A New Brownells BRN-180 .300 Blackout Upper: The BRN-180SH

In this episode of TFBTV, ‪@JamesReeves‬ is at IWA 2023 visiting the Brownells booth to see the newest addition to its BRN-180 lineup, the BRN-180SH. According to Brownells Press Release:
"Brownells unveiled the BRN-180SH complete upper - the newest addition to the popular BRN-180 line - announcing it at the IWA Outdoor Classics show in Nuremberg, Germany.
Chambered in 300 Blackout, the BRN-180SH has 10.5” barrel with 5/8-24 muzzle threads, and a gas system with three settings -unsuppressed, suppressed, and off.
The BRN-180SH retails for $999.
With the gas system turned completely off, the upper is converted into “single shot” mode, virtually eliminating sound produced by gases escaping through the ejection port or by the bolt carrier group cycling.
When fired with a suppressor attached and the gas system turned off, the BRN-180SH in single-shot is even more quiet than a BRN-180S.
The BRN-180SH comes with an adjustable charging handle that can be turned downward to help transform the upper into a straight-pull action, allowing for fast follow-up shots when set for the quietest possible operation.
The upper can be quickly converted back to unsuppressed shooting with a simple twist of the gas adjustment and by turning the charging handle back to its upward position.
Like the rest of the BRN-180 line of uppers, the BRN-180SH fits onto any standard AR-15 or BRN-180 lower, and requires no buffer tube assembly. It readily operates with a folding stock, or no stock at all.
To see the new BRN-180SH, and the rest of the BRN-180 line of uppers, lowers and parts, visit www.Brownells.com"
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[@boogerparty]

$9.99, that is a crazy deal.

[@tiberiusmagnificuscaeser4929]

I really like how Brownells is continuing to develop the BRN-180. The AR-18 was a great rifle system let down by history

[@davem2369]

But the operating system is probably one of the most successful. The children of the AR18 will remember it !!!! 😂

[@tiberiusmagnificuscaeser4929]

@@davem2369 Yeah, that’s probably the greatest injustice in the whole AR-18 saga. Despite its lack of success, it was so damn good it inspired a legion of guns that are just AR-18s on the inside. It’s shameful, really

[@Gl0ckb1te]

Task succeded, mission failed

[@trey9971]

The op system is used in everything from the FAMAS to l80 to tavor

[@Pelmedeeznuts]

​@@trey9971 FAMAS? serious?

[@thedefinitive6296]

I dig it. You can really get the full benefits of shooting subsonic .300blk while still having a semi auto. I might have to snag one of these

[@craigjohnson775]

Probably gunna get one of these. Thanks James, all my gun purchases since finding TFBTV have been on recommendation from you

[@MMOchAForPrez]

FINALLY they did something about the charging handle. I'm glad you guys are so into retro stuff - somebody has to be - but that charging handle was horrendous. It pushes through soft rifle cases, so it digs into your back if you forget to put it in a certain way. It's in the perfect spot for you to hit your hand on your optic if you're racking over the top. And they missed the opportunity to make the notch on both sides of the mounting hole, so that you could reinstall it flipped over. Not to mention, the AR-180B went to a straight charging handle when they reintroduced the 180 to the market... They knew it wasn't popular.

[@enb3810]

I ripped one of my fingernails nearly halfway off when I racked the gun with too much enthusiasm. Really not a great way to start a range trip

[@tcr2237]

@@enb3810 ouch

[@stoptrackingourdata8158]

The original charging handle is way less of an issue than people make it out to be. "HORRENDOUS"? Really? It was a fixed charging handle. You seem like the type of person who swaps the standard AR-15 charging handle because it gives you too much difficulty. It's a charging handle. If the rifle works as it should, you should touch it less than any other part on the rifle. It never gave me any problems although I don't rack over the top (because I'm not wrong handed). I've never had issues with it using a soft rifle case because I don't used thin cases or sling mine over my back. If I want to wear my rifle, I'd just use a sling and it'd be fine. It cycles the action and deflects shell casings. No need to use such dramatic language over a perfectly fine charging handle. Don't blame Brownells because you're an idiot like the guy in this thread who hurt himself racking his rifle "with too much enthusiasm". It's a gun. Learn how to use it.

