Same here. I liked the Gen1/2 closer to original AR-18/180. I had hoped for a clone AR-18 upper one day when Brownells did their AR15 clones. I missed out on the repro lowers for the BRN-18.
@@joeclaridy keep it because it will eventually be discontinued (might already be, I don’t care to check) And then, sell it all to some collector more serious than yourself. Or keep it some more.
I wonder how their weights compare to each other. This one looks lighter, but since it’s a piston operated and the recoil system is confined in the receiver, it gotta to be a tad heavier than a traditional DI with a buffer on the stock.
@@mrdato116 I have 2 both in 7.62x39. As far as the upper they have been extremely reliable. The only issue I've had is magazine based and that's not the uppers fault. I did replace the stock upturned charging handle with ones from A3 tactical due to busted knuckles on optics mounting bolts. The captured recoil assembly on the Gen3 is what I most like as I have launched my springs and end caps on more than 1 occasion.
Well if they could inspect parts before shipping them they would catch a lot less shade. I've seen 12 JAKLs and each of them had a different QC issue that was obvious and hugely impacted the function of the weapon. Add on to that their support taking 4-6 months to get a response out and I won't be doing business with them again, and I was a huge PSA Stan 5 years ago.
@@mrfawkes9110 snake oil company. Their business model is hoping that the average civilian won’t call for customer support over a shit product that they’ll always hand out
@mrfawkes9110 you've seen 12 JAKL's, and I can't even buy one because they can't keep them on the shelf for more than 6 minutes after batch launches..🧐
@@mrfawkes9110 snake oil company. Their business model is hoping that the average civilian won’t call for customer support over a shit product that they’ll always hand out
@@mrfawkes9110 snake oil company. Their business model is hoping that the average civilian won’t call for customer support over a bad product that they’ll always hand out
The upgrades to this are exactly what it needed tbh. People were worried about the reciprocating charging handle and the open elements that you all have put rubber seal around. I remember someone on RUclips mentioning that if it had even just the rubber to help keep stuff out, like the Galil Ace, then it would be a viable SHTF rifle. Good job! Brownells should keep all of these neat gems they have. There's some discontinued ones that I wish were still around. Brownells scratches an itch that nobody else does.
I second this! But make it with a 1:5 twist rate! We shouldn’t have to pay $2.500-3.000 for a fast twist 300 Blackout (SIG Spear LT and Q Honey Badger are the only ones I know with a 1:5). The JAKL’s 1:8 and FM-15 1:7.5 aren’t great with subs…
@@VincitOmniaVeritas7how is the fm g2 in comparison to the gen 2 180? I have the brn and want the fm but haven’t heard any opinions. Most people hate on fm products
I know a lot of people liked the look and feel of the old reciprocating charging handle... but boy does this seem better. Might actually get one of these. Looking forward to seeing some reviews.
I mean what makes a 180 is really stoners innovation of the bolt and short stroke system. It’s why like 90% of the bullpups fielded in Europe when the bp craze was happening were pretty much 180s bull pupped.
I mean yeah. The AR18 was meant to be a cheap alternative to the AR15 for second rate militaries, so removing all of the budget cut features basically makes it a whole new gun.
I've been eyeing getting my hands on a BRN-180, and these updates are all great, especially the locking tab, though I do hope a version of this is made that retains the old style dogleg charging handle. I know its not the most utilitarian, but it adds a lot of character. A big appeal of the BRN-180 to me, and a lot of other people, is the AR-180 styling and callbacks.
Right on! And maybe extra positions on the adjustable gas block for the 300 BLK version. Three positions might be more than enough for a military 5.56 rifle (less room for the average foot soldier to screw up) but in the civilian market, there are gas blocks that offer as much as 24 positions for gas adjustment. With a cartridge as versatile as 300 BLK (with bullets ranging from 110 to 220 grain) and the very likely possibility of users adding suppressors with varying back pressure, three positions isn’t enough.
I hope in the future you guys collaborate with the company that made the Riflespeed Gas Block. Incorporating that tech into the piston could help with a lot of the problems most piston guns have with tuning while maintaining the overall design. I'd also love to see an ACR or MCX inspired handguard system; something that's significantly easier to remove for maintenance.
