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ArmaLite AR-18: Difference between revisions

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The AR-18 Rifle was developed in the early 1960s as a low cost alternative to the AR-15 Rifle and was produced by Armalite in the U.S. and manufactured via contract by Sterling of England and Howa of Japan. The '''AR-18''' was a (5.56mm) select fire assault rifle that used simple stampings 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 AR-18 Rifle was developed in the early 1960s as a low cost alternative to the AR-15 Rifle and was produced by Armalite in the U.S. and manufactured via contract by Sterling of England and Howa of Japan. The '''AR-18''' was a (5.56mm) select fire assault rifle that used simple stampings 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.


Although never adopted officially by any Armed Forces, it did somewhat serve as a testbed for weapons such as the Sterling SAR-87, SA80, SR-88, H&K G36 etc. The AR-18 was notoriously supplied underground to the Irish Republican Army hence the ''Armalite and Ballot Box strategy''. 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 unless modified; a cut out space on the magazine to catch in the magazine well was on different sides for each weapon, but a skilled armourer could modify one magazine to fit in the other. 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 yet.   
Although never adopted officially by any Armed Forces, it did somewhat serve as a testbed for weapons such as the Sterling SAR-87, SA80, SR-88, H&K G36 etc. The AR-18 was notoriously supplied underground to the Irish Republican Army hence the ''Armalite and Ballot Box strategy''. 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}}.  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 unless modified; a cut out space on the magazine to catch in the magazine well was on different sides for each weapon, but a skilled armourer could modify one magazine to fit in the other. 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 yet.   
   
   
==Specifications==
==Specifications==

Revision as of 18:29, 15 May 2012

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Armalite AR-18 - 5.56mm
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Armalite AR-18 with 30 round magazine 5.56mm
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AR-18 fitted with scope with stock folded 5.56mm
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AR-18 with scope and sling fitted 5.56mm
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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
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The SAR-87, an advanced AR-18 derivative that was under development by the now-defunct Sterling Armaments of Dagenham.

The AR-18 Rifle was developed in the early 1960s as a low cost alternative to the AR-15 Rifle and was produced by Armalite in the U.S. and manufactured via contract by Sterling of England and Howa of Japan. The AR-18 was a (5.56mm) select fire assault rifle that used simple stampings 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.

Although never adopted officially by any Armed Forces, it did somewhat serve as a testbed for weapons such as the Sterling SAR-87, SA80, SR-88, H&K G36 etc. The AR-18 was notoriously supplied underground to the Irish Republican Army hence the Armalite and Ballot Box strategy. 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 unless modified; a cut out space on the magazine to catch in the magazine well was on different sides for each weapon, but a skilled armourer could modify one magazine to fit in the other. 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 yet.

Specifications

(1963 - 1980)

  • Type: Assault Rifle
  • Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
  • Weight: 6.6 lbs (3 kg)
  • Length: 38.2 in (97 cm)
  • Barrel length: 18.3 in (46.4 cm)
  • Capacity: 20. 30, 40 round box mag
  • Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Full-Auto

The ArmaLite AR-18 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Silver Streak Ray Walston Thug Edgar Whiney 1976
The Enforcer 1976
The Spy Who Loved Me KGB Assassins 1977
Sorcerer Venezuelan soldiers 1977
The Gauntlet Phoenix Police 1977
Stingray (AKA: Abigail Wanted) Sherry Jackson Abigail Bratowski 1978
For Your Eyes Only Michael Gothard Michael Corben 1981
Harry's Game Derek Thompson Billy Downes 1982
The Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminator 1984
Tomorrow Never Dies Pierce Brosnan James Bond 1997
The Last Train Treva Etienne Ark Tribesman 1999
Shergar Andrew Connolly Concannon 1999
Serenity Nathan Fillion Mal Reynolds 2005
Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia Colombian Rogue Unit soldier 2009
The Guard 2011

Television

Show Title Actor Character Note / Episode Air Date
S.W.A.T. Christopher George Mr. Bravo 1975-1976
The Professionals Lewis Collins Bodie 1977-1983
The A-Team Ismael Carlo Salvador 1983-1988


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