AR-10 Advice

[Bullseye 2620]

A while back I posted a thread on which AR-15 carbine I ought to consider (http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/146475-s-w-m-p-15-rifle-v-colt-ar15-le-6920-m4-carbine.html) and got some very good advice.

I went to a local gunshop to place an order, finally, and while I was there a discussion ensued about the virtues of the .308/7.62x51 versus the .223/5.56 NATO rounds. So, I let the deal on the AR-15 ride, and came home and started to do some research.

Truth be told, I am no rifleman. 1911s, M-52s, and Hammerlis, yes, but my experience with rifles is very limited. I need a rifle, but I want to buy only one, not six or seven.

It seems to me that the 7.62x51 is a lot more versatile of the two rifle cartridges. That being said, I am wondering about the quality of the Armalite rifles, e.g., something like this:

See: http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.as...Category=f4bd4a13-55d1-41aa-aea0-49488ec48776


This is the configuration I was going to buy in the AR-15 platform (flat top with flip-up front and rear iron sights and some sort of red dot optic and the ability to mount a scope for longer ranges), and so, I am curious as to the experience any of you, especially the military and LEO members who have had experience with these AR-10s and similar platforms. I like the carbine configuration. I want a semi-auto.

Please let me benefit from your experience, impressions, and suggestions. Thanks in advance.


Bullseye

 

[310nightguard]

I have both 5.56 and 7.62 ARs; I have a bushmaster in 5.56, a Ruger SR-556 and an Armalite AR-10.

You really can not compare the cartridges.

They have completely different purposes in the civilian world. If you are looking for a fun, light rifle for home defense and potential varmint hunting (where semi autos are legal), go for the 5.56; it is the better choice. The 5.56 is a pretty awesome man stopper at close range and the light, fast 5.56 bullets are less likely to overpenetrate walls than pistol rounds are. It is also very accurate and good for varmints in the right application. Recoil on a 5.56 rifle is very negligible also if you are sensitive to that aspect.

If you are looking for longer range shooting (more than 200 yards) or for larger game (if legal in your area) or if you just want a bigger cartridge (nothing wrong with wanting bigger just to want it), then go for the 7.62. Recoil on the 7.62
ARs is still pretty mild in my opinion.

Also, keep in mind the 5.56 is a lot cheaper to shoot.

In my opinion, buy the 5.56 first and save up and buy the 7.62 next.

 

[310nightguard]

Also, again in my opinion, if you are buying the 7.62, go for the 20'' barrel so you get the full benefit of velocity from the 7.62 cartridge. Nothing wrong with a 7.62 16'' barrel, just my opinion.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

What about the Armalite brand guys? Any reason not to buy one of their products?

Thanks again.


Bullseye

 

[310nightguard]

My Armalite AR-10 is a great performer ( I have the flat top with 20'' barrel, scoped with a 4-16 Nikon), but I do not have a ton of experience with the brand.

Mine also has a match trigger which helps.

 

[Lt JL]

I have and compete with a 16 inch AR 10 Armalite. It has a Nikon on top. I can hit, no kidding, a golf ball almost every time at 100 meters. No malfunctions in about 1000 rounds. So a golf ball is what? maybe 1.5 MOA out of a 16 inch barrel? I'm satisfied.

 

[MERV5-5505]

What about the Armalite brand guys? Any reason not to buy one of their products?

Thanks again.


Bullseye

Hello Bullseye 2620,

The Armalite Company is a fine one, with a solid line of rifles. I will always have respect for them for keeping their prices sane & working around the high-cap magazine ban back in the mid 1990's, (by coverting old M14 mags for their AR-10's.) That being said, Yes...there are a lot of other companies out there offering similar products, but their AR-10's remain a good quality buy. If you went with a AR-10...no one could fault you. I just wish they would offer their carbine with a fixed stock again.

