In Canada, AR15’s used to be restricted: you could only take them to the range and back and they had to be double locked. $650 Norinco or S&W M&P rifles were great for competition. Some people wanted non restricted rifles so they could go shoot on public land or go coyote hunting, or they didn’t want to own a restricted firearm, so they used WK180s. Then in May 1, 2020, the government enacted an Order in Council (like an Executive Order in the US) to ban AR15’s and many other alternatives, but they left the 180’s behind so now they’re super popular.
I thought I’d put together an article on the different manufacturers, versions, and aftermarket parts available.
Short list along with current availability
Full Rifles:
- Armalite AR180B (discontinued)
- Kodiak Defense WK180B Gen2 (available)
- WS-MCR (short supply)
- Sterling NR R18MK2 (available)
- BCL SRV2 Siberian (pre-order)
Lowers & Kits:
- SBI Lynx180B lower (available)
- TNA upper+lower kit (available)
- Jard J180 (very few)
- Spec180 Lower (short supply)
Click here to see the parts compatibility chart I whipped up.
Armalite AR-180
The AR180 is the civilian version of the AR18 and they are prohibited in Canada.
Armalite AR-180B
The AR-180B (my review here) was made as a much cheaper version of the AR180. They use a polymer lower, STANAG mags, and mixed so many other parts that they were considered a new platform and got a “non restricted” FRT (Firearms Reference Table) entry in Canada.
These used to be around $1000 but got a lot more expensive after other options dried up. In my opinion, they’re not worth the $2k+ price that people are asking nowadays. The polymer lowers are easy to break at the front pivot point, you can’t use AR15 grips and forends, there are a ton of proprietary parts and Armalite stopped making these in 2007. That said, reliability and durability is otherwise good in these rifles.
Kodiak Defense WK180C
Kodiak is a Canadian company and the WK180C (my review here) was the first commercially successful, locally made AR180 clone. Unlike the Armalite version, this one used a better aluminum lower, aluminum upper, aluminum forend, and a standard buffer tube for mounting stocks. The safety was ambi, you could use non-beavertail AR grips, and many other parts were compatible with aftermarket alternatives. Barrels were AR-compatible BUT, you need a carbine-length gas system. That means you’re pretty limited in barrel selection.
They’re currently the cheapest option for a 180 clone at around $1200-1300. I see a lot of these break the screw-in charging handles and snap pistons once in a while at 3 gun matches, not sure if these have been fixed.
Update Jan 2022 – WK180C Gen 2: Kodiak showcased their Gen2 at Shot Show this year. It has an ergonomic bolt release lever, non reciprocating charging handle, updated magwell, they narrowed the lower body so it takes AR pins and safeties, it has a longer 15″ forend, it takes AR beavertail grips, ambi mag release, captive takedown pins front and back (back one goes through the lug to keep it secure), and I think the recoil springs are captive on the guide rods. The Gen-2 go for $1479.
So in terms of what you might find:
- WK180C Gen 1
- WK180C Gen 2
- WK180C Steel
- WK180C Magpul Edition
- WK180C 7.62×39 (uses 7.62×39 AR mags)
- WK181C (same as above, but uses AK-pattern mags)
Spectre Ltd WS-MCR
The Canadian-made Spectre Ltd. WS-MCR (my review here) varies in a few ways to the WK180C. It uses a steel upper, so the charging handle can float, yet not chowder the inside of the receiver. They used a beefier brass piston bushing. There were a few issues when they were first released, but these look to be mostly resolved. They use a cross pin in the upper to reduce upper/lower wobble.
Later versions are left side charging, right side eject ONLY. There are versions in 7.62×39 that are available and there are also versions that use the Spec180 lower. Currently around $1600 if you can find one.
Since Spectre started making the Templar/Crusader rifles, I haven’t seen a lot of WS-MCRs for sale.
I use a WS-MCR for 3 gun competition.
Crusader Arms Templar
The Crusader Arms Templar comes with an ACR stock or AR15 stock, and with a milspec trigger or Triggertech, depending on trim level. Unlike many of the other 180’s, these can use a mid-length gas system, which many more AR barrels use. These are made by Spectre Ltd who also make the WS-MCR and Spec180 lower. They sell for around $2000 depending what trim you get.
More info on the Templar here.
