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Posted: 5/10/2019 5:03:36 PM EDT
The short and sweet of it is I am very happy with it, it looks to be 1 MOA capable (it was 1.5-2 MOA with bulk fmj), light recoil, light weight, massive hard on.
Through sighting it in and playing around with it today it went through 120rds flawlessly. Fit and finish is great as I expect from PWS. It’s not all sunshine and daisies however, there’s a steel insert where the cam pin rests in the receiver. This itself isn’t an issue but they’ve used a screw to hold it in place and covered the head in a rubber knob. Looks funny and bothers me a bit, I am going to ask Brownells if the rubber bit can be removed. The whole reciprocating handle is a bummer but doesn’t seem to get in the way and there’s no adjustable gas block but they did include a suppressed piston sleeve that has some additional venting drilled in. I removed the funky flash hider and replaced it with an FSC556 brake/hider. I plan on having a recoil test against two other rifles, my PWS MK116 and a borrowed basic bitch mid length DI. I was thinking I’d run 10rds into a target at around 25yds as quickly as possible on a timer. I’d then compare group size and speed, if anyone has some suggestions on bettering this test lmk. So far it has a reciprocating weight advantage of 5.1oz against the DI and 7.2oz against the PWS, of course this doesn’t tell the whole story. |
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Originally Posted By Mudborne: Any opinions on the best adaptor to use with a standard lower and if you want it to lock on the left hand side of the weapon? Without modifications that require tooling (machining, dremel, etc.), please. Would really like to use a stock close to the original AR-180 or skeleton. View Quote I would look into an airsoft adapter. It isn't like there is any weight inside of the buffer tube. Or spend big bucks and get a LAW. You can tighten the tension if I remember correctly. |
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This is interesting - went to remove the hand guard today during cleaning and it couldn't get all the way off because of the brake I installed. Still, made no difference because it allowed full access to the gas piston/rod which is what I wanted to get to. I could have just removed the brake if I had to get it completely free. I only posted in case someone maybe has not considered this and has installed a brake that is so big it won't allow the hand guard to even get far enough forward to service the gas system. This could be a problem in the field without wrenches.
In the meanwhile its not totally a bad thing that the hand guard won't come off the barrel as long as all the parts needing servicing can be reached. This upper is really a snap to strip and clean and I love the way it reassembles. |
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Is there a trick to getting the muzzle brake off? its not left hand threads or anything is it? Mine isn't wanting to budge. I did hit it with a torch a little, too.
ETA - I got it. It has a jamb nut. So you turn it the opposite direction. |
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I'm gonna try to use a Tegra Arms lower for this BRN180 shorter barreled pistol. I'm curious to see how it will hold up being that it's a composite carbon fiber nylon polymer (whatever?). I wouldn't think it's a problem being that the polymer upper end doesn't get beat up and everything is contained within the upper.
Should be lightweight. |
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That definitely has a neat look to it.
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Originally Posted By kabal57:
Reading the same quote or sentence some random forum member said one time doesn't make much sense to me, but whatever. |
What's the weight on that NDS1815 lower?
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Bigrix I think it looks good, I like the green and the look of the forearm.
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"Freedom is something that dies unless it's used."
- Hunter S. Thompson |
Originally Posted By dtux: Has anyone else seen such a large flash under their handguard? https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/235602/20201015_203524-1638030.jpg View Quote That indicates a gas leak. Either the gas block is mis aligned, or not tightened enough. There could also be a gas leak somewhere other than the gas hole. I would contact @brownells |
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Not that big, but I did burn the fleece glove on my left hand in the NDS-1815 video.
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We are living in a Tom Clancy novel
Over 50 and reputed to be a formidable brigand |
Originally Posted By dtux: Has anyone else seen such a large flash under their handguard? https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/235602/20201015_203524-1638030.jpg View Quote No, that is not normal. Of course the system vents gas under the handguard, but should not generate that type of flash. Please PM for order details. |
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World's largest supplier of firearms
accessories and gunsmith tools www.brownells.com 800-741-0015 |
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Originally Posted By mercdank: He is shooting suppressed, maybe with the regulator on the unsuppressed setting? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By mercdank: Originally Posted By Brownells: No, that is not normal. Of course the system vents gas under the handguard, but should not generate that type of flash. Please PM for order details. He is shooting suppressed, maybe with the regulator on the unsuppressed setting? That's with the suppressed cup installed. |
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"Freedom is something that dies unless it's used."
