Welcome to another edition of our Photo Of The Day. We’re always on the lookout for the best firearms-related images out there, with the goal to give your eyes something worth watching every day. Cinematic Arms caught the moment with this AR-180. The Armalite Costa Mesa AR-180 is a semi-automatic rifle that was produced by the Armalite company. It was introduced in the late 1960s as a civilian version of the AR-18, a rifle that was designed for military use. The AR-180 has a distinctive look with its curved stock and pistol grip. The AR-180 uses a short-stroke gas piston system.

Harry Edward Merkin coming in hot with his optic mounted AR-180. The most successful failure in firearms history: Harry Edward Merkin coming in hot with his optic mounted AR-180. The most successful failure in firearms history: Armalite Costa Mesa AR-180 with factory Armalite 2.75×20 scope. While the gun itself was considered a failure and never won any significant military contracts its operating system has influenced a huge number of modern combat rifles.

All pictures by Cinematic Arms.