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LATE MODEL, HOWA JAPAN ARMALITE AR-180 RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD
LATE MODEL, HOWA JAPAN ARMALITE AR-180 RIFLE.

Cal. 5.56mm. S# S11876. Bbl. length 18". Manufactured Feb. 1974. The original ArmaLite AR-18 was designed in 1963 in CA. as a potential alternative for the U.S. military. When it started to look as though it would not be adopted as a standard service rifle, production was licensed to Howa Machinery Co. in Japan where they began production in 1967. Because military sales to U.S. were effected by American-Japanese treaty agreements that forbid Japan in selling to arms to "belligerent nations", it was determined rifles could not be sold to the U.S. due to our involvement in Vietnam. In 1974 ArmaLite & Sterling Ltd. in England signed a production agreement to manufacture both the AR-18 (Select-Fire version) & the AR-180 (the semi automatic commercial version) & started manufacturing rifles in 1975. This particular example was mfg. for ArmaLite Inc. in Costa Mesa, CA. by Howa Japan under ArmaLite patents. Serial number located on lower receiver. It is a gas operated piston driven semi auto rifle w/ a left side folding stock. Front sight is an elevation adjustable protected post. Rear sight is a windage adjustable dual aperture peep sight marked 200 & 400. The rifle is charged by a reciprocating handle on the right side of the rifle. Ambidextrous safety selector controls, black plastic furniture. Proper muzzle brake & the bayonet lug w/ attached green canvas sling. MAGS: 1 aluminum 20 rd. w/ ArmaLite AR-18 floorplate. CONDITION: bluing is complete on all exposed metal surfaces w/ some gentle thinning in areas of moving parts. Left side of receiver has been scratch engraved w/ unknown 16 digit number below rear sight. Stock locks tightly in open & closed positions. Magazine body appears to be a Colt era AR-15 magazine but the follower, spring & floorplate appear to be original Armalite. Bore is bright w/ strong rifling. Fire control mechanism appears to function correctly when cycled by hand. (23-524/JZ). MODERN. $1,200-1,800.