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BRN-180SH SUPPRESSOR OPTIMIZED 300 BLACKOUT 10" UPPER RECEIVER

BRN-180SH SUPPRESSOR OPTIMIZED 300 BLACKOUT 10" UPPER RECEIVER Reviews & Ratings

Everything that makes the BRN-180 300 Blackout great, with enhanced features for suppressor use.

With the BRN-180S 300 Blackout being frequently used in conjunction with suppressors, Brownells sought out new features that make the platform quieter and better to use with a suppressor. Still mounting to any standard AR-15 spec lower receiver, the new BRN-180SH Suppressor Optimized Upper Receiver notably includes a gas shutoff setting. This is not uncommon on piston driven firearms, it has rarely been utilized as a true “single shot” setting. Combined with the adjustable charging handle, which can be pointed downwards like a bolt action, the BRN-180SH can be configured into an extremely quiet, fast charging single shot. Simply adjust the gas system off, then pull the charging handle back and release to cycle. The single shot function eliminates ejection port escaping gasses, which can increase noise at the shooter’s ear and in general. If the user wishes to shoot semi-auto, the gas system can simply be set to the suppressed or unsuppressed setting, adjust the charging handle upwards, and run the upper normally. The charging handle can be left downwards, but may interfere with the shooter’s firing grip in semi-auto.

Gas Settings:
-2: Suppressed
-1: Unsuppressed
-0: Shutoff / Single Shot

Other benefits of the BRN-180 remain, and on this new variant, an improved 5/8-24 muzzle thread adapter to ensure precise alignment of suppressors with the bore. The main reason users select the BRN-180, the entirely contained reciprocating mass is retained, so you can use lower receivers with a rear picatinny rail or folding stock/brace, and fire the upper while folded. Access to the gas system is straightforward, simply remove the bottom screw and pull the handguard forward off the upper. The AR-180 inspired operating system allows for simple removal from the rear for easy cleaning. The upper ships with a classic A2 flash hider, which caps the 10.5” nitride barrel with a 1-8 twist.

All NFA Regulations apply.

For best performance in single shot mode, it is recommended to fire 60+ rounds in semi auto prior to utilizing the single shot mode. This will ensure ease of extraction in the single shot mode.

All BRN-180 Upper Receiver Assemblies are test fired before final packaging. Upper may display signs of firing, such as or slight fouling inside.

See all of our AR15s and AR15 parts here.