Really liking these. Debating on getting into the piston world. This might take the cake on the one. Can't wait to see some reaction videos of use with it.
Thank you to the Ballistic Duo. This is now forcing me to build a BRN180. I still want the Armalite original if I can find one. One for showing and one for working fun.
@@Jammaster1972No one actually uses that feature, its something lots of people use a few times and go “neat” and never touch again. Most people prefer more gas settings for normal use for tuning with suppressors or for optimizing recoil with your given ammo.
My only reserve about pin and welding is that it's always the wrong device on it for me. I don't like the idea of having to use adapters (stacking clearance, cost , losing small parts , etc.). Nice looking gen 3 though.
My thought was the only reason this particular demo was pin and welded was to make it 16" in this case. If for example you wanted a 9-in 300 blackout I doubt it bother pin and welding anything on that one.
Really like keeping the guts in tab, and the way you can put an easy on/off adapter on by barrel, so you can get the forearm off much easier to clean when you use a suppressor. But being left-handed, I enjoy having the charging handle on the right side.......please mine still looks pretty much like the AR-18/180.
I do hope u all keep the Gen 2 around for the people who still want the AR-180 charging handle and such to make it look more like an AR-180, but as a piston upper I really like these changes. I just wish it was a chrome lined barrel.
Seems like a lot of smart improvements over the Mk 2. The only thing I’m concerned about is the rubber gasket around the charging handle. On the Sig 550 they’ll dry out and start cracking. You can extend the life by using a rubber conditioner.
Right. That was literally the original barrel length of this rifle and I'm pretty sure the name of the damn rifle is because it had a 18.5" barrel. To not offer it as a option is really blasphemous if you ask me.
Tbh the only thing that attracted me to this platform was the retro styling this kinda does away with that and isnt all that appealing too me. Is it an upgrade over the gen 2? Perhaps but what does it do that my standard ar15 upper doesnt? Not a whole lot, better charging handle placement I guess
I thought that eventually they would have a 180 with the front sight, three prong flash hider, polymer hand guard and folding stock. There really is no compelling reasons to buy this
With different types of suppressors and widely different back pressures, I feel like a strict "suppressor/no suppressor" isn't a good idea in these days where people are looking for multi position tuning the system to their exact back pressure. But at least reliability is forefront
I wish that charging handle was back on the other side, with the addition of the rubber grommet it'll make it easier to put on lowers with extended controls like the LMT Mars-L. anyone who has used a rifle other than the AR would find it no problem to have a right-side charging handle, making it on the left adds in additional entry points for gunk. This generation has objectively great improvements but takes three steps backwards with this decision. Something more like the SG550 would've been perfect.
All it needs now is an option to swap out the charging handle for various options: folding, round, and any other thing that people can think of. If you want to make it even more interesting, give various other caliber options outside of 223/5.56 or the possibility for the end user to install an aftermarket barrel option.
Want. I'd like to see a .223 Wylde 18" old school length barrel (light or medium profile) with a medium length handguard... please and thank you. Great video, guys. Good to see you both in 2025.
I cant wait for them to make a gen 4 with an ambi charging handle. If they're gonna get rid of the ar18 style charging handle, they might as well have fully modernized. Seem like an oversight, in my opinion.
Looks good, the only thing different I’d rather see is one extra position on the gas block of suppressed (high back pressure), suppressed (lower back pressure), regular, and adverse. OR, alternatively, offer a replacement gas cup that is two suppressor settings and regular. The gun runs pretty well and clean when unsuppressed, and fouling I’ve found only is only present in a notable amount during high round counts suppressed, which if I need to I can just set it to *regular* as opposed to all the way to adverse with a can which is just excessive.
It's here! Initial thoughts? Let's hear it!
When can I buy one??
Launch date?
