A shift to the civilian market led to the AR-180, having a weight of slightly over 6 pounds and an 18-inch barrel with a 1-in-12-inch twist rate, perfect for the 55-grain .223 bullets that were the norm then. It possessed a true 5.56mm chamber and was capable of firing 5.56mm NATO and .223 Remington ammunition. Although ahead of its time and relatively priced affordably, the AR-180 struggled with competition, in part as a result of its proprietary magazine system that was incompatible with AR-15 magazines—this was later fixed following 2001 enhancements.
The AR-180B, brought out by the “new” ArmaLite in 2001, had a polymer lower receiver and AR-15 magazine compatibility and marked a major development on the original design. “Basing a new AR-180 was a natural step for us,” said Mark Westrom, ArmaLite president. The lightweight construction, balance, and enhanced features, including an effective non-detachable compensator and the availability of match-trigger upgrades, were received exceptionally well. Along with the technical qualities of the rifle, the competitive price of $660 for law enforcement offered by the rifle helped make it the favored candidate for departments strapped for cash.
Though it had its good points, the AR-180B fared poorly in the marketplace and was discontinued in 2007. It appeared the AR-180 would be relegated to a footnote in firearm history, with appreciation from only a few devoted enthusiasts within the gun world.
Nonetheless, in a remarkable turn of events, the AR-180 has found new popularity in the marketplace, possibly because of its scarcity and unusual design background. In 2019, a contemporary relative of the AR-180 family, the WK180-C, set off fresh interest. Made by Kodiak Defence in Canada, on behalf of Wolverine Supplies, the WK180-C features AR-15 compatible barrels, muzzle brakes, triggers, and other components while retaining the unique characteristics of the AR-180.
