Out of stock
SKU: 78000600
UPC: 050806113527
The BRN-180 Gen 2 16-inch upper is a complete .223 Wylde assembly built around a short-stroke gas piston system that traces its lineage to the AR-18/AR-180 rifles Eugene Stoner developed in the 1960s. It's aimed at shooters who want a folding-stock-capable build or a cleaner-running alternative to direct impingement, since the recoil system lives entirely inside the receiver. The 16-inch barrel and 1-8 twist make it a flexible choice for target work and general range duty. It mounts to any standard mil-spec AR-15 lower, so it drops straight onto a build you may already own.
The receiver and handguard are machined from 7075-T6 aluminum with a hardcoat anodized finish, while the 4150 alloy steel barrel wears a matte black nitride coating for corrosion resistance. The .223 Wylde chamber splits the difference between 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington, handling both safely while squeezing better accuracy out of match ammo. The 1-8 button-rifled bore stabilizes a wide bullet weight range. Gas regulation comes from a two-position adjustable block, useful when running a suppressor. The muzzle is threaded 1/2-28 and ships with a 3-prong flash hider patterned after the original AR-180 design. A self-contained dual guide rod system with an integrated polymer buffer eliminates the need for a standard buffer tube, spring, and receiver extension.
This upper suits a range of builds, from a folding pistol-brace configuration to a standard carbine, since it doesn't tie up the rear of the lower with a buffer assembly. Suppressor users will appreciate the adjustable gas block for tuning back-pressure. Pair it with a standard mil-spec lower from our lower receivers selection, or browse other options in our AR uppers lineup. If you're starting from scratch, our AR rifles and complete semi-auto rifles cover ready-to-shoot platforms.
No. The recoil system is self-contained inside the receiver, using dual guide rods with an integrated polymer buffer. This means no standard buffer tube, spring, or receiver extension is needed, which is what makes folding-stock and folding-brace builds possible on this platform.
Yes. This upper is fully compatible with any standard mil-spec AR-15 lower receiver per manufacturer specifications. It mounts using the standard takedown and pivot pins, so it drops onto a lower you may already own.
Yes. The .223 Wylde chamber is designed to safely fire both 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington while delivering better accuracy with match-grade .223 ammunition than a straight 5.56 chamber.
The two-position adjustable gas block lets you tune the system for suppressed shooting, reducing excess back-pressure when a suppressor is mounted. The piston design also keeps fouling out of the receiver, which helps when running suppressed.
The barrel uses a 1-8 inch twist and is button rifled from 4150 alloy steel. That twist rate stabilizes a broad range of bullet weights, making it versatile for both lighter and heavier .223 and 5.56 loads.
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