[@MagicalTrout]

@@stoptrackingourdata8158 im going to eat you

[@fullmindstorm]

Yep, the charging handle was a big chunck of metal.

[@spencerdryer4102]

This is epic, I have wanted a way to kill the gas on a 300. I only wish they had gone with 1:5 twist rates :(

[@alexisdetocqueville9964]

This is very cool. My AR-15 300blk with a full size can and running subs is airsoft quiet as it is. Pretty much the loudest part is the bolt cycling, so this would be Hollywood quiet with a gas cut-off.

[@IlmarBeekman]

Hey Brownells! Can you please find a solution to the giant open ejection port opening in the receiver? Specifically the part where the charging handle reciprocates. Maybe fixed rubber slide gaskets ala the sig 552? Would be nice to try to cut down on ways for debris to get in the action of the trigger.

[@spektr540hemi]

Hope they bring this out across ALL of their uppers !!

[@jasonnadir]

love my brn 180 the one thing that would make this gun flawless would be a recipicating dust cover similar to the galil ace gen 2's to cover the internals from getting dirt and debris in would make this gun absolutely flawless

[@nathanmathews2148]

It would be nice if the 7.62 upper would actually be available on the website

[@Sigrafix]

I've seen it available multiple times.. These things sell out quick, got to sign up for alerts. I myself have a BRN 180s 2nd Gen in .223 Wylde

[@UnrulyRider]

Literally just purchased one less than a week ago...

[@ericnadir503]

If they added a dust cover similar to the Galil this would be the icing to the cake for this gun

[@anonymousAJ]

Glad to see somebody already building an upper for the Bond lever lower

[@ragnarok5056]

The looks on this one is simply off the hooks, love it

[@Storebrand_]

Would love to see one in 5.56 with a 20" barrel, but the 20" master race gets no love.

[@ThomasHendrickson]

There are rifle length gas piston systems; I think Adams Arms makes a mod designed for dissipater rifles, you could probably still use a 20” barrel.

[@josephschanne9144]

@@ThomasHendricksonCOST ???

[@ThomasHendrickson]

@@josephschanne9144 yeah, it costs something. That’s usually how economics works.

[@enb3810]

The brn-180s is amazing. I really should buy another.

[@jeffdible8171]

Very slick. A great product improvement.

[@hurrikaneiii]

Such a great idea but why did you make the barrel a 1:8 twist?

[@davida375AI]

Needs to be a 1 in 5.5 twist.

[@ShooterMedic1818]

BRN-180 is bad ass, great stuff with the 300blk. Will be trying to pick this one up.

[@whitebread7009]

Just in time for my BRN 180 build

[@mtnbound2764]

that looks sick but why not have it on a folding stock lower!

[@EdwardKG]

I have the psa Jakl in 300. I was hoping it would have a shutoff setting, but it doesn't. Hopefully they can engineer a new gas knob with an off setting that you can swap in.

[@enb3810]

How do you like the jakl? Hope this doesn't come across as too rude but in my opinion the brn-180s is superior

[@Moto_Mo13]

@@enb3810 I get my JAKL in 300BLK soon and I chose that over the BRN because of the AK-like reliability with the long stroke system. In that aspect I believe it is superior but obviously can’t speak to much more right now

[@LightSkinCapabilities]

I have it and man let me tell you it was a headache right out of the box had to send it back to warranty just to get it to function. A lot of us are having problems suppressed and unsuppressed subsonic and supersonic. Hell even just going into battery is an issue, so I’m now looking at this or the foxtrot Mike for 7.62.

[@EdwardKG]

​@@LightSkinCapabilities I had simular issues. I had to send the jakl back to psa for warranty work.

[@EdwardKG]

​@@enb3810 had I had any clue brownels was going to release this I would have waited. Highly considering selling the jakl at a loss to get this.

[@VR-vv2qe]

Would love leftside charging handle..

[@thequantumvacuum]

That action is so smooth.

[@89sirmonk]

no dust shield, interesting. will the charging handle be able to order separate and fit older 180's?