@@Mister5point56 noon
sign me up
Chrome lined barrel please
I hope you'll still offer the Gen 2 for those that enjoyed the more classic, yet modernized style of the AR180
they've discontinued like half the models, they'll all be gone soon
Yeah buy it now if you want it, I got a top charger ar and they never made more
Same here. I liked the Gen1/2 closer to original AR-18/180. I had hoped for a clone AR-18 upper one day when Brownells did their AR15 clones. I missed out on the repro lowers for the BRN-18.
That's my problem with some of changes. It loses more of it's inspiration by the AR180
@@rad_lad_2715wasn't that just a prototype? Stoner probably would have made changes with different iterations/generations like Brownells has done
The steel-reinforced QDs are a nice addition.
Brownells finally got someone good with CAD who is also a shooter.
*engineer
big ups to all the early adopters that made the mk3 possible 🍻
🍻
Thx for beta testing for us
You're welcome. Don't know if I should keep or sell my gen 1 upper?
@@joeclaridy keep it because it will eventually be discontinued (might already be, I don’t care to check) And then, sell it all to some collector more serious than yourself. Or keep it some more.
Man, it’s good to see Steve.
He is a good guy.
I think that every morning when I get to work
I thought he expired
@@user-do1fq8oy9c heard talk of something bad.
I'd rather see someone manly like Steve too.
Kudos for looking at the JAKL and making the correct changes.
I wonder how their weights compare to each other. This one looks lighter, but since it’s a piston operated and the recoil system is confined in the receiver, it gotta to be a tad heavier than a traditional DI with a buffer on the stock.
@@VincitOmniaVeritas7both are piston
Hopefully these will have picatinny rail on the top instead of whatever the hell PSA's worn out machines put on the top of the JAKL.
@@VincitOmniaVeritas7 they’re both piston, ones short & one long
@@Z-J-any one know the weight comparison compared to the fm15 g2 I believe that one is DI. I have a gen2 180 and was debating on a jakl or fm g2 9”
This finally has me interested in the 180. These changes address everything that had me turned off from the platform. Well done
Oh man seeing the earlier gens with a can looked real nice too
Not even a 180 at this point...
@@ghostmourn Aesthetically, I'm with you, they have great appeal.
Functionally, that charging handle was a dealbreaker for me.
As the owner of 2 Gen II uppers the Gen III has some much needed improvements. Especially the rear locking tab...
How do you like it? Are they reliable platform? Thinking about gen 3
@@mrdato116 I have 2 both in 7.62x39. As far as the upper they have been extremely reliable. The only issue I've had is magazine based and that's not the uppers fault. I did replace the stock upturned charging handle with ones from A3 tactical due to busted knuckles on optics mounting bolts. The captured recoil assembly on the Gen3 is what I most like as I have launched my springs and end caps on more than 1 occasion.
@@dirtbiker5182 I see, appreciate the info
That's my least favorite thing, when that plastic end cap doesn't have retention anymore and sends your springs flying.
The shade thrown at PSA's long stroke 😭
Well if they could inspect parts before shipping them they would catch a lot less shade. I've seen 12 JAKLs and each of them had a different QC issue that was obvious and hugely impacted the function of the weapon. Add on to that their support taking 4-6 months to get a response out and I won't be doing business with them again, and I was a huge PSA Stan 5 years ago.
@@mrfawkes9110 snake oil company. Their business model is hoping that the average civilian won’t call for customer support over a shit product that they’ll always hand out
@mrfawkes9110 you've seen 12 JAKL's, and I can't even buy one because they can't keep them on the shelf for more than 6 minutes after batch launches..🧐
@@mrfawkes9110 snake oil company. Their business model is hoping that the average civilian won’t call for customer support over a shit product that they’ll always hand out
@@mrfawkes9110 snake oil company. Their business model is hoping that the average civilian won’t call for customer support over a bad product that they’ll always hand out
The upgrades to this are exactly what it needed tbh. People were worried about the reciprocating charging handle and the open elements that you all have put rubber seal around. I remember someone on RUclips mentioning that if it had even just the rubber to help keep stuff out, like the Galil Ace, then it would be a viable SHTF rifle. Good job! Brownells should keep all of these neat gems they have. There's some discontinued ones that I wish were still around. Brownells scratches an itch that nobody else does.
