AR10 - M5
AR10 - M5
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I was a huge fan of the Armalite AR10’s back in the early 2000’s. At one time I had three different Armalite AR10 models, including the AR10T.
Today I champion ambi ergonomics, back then it was just generic RH ergos. I was in a longtime debate as to the suitability of the AR10 with “Boston” of “Boston’s Gun Bible”. I have copious margin notes in my copy of Boston’s Gun Bible…I was also quoted three times in the book on more arcane philosophical issues.
Boston’s Gun Bible, though published over two decades ago (updated in 2009), is still relevant today. The section “Women and Guns” as well as the “Letter to a Columbine Student” alone are well worth the price of admission.
I spent many a winter day in the Wyoming badlands shooting out to 1200 yards with my Armalite AR10 rifles.
However, After enduring longstanding reliability problems with the Armalite rifles, reality finally got me to concede that Boston was right.
I didn’t adopt a FAL or go with an M1A, but tried a PTR91 before I switched over to the lighter cartridge, 5.56. Boston ended up with the PTR91 and I ended up with some gorgeous Free State Wyoming silver coins.
Almost two decades later, I return to the scene of the crime…well at least vicariously through my son’s interest in an AR10 for hunting.
He chose an Aero Precision setup upgraded with a Geissele trigger, Battlelink buttstock, and Radian Talon 45/90 ambi safety. Aero Precision Breach Ambi charging handle is the final concession to AmbGun’s ambidextrous standards.
He started initially with a Leupold 4-14 rifle scope, but soon switched to an EoTech Vudu 1-8 LPVO mounted in a rakish Warne cantilever mount.
Fitted with a MagPul MS1, two point sling and MagPul grip the rifle is a hefty 11 ¼ pounds.
Most of that weight comes from the 16” barrel that tapers from 1 1/4” to 1” to ¾” diameter at the muzzle. Six loaded 20 round mags and you breach 20 pounds.
The bolt carrier group looks pretty basic. The three chamber and gas key are not chrome lined. At the risk of being uncharitable, it reminds me of the Bear Creek Arsenal BCG.
The rifle may be on the heavy side, and this is largely due to the barrel. I was a bit surprised by how over-built the barrel is. It has the feel of a bull barrel target rifle. That being said, so far with the sighting in process it is putting up groups like a target rifle. And the added weight makes for a pretty soft shooter as well. We’ll lug the Aero M5 into the Wyoming backcountry in pursuit of elk.
Watch for an AmbGun Elk episode in 2025.
With 7.62 NATO, the ammo is the expensive side of the equation, I think if it gets a Geissele trigger it deserves a BCG that features a chrome lined three chamber and gas key interior…like the BCM or SOLGW BCG’s made by Microbest…Classified Defense’s offering looks interesting.
Today I champion ambi ergonomics, back then it was just generic RH ergos. I was in a longtime debate as to the suitability of the AR10 with “Boston” of “Boston’s Gun Bible”. I have copious margin notes in my copy of Boston’s Gun Bible…I was also quoted three times in the book on more arcane philosophical issues.
Boston’s Gun Bible, though published over two decades ago (updated in 2009), is still relevant today. The section “Women and Guns” as well as the “Letter to a Columbine Student” alone are well worth the price of admission.
I spent many a winter day in the Wyoming badlands shooting out to 1200 yards with my Armalite AR10 rifles.
However, After enduring longstanding reliability problems with the Armalite rifles, reality finally got me to concede that Boston was right.
I didn’t adopt a FAL or go with an M1A, but tried a PTR91 before I switched over to the lighter cartridge, 5.56. Boston ended up with the PTR91 and I ended up with some gorgeous Free State Wyoming silver coins.
Almost two decades later, I return to the scene of the crime…well at least vicariously through my son’s interest in an AR10 for hunting.
He chose an Aero Precision setup upgraded with a Geissele trigger, Battlelink buttstock, and Radian Talon 45/90 ambi safety. Aero Precision Breach Ambi charging handle is the final concession to AmbGun’s ambidextrous standards.
He started initially with a Leupold 4-14 rifle scope, but soon switched to an EoTech Vudu 1-8 LPVO mounted in a rakish Warne cantilever mount.
Fitted with a MagPul MS1, two point sling and MagPul grip the rifle is a hefty 11 ¼ pounds.
