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Thread: AR-18 magazine ?

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RCS AR-18 magazine ? 06-22-2010, 12:21 PM
browningautorifle I believe that's correct. I... 06-22-2010, 01:05 PM
TonyG I tried to find more info,... 06-22-2010, 08:45 PM
RCS AR-18 magazines 06-22-2010, 10:52 PM
AmEngRifles I am no expert. But have been... 07-10-2010, 01:10 PM
RCS AR-18 / AR-180 magazines 07-10-2010, 02:03 PM
AmEngRifles Dear RCS, I have never... 08-24-2010, 03:09 PM
RCS old Mitchell photo 08-24-2010, 10:11 PM
smellie Pardon my total ignorance,... 08-31-2010, 05:51 AM
RCS Early magazines for the... 08-31-2010, 12:02 PM
kobren AR-18 magazine? 09-25-2012, 06:27 PM
kobren AR180 magazine? 09-26-2012, 04:04 PM
kobren AR180 Magazine? 09-27-2012, 11:51 AM
Abacab I know it's an old thread and... 09-07-2014, 08:31 PM
RCS AR-18 magazine 09-07-2014, 11:24 PM
smellie Thanks for bearing with me; I... 08-31-2010, 12:51 PM
kobren Photos not sharp, I'll retake... 09-25-2012, 06:47 PM
kobren AR180 Magazine? 09-26-2012, 02:28 PM
Bruce_in_Oz CIS in Singapore also did... 05-10-2015, 10:07 PM
osjim kobren 05-15-2015, 10:42 PM
AmEngRifles Updates 10-28-2017, 01:47 PM
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Bruce_in_Oz's Avatar
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    CIS in Singapore also did their own thing with a rifle having more than a passing resemblance to the AR-18.

    Anyone have any clear data on the mags for these, especially the early ones?
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    kobren

    I have an Armalite Costa Mesa Serial number in low 600's. I have had it for over 25 years. Rarely shot, has the Armalite proprietary scope. I also have the same magazine you are discussing and always wondered who made it.

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    Legacy Member AmEngRifles's Avatar
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    Updates

    I need to update this thread with a set of pictures. First off, thank you kobren for the valuable additions to this thread. It has helped me in a long search.

    I have just purchased a new in wrapper early 30 round magazine for the M-16/AR-180 we have been reviewing. I think this is about the 4th mag I have come across in this style. This is the first one to have the kraft paper wrap. I paid a bit too much, but then again, it is all relative and this is the first one I have seen in a VERY long time. So price is fair.

    I would like to include images of Sterling produced mags, because they seems to cause confusion at times. Sterling DID make a 30 round magazine in steel, just as they made a curve 20 and a curved 40. But once you see these, along with the original finish, you will be able to discern these from all others. All Sterlings have the manufacture's name on the base plate. There are a few small variations of the markings, but that leads down another road.

    All Sterling mags and 20 round ARMALITE mags have the black plastic follower with a lowered bolt stop shelf. As far as I recall, and I need to find and inspect my "early-no name" steel 30's, like we are discussing, these did NOT come with the lowered shelf follower. If you have discovered otherwise, please let me know. I will add, that ANY mag, after all these years, could end up with a changed/replaced floor plate or follower. The mag displayed by Abacab that came from the gun show may have had it's follower replaced. I see it does have a follower with the appropriate 180 lowered shelf. If you didn't replace/modify the follower for use in the 180, you would end up with a locked open bolt and one round left in the mag. I used to file down or cut out the tab on M-16 followers that I modified for my 180's in earlier times.

    While both the "no name" and Sterling steel 30 round magazines had "constant curves", not "compound curves" like the contract M-16 mags, they are of a different radius. Not by much, but it is evident when you place them on top of one another.

    The one thing I find interesting about the nomenclature used on these poly kraft wraps is the reference to the AR-180 and NOT the AR-18. They do refer to the M16icon/AR-15, so I guess there was a strong enough recognition of the civilian market, they wanted to use those terms. Just interesting, if it was intended for military contracts alone, you would think they would have simply stamped them M16/AR-18. Something to ponder. As well, although a VERY MINOR point, is the way they spelled that out. It is as follows:

    M16-AR-15-AR180

    Most of the time, I consider that AR 180 is written in this way, "AR-180", with the dash between the letter and number. Small potatoes in the overall conversation.

    OK, look for some photos in the not too distant future. This thread moves along SLOWLY! lol

    ---------- Post added at 01:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:44 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by kobren View Post
    The 30rd unmarked parkerized steel mag pictured is genuine ArmaLite Costa Mesa CA and I'v located plenty of documentation with photos to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. If possible I'd like to see photos front and back of the complete polycraft wrapper that looks like it's in almost new condition. I'v seen photos of a couple of these mags still sealed in the wrapper and they all look identical. I'm seriously leaning towards ArmaLite mfg their 20 and 30rd mags in house and not by a subcontractor.
    I could see this. Aren't 30 round magazines featured in the original operator's manual? That would indicate a much earlier production date, as they had to supply those civilian 180s with Operators Manuals. The rifle hit the civilian market what year? 1969?

    Just reviewed two on line manuals posted at BigRix AR180s page. In the earlier manual, those sent with Costa Mesa rifles, no pictures of 30 round mags. In the later Sterling produced manuals, they feature their own manufactured 30 round mag in the back, under accessories. So no help there.
    Last edited by AmEngRifles; 10-28-2017 at 02:01 PM.

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