I honestly gotta say, this is a good bit of innovation done here. Well done Brownells
Now this is one I will buy!!!! Finally a left side charging handle on the receiver!!! 🎉
Looking forward to the 9” 300 Blk
I second this! But make it with a 1:5 twist rate!
We shouldn’t have to pay $2.500-3.000 for a fast twist 300 Blackout (SIG Spear LT and Q Honey Badger are the only ones I know with a 1:5).
The JAKL’s 1:8 and FM-15 1:7.5 aren’t great with subs…
On something like and ADM Ambi lower for the BRN, pic rail for folding stock…. That’ll be handy as hell for a backpack/truck gun
@@VincitOmniaVeritas7how is the fm g2 in comparison to the gen 2 180? I have the brn and want the fm but haven’t heard any opinions. Most people hate on fm products
I'm waiting on the 3 inch 900blk
would have been nice to see a 4th gas selector setting for shut off to make the gun more Luigi like.
🎉 Nice upgrades! We're going to need barrel lengths and calibers options ASAP
Really hope yall make a version that still has the right side charging handle and 18" barrel for all the bullpup kits being made for the Gen II
I know a lot of people liked the look and feel of the old reciprocating charging handle... but boy does this seem better.
Might actually get one of these. Looking forward to seeing some reviews.
So by upgrading the 180, we have….
Removed most everything that makes it a 180. We’ve gone full circle😂
Doesn’t make it a bad thing though.
I mean what makes a 180 is really stoners innovation of the bolt and short stroke system. It’s why like 90% of the bullpups fielded in Europe when the bp craze was happening were pretty much 180s bull pupped.
At this point just buy a SIG mcx upper LOL
@@ASqdrnDAyeah but with Sig you're overpaying for the same quality or worse.
@@ASqdrnDA
SIG is overpriced and undervalue. Moving to America is one of the great tragedies that has befallen SIG
I mean yeah. The AR18 was meant to be a cheap alternative to the AR15 for second rate militaries, so removing all of the budget cut features basically makes it a whole new gun.
Very, very cool. Looks like the SG551's gym-obsessed son. Love it!
I've been eyeing getting my hands on a BRN-180, and these updates are all great, especially the locking tab, though I do hope a version of this is made that retains the old style dogleg charging handle. I know its not the most utilitarian, but it adds a lot of character. A big appeal of the BRN-180 to me, and a lot of other people, is the AR-180 styling and callbacks.
9 inch 300 blackout with a 1 in 5 barrel twist please and thank you. Looks far more refined and better than gen 2.
Right on! And maybe extra positions on the adjustable gas block for the 300 BLK version.
Three positions might be more than enough for a military 5.56 rifle (less room for the average foot soldier to screw up) but in the civilian market, there are gas blocks that offer as much as 24 positions for gas adjustment.
With a cartridge as versatile as 300 BLK (with bullets ranging from 110 to 220 grain) and the very likely possibility of users adding suppressors with varying back pressure, three positions isn’t enough.
@@VincitOmniaVeritas73 positions is just fine. Works on the MCX
They got a 9 inch with 1 in 6 according to the site, good enough for me
@@VincitOmniaVeritas7 i wish it had a position for no gas to allow a shot with no cycling
That’s everything people have been asking for!! Well done!!! I will be ordering one !
I hope in the future you guys collaborate with the company that made the Riflespeed Gas Block. Incorporating that tech into the piston could help with a lot of the problems most piston guns have with tuning while maintaining the overall design.
I'd also love to see an ACR or MCX inspired handguard system; something that's significantly easier to remove for maintenance.
The older guy isn’t even drinking out of the cup.🤣🤣
Love the matching shirts!
Need matching vests, too.
I didn’t even notice 😎
Really liking these. Debating on getting into the piston world. This might take the cake on the one. Can't wait to see some reaction videos of use with it.
Congrats on the release. Looks amazing. Huge improvement.
Thank you to the Ballistic Duo. This is now forcing me to build a BRN180. I still want the Armalite original if I can find one. One for showing and one for working fun.
Funny how PWS makes these for Brownell's but they throw shade at the long stroke piston system.
