heard that the Sterling guns were the better manufactured compared to the Costa Mesa and Howa items. I seem to remember that Gary Johnston thought that the Howa was the best of the three.
Maybe it boils down to the particular rifle.
Von Fatman, unless you gotta have one for collector/sentimental value, for that kind of money, you are not that far from the Robinson armaments M96 or a Polytech National Match AK.
And you'd be paying at least $300 more than the new AR-180 from Armalite, or the M17S bullpup, both which use similar op systems to the Howa AR-180.
An embarassment of riches! :)
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I agree that the Howa and the Costa Mesa were better quality, but the Sterling is no slouch. My Howa and my Costa Mesa sit it the back of the safe and the Sterling gets fired a lot. Also remember that there were only 3900 Howas EVER MADE, only 4000 Costa Mesas, and 12,000 Sterlings. While the Howas and Costa Mesas are EXTREMELY rare, the Sterling is quite rare also. While the 180 is coming back out, it is a postban, and those numbers represent the total number of original, preban AR180's ever made, period. No more. However, I have ordered a new 180 to keep the 3 originals company.
The Robinson is a postban and a lot of people say it is too heavy and the sights suck, while the 180 is a preban with flash hider,a folding stock, bayo lug, lightweight, and accurate. Every bit as utilitarian as the Robinson, a lot lighter, and is a collector's item as well.
For $950 VonFatman, get it. Then you can order a new 180B for $590. It is postban, but you will need it to go along with the original.