I have been tempted many times to buy or convert one of my AR uppers to a piston system, never pulled that trigger though for one reason or another. I had looked seriously at several different ones as time went by, like POF, Aero/Superlative Arms and Adams Arms uppers. They all seemed fine, even if all had some issue or another mostly the bolt tilt issue which is not that concerning, but considering the cost I really hesitated buying essentially just a modified AR upper. Since I am trying to run most everything suppressed anymore, the piston systems were even more desirable lately.
I had read the hype about the Brownells AR18 revived uppers when they came out, but like any new design they had some teething issues so ignored them for the last couple years. However I saw they had revised some things and fixed their issues mostly so far as I could tell from newer reviews. The cost was still an issue so I put them on wish lists etc. When Black Friday came along they had coupon codes for really good discounts, 15% off in this case, with their already reduced price from near a $1000 down to around $800 with the discount down to around $680, still expensive but not sell a kidney expensive.
The thing that drew me to the BRN180 (and PSA JAKL) was the captured recoil, so no need for a buffer tube, and hence the ability to use a folding stock. This would have been a major appeal if
A: the ATF would not have become such douchebags about braces for short barrel options, and ...
B: they only came in 10.5".
I have been playing with pistol uppers and find the 12.5" and 13.5" keep much more ballistic integrity in real world drop at ranges even a little beyond 100yds. I may have even went with a 11.5" but nope, the bandwagon for 10.5" 5.56 is universal it seems. Anyway, I went with the 16", I figure I can always go shorter if the ATF falls into the pit of hell where they belong...but I digress.
They have 2 versions, Gen 2 and gen 2 sport. The regular gen2 has a funky zigzag charge handle and dust cover for gaping hole behind the bolt in the receiver, the Sport has no cover, but a straight charge handle much like an SKS.
They also had color choices, OD, FDE and black, I went with a the FDE version though it said it was the sport, I like the straight bolt better. When I got it it's the regular version with the dust cover. Not huge issue either way for me.
It shoots well, has a nice smooth cycle. It would not run on the suppressed setting with a 30 cal can on, I switched to unsuppressed and it ran fine. I have not done any accuracy testing yet, just ringing steel, youtubers say to look for 2 moa average.
The thread is worthless without pics, so here it was the day I got wearing a Burris RT-3
Here is a shot of the charge handle and port cover. I am experimenting with a Sig Romeo7 and Lucid 2-5x magnifier.
Bolt carrier group and recoil system
Retaining system similar to an AR, looks like maybe the firing pin is the same.