Most of that weight comes from the 16” barrel that tapers from 1 1/4” to 1” to ¾” diameter at the muzzle. Six loaded 20 round mags and you breach 20 pounds.
The bolt carrier group looks pretty basic. The three chamber and gas key are not chrome lined. At the risk of being uncharitable, it reminds me of the Bear Creek Arsenal BCG.
The rifle may be on the heavy side, and this is largely due to the barrel. I was a bit surprised by how over-built the barrel is. It has the feel of a bull barrel target rifle. That being said, so far with the sighting in process it is putting up groups like a target rifle. And the added weight makes for a pretty soft shooter as well. We’ll lug the Aero M5 into the Wyoming backcountry in pursuit of elk.
Watch for an AmbGun Elk episode in 2025.
With 7.62 NATO, the ammo is the expensive side of the equation, I think if it gets a Geissele trigger it deserves a BCG that features a chrome lined three chamber and gas key interior…like the BCM or SOLGW BCG’s made by Microbest…Classified Defense’s offering looks interesting.
Mantis BlackbeardX
I've been using the AR-15 BlackbeardX for over a year.
And now that we're kicking off an AR10 project, I'm very happy to see BlackbeardX is now available for AR10’s…as well as the Sig Spear, and FN SCAR.
BlackbeardX is a dry fire training system.
Dry fire practice typically requires you to manually cycle the action after each trigger break.
BlackbeardX automatically cycles the action.
But that's not all.
The BlackbeardX bolt also features an embedded laser so you can see your “hits”. You can also use the Mantis Laser Academy app to automatically score hits on targets.
But what if you are practicing poor technique? That's where MantisX comes in. Embedded in the battery pack magazine, MantisX detects minute movement during the firing sequence, trigger break, and follow thru. The MantisX app uses this data to create a score and it offers suggestions for corrective action.
You can progress thru the drills of Mantis Courses to earn a variety of patches…including basic rifleman, advanced rifleman, and elite rifleman. Complete the challenges and Mantis sends you the patch. How cool is that?
Laser Academy includes training videos. Laser Academy and MantisX data is gathered and presented on train.mantisx.com. So you can digitally admire your marksmanship.
I've used the laser to run around the house shooting light switches, worked thru laser academy training videos and drills.
During the MantisX Elite Rifleman challenge, I got stuck at the fourth drill, Hostage Rescue. It took my lightweight ambi AR to finally get past it. Then returning to some demanding but classic marksmanship drills, I decided the milspec trigger was too limiting…installed a Geissele SSA-E to master those drills
BlackbeardX is way more than a tool to save on ammo. It is an at home instructor. It WILL quickly pay for itself with ammo savings, but its real benefit is the feedback on technique.
I’ve been using MantisX on rifles and pistols for years…to help me suck less. You will routinely see some kind of Mantis device used in most AmbGun gun review videos. And the AR-15 BlackbeardX for the past year…a tool so valuable that it lured me away from ambi bullpups like the RDB…at least until they make a version for Keltec’s rifle.
Yes, Mantis BlackbeardX is such a crucial tool that it sways my choice in personal defense rifles.
AmbGun.com is THE ambidextrous gunfighting resource. Why you should become an ambidextrous gunfighter. How you can become an ambidextrous gunfighter. What the ambidextrous gunfighter requires in his equipment.
Ambidextrous "optimal use of cover", optimal use of terrain for steady hold factors.Training the brain so that both the left and right eye can pick up the sighting system. Perfectly mirrored controls for unconscious, bilateral transfer of skill. operation both left and right handed.
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Ambidextrous "optimal use of cover", optimal use of terrain for steady hold factors.Training the brain so that both the left and right eye can pick up the sighting system. Perfectly mirrored controls for unconscious, bilateral transfer of skill. operation both left and right handed.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of our posts at AmbGun.com contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. Clicking on an affiliate link which earns a commission does not result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. Mentions of associated products within the content of AmbGun.com may not be noted as an affiliate in every referrence. Money earned via affiliate links helps keep the AmbGun web site and video production up and running. AmbGun hopes that you'd prefer that our efforts earn a commission rather than bypassing our affiliate links and simply adding to the bottom line of large marketers like Amazon.com
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