Armalite AR-10

The AR-10 is an air-cooled, lightweight, gas operated, magazine-fed, select-fire rifle that fires 7.62 × 51 mm NATO (.308 Win cal.) ammunition.

By: marvin Posted: May 5, 2007

The AR-10 was designed by Eugene Stoner and features an aluminum alloy receiver, in-line stock and reinforced fiberglass furniture. Additionally, the AR-10 operates on the direct impingement gas principle. The rifle was constructed in relatively small numbers as it has been frequently noted that only 10,000 rifles assembled.

At the time of its creation, there were extreme differences between the AR-10 and other rifles and the AR-10's appearance was novel and unique. The AR-10 was first introduced in 1956 and weight nearly two pounds (1 kg) lighter than most infantry rifles. The AR-10 was also markedly easier to handle and control in automatic mode and much more accurate in semi automatic mode. Lastly, the AR-10 is commonly noted as handling far superior to any and all of ther weapons fo the period.