Finally, finally got around to assembling my AR-10 today. Had the parts sitting in a bin for probably a year+ now. Aero M5 upper and lower. Aimsports 13.5" handguard. Classic Firearms (pray for me) .308 18" fluted HBAR. Brownell's BCG. Just total mixer of other parts.
Turns out I never got a stock for it, so I've got my OD green spray painted M4 carbine stock from my first AR-15 build on there. No muzzle device. Spare cant scope mount. Cheap no-name gas block.
Spent the last couple of days (anticipating yesterday building it today and realizing a couple things I was "missing". So I ordered an MFT minimalist stock and a BRT 7.62 linear comp to dress it up.
Today I ordered a 10 round SR-25 PMAG. I found out that the Hexmags I have do NOT fit an M5 lower. Not with all of the prayer and persuasion I could bring to bear. (short of trying a mallet, which I wasn't about to do). I've got some 20 rounder PMAGs that fit just fine I got out of state a couple of years ago. I've heard rumblings Hexmag has changed designs on their SR-25 mags, but not sure if mine are old or new design. Annoying, but at least I'd only sunk money on 3 of them at an out of state gun show.
I also ordered an MFT grip. I have an MOE on there now and its fine, but I am going FDE on this rifle, I figured if I am in for a penny, might as well be in for a pound and I figure the FDE will match the stock (or it had BETTER since they are both MFT).
The thing is pretty darned rear balanced with that long heavy receiver. So I figure the lighter stock should help that.
No idea if it'll work, but I found an aluminum barrel nut that LOOKS like it might work with my Aimsports handguard. The handguard itself is pretty nice and certainly light, but that barrel nut is almost 5 ounces all on its own! Its a JL Billet 308 aluminum barrel nut. Design is different, but I measured the OD of the Aimsports barrel nut and its the same to within about .005" (should fit over this nut fine). A question of where the grove is located in the nut for the handguard screw. I am pretty sure I can make this work. If not I am out less than $30 in trying to shed about 2.5oz of weight.
Next up is an Aero Precision FDE 1" scope mount. Cause its like 3oz lighter than the generic one I've got on there now.
Lastly, a 2A armament Ti gas block.
All told, I think I am looking at around 6-7oz of weight shaved off, even figuring in the muzzle device.
Which is good, because this thing is a pig! 9lbs 5.5oz with scope (no sling or swivels yet. Using a black M1 Carbine sling and a simple stud. Total weight should be about 3.5oz based on prior experience with other ARs).
So I am hoping with sling, muzzle device and all this on there I can get the weight down to barely over 9lbs. I've got a lighter scope also than the 4-12x40 Bushnell Engage and I might swap also (Weaver 9-12x40, which weighs about 15oz, vs the Engage at 20oz. Save the engage for a precision build, not a hunting build). So I might be able to get this under 9lbs.
I hope. Its looking nice. A BEAR to cock the thing. AR-10s take a lot more force than an AR-15 to yank the charging handle!
Plans to get it to the range this Friday to try it out. Obviously I won't have the final parts in hand by then, but it should be in fully working order now.
PS it does make me appreciate my 18" 6.5 Grendel build which tips the scales at almost exactly 8lbs, with scope and sling. I suspect I won't mind the extra ~1lb or so when it comes to recoil though. Does make me wonder if it would be worth going to an adjustable gas block and a lightweight BCG and tune it from there. Seems like a lot of effort to probably reduce reliability.
Range report to follow. Pictures too. Both "now" and "after" once the build is done.
Turns out I never got a stock for it, so I've got my OD green spray painted M4 carbine stock from my first AR-15 build on there. No muzzle device. Spare cant scope mount. Cheap no-name gas block.
Spent the last couple of days (anticipating yesterday building it today and realizing a couple things I was "missing". So I ordered an MFT minimalist stock and a BRT 7.62 linear comp to dress it up.
Today I ordered a 10 round SR-25 PMAG. I found out that the Hexmags I have do NOT fit an M5 lower. Not with all of the prayer and persuasion I could bring to bear. (short of trying a mallet, which I wasn't about to do). I've got some 20 rounder PMAGs that fit just fine I got out of state a couple of years ago. I've heard rumblings Hexmag has changed designs on their SR-25 mags, but not sure if mine are old or new design. Annoying, but at least I'd only sunk money on 3 of them at an out of state gun show.
I also ordered an MFT grip. I have an MOE on there now and its fine, but I am going FDE on this rifle, I figured if I am in for a penny, might as well be in for a pound and I figure the FDE will match the stock (or it had BETTER since they are both MFT).
The thing is pretty darned rear balanced with that long heavy receiver. So I figure the lighter stock should help that.
No idea if it'll work, but I found an aluminum barrel nut that LOOKS like it might work with my Aimsports handguard. The handguard itself is pretty nice and certainly light, but that barrel nut is almost 5 ounces all on its own! Its a JL Billet 308 aluminum barrel nut. Design is different, but I measured the OD of the Aimsports barrel nut and its the same to within about .005" (should fit over this nut fine). A question of where the grove is located in the nut for the handguard screw. I am pretty sure I can make this work. If not I am out less than $30 in trying to shed about 2.5oz of weight.
Next up is an Aero Precision FDE 1" scope mount. Cause its like 3oz lighter than the generic one I've got on there now.
Lastly, a 2A armament Ti gas block.
All told, I think I am looking at around 6-7oz of weight shaved off, even figuring in the muzzle device.
Which is good, because this thing is a pig! 9lbs 5.5oz with scope (no sling or swivels yet. Using a black M1 Carbine sling and a simple stud. Total weight should be about 3.5oz based on prior experience with other ARs).
So I am hoping with sling, muzzle device and all this on there I can get the weight down to barely over 9lbs. I've got a lighter scope also than the 4-12x40 Bushnell Engage and I might swap also (Weaver 9-12x40, which weighs about 15oz, vs the Engage at 20oz. Save the engage for a precision build, not a hunting build). So I might be able to get this under 9lbs.
I hope. Its looking nice. A BEAR to cock the thing. AR-10s take a lot more force than an AR-15 to yank the charging handle!
Plans to get it to the range this Friday to try it out. Obviously I won't have the final parts in hand by then, but it should be in fully working order now.
PS it does make me appreciate my 18" 6.5 Grendel build which tips the scales at almost exactly 8lbs, with scope and sling. I suspect I won't mind the extra ~1lb or so when it comes to recoil though. Does make me wonder if it would be worth going to an adjustable gas block and a lightweight BCG and tune it from there. Seems like a lot of effort to probably reduce reliability.
Range report to follow. Pictures too. Both "now" and "after" once the build is done.