thoughts on the 223 / wylde brownells BRN180 upper?

[elfster1234]

just getting your thoughts on the 223 / wylde brownells BRN180 upper? its on pre-order for $799... just picking hide brains.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...plete-upper-receiver-assembly-prod122861.aspx

 

[Waorani]

interesting

 

[TonyTheTiger]

I want one. I don't know why though.

 

[AIAW]

I want one. I don't know why though.

And that alone is all the reason anyone would need

 

[TonyTheTiger]

And that alone is all the reason anyone would need

I know. If only my wife knew what I know...

 

[Slo cat]

I have a shooting neighbor who will get a woodie when he sees this.

 

[schlaiek]

I want this, but a lefty version with a lower that can use a MPX or ACR stock.
some retro furniture would also be cool because of reasons that make no sense.

 

[elfster1234]

They actually sell the ar180 with the retro furniture

I want this, but a lefty version with a lower that can use a MPX or ACR stock.
some retro furniture would also be cool because of reasons that make no sense.

 

[schlaiek]

They actually sell the ar180 with the retro furniture

that is very cool. It looks like a lot of the BRN-180 info on Brownell's website has no backward links, but imo this is pretty cool move straddling innovation and retro.

 

[elfster1234]

Some pics

 

[elfster1234]

Based on an older ar180 design

 

[FLIGHT762]

Looking forward to a range report on this.

 

[Waorani]

Maybe they'll also come out with an innovative folding stock attachment that doesn't weigh half a pound and cost $200+.

 

[Steelhead]

I'm looking forward to seeing some reviews on this too!

 

[GONE BAD]

Are these shipping out to customers yet?
I haven't seen one shot fired .
Anywhere!
I noticed the demo unit had regular springs but thought I heard them say it would come with 'flat wire springs'?

 

[elfster1234]

Not yet, just pre order.

Are these shipping out to customers yet?
I haven't seen one shot fired .
Anywhere!
I noticed the demo unit had regular springs but thought I heard them say it would come with 'flat wire springs'?

 

[GONE BAD]

Ok, I take that back.
Seen a commercial today showing about 6 rapid fired rounds from the hip with the stock folded!

 

[GONE BAD]

Just out of curiosity, anyone have any updates on the BRN 180 upper?
Been searching the internet and can't find much. Just wondering, thanks

 

[derek1ee]

I'd be interested in a shorter barreled version. A 11.5" would make perfect upper for a sbr folder.

 

[GONE BAD]

I'm just wondering if they might be running into reliability issues with it?
You'd think there would be more information out there if it was about to be released?

 

[GONE BAD]

Crickets from Brownells

 

[Almonz]

Pretty cool retro design. Sort of a niche market because it's not a true clone, but is moreso just a relative to the old original. I like the concept of a folding AR without having the need to run a huge adapter on the receiver extension. I don't think I'd be interested enough to ever buy one though.

 

[Waorani]

They're now showing a 10.5" for pre-order.

 

[GONE BAD]

Looking forward to a range report on this.

Well looking at their site the status now shows Backorder instead of Pre-order. Plus one review with pics.
So it seems that they've started shipping?

 

[CRab]

https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/pro...-without-flange-sb-tactical-fs1913-brace-kit/

This looks like a pretty nice way to set up the 10.5” upper and take advantage of the no buffer needed functionality. $225 for the adapter and brace seems reasonable considering what only a folding adapter usually runs.

 

[Winny94]

I'm just wondering if they might be running into reliability issues with it?
You'd think there would be more information out there if it was about to be released?

Crickets from Brownells

Well looking at their site the status now shows Backorder instead of Pre-order. Plus one review with pics.
So it seems that they've started shipping?

Yea, if you follow their social media, they said they got the first batch a week or two ago, but they still havent filled backorders.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

How fuckin awesome would it be if they now do a Stoner 63 rifle retro clone-ish model but improved reliability and whatnot(I heard the originals wouldn't run unless they were lubed to the point of damn near dripping wet. Something like the old M96 or whatever its name was from a few years back by Robinson, but with retro + modernized options like the BRN-180.
Hey Brownells, if you're listening, add a Stoner 63 clone to your retro line!!!!!!!!