 

[mxbob]

My AR10 is my "go to" rifle. It is a 20" A4 config with a moderate power variable scope.(Leupold 2X7).I would say that in this caliber not to go less than 20" barrel. I own several other semi auto rifles in this caliber but the AR10 is still the best. It shoots MOA with good ammo when I do my part
Bob Ray 1815

 

[Bat Guano]

I like the ergonomics, handling, and economy of the standard 5.56 ARs. I also like the M1A/M14 platform and cartridge--but I think they are quite different beasts. All the 7.62 ARs that I am aware of are about the same weight as the M1A, and I don't see a significant advantage to going there.

If there is an AR carbine that will weigh in at 7.5 pounds loaded I would be interested...

Less is more these days.

 

[MTKTM]

I have an AR-10T, an older gun with a 22" barrel, and an AR-15 National Match, both Armalite products. Both are superb accurate guns, extremely reliable and well made. I once read some anecdotal reports of AR-10s being problematic, but I've never experienced any glitches whatsoever with either of my guns, both of which have been fired a lot.

 

[sar4937]

I shoot an Armalite AR 15 NM in Highpower, there is nothing wrong with the quality. I have a DPMS LR308T with a 16" barrel, I like the 308 alot. It costs alot more to shoot. You could swap uppers on an AR 15 gaining more firepower for a reduced price. I have an Eotech, but out past 50 yards the dot covers too much of the target. There are times when a collapsible butt-stock is needed, but if you have always had a fixed stock on your rifle, and you don't wear body armor you might not need it so much. That would be more money to put into a good scope.

 

[kobsw]

This is my AR10-A4 16". It's a really good shooter and ArmaLite quality is right there with everyone else.

Prose: Heavy, stable and accurate platform that shoots a large calibar round that's a true man stopper.

Cons: Parts are more expensive and less available. Ammo is more expensive and less available. Recoil is ridiculous compared to an AR15 and the 5.56x45/.223 round.

*In a situation where the SHTF I would prefer a rifle that I could have more of a chance of acquiring ready parts and ammo. Not to mention much less recoil for fast sight and target acquisition.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Save your pennies and wait for the SCAR-H to be commercially sold, otherwise get a DSA FAL. There's no compelling reason to get an AR platform in .308 unless you're dead set against learning a different platform. MARSOC recently adopted the SCAR-H and unless the commercial models are completely gimped, which is unlikely since FN does a good job lately, expect them to out perform and be more reliable than the ARs.

Failing that, the DSA FALs are improved versions of a long proven design.

 

[MTKTM]

I shoot an Armalite AR 15 NM in Highpower, there is nothing wrong with the quality. I have a DPMS LR308T with a 16" barrel, I like the 308 alot. It costs alot more to shoot. You could swap uppers on an AR 15 gaining more firepower for a reduced price. I have an Eotech, but out past 50 yards the dot covers too much of the target. There are times when a collapsible butt-stock is needed, but if you have always had a fixed stock on your rifle, and you don't wear body armor you might not need it so much. That would be more money to put into a good scope.

You can't put a 308 upper on an AR15. You'd need an AR10 lower unit, and in order to shoot 308 you'll need an upper too, so might as well get a complete AR10 in the first place.

 

[sar4937]

You can install a 6.8 SPC, 450 Beowulf, or 7.62 X 39 upper on to an AR 15. Yes you must buy magazines, but the list cost of an upper is $650. They can be had for less. That's about 1/2 the price of a complete second gun with magazines.

 

[GregG]

I've had an AR-10 for a long time, and never plan to sell it. I bought it about 9 years ago as a flat top 20" .243 Winchester. I put a few hundred rounds through it and changed the gun up a bit. I replaced the barrel with a Kreiger .308 Winchester 26" barrel (that they chambered), a Knight's Armament two stage trigger, a free floating handguard, and a Magpul stock. Right now it has a Shepherd scope on it calibrated for a 168 grain bullet.

I have several FAL's, and I love them, but none of them will touch an AR-10's groups. The FAL has a tendency to string its shots. At the range, I've gone from 5" of vertical down to one inch when working up loads for specific guns. The AR-10 I have has always grouped well, even when the load was out of tune. Even with the stock .243 barrel it averaged under and inch at 100 yards.