Last Updated on August 25, 2024 by Harrison

Brownells 180

The BRN 180 Rifle: A Legacy of Innovation

The **BRN 180** rifle, a modern homage to the classic **AR-180**, has captured the attention of firearm enthusiasts since its introduction. Originally designed in the late 1960s by **Eugene Stoner**, the AR-180 was envisioned as a more affordable and versatile alternative to the AR-15 platform. However, it never gained the widespread popularity it deserved.

Fast forward to 2019, when Brownells, a renowned name in the firearms industry, revived this iconic design with the BRN 180. This innovative rifle combines the best features of its predecessor with modern advancements, appealing to both collectors and new shooters alike. 

The BRN 180 boasts a unique **monolithic upper receiver**, allowing for quick and easy customization, while its **folding stock** offers compact storage and transport options. Its piston-driven system enhances reliability, making it ideal for various shooting applications—from tactical training to recreational use.

The new Brownells BRN-180^® and BRN-180S^®, designed in conjunction with PWS and FM Products, incorporate many of the improvements found in the AR-18/AR-180 rifles originally introduced in the 1960s, including a robust, reliable gas piston operating system. Key features include:

• Adjustable Gas System now on ALL models
• Simplified, more secure Gen handguard attachment system (see below)
• Ultra-reliable Short Stroke type piston operating system
• Ideal for folding stock/brace (see below)
• Compatible with ANY current mil-spec AR-15 lower
• Machined 7075 T6 aluminum receiver & handguard with hardcoat anodized finish
• Barrels of extra-strong 4150 carbon steel with a tough, matte black Nitride finish
• Button rifled bore with 1-8″ twist
• Replica three-prong AR-180-style flash suppressor
• 1/2″-28 tpi threaded muzzle (5/8″-24 tpi .300 Blk)
• Molded polymer ejection port cover

All Gen3 BRN-180 and BRN-180S^® upper receivers are fully compatible with any standard, mil-spec AR-15 lower receiver. Add one to your collection today!

brn 180 upper

Yes, the BRN 180 rifle is designed with modularity in mind, allowing for barrel swaps. The upper receiver is compatible with different barrel lengths and profiles, making it versatile for various shooting applications. 

To swap the barrel, you typically need to follow these steps:

1. Ensure Safety: Make sure the rifle is unloaded and the chamber is clear.

2. Remove the Upper Receiver: If your BRN 180 has a pinned or secured barrel, you may need to detach the upper from the lower receiver.

3. Remove the Barrel: Depending on the design, you might need specific tools to loosen and remove the barrel nut.

4. Install the New Barrel: Align the new barrel properly and tighten it according to manufacturer specifications.

5. Reassemble: Put the upper back onto the lower and perform a function check.

Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specifics on compatibility and installation. If you’re unsure, consulting a professional gunsmith is recommended.

brn 180 lower

### BRN 180 Lower: A Game-Changer for Your Firearm.

**Innovative Design**  

The BRN 180 lower is engineered for versatility and performance. Its unique design allows for easy customization.

**Durable Construction**  

Made from high-quality materials, this lower is built to withstand the toughest conditions. It’s reliable and ready for any challenge.

**Compatibility**  

Works seamlessly with various upper receivers. This means you can mix and match to suit your shooting style.

**User-Friendly**  

Installation is a breeze. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, you’ll appreciate the straightforward setup.

**Enhanced Features**  

Includes a last-round bolt hold open feature. This ensures smooth operation and improved efficiency during use.

**Perfect for Everyone**  

Whether you’re at the range or in the field, the BRN 180 lower delivers. It’s ideal for sport shooting, hunting, and tactical applications.

Upgrade your firearm today with the BRN 180 lower. Experience the difference!

Brownells BRN-180 Semi-automatic Rifle one of the country’s top shooting-components providers, has been a longtime supporter of this country’s enthusiasm for AR-pattern rifles. When I built a direct gas-impingement operated AR-15 at home for the first time a few years ago, this company proved to be an invaluable source of tools and information for the first-time builder and more experienced at-home hobbyists.

Although I have yet to find any reason to complain about the performance or reliability of the well-made direct-impingement platforms I’ve worked with, plenty of folks are devoted to ARs that use short-stroke gas-piston systems to cycle the action.

They run much more cleanly, since exhaust from the cartridge is not being blown back into the action. They also don’t heat up as quickly, for the same reason. However, piston guns do tend to cost more and generally don’t print quite as tight of groups as impingement-operated guns.

