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LOT 396
Attractive and Rare Exhibition/Presentation Cased Chrome and Gold Plated Limited Edition American Arms
International American 180 M2 Class III/NFA Submachine Gun with Extra Matching Barrels, Matching Laser Sight
Unit, and Silencer -A) American Arms American 180 M2 Submachine Gun, Class III/NFA Transferable Machine Gun
- Serial no. B00103, 22 LR cal., 16 1/2 inch fluted bbl., chrome finish, walnut stock. Developed in the 1970s based on work
from the noted designer Richard Casull, the American 180 may be the ultimate NFA “fun gun”, coupling a large magazine
with the low recoil of the 22 Long Rifle to create a weapon with a reputation for high controllability and ease of use. Of
course, the design is not all fun and games; when tested by the Infantry Board at Fort Benning in 1977, it was found to be
a very agile close-in weapon and particularly effective in low light conditions when coupled with the then-advanced Laser-
LOK sight, a very early helium-neon gas laser. The board also found that automatic bursts from the 180 could achieve deep
penetration of hard targets, with short bursts being capable of compromising a flak jacket and longer bursts capable of
punching through helmets and cinder block walls. The weapon was also found to be very reliable, with only 25 stoppages
(15 operator error, 10 bad ammo) and no broken/damaged components in a 28,000 round test sequence. Like so many
who have handled the 180, the Infantry Board testers grew quite fond of the weapon; while they found that it was not
a substitute for a full power rifle in general use, they cited a number of potential applications (including extreme CQB
situations, specifically citing GSG-9s raid on Lufthansa Flight 181 as an example, and “selective ambushes” when combined
with the Laser-LOK and a silencer), and called it “the deadliest weapon within its range capability”. American Arms is known
to have made three types of Limited Edition 180 M2 SMGs in high gloss blue, chrome, and gold plate, with extra barrels, the
Laser-LOK sight system and a matched silencer as available options; this grouping is the full package with all of the options.
The major metal components are chrome plated, with gold wash on the trigger and safety, and the gun is fitted with high
gloss fancy grain presentation grade walnut furniture.
American Arms produced three
types of Limited Edition M2 SMGS,
including a chrome plated finish.
Available options for these editions
included extra barrels, the Laser-
LOK sight system and a matched
silencer. This exemplary example
includes every available option.