- Hunter S. Thompson |
I am having the same problem you described with the upper not fitting into the lower. I am most likely going to send back. I bought their BRN 180-M hoping to avoid any fitment issues. I assumed wrong it looks like. Don't know if I would have had the patience to try 5 new uppers.
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I am having the same problem you described with the upper not fitting into the lower. I am most likely going to send back. I bought their BRN 180-M hoping to avoid any fitment issues. I assumed wrong it looks like. Don't know if I would have had the patience to try 5 new uppers.
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Originally Posted By shepherdman60: I am having the same problem you described with the upper not fitting into the lower. I am most likely going to send back. I bought their BRN 180-M hoping to avoid any fitment issues. I assumed wrong it looks like. Don't know if I would have had the patience to try 5 new uppers. View Quote Well that answers my question, I had hoped that they figured that issue out by now. |
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@shepherdman60 Sending you an IM so that you can send it where it will go to a specific person to inspect. Could just be a case of tolerance stacking, but we'll get you squared away.
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Your posts may be used for quality and training purposes...
How do I get the job at brownells who gets to just browse arf and look for threads to post in? --Proto3 Spoiler Alert: This is a volunteer position. |
Originally Posted By shepherdman60: I am having the same problem you described with the upper not fitting into the lower. I am most likely going to send back. I bought their BRN 180-M hoping to avoid any fitment issues. I assumed wrong it looks like. Don't know if I would have had the patience to try 5 new uppers. View Quote Mine fits tight, but not too tight for me to not remove it install. I think it's tight by design. |
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I'm not having much success with the BRN-180S. I returned my Gen 1 upper because it would not consistently group.
My first venture out with the .300BLK Gen2 BRN-180S seemed great- 1MOA 5-shot grouping with 145gr Wolf FMJ. Second time out... not so much. Failed to achieve similar groups with 110gr VMAX, 123gr CBC FMJ, and yes, 145gr Wolf FMJ. Maybe it was a bad range day. But my prior experience has me concerned. I will go over it carefully before the next range trip. ETA: Closer inspection revealed at least one loose trunnion screw. I don't know the torque spec so I'll call Brownells tomorrow. |
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19 in/lbs @Mike_Golf
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Your posts may be used for quality and training purposes...
How do I get the job at brownells who gets to just browse arf and look for threads to post in? --Proto3 Spoiler Alert: This is a volunteer position. |
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You don't want any part of me right now, I'm full of bitterness, Scotch, and impure thoughts!!!!
. PA-PA-PA-PA-POW! Like 10 pounds of C4 in your sister! --Redhed97 |
Just wanted to post so I can follow this thread. Anyone get one of the new sexy FDE 180s uppers?
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Lol the worst!
Nice :) Let’s see pics when your done! |
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Heck ya!
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Hey... so with all these ammo problems. Has anyone shot steel case threw these uppers much? How is reliability with steel case stuff?
I’m not worried about accuracy per say. Just reliability. Extra wear and tare not considering either. Tho I think I read on this thread someone saying the steel case was chipping away at the aluminum upper pretty good? |
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I've put a few hundred of Wolf steel case through my 16" and didn't have one single hiccup. It's not extensive testing by any stretch but it's enough to where I'm honestly not that worried about reliability issues.
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Originally Posted By kabal57:
Reading the same quote or sentence some random forum member said one time doesn't make much sense to me, but whatever. |
Originally Posted By BigRix: I'm currently working out the last of the details on my butt stock design. This is my latest prototype. https://ar180parts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/53DEC2B7-60BD-4120-BFEC-FBD08B808BE4-scaled.jpeg https://ar180parts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/B3F84449-C5BA-4484-8031-ED437BF99C4B-scaled.jpeg https://ar180parts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/6DFF17D7-204E-4796-9DFB-4D44D7828DD9-scaled.jpeg https://ar180parts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/08D537BB-071B-470A-BCFA-9943733BF434-scaled.jpeg You can probably tell I'm not much of a paint and body man. It still needs some touch up, LoL. What do you think so far? View Quote That looks awesome. Would love to get one for my BRN-180. |
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My 180S folding pistol build runs great.
