I assure you that it wasn’t planned, but it seems that I am, inadvertently, testing all the non-direct-impingement AR clones these days. I picked up a couple JAKLs which are using the long stroke gas system of the AK. And, for no reason that I can think of except for a wild impulse, I seem to have picked up one of the new Brownell AR-180 reintroductions. This particular flavor of AR-wannabe uses the short stroke piston system. What both of these designs have going for it is that they allow for a folding stock, and they are a bit more hygienic in terms of keeping fouling out of the action.
Years ago, I took a defensive carbine course. Unsurprisingly everyone was using some flavor of AR-15. I recall that I could fire about 400 rounds before the gun needed a couple squirts of lube or some quick cleaning to keep it running. In theory, the non-direct-impingement guns should run way past that without needing cleaning. Guess I’ll find out.
For those who are a bit unfamiliar, Brownells took the concept of the AR-180 and ran with it. They updated the design to work on any milspec AR lower, which is a huge win since it allows the gun to use plentiful AR mags rather than the proprietary AR-180 mags. (Although, yeah, you could modify an AR mag to work. Usually.)
The tradeoffs are the usual ones when moving away from the direct impingement system…a hit to accuracy since there are now moving bits along the barrel. In fact, best I can tell, the only semiauto .223 carbines out there that dont have moving parts on the barrel are the direct impingement ARs, the gasless HK93, and the wierd lever delay of the FAMAS.
If someone would bring out an HK93 that takes AR mags and has a bolt hold open I would buy a dozen. (And, interestingly, Hk did exactly that.)
So, as soon as a couple accessories show up for this thing, I’ll take it out and see if it’s got anything going for it. Right now, the most interesting thing about it is that….its NOT an AR.
A internet friend of mine has a couple of the Brownellls AR180’s. He’s a pretty serious gun guy. He likes them.
Personally I’m sticking with the plain ole DI AR in 5.56 unless somehow I stumble into crazy money at which point I’ll get a couple HK 416’s.
I’ve thought for a while that the Jackal was basically a updated AR180 but looks like I was wrong. I’ve been lucky enough to shoot a Costa Mesa AR180, the AR180B and the newer BRN180 and liked them all, especially the BRN180 because you can use standard AR mags. I really like that you don’t get that weird sound when the buffer spring compresses when it fires. That always bugs me. However, the only thing I didn’t like about the BRN180 was the new front handguard. That thing heated up like crazy after a couple of magazines, and not at mag dump speed. Just casual firing.
JAKL does that too. I understand that putting same rail covers at the 3-, 6-, 9-oclock position might be good for the hand. Really, a vertical foregrip is called for and that what I did on the JAKLs.
Following. It is somewhat of a marketing schtik to just say that a particular rifle design “is not an ar-15” and it’s nefarious dirty design attributes. There are many types and brands that are put forth, but they also may have their own issues. My logistics and parts or armorer level of serviceability brain thinking kinda keeps me in the ar-15 lane of inventory. Not having the money to buy into experimental or newfangled non ar-15 guns, or to just being a gun slut jumping from gun to gun for novelty pleasures has it’s own practicality logics. FN was an example, (fs2000 ghee wiz gun) when it’s proprietary bolt need replacement (all guns can have parts break) and it was $500.00 and only available through them. Most Frens involved in spicy actions will not be engaged long enough, or be ammo carrying enough to the point of fouling up stoppages. Flank em, disengage, or get Frens reinforcements if things are that protracted. Good field reports Commander, you are the readerships test mule for these items.
Logistically, it makes zero sense to have anything other than an AR for .223. I have three dozen of them for that reason. But, sometimes its fun to play with other stuff.
The increasing diversity of .556 “almost-ARs” is proof that marketing works, as well as proof that market segmentation can work extremely well given the right, “ripe” environment.
If you’ve got the base covered AND more play-money than you know what to do with, then feel free to indulge. Otherwise s stick to the same chassis.
You, of course, said it much more succinctly.
Sorry, .223/5.56. Getting old.
Hopefully yours work for you. Up here in Canada AR-15’s were made prohibited by the government in May of 2020 by OIC (Order in Council – kinda like an Executive Order). The court case is still pending on whether it’s even legal.
As a result we have numerous Canadian AR-180 clones that have been produced domestically, as the AR-180 is not part of the OIC. Unfortunately, as of now, we have not seen an acceptable reproduction of this 60 year old technology. All seem to have issues – most with the gas system, and broken piston rods after less than 1000 rounds. Hopefully the Brownell’s version works better.
Looking forward to your review/comments on this rifle.
Interesting. The Brownells upper is, in this country, an unregulated part that can be shipped through the mail like a toaster. Are the regs there such that you can’t order the upper from the US?
We used to be able to, but because it attaches to an AR-15 lower it would now be prohibited. The laws are really screwed up, up here. It used to be that the AR-15 was in a class called “RESTRICTED” which meant they had to be registered (much like your SBR’s) and were restricted to range use. No shooting them in the great outdoors. . As you point out, the lower was the registered part and uppers were uncontrolled. But we had access to all the AR’s and used to have 3 gun competitions up here. Then we had some psycho that went on a shooting spree with smuggled illegal guns and the government decreed that all AR’s are now prohibited. They even prohibited the uppers which were previously uncontrolled.
I know – it doesn’t make any logical sense, but that’s the story of Canadian gun laws. We don’t have a 2A unfortunately.
Not available in Socialist paradise Illinois as all but some maintenance parts are no longer shippable. All 2A lawsuits were dismissed due to a stalking horse bad case..
HK433 someday. They have been teasing it for years.
Apparently Illinois has become part of Canada now. That reminds me, I better order more toasters while I still can…
An Ar is like an old woman, if you want it to run good you need to use lube.
+1 on the AR-15 for purely logitiscal purposes! Have those bases covered, and like you CZ – what’s next?
Jakl? Sig 556? AR-180B?
There are many reasons to.like the AR-15….. but….
Im really digging the JAKL.
Will the BEN-180 upper work with the JAKL lower?
Since they both use mostly unmodified AR lowers I dont see why not.