The debate over which is the better action type for an AR will continue. Rather than just watch from the sidelines, I opted to get into the game by building a piston driven AR in order to see the differences for myself. Once again, thanks to new-products released last year and this year, Brownells has made building a piston AR just as easy as an impingement model. BUY a our COMGPLETE BUILD HERE!

BRN 180 – GUN BARREL

Brownells BRN180 For sale could have gone in a variety of directions to develop in-house piston driven options for their customers. In 2019, it opted to go the retro route with the launch of the 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. BRN-180 series of factory complete AR-15 uppers inspired by Eugene Stoner’s AR-18/180.

As a scaled-down version of the AR-16, the AR-180 sported a piston system that was ahead of its time. However, other features and factors in play at the time kept these rifles from being adopted by the military or picking up much steam in the civilian market.

Rather than try to replicate the AR-180’s stamped-and-welded steel receiver, the BRN-180 uppers are assembled around milled billet 7075-T6 aluminum upper receivers, which are compatible with mil-spec AR-15 lowers and typical AR-15 STANAG magazines. This gives customers the option of snapping this upper into a lower they already have or using it as the starting point for a simplified at-home build.

The flattop upper receiver has more of a square profile than the typical AR-15 along with an integral Picatinny optics rail. On the left side of the receiver is a cut out to accommodate the bolt catch and a small round rubber bumper to protect the finish if a folding stock is installed.

On the right side of the upper receiver is a modified polymer dust cover fitted to the ejection port, but a the familiar AR-15 forward assist is absent. The top mounted non-reciprocating charging handle has been replaced with an AR-180 type reciprocating bolt handle which protrudes from the ejection port.

Within the upper receiver, a rotating multi-lug bolt is fitted into a block-shaped carrier supported by dual recoil assemblies. The recoil rods are mounted to a removable aluminum cap that’s held in place by the lower receiver. This means the recoil assembly is fully contained within the upper assembly with no need for a spring or buffer to be installed in the shoulder stock.

AR 180 FOR SALE

The BRN-180 upper ships with a 4150 steel, button-rifled barrel with a black-nitride finish and a .223 Wylde chamber. The upper is currently available in three barrel lengths including 10.5″ pistol, 16″ carbine and 18.5″ rifle options.

I opted to work with the 18.5″ rifle barrel with a 1:8″ twist rate and a factory-installed replica of the AR-180’s three-prong flash hider. The 14″ long aluminum handguard free-floats the barrel, has a full-length optics rail on top and M-LOK accessory slots cut throughout.

The handguard is secured to the barrel block by a U-latch. Removing this latch allows the handguard to slide off in order to provide access to the gas-piston system. The piston system’s design is lifted straight from the AR-180 with some modifications to the spring, materials and finish to bring it up to modern production standards. The upper arrives with a standard piston cup installed, and a second cup for sound suppressors is provided.

BROWNELLS BRN180

The rifle came together beautifully with no technical problems or component fit issues. The BRN-180M lower has a screw in place of a roll pin for the bolt catch, and the rear takedown pin detent has been moved from the buffer tube port location to a point just above the pistol grip. That detent’s spring needed to be shortened a bit before installation.

There was no need to swap out any of the originally planned components for this particular build. Once completed, the BRN-180 sailed through the bench checks, passing each one with aplomb.

For the range test, the BRN-180 build was outfitted with a Bushnell SMRS Elite Tactical 1-6.5x24mm scope using a Weaver Tactical SPR Optics Tactical Rail Mount. The rifle operated reliably with a variety of ammunition and AR-15 pattern magazines, including the Mission First Tactical (MFT) Extreme Duty 30-Round magazineshttps://westcostsecurity.com/shop/semi-automatic-brownells-brn-180-rifles/https://westcostsecurity.com/shop/semi-automatic-brownells-brn-180-rifles/https://westcostsecurity.com/shop/semi-automatic-brownells-brn-180-rifles/Formal bench rested accuracy testing was conducted at 100-yards by firing five 5-shot groups into paper targets. Gorilla Ammunition’s 77-gr. Sierra Match King open-tip match load printed a best single group of 1.84″ with a five group average of 1.88″.

Winchester’s Select Grade USA Ready 62-gr. open tip tapped out a best group of 1.51″ with an average of 1.65″. Norma USA’s Tactical 55-gr. full-metal jacket was the tightest shooting load of the test with a best group of 1.32″ and an average of 1.45″.

$720

YES!
Brownells BRN-180 Review | The Perfect Piston Classic
Since Brownells does not sell the guns complete you will have to build out your lower so if you don’t just buy a complete lower parts kit, grab your favorite safety for the BRN-180.