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ArmaLite AR-18: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Armalite-AR18.jpg|thumb|none|650px|Armalite AR-18 - 5.56mm]] | [[Image:Armalite-AR18.jpg|thumb|none|650px|Armalite AR-18 - 5.56mm]] | ||
Derived from the 7.62NATO calibre '''AR-16''' in the early 1960s and produced by Armalite in the U.S. and manufactured via contract by '''Sterling Armaments Ltd''' of England and Howa of Japan, the '''AR-18''' was a (5.56mm) select fire assault rifle designed for ease of manufacture. The '''Semi-automatic Civilian version''' of the rifle was called the '''AR-180'''. | |||
[[Image:AR-18.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Armalite AR-18 with 30 round magazine 5.56mm]] | [[Image:AR-18.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Armalite AR-18 with 30 round magazine 5.56mm]] | ||
[[Image:Sterling AR-18 Folded.JPG|300px|thumb|right|400px|AR-18 fitted with scope with stock folded 5.56mm]] | [[Image:Sterling AR-18 Folded.JPG|300px|thumb|right|400px|AR-18 fitted with scope with stock folded 5.56mm]] | ||
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[[Image:AR180B.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Modernized '''AR-180B''' by Armalite that accepts AR-15 / M16 magazines but does not come with a side-folding stock (requires aftermarket parts and modification to the rifle to accomplish this) - 5.56mm]] | [[Image:AR180B.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Modernized '''AR-180B''' by Armalite that accepts AR-15 / M16 magazines but does not come with a side-folding stock (requires aftermarket parts and modification to the rifle to accomplish this) - 5.56mm]] | ||
Hoping to capture the third world market as an alternative to the more expensive M16 rifle, Armalite was set for a disappointment, when the U.S. Government commissioned, bought and then '''gave away''' hundreds of thousands of M16s during the course of the 1960s and 1970s (to stem the tide of Communists arming 'their side' with free weapons). Armalite discontinued production in the late 1970s. | Hoping to capture the third world market as an alternative to the more expensive M16 assault rifle, Armalite was set for a disappointment, when the U.S. Government commissioned, bought and then '''gave away''' hundreds of thousands of M16s during the course of the 1960s and 1970s (to stem the tide of Communists arming 'their side' with free weapons). Armalite discontinued AR-18 production in the late 1970s. | ||
The rifle is now once again being manufactured by Armalite as the modernized AR-180B, with new '''Polymer Lower receiver''' that accepts AR-15/M16(STANAG) magazines. The original AR-18/180s had a "similar looking" magazine to the AR-15 but it was a proprietary design and the magazines for the two rifles were NOT interchangeable. The new version allows for the usage of the vastly more common AR-15 magazines. | The rifle is now once again being manufactured by Armalite as the modernized AR-180B, with new '''Polymer Lower receiver''' that accepts AR-15/M16(STANAG) magazines. The original AR-18/180s had a "similar looking" magazine to the AR-15 but it was a proprietary design and the magazines for the two rifles were NOT interchangeable. The new version allows for the usage of the vastly more common AR-15 magazines. | ||
Revision as of 19:12, 25 June 2008
Derived from the 7.62NATO calibre AR-16 in the early 1960s and produced by Armalite in the U.S. and manufactured via contract by Sterling Armaments Ltd of England and Howa of Japan, the AR-18 was a (5.56mm) select fire assault rifle designed for ease of manufacture. The Semi-automatic Civilian version of the rifle was called the AR-180.
Hoping to capture the third world market as an alternative to the more expensive M16 assault rifle, Armalite was set for a disappointment, when the U.S. Government commissioned, bought and then gave away hundreds of thousands of M16s during the course of the 1960s and 1970s (to stem the tide of Communists arming 'their side' with free weapons). Armalite discontinued AR-18 production in the late 1970s.
The rifle is now once again being manufactured by Armalite as the modernized AR-180B, with new Polymer Lower receiver that accepts AR-15/M16(STANAG) magazines. The original AR-18/180s had a "similar looking" magazine to the AR-15 but it was a proprietary design and the magazines for the two rifles were NOT interchangeable. The new version allows for the usage of the vastly more common AR-15 magazines.
Despite being once again manufactured for the civilian shooter market, none of the new Armalite guns with the synthetic lower receiver have appeared in any movies or television shows. Chances are that you are seeing the original Armalite production run in the 1970s. (Of course that could change with time).
The Armalite AR-18/AR-180 has been used by the following actors in the following films:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator in The Terminator. The character acquires a semi automatic AR-180 in the gun store and (as explained by director James Cameron in later interviews), it is assumed that the Terminator used his own 'technical knowledge' to convert them to fully automatic fire in the hotel room.
- Ray Walston as Thug Edgar Whiney in Silver Streak
- Nathan Fillion as Mal Reynolds in Serenity
- Derek Thompson as Billy Downes in Harry's Game
- Treva Etienne and Ark Tribesman in The Last Train
- Sherry Jackson as Abigail Bratowski in Stingray (1978) - Jackson keeps her AR-18 with the stock folded on the front handlebars of her motorcycle and fires it from the bike throughout the film.