What is the recoil like on these things? I love my M1's, and I've liked the M1A's, recoil isn't an issue with either. But, then, they are a lot heavier. I've never fired an AR10 type rifle. I really like the idea of this rifle, but I don't want something that beats me up or has the muzzle blast of a small cannon. I understand its going to be less playful than an AR15, I'm just curious as to how much.
M&P10 recoil
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Arizona_Mike
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Recoil is mild due to the AR design. Less than you'd expect from it being only 8 lb. I made mine even more mild with an adjustable gas block -- they tend to be a little overgased. I turn the gas block just enough that the LRHO functions several shots in a row and then add 1/4 if a turn (1/2 if it is a potential SD gun).
Mike
Mike
Varminterror
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Both are right answers. The AR-10 will likely be more accurate for you, the M1A has more class, but both are right answers.
I couldn't decide between the two, so I have both. I shoot my AR-10's more often than my M1A's.
I couldn't decide between the two, so I have both. I shoot my AR-10's more often than my M1A's.
The M&P 10 is itself a great rifle. The downside is some proprietary stuff.
The sr25/lr308 seem to be what become the most common design and so it is easiest to get extras for items that share parts with those.
Even Armalite switched (they offer models in both types) to the sr25 magazines because people preferred that option over being limited the Armalite's magazines.
Fortunately the M&P 10 shares the same magazine and a lot of the furniture, trigger group so all drop in triggers will work, etc but some things are different.
Gas tube length, bolt carrier group, etc
Apparently S&W also does not just send people some of the proprietary parts if they ask to buy them either, like a spare barrel. Which has led to people figuring out how to install DPMS and similar barrels and bolt carrier groups. They don't just drop in, and some parts have to be removed from the S&W first before they can take a regular bolt carrier group.
So the rifle itself is great, but proprietary stuff combined with a company that does not just send you any part you want to buy makes it being proprietary a pain once you have any problems or need to replace significant parts.
In an AR-15 which is more standardized that would definitely be a deal breaker. But 308s are all a little different, some are just more different.
So you have to look at it as an individual rifle with its own merits.
While the M1A is nice and classy. It also weighs more, and takes a lot more work to make accurate. How you bed the rifle makes a big difference. With the S&W it will be more accurate from the start with 168s even without a free floated barrel and you don't have to worry about bedding and rebedding the rifle. M1As require a lot of tinkering to get the most out of them, and just taking the action out of many stocks undoes some things. The AR will be the same unless you actually change something significant and you can reasonably disassemble it all the time and it maintains the same zero.
Optics are also very easy to use with the AR platform.
One thing I do prefer on the M1A is the lack of a buffer tube or other spring or parts behind the receiver, allowing the overall length to be less if you so desire to reduce the length of the back end, or a folding stock to be used while remaining functional. Even bullpup designs can be made based on it for the same reason (though the good quality rogue is a bit heavy and they have not been making them lately.)
Stock vs stock, the AR would be my preference.
The sr25/lr308 seem to be what become the most common design and so it is easiest to get extras for items that share parts with those.
Even Armalite switched (they offer models in both types) to the sr25 magazines because people preferred that option over being limited the Armalite's magazines.
Fortunately the M&P 10 shares the same magazine and a lot of the furniture, trigger group so all drop in triggers will work, etc but some things are different.
Gas tube length, bolt carrier group, etc
Apparently S&W also does not just send people some of the proprietary parts if they ask to buy them either, like a spare barrel. Which has led to people figuring out how to install DPMS and similar barrels and bolt carrier groups. They don't just drop in, and some parts have to be removed from the S&W first before they can take a regular bolt carrier group.
So the rifle itself is great, but proprietary stuff combined with a company that does not just send you any part you want to buy makes it being proprietary a pain once you have any problems or need to replace significant parts.
In an AR-15 which is more standardized that would definitely be a deal breaker. But 308s are all a little different, some are just more different.
So you have to look at it as an individual rifle with its own merits.
While the M1A is nice and classy. It also weighs more, and takes a lot more work to make accurate. How you bed the rifle makes a big difference. With the S&W it will be more accurate from the start with 168s even without a free floated barrel and you don't have to worry about bedding and rebedding the rifle. M1As require a lot of tinkering to get the most out of them, and just taking the action out of many stocks undoes some things. The AR will be the same unless you actually change something significant and you can reasonably disassemble it all the time and it maintains the same zero.
Optics are also very easy to use with the AR platform.
One thing I do prefer on the M1A is the lack of a buffer tube or other spring or parts behind the receiver, allowing the overall length to be less if you so desire to reduce the length of the back end, or a folding stock to be used while remaining functional. Even bullpup designs can be made based on it for the same reason (though the good quality rogue is a bit heavy and they have not been making them lately.)
Stock vs stock, the AR would be my preference.
Varminterror
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I personally wouldn't buy an M&P-10. Other makers are out there with rifles which are as good or better, with less proprietary/factory only parts issues, and way less anti-gun political history.
Arizona_Mike
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1. All .380 ARs are proprietary (I do agree factory parts are an issue).
2. S&W has been owned by a pro-gun Arizona-based company since April 2001. They have not been British owned for almost 16 years now.
Mike
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I like the M&P-10. It's got a good barrel profile and it's one of the lightest of the 308 ARs. The muzzle device and gas block should be replaced with lighter, more practical parts and the trigger is typical of the standard AR triggers. It's a good value for the money.
In my experience, the M&P-10 has been under gassed, not over gassed. It needs commercial pressure ammo to function reliably in all conditions. In cold weather, NATO spec ammo causes short stroking.
Other improvements I've made were changing to a carbon fiber free float tube, Magpul grip and Magpul fixed length carbine stock. Accuracy is poor with surplus ammo but great with the Hornaday Amax 165/168 gr ammo.
If I were to get a 308 AR other than the M&P-10, it would be the Armalite AR-10
In my experience, the M&P-10 has been under gassed, not over gassed. It needs commercial pressure ammo to function reliably in all conditions. In cold weather, NATO spec ammo causes short stroking.
Other improvements I've made were changing to a carbon fiber free float tube, Magpul grip and Magpul fixed length carbine stock. Accuracy is poor with surplus ammo but great with the Hornaday Amax 165/168 gr ammo.
If I were to get a 308 AR other than the M&P-10, it would be the Armalite AR-10
jhb
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prefer my hk91 copy and fal clone, to the ar platform.....but it's real mild and easy to control. for me anyways. some folks flintch like heck on any .308 platform or even a .22lr rifle.
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