 

[Old_Longhair]

All I know is that I want one so I can take it easy on my original 180.

 

[GONE BAD]

Well I just built this lower because Brownells informed me that my upper will be here Wednesday.

 

[Old_Longhair]

Well I just built this lower because Brownells informed me that my upper will be here Wednesday.

Is that the Sylvan Arms folding setup?

 

[GONE BAD]

No. It's just a cheapo from eurooptics.
The lower is a AM 80% with a PSA lower parts kit.
So nothing special here, just a lower platform for the brn 180.

 

[Strykervet]

It's neat but having messed with a 18 I feel it's lesser of a weapon than the 15. No nation ever adopted the 18. There was a neat short barrel .45ACP conversion I saw once that would have worked very well in it though. I think it makes a better SMG than a rifle. It's a muchcheaper to produce weapon than was the M16. I'm sure Brownells uses 7075 instead and they made use of an AR lower, so maybe it won't be that bad, but it won't be a true AR18 either.

This is something I'd consider a toy at best. I wouldn't bet my life on it. I imagine they'll have more problems than the typical M4 and the action is more a novelty. I had an M17 bullpup in the 90's and this makes makes it come to mind for some reason.

If you want a really nice AR upper or rifle, I have an unused 20" built I'd sell that's much nicer with better parts for the same price.

 

[Strykervet]

On second thought, it looks pretty cool but I still wouldn't bet my life on it. And it looks like they used steel for the upper, best I can tell. It would be an interesting toy. I'd stock up on any parts you may need, like an extra bolt, springs, firing pin and other parts that may need to be replaced in the future.

 

[Old_Longhair]

I wholeheartedly disagree @Strykervet. I would much sooner stake my well being on the new upper than a 15/16.
For one thing, unlike a 15/16 it has never been "Band-Aided" multiple times to be what it is. The basic design is vastly superior on a number of levels, and now that Brownell's has incorporated more modern materials and manufacturing processes it's a definite improvement over the original 18/180.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

InRangeTV did a pretty nice review on Youtube with a couple of guys running it through a match.

 

[hypno02]

It's neat but having messed with a 18 I feel it's lesser of a weapon than the 15. No nation ever adopted the 18. There was a neat short barrel .45ACP conversion I saw once that would have worked very well in it though. I think it makes a better SMG than a rifle. It's a muchcheaper to produce weapon than was the M16. I'm sure Brownells uses 7075 instead and they made use of an AR lower, so maybe it won't be that bad, but it won't be a true AR18 either.

This is something I'd consider a toy at best. I wouldn't bet my life on it. I imagine they'll have more problems than the typical M4 and the action is more a novelty. I had an M17 bullpup in the 90's and this makes makes it come to mind for some reason.

If you want a really nice AR upper or rifle, I have an unused 20" built I'd sell that's much nicer with better parts for the same price.

Hasn’t owned or used one of these but they’re not good enough to trust his life to.

“Buy my 20” rifle cuz it’s better.”

Lol get fucked dude you fucking homo

 

[r.tenorio671]

Old_Longhair, ...been a long while since I've seen an ARMSON OEG sight like that Your 180 looks like one of the original Costa Mesa produced models, not the Howa produced models.

I'm somewhat surprised that Brownell's didn't update the charging handle to an ambidextrous one, a concern brought up back when the 180's were being marketed. The old explaination for the "L" shaped being "ambidextrous" with an "over the top" move with the off-hand seemed kind of weak then....as it does today as well.

 

[Old_Longhair]

Old_Longhair, ...been a long while since I've seen an ARMSON OEG sight like that Your 180 looks like one of the original Costa Mesa produced models, not the Howa produced models.

I've owned my 180 for 35yrs, and the factory mount & OEG for nearly as long. In it's day, it was the hot setup. I've replaced the tritium lamps twice in that time, and it's finally time to do it again
(well worth the $50 to do).

To me, part of the boon of Brownell's design is being able to pin it on a standard 15 lower, solving the magazine availability problem. Most of the mags I use are modified metal 15's, but being able to run newer poly mags (I use primarily Troy & Lancer) and lowers configured the way I want is enough to justify the price for the new BRN180 upper.