[Long Cut]

I read somewhere that the 180 was considered to replace the 16 back in the late '60s, but since they'd already comitted to it, the Army decided to stick with Colt.

Ironically, the XM-8 rifle that's slated to replace the M16, which thread I linked to above, uses the 180's operating system.

[556x45]

Hadnt heard that. I knew our military 'looked' at it and that was only a quick glance. By that time too much had been invested ($$$ and political) in the 15 and like it or not it was The choice. IIRC Fairchild came up w/ the 180 as a 'reduced cost' way to sell the 15's technology to cost sensitive customers. It was just right for 3rd world countries and some domestic LE used it too. It was easy to build from the standpt of machine work. Stampings are simple (a die and press), and the rest doesnt require extensive machine practice or metallurgy. I think the hated SA80 had its roots in the 180 as well....at least thats what I recall hearing. (True or not, Sterlings are the bottom of the barrel in the 180 world.)

As for the gas system...its about time. The 15s gas system has been one of its major weak pts. The 15 early on was billed as 'self cleaning' and that referred to all the crap that accumulated in the carrier and bolt tail. Right!