I have to call a spade a spade. I have been looking at some numbers and there is literally no weight savings compared to the M14 Garand style action. Apples to apples, Here are the advantages I see for the AR-10 style rifle:
1. Accessories, stocks, aftermarket parts.
2. Accuracy (only applies in so much as it pertains to a certain application, the M14 or M1a is plenty accurate)
And thats about it. Now that means that if you want your rifle to look cool and shoot the Ace of spades at the range the AR-10 is for you. I am not saying the M14 style rifle is light years ahead of the AR what I am saying is that the Stoner design is not inherently lighter or more ingenious than that Garand style action. Does anybody really think that a 7 lug bolt with a separate carrier and gas rings, staked key etc, is a better design than a 2 lug bolt with no separate carrier and no gas rings?
1. Accessories, stocks, aftermarket parts.
2. Accuracy (only applies in so much as it pertains to a certain application, the M14 or M1a is plenty accurate)
And thats about it. Now that means that if you want your rifle to look cool and shoot the Ace of spades at the range the AR-10 is for you. I am not saying the M14 style rifle is light years ahead of the AR what I am saying is that the Stoner design is not inherently lighter or more ingenious than that Garand style action. Does anybody really think that a 7 lug bolt with a separate carrier and gas rings, staked key etc, is a better design than a 2 lug bolt with no separate carrier and no gas rings?