The AR-10 is the grandfather of all modern sporting rifles — and the daddy of the comparatively smaller AR-15. At its core, the AR-10 is a semi-automatic rifle that takes everything you love about the AR-15 platform and scales it up to handle bigger, more powerful cartridges like .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .260 Remington.
Think of it this way: if the AR-15 is a precision instrument designed for intermediate cartridges, the AR-10 is a sledgehammer that maintains surgical precision. It delivers the familiar ergonomics, modularity, and reliability of the AR platform while packing enough punch to drop elk at 400 yards or reach out and touch targets at distances where your AR-15 would start throwing in the towel.
The AR-10 uses the same direct impingement gas system as its smaller sibling, the same basic upper and lower receiver configuration, and many of the same controls you’re already familiar with. The key differences? Larger bolt, bigger magazine well, beefier buffer system, and — most importantly — the ability to chamber cartridges that pack a serious wallop downrange.
