This is really directed at Uncle Armalite. Has your fine company ever considered bringing out an updated AR180? It had some really good ideas, and was a very good compact rifle. It would be interesting to see what your engineers could do with it with modern metallurgy and engineering.
I've actually thought about this. A cold hammer forged barrel that's been nitrided inside and out vice parkerization/chrome lining with 5R rifling. NiB coated bolt and bolt carrier. Nitrided piston, op rod, gas block and piston sleeve. Adjustable gas valve, nitride the interior and exterior receiver surfaces followed by cerokoting in the purchaser's color of choice, Ace-type folding stock adaptor so an M4 receiver extension can be used, flat top receiver with mil-std 1913 rail, updated trigger assembly, selection of forends from old school original to rail systems. Oh, and since we're dreaming here, a quick change barrel system with barrels ranging from 10.5" to 18". Armalite does all that and I won't buy one, I'll buy three - black, FDE, and Ranger Green.
LebbenB I like the way you think. The things I would keep about the old AR180 would be the piston system, your right get rid of the old folding stock system, it wasn't that good. The scope mount was excellent so keep that. Keep the loose tolerances ala AK 47, as it was reliable. Oh and make it AR15 magazine compatible as the old one needed another slot ground in to AR15 mags. Make 1 in 7 twist for max performance with SS109 bullets. Sling swivels set up for ready carry slings. And a 7.62x51 version while your at it.
I was thinking more along the lines of an American Sig 550.
And don't any of you mention the Sig Sauer 556. I will electronically pummel you. I used to own one and it couldn't hit water if I dropped it off the side of a boat. It was reliable, but that's all I could say for it.
LebbenB wrote: Price it somewhere in the neighborhood of $800-$1200, depending on the bells and whistles.
I watched a used AR-180 sell for $1,600 at auction this last summer and it looked to have rode in the truck for a few years. Seems like there would be a good market for an updated version.
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