Without a can, exposing the Silencerco brake, it's very soft-shooting. Wish the handguard could clear the brake. Oh well, guess it'll get cleaned just like the others: Not until it malfunctions. Needs a better charging handle, too. |
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If anyone is interested, here is a pistol build with:
Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter Battle Arms Sabertube Gear Works Tailhook Pistol Brace Attached File and AR180Parts.com Straight Charging Handle Attached File |
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Originally Posted By -Shaggs-: Can't remember where I found this pic but anyone know what kind of folding stock adapter it has? https://i.imgur.com/RIFjnoV.jpg View Quote Not quite but close... https://www.rainierarms.com/hera-arms-side-folding-unit-sfu-9296/ |
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Originally Posted By Headspacer: Not quite but close... https://www.rainierarms.com/media/catalog/product/cache/f356af1300088f34e63e2b0cffeb0768/h/e/hera_arms_side_folding_unit_sfu_-5.jpg https://www.rainierarms.com/hera-arms-side-folding-unit-sfu-9296/ View Quote Ya I saw that one and the SB Tactical one but I like how the one in the pic is so low profile. I almost didn't think it even had one until I saw the button. |
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[b] AR180Parts.com Straight Charging Handle https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/535158/20210203_180327_jpg-1809824.JPG View Quote How does that work for deflecting the brass? Lefty asking. |
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Originally Posted By -Shaggs-: Can't remember where I found this pic but anyone know what kind of folding stock adapter it has? https://i.imgur.com/RIFjnoV.jpg View Quote Looks like the MDT |
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-"The truth does not require your belief in it to function."
-Genuine science is about gathering evidence and testing the veracity of theories, not cheerleading for a particular ideology. |
Originally Posted By conda: I'm really happy with how my brn turned out. I think the lower completes the look. https://i.imgur.com/1P79Dpb.jpg View Quote Was this ever resolved? Same thing is on mine, doesn’t really appear to be anything more than cosmetic |
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So, I'm looking hard at one of these AR-180 clone uppers. A thought occurs to me. If the buffer tube is non critical, it seems like a useful place for storage of spares (batteries, springs, cleaning tools, etc).
To this end waiting for Brownells to get their stock back up ( I see that's the case now ) I had purchased the LaRue R.A.T. stock with space for storage of a cleaning rod. The recoil pad is reasily removable allowing access to the space the buffer tube would be filling. So, with that idea, a rear accessed spares carrier would work in the buffer space, accessed while the stock is folded. But that space would change volume as the stock was telescoped. In thinking about this further, with a folding stock kit for buffer tube configuration, the buffer tube could be accessed while the stock is folded. But would need to have something to keep the insert from falling out (buffer retention plunger would work). Does anyone make any sort of inserts for buffer tubes as storage spaces? Mostly a FAL guy so anything AR is kinda new to me.....they were always those dirty DI guns ...but with a good properly designed piston system, I've opened up to the idea. |
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Originally Posted By montieth: So, I'm looking hard at one of these AR-180 clone uppers. A thought occurs to me. If the buffer tube is non critical, it seems like a useful place for storage of spares (batteries, springs, cleaning tools, etc). To this end waiting for Brownells to get their stock back up ( I see that's the case now ) I had purchased the LaRue R.A.T. stock with space for storage of a cleaning rod. The recoil pad is reasily removable allowing access to the space the buffer tube would be filling. So, with that idea, a rear accessed spares carrier would work in the buffer space, accessed while the stock is folded. But that space would change volume as the stock was telescoped. In thinking about this further, with a folding stock kit for buffer tube configuration, the buffer tube could be accessed while the stock is folded. But would need to have something to keep the insert from falling out (buffer retention plunger would work). Does anyone make any sort of inserts for buffer tubes as storage spaces? Mostly a FAL guy so anything AR is kinda new to me.....they were always those dirty DI guns ...but with a good properly designed piston system, I've opened up to the idea. View Quote https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/Stock-Tube-Adaptor-Picatinny-p/mi-stap.htm |
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Originally Posted By rpoL98: https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/Stock-Tube-Adaptor-Picatinny-p/mi-stap.htm View Quote Hmm.....That would be a slightly different direction as I was thinking to have the lower remain compatible with a conventional AR upper... thus I was thinking of the LAW Tactical Folding adaptor. But it does make the access to the tube itself trivially easy with the RAT stock. Turn the front locking switch, depress the latch, withdraw the stock off the tube and remove the knurled end cap to gain access to the parts. Do folks like those rail adapter mounts for stocks? |
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