Armalite AR10A TAC 18

Jsp556

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Minuteman
Feb 27, 2017
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I’ve never really been one to do reviews. If you’re expecting @bigjake83 , @LRRPF52 , or @sinister level info or details you’re gonna be disappointed. I don’t take a lot of pics, the ones I take are crappy, and I have poor grammer.

So any time people ask about large frames I usually recommend buying from a company with a track record of building accurate, reliable large frames. I’ve built a few good shooting 308’s and still have one home build. In the world of large frames I believe factory guns are better for most people since the good companies develope and test their systems. I like, own, and shoot LMT MWS’s, Seekins SP10’s, and Armalite AR10’s. I feel like the Armalites are better than 90% of the factory large frames on the market and recommend them a lot. I don’t know how but PSA has been blowing out both large and small frame Armalites for months now. I’ve had a B series for years and figured I’d pick up an A since they were so cheap.

Here’s the product description and specs on PSA’s site.
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After taxes, shipping and insurance
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Add a $25 transfer fee, $1474.25

I cleaned, lubed, removed the brake, added a Surefire 3 prong, attached my Atlas bipod, borrowed a scope and mount from another of my rifles, and headed to our property to see how it shot.
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I shot 4 different types of ammo. I didn’t have a ton of time so I didn’t take pics of all the groups. I tend to shoot my gas guns faster than most do while shooting groups. I break a shot, follow through, and as soon as the reticle settles back on target, break the next shot. I don’t usually wait for a cool down. I tend to find out fairly quickly if the gun strings shots or chokes when it heats up. Everything I shot today was at 100 yards prone. Atlas bipod and a rear squeeze bag.

I got a rough zero and just plinked a box of federal xm80 away. No malfunctions. The gun had a soft recoil impulse so I didn’t mess with the gas block. For those who care, 4:30 ejection. Brass piled up about 5’ away. Roughly 2.5-4 moa groups from 2.5-4 moa ammo. Cool

I had half a box of 168gr Black Hills Red box ammo. This ammo has always shot well in my LMT guns. It usually produces .8-1.2 moa groups from the chrome lined LMT barrels. 5 shot groups from the Armalite were about the same, one .75 and one 1 moa. No malfunctions. 4:00 ejection pattern. Didn’t adjust the gas.

Next up was Hornady 168ELDM Match. No joke, 3 moa 5 shot groups. I shot 2 groups and quit with this ammo. 4:00 ejection. No malfunctions.

Last ammo I shot was Hornady Black 168gr AMAX. I shot a 5 round group that was about .7 moa. I figured I’d give myself and the rifle a good challenge and loaded up a 20 round mag and shot 1 20 round group. 4:00 ejection. No malfunctions.

Pic of target.


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Shots marked 14-17, 4 of the first 5 fired in the group. They we’re from a different box of ammo. I checked and they were from different lots. To me, this explains the 2 distinct groups within the 20 shot string.

So, I’m happy with the gun for what it cost me. This was just an initial impression. It’s only 65 rounds at this point. If it’s like my other Armalite, it should maintain this level of accuracy and reliability. I’ll update the thread when I get more data and will get more pics along the way.
 
Armalite is very under rated, most that turn up their nose at them would be shocked to know how much is shared between them and LMT & KAC. Marketing is a real thing....

I never had an Armalite that wasn't accurate and reliable and many have passed through my hands. I still have two large frames...
 
Armalite is very under rated, most that turn up their nose at them would be shocked to know how much is shared between them and LMT & KAC. Marketing is a real thing....

I never had an Armalite that wasn't accurate and reliable and many have passed through my hands. I still have two large frames...
A lot of my shooting buddies shoot Armalites. Their guns always ran as good as my LMTs so I picked up a used B series T model. It shot really good also but the 24” barrel made it a bench gun only for me. Optics planet had a sale on the new Super SASS 20” barrels. I think I paid $220 for it and changed it. Accuracy seems about the same but being 4” shorter makes it easier to shoot in the field. I’ve always used the Gen2 Armalite mags in it and never had any issues.

Like you stated, very underrated.
 
Yeah, my oldest one started out as T. I cut the barrel down three times before I burned it out. I doesn't look anything like the old T. It still has the T profile barrel but down to 18 inches. If I didn't want to get another set of mags I'd jump all over that deal but I have a couple of dozen of B mags....at least...
 
The AR-10B M-14 mags are one of the best 7.62 NATO magazines ever made as well.

Eagle Arms took the SR-25 as a starting point and made some changes here and there, like the balanced bolt lugs, sprung firing pin, really nice fit/feel/finish, but had to find surplus 20rd mags that they could use since it was done during the Clinton 1994-2004 AWB, with the main work done in 1996 if I recall with David Doerbeck and Carl Lewis.

