ny32182
Member
Background: I've owned a number of factory and home build AR15's from bottom to top tier manufacturers and am very familiar with the AR15 platform in general. For quite a while I've wanted a reasonably priced but decent quality AR10 type rifle that was as close as possible in spec to a scaled up M4 clone carbine such as the Colt 6920. The lack of standardization in the .308 AR world always kind of put me off, but years ago, I came close to buying a 16" Armalite. The only thing that really kept me from it was the proprietary magazine, vs. everything else on the market. I recently discovered that they now make the AR-10A model, which uses the standard SR25 type magazine. I guess they have been doing that since 2013. Not sure how I missed it before, but within 24 hours of discovering that and getting some updates on the current AR10 product line, I bought a "Defender" model off Gunbroker, model DEF10. On paper it fits my vision for what I wanted as closely as anything I have ever been able to find. It appears to be a good solid, "mil spec-ish" (not really such a thing, but... again, my goal was scaled up 6920) rifle for a good price.
I picked it up a few days ago and here I will post all my thoughts on it and initial experiences with it.
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Out of the box impressions:
1) I like it.
2) It feels.. well.. like the scaled up AR15 carbine I wanted.
3) I had read before that there might have been some issues with the finish on some rifles made many years ago, but not so here, the finish looks like a top notch milspec type finish throughout.
4) My only two "gripes" before taking it apart: Castle nut not staked, and the gas block is held in place by threaded screws. I knew the latter before I bought it, so that wasn't a surprise. I might look into gas block options in the future.
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Initial breakdown and cleaning:
1) ALMOST everything inside looks just as beautiful as it does outside.
2) Trigger group appears to be 100% AR15
3) Buffer tube is M16 milspec diameter, but longer than that of an AR15.
4) It has a standard H3 bufffer. The spring is longer and heavier due to the longer tube.
5) BCG is obviously massive compared to an AR15, but goes together identically. There is a small firing pin spring that is not present in an AR15. I assume since the firing pin is bigger, they figured it would be too dangerous if completely free floated, but that is speculation.
6) Carrier and gas key are chrome lined, as is the barrel. Gas key looks to have a good solid staking job.
OOPS:
And now the downside: The back end of the barrel, outside of the chamber, has some marks on it that look as if a tool of some sort hit it during manufacturing. They are deep, and the metal around the marks is raised. I have never seen anything like it on any AR15. I'm afraid they would cut into the front face of the bolt if I fired the gun. After a couple emails with Armalite, they agreed that the upper should come back to the factory, and it is on the way back shipping tomorrow. I assume replacing the barrel is the only option. Here is a picture of the marks:
I know this sounds odd, but I'm actually undeterred about the overall quality as everything else appears beautifully constructed. Obviously I'll reserve final judgement until I get the upper back and shoot it, but I'm changing a bunch of stuff on the lower now for me as a lefty (I'll post pics) and everything is fitting great. Looking forward to shooting it.
I picked it up a few days ago and here I will post all my thoughts on it and initial experiences with it.
///////////////////
Out of the box impressions:
1) I like it.
2) It feels.. well.. like the scaled up AR15 carbine I wanted.
3) I had read before that there might have been some issues with the finish on some rifles made many years ago, but not so here, the finish looks like a top notch milspec type finish throughout.
4) My only two "gripes" before taking it apart: Castle nut not staked, and the gas block is held in place by threaded screws. I knew the latter before I bought it, so that wasn't a surprise. I might look into gas block options in the future.
/////////////////////
Initial breakdown and cleaning:
1) ALMOST everything inside looks just as beautiful as it does outside.
2) Trigger group appears to be 100% AR15
3) Buffer tube is M16 milspec diameter, but longer than that of an AR15.
4) It has a standard H3 bufffer. The spring is longer and heavier due to the longer tube.
5) BCG is obviously massive compared to an AR15, but goes together identically. There is a small firing pin spring that is not present in an AR15. I assume since the firing pin is bigger, they figured it would be too dangerous if completely free floated, but that is speculation.
6) Carrier and gas key are chrome lined, as is the barrel. Gas key looks to have a good solid staking job.
OOPS:
And now the downside: The back end of the barrel, outside of the chamber, has some marks on it that look as if a tool of some sort hit it during manufacturing. They are deep, and the metal around the marks is raised. I have never seen anything like it on any AR15. I'm afraid they would cut into the front face of the bolt if I fired the gun. After a couple emails with Armalite, they agreed that the upper should come back to the factory, and it is on the way back shipping tomorrow. I assume replacing the barrel is the only option. Here is a picture of the marks:
I know this sounds odd, but I'm actually undeterred about the overall quality as everything else appears beautifully constructed. Obviously I'll reserve final judgement until I get the upper back and shoot it, but I'm changing a bunch of stuff on the lower now for me as a lefty (I'll post pics) and everything is fitting great. Looking forward to shooting it.
--sorry, just referencing that ridiculous "my AR15 experience' article from earlier this week 