[@SamSam-ih6nt]

Idk how I feel about the tag 1k for an upper? Might as well spring for a sig at that point lol

[@zandvoort8616]

Looks aesthetically Rey appealing!

[@45.Slanging]

George Sullivan and Arthur Miller are smiling...the AR18 failed but with the Type 89, G36, Scar 16, Cz Bren, Type 20, Fb Grot, 416, Sar 80 it lived on

[@stevebutters306]

Thing rips in Ready or Not.

[@robertf6523]

0:12 - what in tarnation is that? not the AR looking thing but the one after, and right before the mic toss

[@whiskeyonetwoactual1116]

Great vid!

[@michaelspine5744]

Love everything about this firearm. I have a gen 2 300 BLK. There is one big downside, your operating system is unsealed and wide open for debris. Charging handle on the left side option uppers would be great. With that out of the way the operating system at itself works flawlessly.

[@ThomasHendrickson]

They know what we want

[@ryang8040]

Tell brownells to make a super short MCX Rattler competitor already.

[@davidthomas8265]

Yes Please!!! Mine is on the way now! I have been on the fence about the 180... this tipped the scale. Guess I can start building that 300 blackout rifle now

[@xXvenomslasherXx]

Coolest thing I've seen at iwa so far

[@AndyCigars]

Holy Hell!!! Wondering where they sent Paul!! He head of Brownells Deutschland or something?!

[@762x69]

Clicked so fast thinking it was a colab with Caleb and Steve with Brownells :(

[@soundpainter2590]

No no... It was William Robert, in shipping. You know, Billy Bob. He gives away ideas all the time !! But they are soo nice, They usally let it slide. & go easy on him. Like that MG-42 semi, Clone. They only made 150, & even though it was inexpensive, W/ a Joint venture W/PSA, It just wasn't to be... . I'M Kidding.

[@GarfieldEnjoyer1878]

Who

[@chad9166]

The crossover that needs to happen

[@eddyflo2978]

Same

[@Blankford777]

Hilarious. I had this same idea when I setup an AR upper with one of the "Kali-keys" to give me a single shot straight pull upper for maximum sneakiness. It was "meh" at the end of the day. Sold it and bought a Ruger Ranch in 300. That said I have one of their BRN-180S uppers and it runs great with a folding brace and can. Love that gun.

[@johnnyshanksalot8358]

Yeah but doesn't gas still come back with a kali key thereby defeating the whole purpose?

[@mikemichaelson7]

A 6.5” with a 1:5 twist would be welcome

[@battlebornops]

If they did a 13.9 and/or 14.5 in the 5.56, I’d buy one again.

[@UnrulyRider]

I'm also waiting for a 13.9" in 5.56... picked up the 10.5" in 7.62 last week.

[@sealove79able]

A great neat very interesting video and rifle. Like a steamy clam chowder with lots of garlic.

[@STB-jh7od]

Finally TFB at IWA covering a firearm that isn't completely beyond what most people can afford.

[@Samos900]

Wait really? I never get excited about anything “cool” haha

[@mattstarr2674]

Afford ? The way it’s going you’ll own nothing and be happy 😂 jk do the American way and throw that puppy on credit and worry about paying it later

[@rhy1013]

I have the Gen2 BRN180 in 300BLK, wonder if I can upgrade it with the new 180SH three position gas piston.

[@frobbit30]

Shut up and take my money! This looks great, gents.

[@nuffinpersonal]

Have they fixed the issue with rails being damaged by the bolt cam pin yet?

[@mikethomas5412]

Something that finally makes sense for suppression.

[@AndrewW.]

Not tooless adjustable, and the shortest barrel length is still 10 inches for 300blk, come on Brownells you are so close to greatness.

[@mtnbound2764]

ever try adjusting the gas block without a tool once its hot.

[@blodus4521]

Ideally it would be around 8.5", toolless adjustment, and have a moving dust cover like the Galili Ace. Maybe monolithic upper if it wouldn't increase weight by too much.

[@AndrewW.]

@mtnbound2764 Yes, I also wear a heat resistant glove at least on my none fire control hand when running a firearm hard enough to get hot, especially when using a suppressor.