Sterling NR R18MK2
The Sterling R18MK2 is a 180 clone that has a lot more features. Notably, it seems to have a very nice ambi-bolt release (most 180 clones don’t have a bolt release button from the factory). It is right side eject, left side charging ONLY and the left side charging handle is a non-reciprocating unit. It can take beavertail grips and the stock is a 1913 style with buffer tube adapter so you could use either/or. It uses AR size trigger pins, so you can use anti-rotation/anti-walk pins. Sells for around $2700.
The R180MK2 uses an odd proprietary barrel nut and proprietary forend.
CGN thread on Sterling R18MK2 here
BCL SRV2 Siberian
The BCL SRV2 Siberian is the newest entry into the wild world of Canadian 180s. It brings a mid-length gas system, non reciprocating charging handle, and a go-fast BCL-style bolt release button. They’re on sale right now for around $1650. Unlike some of the 180s on the market, the SRV2 has its own FRT entry. Review here
Lowers & Kits
SBI Lynx 180B Match Lower
https://www.instagram.com/p/CS9pSzglDjF/
The Lynx 180B is an enhanced lower that SBI makes in Canada. These lowers are 1/4lb lighter than normal lowers, are thin enough to use regular AR15 trigger group pins (so you can use anti-walk/anti-rotation AR pins if you like), and have modular stock attachment adapters to support many different types of stocks (1913, buffer tube, Magpul Zhukov, etc).
Personally, I’m a big fan of the Magpul Zhukov stock. These lowers work with both WK180C and WS-MCR uppers.
SBI also sells an upper.
TNA Enhanced 180 lower
They’re lightweight, allow use of beavertail grips, they take AR15 trigger guards, and are a bit smoother. Made for WK180 uppers.
TNA sells a combo upper+lower.
WX-MCR
Similar to the WS-MCR, except the lower is manufactured by Xtreme Gun in Canada. Available as fully assembled rifles or just lowers. Note: I don’t see any for sale at the moment.
Spectre LTD Spec180 Lower
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUBMm6TL_EI/
These are an enhanced lower that Spectre Ltd of Canada makes. Of note: Spectre Ltd and Spectre Ballistics International are totally different companies, but both make parts in this space.
The Spec180 can be had with a regular buffer tube stock or “gmod folder” Galil folding stock. They also allow use of a beavertail grip. The lines are smoother and it’s not nearly as boxy looking. These lowers work with both WK180C and WS-MCR uppers.
Not a lot of these for sale right now.
Jard J180 Build kit
The Jard J180 (my review here) is made by American company Jard. Unlike the 180B, WK180C, and WS-MCR, the J180 uses a regular gas tube into the bolt carrier which should open up the use of many more barrels and is a pretty big advantage.
The J180 is right hand charging+ejection ONLY. As a firm believer in left side charging handles, this bugs me but it does seal up the left side.
The J180 uses a higher rail height, so it won’t match your forend rail and you’ll need lower optics mounts. Disassembly for cleaning is more involved than it is on the other 180s and it uses really dumb screws to stop magazine over-insertion. Doesn’t accept A2 stocks without modification.
Build kits started coming into Canada in Oct 2021. At $1300 for just the build kit, these are just too pricey in my opinion.
NoDak Spud NDS 18SC (Unreleased)
NoDak Spud is a well known American 180 aftermarket parts manufacturer. This project was going to use a PWS upper (PWS is making the Brownells BRN180) and NoDak lower. Last update was in Sept 2021 and was them gearing up production machines.
Brownells BRN180 (Prohib)
Unfortunately, the BRN180 uses an AR15 lower. Prohib in Canada, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
Aftermarket 180 Parts
- SBI makes a better screw-in charging handle
- TNA has aftermarket shell deflectors, accuracy hoops, brass and nylon piston bushings, takedown screws, anti-walk pins, extractor/ejector springs, folding stock adapters, and more
- TNA has an improved upper with dust cover, shell deflector, and a nickel carrier
- TNA has heavy and pencil barrels
- TNA has a 9mm conversion kit
- TNA sells a rifle length gas system so you can use more regular AR barrels
- Kodiak sells an external bolt catch release. They also have some steel uppers.
- RWA has a bolt catch and release kit
Gucci Scratch Build
Gucci AR180 Build List ($2480)
- ATRS Barrel: $550
- SBI lower $300
- TNA Gas system: $180
- Zhukov mount: $40
- Zhukov stock: $140
- Fancy trigger: $200
- Mag release, bolt hold open, grip, other LPK bullshit, safety: $50
- TNA improved upper & BCG: $600
- Some nice forend: $300
- Bolt catch: $120