I think they were referencing PSA and their JAKL. PWS makes good stuff
maxximus I was thinking the same thing.
He was throwing shade at the Jakl.
As the owner of a PWS, that had me chuckling.
I am definitely getting one, I've been holding out long enough, the new hotness.
Great to see Steve back.
Thanks for the show and tell.
I’ve been waiting for a modern version. Great choice and I’ll be buying a 13.9
Perfect timing….. was just about to get the mcx upper…. Think ill save a few hundred bucks & order this bad boy 👍🏻
this looks great. might be the shove i needed to pick one up.
An alternate gas block with a full shutoff setting would be awesome, especially for 300 blackout.
That's what I wanted to hear but was let down with the adverse setting
@@nomtombot2012 Right, it surprised even the old dude. This would have made this upper complete with only smaller refinements on later generations.
Could not agree more. How did they miss that feature? Especially if they are trying to compete with PSA's Jackass.
@@Jammaster1972No one actually uses that feature, its something lots of people use a few times and go “neat” and never touch again. Most people prefer more gas settings for normal use for tuning with suppressors or for optimizing recoil with your given ammo.
@@CatholicKit Tell that to Luigi🤫
I’ve had lots of reservations about a piston gun, up till now. You may have sold me.
Gotta say I'm liking it. Really like the change away from the previous dust cover, recip CH,
Now I know why I got such a good deal on a gen 2 upper for Christmas! Will we see a gen 3 in 300 blk 10"?
The Plan B mount is a nice touch. This thing looks good, might have to pick one up.
In my opinion, this upper is way better than the HK competition
🤡🤡🤡🤡
@@Veritas419 keep buying overpriced firearms from HK. There’s no reason for a piston AR to cost $4000.
@@MedicAthlete24W poorons like you will never have anything but BCA PSA and SIG
@MedicAthlete24W there's also not a reason to call a brownells rifle "way better than the HK competition."
Excellence! Better than an ar15 from the beginning and now better than its original!
i liked the part where you talked about the upper and showed it 👍
Me too, I tried really hard on that part.
Is there a release window known yet? I'm definitely interested.
My only reserve about pin and welding is that it's always the wrong device on it for me. I don't like the idea of having to use adapters (stacking clearance, cost , losing small parts , etc.). Nice looking gen 3 though.
My thought was the only reason this particular demo was pin and welded was to make it 16" in this case. If for example you wanted a 9-in 300 blackout I doubt it bother pin and welding anything on that one.
It's cute, you two wore matching shirts
Really like keeping the guts in tab, and the way you can put an easy on/off adapter on by barrel, so you can get the forearm off much easier to clean when you use a suppressor. But being left-handed, I enjoy having the charging handle on the right side.......please mine still looks pretty much like the AR-18/180.
Dude....did brownells just make the coolest upper in the last decade???
Will the gen 2s still be available?
What about having BRN-180 lowers again? Been awhile since we’ve seen those
That's some sweet innovation.
6:13 oh I just made such a mess after seeing this part of the video that I had to change my clothes. Oh my what a beautiful design choice
love watching these guys. lol Cool looking MK3!!
I do hope u all keep the Gen 2 around for the people who still want the AR-180 charging handle and such to make it look more like an AR-180, but as a piston upper I really like these changes. I just wish it was a chrome lined barrel.
Finally something legitimate to compete with the Spear LT, imma get me one of these if they come out in 11.5"
Any plans for 6.5 Grendel?
A company that listened to the public very refreshing unlike Colt.
Matching flannels go wild 😂 Hope I can get my hands on this bad boy
Left side charging handle is a very big improvement.
Huge improvement!
A lot of cool improvements! My AK manual of arms is no longer applicable though dang
I'm Interested now.
Seems like a lot of smart improvements over the Mk 2. The only thing I’m concerned about is the rubber gasket around the charging handle. On the Sig 550 they’ll dry out and start cracking. You can extend the life by using a rubber conditioner.
Finalmente ci siete arrivati!!!! WoW grande prodotto, complimenti Brò
The dust cover reminds me of the one used on the Adcor Elite 556
Well executed product! Great show!