[@AndrewW.]

@blodus4521 Yep, keeping debris out of the weak springs of the AR-15 trigger group would be very useful in a hard use scenario. I remember watching InRange do the mud test and just dismissing the trigger failure due to a lack of dust cover to not be the uppers failure. A Galil style spring loaded cover would be great, but it would lose points for style so people may not like that.

[@jackburton7959]

What is the twist rate on the barrels? That is the main reason I shelled out for Q. I might consider a BRN180, but not if its only avail in 1:7 twists and up.

[@yume7z185]

I really like this upper but it needs a better dust cover

[@jimmystecher5214]

I could see getting one of those.

[@vashmatrix5769]

Want a left side non-reciprocating charging handle.

[@mexygnome]

So an "optimized" rifle hushpuppy. This product line just got even more attractive.

[@ustauk3552]

Nice video. Oddly enough, the Chinese Type 81 (SKS action, AK-like ergos) available in Canada has a gas cut off, but for a very different reason; launching grenades; not that we can do that in Canada. They made a version in Myanamar that is a dedicated launcher, though! @Brownells , any chance you could rejigger a version of the BRN-180 to fit your recently acquired NoDak Spud IPs 180 lowers? If we don't ban all box fed rifles up here this summer, a no-AR-15 compatible, 180 compatbible BRN-180 would sell in job lots up here in Canada. There have been various attempts at 180 variants, but they all have issues ranging from breakage to weight to price; a non-AR15 compatible (AR-15s being prohibited up here) BRN-180 is wanted, and would sell well. Thanks!

[@ustauk3552]

@@C.Mc. The AR-15 is prohibited by name in Canada, both lower and upper receiver, and anything that fits an AR-15 lower as well, so both the BRN-180 that fits an AR-15 lower and ad SIG Spear that isnl AR-15 lower compatible are forbidden. We need a version of the BRN-180 that only fits an AR-180 lower. As long as you have an 18.6" or longer barrel, a pure AR-180 based firearm doesn't even need to be registered.

[@toddparsons2980]

Very cool. More 300BLK the better.

[@mikestems508]

Only downside to the BRN is there is no way to replace some of the parts hoping this is address after a while

[@II__argo__II]

if only our canadian 180s could be half as good as this

[@IdahoIsaiah67]

Must be nice to get one of those

[@elijahf111]

they really nailed the name for it lol

[@ETHRON1]

Wow Brownells is international...thats gotta piss the aft off..😆

[@actionjksn]

They should have matched up the blacks on the upper and lower at least in the ballpark.

[@MrHav1k]

Is this a piston gun??

[@justinspringstun5836]

Common guys make the gas adjustment tool free. If you could quickly switch it back from straight pull to semi auto. Without any type of tool. That would be the best in my book… I’m just speaking in ideals though.

[@mtnbound2764]

unless its scorching hot..

[@mathewfitzpatrick5645]

I still want to build a BRN180SD3.

[@nourtonyg]

This is gonna sell like hotcakes! I just bought one!

[@fellowfighter88]

What about the large opening behind the bolt carrier.... This opening is a turn off for me

[@Swampytheroot]

Still not sold on these from Brownells. And it's a bit too much coin for me to toss around just to see if I like it.

[@coreymerrill3257]

The brownell's 180-ish upper.

[@BeingFireRetardant]

Dual captive recoil springs with a side mounted charging handle, as God intended... Just like the P90 Just like the AUG

[@hancock63]

I miss Paul’s videos showing new products sold by Brownell’s. Did KZbin make Brownell’s stop those videos?

[@jimyeats]

I think it just turned into the Caleb-and-Steve-talk-about-random-things-they-think-are-important-show

[@Texano5-0]

Why did they take the dust cover off??

[@bev8200]

I really just wanna see the full auto sbr cx4 storm

[@WillMoon]

Can I order this with a keymo mount preinstalled?

[@ElsinoreRacer]

I begged for this for a year. Last month bought the PSA JAKL instead. How it goes.

