About Illinois Arms American 180
The American 180 was designed and developed in the USA by Richard Casull in the early 1970's. However, initial production was contracted through an Austrian based company. The finished Austrian Import was brought back into the United States by Christopher and Associates. The original market for the American 180 was local Police Departments. One of the notable features of the American-180 is its ability to deliver an extremely high rate of fire with minimal recoil; when chambered in .22 LR, the American-180’s rate of fire reaches 1,500 rounds per minute. Some models are chambered in .22 short magnum (manufactured by ILARCO), and these models achieve a cyclic rate of 1,800 rounds per minute. This .22 rimfire cartridge achieves muzzle velocities similar to .22 magnum but uses a case length similar to .22 LR and launches a 40gr projectile at 1,350 FPS with 160 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. All of this translates to the American-180 producing 2,400 ft. lbs. of energy per second with controllable full-auto fire. The American-180 uses a drum magazine that is mounted on top of the gun, much like the World War I-era Lewis gun. The drum magazine on the American-180 uses a wind-up spring to feed the rounds through the magazine and into the feed lips. Depending on the magazine, the shooter could fire 35 five-round bursts with a 177 round magazine or 55 five-round bursts with a 275 round magazine. Firing the American-180 in five-round bursts enabled the user to attain greater accuracy and conserve ammunition for the greatest amount of time. A group in Salt Lake City, Utah purchased the company and hence American Arms International was formed. American Arms continued production of the American 180 with Austrian produced parts. Domestic production continued with various improvements. The "A" models being Austrian. The "B" models being the first produced in the United States. The "D" models being the last made by American Arms International. In 1986, production ceased due to legal problems with BATF. In 1987, Illinois Arms Company, Inc. (ILARCO) bought out American Arms International. Production continued using American manufactured parts. It was during the Illinois Arms ownership period that the heavier barrelled version appeared on the market. Illinois Arms, teamed with Feather Industries, for the production of semi-automatic versions of the American 180. This partnership ultimately went bankrupt. E&L Manufacturing, Inc. purchased the remaining inventory. They continue to offer parts, accessories, and service for the American 180.
Illinois Arms American 180 For Sale
Specifications
| Category | Rifles |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 22 Long Rifle |
| Capacity | 17+1 |
| Barrel Length | 16.5 " |
| Finish | Black |
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