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Reviews Summary
The BRN-180SH suppressor optimized 300 Blackout upper receiver impresses many with its unique design and quiet shooting capabilities, though issues such as over-gassing, a poor charging handle design, and lack of dust cover detract from the experience. Overall, it's a solid choice for suppressed builds with some room for improvement.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Product Design
70%
Reviewers appreciate the innovative bufferless design of the BRN-180SH, highlighting its easy gas adjustment system and compatibility with suppressors. However, the design also comes under scrutiny for the charging handle's poor ergonomics and an awkward gas system that complicates maintenance.
Shooting Experience
60%
Many users enjoy the quiet shooting experience provided by the upper, especially when optimized for suppressor use. However, several reviews comment on the problem of over-gassing, which affects the ability to shoot reliably with certain ammunition types.
Accuracy and Performance
50%
The upper is praised for its accuracy, with multiple users reporting satisfactory performance with various ammunition types. The effectiveness varies when using subsonic rounds, leading to concerns among some reviewers about the twist rate for optimal performance.
Construction Quality
45%
Overall construction quality is generally viewed positively, but there are critiques about the fit and finish not meeting expectations. Some users reported sloppy fits with premium receivers, resulting in concerns about long-term durability.
Maintenance Concerns
40%
A common theme among reviews is frustration over the maintenance requirements of the gas system, including the need to remove multiple fasteners for access. This complexity seems to detract from the otherwise positive aspects of the upper.
Customer Photos & Videos
5
Awesome Upper
One a kind and I love it. I shoot it suppressed. 👍🏾
5
Thought I was getting the SH
Love it… shoot it…. Giggle and then shoot some more! My friend let me use his can and we went broke but it was so quiet that I could still here my wife crying after 100 subs at a dollar a piece!
5
Nice tight package
The BRN-180 upper seems well made and paired well with my existing lower. Looking at more of the same upper in different chamberings!
5
Happy I spent the money
Love it. Works great suppressed. The best toy I got this Christmas. I am a competitive, tactical, and self defense shooter. Retired law enforcement. ...........
5
Pretty neat features !
Purchased this for a suppressed build. Have the same in a 5.56, and wanted to try a 300BLK. The gas settings are super easy to use. Was VERY accurate with SMK 220s!
4
Lets get some things straight...
This is for what I believe is the Gen 2 upper, BRN-180SH in 300 Blackout. First off, there seems to be some poor answers out there. Setting 1 is for normal, Setting 2 is for suppressed. I was told by the manufacture to never shoot suppressed on setting 1, with the only exception being suppressed with subsonic ammo. Also, the gas system is able to be disassembled. The gas adjustment is held in place with a "hairpin" style retaining pin. With the handguard off, if this hairpin is removed, the gas system can be removed from the upper. My problem is I'm running an AAC 762-SDN-6 suppressor that uses a 51T mount. To mount the 51T Blackout flash hider (regular socket, NOT the deep socket type) mount, I had to remove the existing A2 style flash hider and the lock nut. Only then did my AAC flash hider mount properly. Now the problem is the AAC hider is too big for me to take the handguard off using the single hex screw on the bottom of the handguard. I will have to remove the eight other fasteners to remove the handguard to access the gas system. A bit of a pain, but I don't plan on having to do that very often. Lastly, it was presented to me that the bolt charging handle position (up or down) could be changed on the fly. It can not. The bolt handle shipped in the downward position as shown in the product pictures. There were no instructions on how to change the position. Turns out that you must remove the upper, pull out the recoil spring assy, pull the bolt back so that you can remove the charging handle. Once you have the charging handle removed, you will notice it has a fastener. Loosen/remove the fastener and reposition the handle at the angle you want, then tighten it back down and reassemble. And being a city dweller, I have yet to get out and shoot this thing now that I've gotten it all set up on my SBR lower. It looks freaking great and from the other reports I'm expecting it to preform well.
4
Good
I love the BRN 180 but the 1 to 8 twist was a mistake for subsonic loads. With Hornady 190 gr.subx about 30 percent keyhole and I loaded them up to 1080 fps with no help. With proper twist rate I would love it.
3
The Good, the bad, and the ugly
I've had this for a few months now, and it's definitely one of my favorites as far as packaging and being completely without a buffer tube. shoots great, doesn't jam up, like it a lot. but now, lets get to the complain-ey parts. there are two especially big ones. that awful charging handle that needs to go into the garbage immediately. though, lucky you! you probably wont have to. if its anything like mine it will repeatedly go flying off all into the bushes by itself. the ergonomic shape of it as well--just plain godawful and asking to bust your knuckles every time. the entire fit and finish is sub par also. i have tried it on multiple top end billetreceivers such as PWS, LWRC, etc. the thing flops around like a dead fish (holding front and rear grips) and you can clearly see daylight through the upper and lower receiver gap. not even my cheesy palmetto state poverty upper is even close to this bad. i would probably buy again but i would also kick myself in the nuts for a couple hundred bucks so i recommend you don't take my word for anything, fellow 2a bros
Would you recommend this? Yes, I would recommend to a friend
3
shooter
If I am reading this correctly, the barrel is 10Inch, attaching that to an AR lower, then would classify as a NFA item??? Or am I reading this incorrectly.
3
Good and Bad
Out of the box it was not "optimized" for suppressor use. Very over-gassed. I tried two different cans and each slammed the bolt back with subs and got it stuck. I spoke with PWS's warranty as they're the manufacturer and they informed me there has been an updated "Op rod" for this model. I had to send it in for them to install that as it affects the gas system and is likely why I had this issue. Overall construction is great. Accurate for sure. The only other complaint was the design of the guide rod assembly and bolt being held in place by the chunk of plastic that just flies out every time you take the upper off, shockingly poor design choice. HOWEVER! This thing is one of my favorite rifles, I SBR'd it and honestly if I'm going out shooting, there's never a time I don't want to take this with me.