[@bossie006]

Need one with a 6-8inch barrel 🫠

[@enb3810]

Looks like the charging handle would interfere with pdq levers in the 'down' position

[@michaelt4469]

So you still cant change out the handgaurd and the side charging port is still open without a dust cover.... At least they changed out the muzzle device

[@fa-ajn9881]

Brownells is one of my favorite companies in the industry

[@angushughes5371]

BRN-160 when?

[@Adam-wl3vt]

Can you convert a gen 2 BRN-180S to SH?

[@floridahdshooter]

Ordered on today.. Going on my MCX lower

[@davidgatsby3775]

it work?

[@floridahdshooter]

@@davidgatsby3775 Yes.. worked very well.. MCX SBR

[@floridahdshooter]

@@davidgatsby3775 Yup worked just fine

[@stevensnipes1404]

Not that this is bad, I just don’t want a reciprocating charging handle and I’d rather it be ambidextrous. So I’ll just continue to patiently wait for Foxtrot Mike to finish their 300 blk out. @FoxtrotMike Please hurry.

[@MrKingArthurhk]

Get a bolt action straight pull if you want the ultimate quiet.

[@mikelyon5595]

How about a 6.5 Grendel?

[@jimbobaldado9837]

the sexiest assault rifle

[@Suntzucfu]

Please for the love of Pete, where is the left hand side charger... could've sworn the first iteration was promised with a left hand charging handle - never happened. Was hoping this one would offer that. But I must be the only one asking for it. Sorry everyone for my rant. Other than that keep up the innovations!

[@Scott-qq9jd]

They never promised that. From the start it was marketed as a modernized AR-180. Hence the dogleg charging handle on the right side, just like the original.

[@phildees1252]

how did yall not say the barrel length

[@RickheadWashington]

Edit just went and looked it's a 10 inch for 300 blk out. That's the only one I see tho. Previous generations had some 10.5 and 16s

[@jackburton7959]

Twist rate on the .300blk barrel?

[@benpeters-brown5317]

Gonna nickname the gas system the california switch

[@frankyg2384]

If they made the upper 18.5" and compatible with the AR-180B clone lowers we have here in Canada, the upper would sell like hotcakes.

[@1337blackone]

but have they fixed that a screw holds on a section of the bolt rail on the left of the receiver. i just cant buy one knowing i can have the gun totally fail due to a screw walking out during use. even torqued and loctited a screw is inferior to a solid piece of metal all for the clone BRN 180 folding stock

[@TheDoomWizard]

Would it look good on my saint? Yes or no

[@andrewjohnson6907]

BROWNSMELLS!

[@Bob_Lennart]

Who would have though the literal upgrade to the AR-15 would have been a success

[@muffemod]

Missed opportunity to point out that cutting off the gas to cycle the action makes the upper more accurate.

[@acewings221]

How so? I didn’t know that. Is that even without a suppressor too?

[@bmstylee]

It basically makes a straight pull bolt action. So fewer moving parts are generally more accurate.

[@muffemod]

@@acewings221 Less moving parts, 100% powder burn sending the cartridge instead over split between cycling and sending.

[@EvilWiffles]

Not really all that relevant given it's .300blackout.

[@muffemod]

@@EvilWiffles Nah hoe! I cut you for saying that. We 5.56 since day one!

[@InkwellFoto]

Twist rate with 300BO?

[@yegr4367]

No dust cover? Really just has a big hole in the side to fill up with pocket lint and mud? How'd they get it worse than even an AK?

[@monkeycbrown]

The 1:8 twist a huge turn off for me! At least they could go 1:7 twist but it really needs to be a 1:5 twist and with an 8 inch barrel.

[@jimyeats]

Totally bro. 1:8 was so 2019. A 10” barrel, like in this video, could never shoot well with a 1:8 twist. Not with the 300gr subs I want to shoot anyways. Rumor has it that Kevin, Kevin Brittingham that is, is coming out with a 1:1 barrel twist soon. He’s so hot right now.

[@chzzyg2698]

Brownell's read my mind on this one. Now I need to raise funds like a Bernie Sanders meme.

[@slowsqueeze]

I dig it but I just want the device to turn my gas port on and off at will with no questions asked 😝

[@calebclark6739]

Not many of us can afford 300 anymore