Eagle Arms acquired the ArmaLite Inc. name from Elisco Tool & Machine in the Philippines and re-branded for their flagship lines under ArmaLite, then kept the Eagle Arms name for the economy line.

My first AR-10 was the 24” T model and that witch shot 10rd groups of 168gr FGMM into 1/3rd MOA at 300yds, couldn’t believe it.
 
I built my first 308 AR off an Armalite and always though they put out a good rifle, I think the only issue they had was they despite making a good rifle never really developed a narrative to build their following. For example, Daniel Defense and Noveske has there niche, as does PSA and Anderson, LMT and KAC, and FN and HK, and no matter what narrative you subscribe to these manufactures have you covered.
 
I picked up a 22 inch tactical 6.5 creedmoor not to long ago for 1299 . Mine had a ding right on the end of the shell deflector . It almost looked like it was hit with a punch . My dealer saw it and said we can send it back . I told him it's gonna look a lot worse when I get done with it . Mine came with an adjustable gas block and was easy to adjust for correct ejection . maybe 10 minute's which including firing and adjusting . It has run like a champ . I have put a bunch of sellier and bellot 140 grain fmj through the rifle It's about the cheapest I can find and averaged right at 1.5 moa ( not bad for less than 20.00 a box ) I run some hornady American gunner 140 grain BTHP match and I am averaging .9 moa I am satisfied with that . I have a bunch of brass , bullet's , powder , so eventually I will load some ammo and see where I am at . I am gonna run it in some gas gun matches this year .
 
The AR-10B M-14 mags are one of the best 7.62 NATO magazines ever made as well.

Eagle Arms took the SR-25 as a starting point and made some changes here and there, like the balanced bolt lugs, sprung firing pin, really nice fit/feel/finish, but had to find surplus 20rd mags that they could use since it was done during the Clinton 1994-2004 AWB, with the main work done in 1996 if I recall with David Doerbeck and Carl Lewis.

Eagle Arms acquired the ArmaLite Inc. name from Elisco Tool & Machine in the Philippines and re-branded for their flagship lines under ArmaLite, then kept the Eagle Arms name for the economy line.

My first AR-10 was the 24” T model and that witch shot 10rd groups of 168gr FGMM into 1/3rd MOA at 300yds, couldn’t believe it.
I also had that one, 24in T model. Absolute tack driver. Had to sell it when I moved but it was scary accurate for a gasser.
 
i’ve had 3 t models over the years. only ever sold one and regretted it. i still have factory t model in 260 and another that started life as a 308win 20” t model. i shot it a lot. sent it to compass lake and had them guys go through it and rebarrel it with a 24” krieger in 260rem. the armalite ar10T is an awesome platform to start with. the 2stage nat match triggers are not great but work good. the stainless gas block, free float tubes and “triple hand lapped” barrels are good pieces. they are just well put together quality rifles, which also makes them heavy.
 
So how is your rifle working out OP? I was thinking of buying a 14" barreled one.
I’m happy with the rifle. It continues to perform well.

Since my last post, my can was approved. Socom2 mini. Gas block is still wide open. The gun functions perfectly and accuracy has stayed consistent. 600 yards is as far as I’ve gotten to shoot with it. On clean steel the first 5 shots with factory 168 amax measured 4 1/2”. This was shot prone with a bipod and rear squeeze bag. I’ve fired almost 300 rounds of various ammo, factory and hand loads, suppressed and unsuppressed with no malfunctions. The only change from the factory configuration was removing the brake and installing a Surefire 3 prong flash hider.

Well worth the price I paid
 
I picked my AR10A TAC 18 up today.

The fit and finish are great.

There is zero play between the upper and lower receiver.

The two-stage Armalite trigger is better to me than the Larue MBT-2S that I had awhile back, which seemed spongy.

I dislike the ambidextrous safety, but that is easily replaceable.

I won't be able to shoot it for a few months but when I do I will report back.

I have no regrets with this purchase.

Thank you @Jsp556 for all your advice in making this purchase.

-Stan
 
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I picked my AR10A TAC 18 up today.

The fit and finish are great.

There is zero play between the upper and lower receiver.

The two-stage Armalite trigger is better to me than the Larue MBT-2S that I had awhile back, which seemed spongy.

I dislike the ambidextrous safety, but that is easily replaceable.

I won't be able to shoot it for a few months but when I do I will report back.

I have no regrets with this purchase.

Thank you @Jsp556 for all your advice in making this purchase.

-Stan
You’ll enjoy the rifle.
 
Smoking good price JSP I paid $1600 for a Tac 16 a few years ago. Word to the wise, get the parts you can get now as they are proprietary ie; mag catch, firing pin/spring assembly, bolt catch to name a few. I have both A/B they are different entirely except for the Bolt/Carrier and trigger. Other than that they are great rifles.........
 
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