I miss the 18.5" barrels, though. Guess I'll have to buy something else.
Right. That was literally the original barrel length of this rifle and I'm pretty sure the name of the damn rifle is because it had a 18.5" barrel. To not offer it as a option is really blasphemous if you ask me.
Awesome improvements.. hopefully a 12.5" version one day 😭
Thanks to everyone for being testers for the improvement version.
Happy I bought my v2.5 when I did. I like what I see, but it should be called something else and kept the v2 alive with updates.
Of course you did.......because I just bought a gen two. This always happens to me, oh well I love the rifle.
I like these two.
Great work gentlemen.
God bless you.
Wait... did you remove the function to have it on "no-gas"?
Tbh the only thing that attracted me to this platform was the retro styling this kinda does away with that and isnt all that appealing too me. Is it an upgrade over the gen 2? Perhaps but what does it do that my standard ar15 upper doesnt? Not a whole lot, better charging handle placement I guess
I thought that eventually they would have a 180 with the front sight, three prong flash hider, polymer hand guard and folding stock. There really is no compelling reasons to buy this
I appreciate overgass in the winter for sure
Very cool updates and hope these become more popular! Any talk of these in a 9mm some day?
Wow. Just wow. Just incredible
Looks good... but! The one thing I would change is take a look at the L1A1 charging handle... make your Mk3 Mod 1 have a folding charging handle...
Would love to see a 300 blackout with a shorter than 10 inch barrel
With different types of suppressors and widely different back pressures, I feel like a strict "suppressor/no suppressor" isn't a good idea in these days where people are looking for multi position tuning the system to their exact back pressure. But at least reliability is forefront
For what we paid for the Gen2 we should get a straight trade for a Gen3. These are some much needed improvements.
Potential failure points for the dust cover? Can it get jammed/detach and stuck in the halfway position?
I wish that charging handle was back on the other side, with the addition of the rubber grommet it'll make it easier to put on lowers with extended controls like the LMT Mars-L. anyone who has used a rifle other than the AR would find it no problem to have a right-side charging handle, making it on the left adds in additional entry points for gunk. This generation has objectively great improvements but takes three steps backwards with this decision. Something more like the SG550 would've been perfect.
All it needs now is an option to swap out the charging handle for various options: folding, round, and any other thing that people can think of. If you want to make it even more interesting, give various other caliber options outside of 223/5.56 or the possibility for the end user to install an aftermarket barrel option.
Will this be available alongside the Gen 2?
Want.
I'd like to see a .223 Wylde 18" old school length barrel (light or medium profile) with a medium length handguard... please and thank you.
Great video, guys. Good to see you both in 2025.
I dig it! Hope to get my hands on one ASAP!
Did Brownells of all people just make the perfect AR upper????
Looked for one about 8 hrs ago and all sold out already man sucks for me but great to the people who got one
This is miles ahead of the HK416, well done.
Luv your coordinated Brownell's LS shirts! BRN-180 Mk. 3 is for me! Time to $ave up some funds for it!
The reciprocating charging handle was the cool part. Better keep the gen 2 kicking for a bit
Spitfire video?! Awesome!
I cant wait for them to make a gen 4 with an ambi charging handle. If they're gonna get rid of the ar18 style charging handle, they might as well have fully modernized. Seem like an oversight, in my opinion.
I can't see Caleb's hair without hearing George Clooney say "I'm a Dapper Dan man"
Looks good, the only thing different I’d rather see is one extra position on the gas block of suppressed (high back pressure), suppressed (lower back pressure), regular, and adverse. OR, alternatively, offer a replacement gas cup that is two suppressor settings and regular. The gun runs pretty well and clean when unsuppressed, and fouling I’ve found only is only present in a notable amount during high round counts suppressed, which if I need to I can just set it to *regular* as opposed to all the way to adverse with a can which is just excessive.
very nice looking generation
👍
Yes a comparison with the gen2.
Love the matching shirts
Have yall always matched shirts, or am i late to notice it?
Losing the fixed charging handle makes this a no-go in my book.