So are the AR10 and other .308 AR variants almost as reliable as their 5.56 brothers yet?
What things need to be done to them to improve reliablity?
My experience has always been magazine issues with the Armalites. Rumor has it they are working on a new magazine to solve some of these problems. With the sunset of the AWB they won’t have to rely on modified M14 mags anymore.
I thought that there new mags were available already… Or are they working on another design?
You may be right. I haven’t kept up with it of late.
I believe that it depends on who you talk to.
Lots of people are operating under the once burned theory, and still quoting their experiences with early ArmaLite AR-10B’s. From circa 1996 or so.
That was a decade ago.
However, there are still lots of those uppers, lowers, bolts and mags floating around – from dealer to dealer – and user to user.
I’d have to say that, from my experience, they are as reliable as the 5.56 smaller cousins.
I’ve actually had about 3 more 5.56 rifles than I have had AR-10 rifles and in that time I’ve had 3 more 5.56 uppers be complete duds.
On my 8th or 10th AR-10 now, sold off most of them to make room for M16’s, but only one needed a return trip to Geneseo, IL for TLC.
When it came back, after 3 weeks, it was a perfect specimen. That was around 2000.
The ArmaLite SASS adjustable gas system looks extremely promising as many users state the guns are over gassed.
They are certainly worth the time and money, IMO.
I’d really like a clone of the original Dutch manufactured AR-10, preferrably the Portugese model but I could live with the Sudanese style, just wish they didn’t have the brass deflector.
Shivan, have you heard if they’re going to develop their own mag system rather than base it on the M14?
ArmaLite’s mags are in production, and as far as I can tell shipping out to fill previous orders. I have two of the new ones on my bench. 
The new mags are very nice.
No more plunger on the back of the follower for the bolt hold open, which makes loading far easier. I suspect it also deletes tension on the back of the follower that makes, or could make, the follower bind during its cycle.
The function of test mag 1 and 10 were superb. I fired ~160rds through both mags and had only one problem unrelated to the mags – IIRC it was a full primer strike with no detonation of the round. Or some such ammo related SNAFU.
I think the price is still a little high at $44 MSRP, but they should be commended and paid for the R&D they put in with the new mags. I suspect the street price will settle around $39-$40/mag, which is reasonable in my estimation.
HTH…
ArmaLite has a bunch of the new mags for sale at Camp Perry right now. They look nice, but all my old style mags work just fine.
I have never had good luck with the AR10T’s Majority are mag issues --I’ve found for a “working gun” go Mk11 (and suck up the $) – but even them they are not a 5.56mm reliable system.
I hope so.
Gonna try mine out tomorrow. 
SHIVAN since you are the AR10 guru, (I have an AR-A4) any ammo that you recommend/stay away?
Thanks
Eric (new to the .308 thing)
I have been using Port Surplus for some time with good effect.
I would stay away from Indian and South African.
Lots of folks have had good luck with the South African 7.62NATO, but the batch I have has VERY hard or dead primers in about 10 of every 100rds.
One session had me pulling 15 FULLY struck rounds from the chamber.
For accuracy: Black Hills 175gr match is wonderful.
Go figure, being that I bought a 140rd pack at Bernie’s today.
I’ll post a report when I get back from the range.
Thanks for the input, I’ll look for the BH next time I go.
South African could end up being nice for you, personal preference only because it is giving me a tough time.
Indian is apparently flat out dangerous.
I am probably not shedding new light on this for most of you… but when you have a weapon with a magwell set for feed angle “A” and you modify a magazine from a rifle that used feed angle “B” – well, you can do the math.
Just got back from the range (NRA).
Fired 60 rounds:
20 Black Hills 168gr Match
20 Federal WB
20 South Afr. Surplus.
Flawless function. Although it is a flattop it has iron sights on it, and took a while to zero it (albeit at 50yds).
Only complaint is that the trigger sucks IMO, so I’ll be looking to change it.
All in all, I’m very happy with it.
With that said, since Knights and DPMS use the original AR10 pattern for their mags, do they represent a feeding system with correct geometry?
Has anyone seen the new Armalite mags?
I have two in my possession. I believe they are filling all orders currently.
They operate much smoother than any of my normally reliable M14 conversion pieces from the “ban days”.
I also like that the plunger is gone, it makes the first three rounds loading MUCH easier.
In my estimation the lack of the plunger also removes forward tension from the rear. Meaning there is no longer a source of pressure that facilitates nose-diving.
They worked for me in a very limited testing environment, and with a proven weapon.
Can you post some pictures?
GenII on the left in all pictures.
The new ArmaLite mags are more user friendly, but I’ve never had reliability problems with any FACTORY ArmaLite AR10 mag.
I believe that a propery maintained (lubed) AR10 with good ammo and mags can hold its own against an AR15. Much of the ‘legacy’ of AR10 problems can be traced to bubba-built mags, and WECSOG-work.
I agree with Shivan - Buy all the .308 Port you can find (if you can find any).