M110 Vs. AR-10

Are you ready to dive into the ultimate showdown of firepower, where two heavyweights of the firearm world step into the ring?

In one corner, we have the M110, a precision rifle used by elite military units. It officially entered service with the United States Army in 2007, designed by Knight’s Armament Company.

And in the other corner, we’ve got the AR-10, the OG of the modern battle rifle scene. It’s a clash of titans, a duel of design philosophies, and a battle of ballistic excellence. It was first introduced by ArmaLite Artillerie-Inrichtingen (AI) Colt’s Manufacturing Company in 1950.

In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of the M110 and AR-10, comparing their features, design, performance, and more to help you make an informed decision.

Features	M110	AR-10
Caliber	7.62x51mm (.308 Winchester)	Typically .308 Winchester or6.5mm Creedmoor
length	1020-1181 mm	1050 mm
Barrel Length	16- 20 inches (usually 18″)	16- 24 inches (commonly 20″)
Weight	9-11 pounds (empty)	8-11 pounds (empty)
Magazine Capacity	10 or 20 rounds (detachable)	20 rounds (detachable)
Range	800 meters	600 meters

Design and Features

M110

The M110, initially designed for military use, is often lauded for its outstanding reliability and ruggedness. Its gas-piston operating system reduces fouling and enhances performance in adverse conditions.

M110 exudes a sleek and purposeful demeanor. Its design embodies modern tactical precision. The rifle typically features a matte black finish that gives it a stealthy and understated appearance.

The most striking visual element is its monolithic upper receiver, seamlessly integrating the Picatinny rail along the top, allowing for a variety of optics to be mounted.

AR-10

The AR-10, on the other hand, benefits from a robust direct impingement system that provides a crisp trigger pull and allows for fine-tuning to suit the shooter’s preferences.

The AR-10’s design, with its iconic lines, features a lightweight but robust frame, typically finished in a matte black or earth-tone color.

Its slender, tubular handguard and recognizable carry handle, often equipped with a rear sight, give it a distinctive look that’s been imitated and admired for decades.

In terms of design and features, both rifles are neck and neck, with each capable of delivering impressive results.

Caliber and Ammunition

The M110 typically fires the 7.62x51mm NATO round, a powerful and versatile cartridge.

The AR-10, being highly modular, can be chambered in different calibers, including the 7.62x51mm NATO, 6.5mm Creedmoor, and others, depending on the variant.

Accuracy and Precision

M110

When it comes to accuracy, the M110 and the AR-10 both have their merits. The M110, with its free-floating barrel and match-grade components, is known for its precision.

It has an accuracy ranging from 0.5-1 MOA over a distance of 875 yards. This precision makes it a favored choice among designated marksmen and snipers in military circles.

AR-10

The AR-10, while not lagging far behind in accuracy, often benefits from aftermarket customization to reach its full potential. It can achieve the accuracy of 1 MOA over a distance of 600 yards.

With the right optics and barrel, (Trijicon ACOG 3.5X35 TA11J-308 and The Christensen Arms 308 AR Carbon Fiber Barrel ) an AR-10 can rival the M110 in accuracy, but it may require more effort and knowledge to do so.

Reload and Magazine Capacity

The ease of loading for the M110 and AR-10 rifles is influenced by various factors, and there isn’t a clear-cut winner in this regard.

It’s essential to consider magazine design, caliber, magazine capacity, and any additional accessories when assessing how easy it is to load these rifles

M110

The M110 typically comes with a detachable magazine, with capacities ranging from 10 to 20 rounds or more, depending on the specific configuration and magazine used.

AR-10

The AR-10 also uses detachable magazines, which can vary in capacity depending on the model and magazine type. Common magazine capacities are in the 20-round range, but higher-capacity magazines are available.

Modularity and Customization

The AR-10 shines when it comes to modularity. With many aftermarket parts and accessories available, users can customize their AR-10 to suit their specific needs and preferences.

Also, the accessories and replacement parts are much cheaper because the AR-10 is a much more popular platform.

The M110, while adaptable, may not offer the same level of customization.

Price and Availability

The price and availability of both rifles can vary significantly.

M110

The price of a Savage Arms Magpul M110 rifle is around $700 on Guns.com, my recommended online retailer.

However, if you buy accessories along with it, it should cost you around $1300-1500 on average, depending on the accessories you choose.

This price alone may be enough of a reason to end this discussion for most people since it is much lower than the average AR-10. For those still contemplating, the value proposition is very good.

With the right barrel, optics and stabilization an AR-10 can easily match an M110’s accuracy but this means even more expenses for the AR-10. Furthermore, these two rifles have more in common than differences.

AR-10

The AR-10, due to its popularity and various manufacturers, tends to be more widely available and quite affordable.

As for the AR-10 rifle, the price can vary widely as well, depending on the brand, model, and configuration. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $3,000 or more for an AR-10 rifle.

Here are three of my personal favorite recommendations, one with the highest value for money, one that is the best overall, and one which would be the absolute best option out there:

GREAT LAKES FIREARMS AR-10 (Highest value for money)
ARMALITE AR-10 18″ (Best Overall)
CHRISTENSEN ARMS CA-10 G2 CF (Editor’s choice)

The AR-10 may be more expensive out of the box, but it will turn out to be cheaper in the long run due to less expensive accessories and maintenance parts.

Additionally, the AR platform has a lot more modularity to offer and a lot more room for customization and not to mention, a higher resale value.

If you compare the GREAT LAKES FIREARMS AR-10 to the Savage Arms Magpul M110 rifle, the price difference is not much and thus, and I would go for the AR-10.

But if you stack up the cheaper M110 against the expensive AR options, like the CHRISTENSEN ARMS CA-10 G2 CF, a lot more rationalization needs to be done.

Gunners aiming for the best available guns out there, and those who know exactly what they want might benefit by going for the Christensen.

How do M110 and AR-10 Resemble Each Other?

The M110 and AR-10 are both semi-automatic rifles that share several similarities due to their common ancestry and design principles. Here are some of the key similarities between the M110 and AR-10:

Caliber

Both the M110 and AR-10 are typically chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge (also known as .308 Winchester). This common caliber allows for the interchangeability of ammunition between the two rifles.

Gas-Operated System

Both rifles utilize a gas-operated, direct impingement, or piston-driven system to cycle rounds. This system helps with semi-automatic fire and recoil management.

Detachable Box Magazines

Both rifles typically use detachable box magazines to feed ammunition. These magazines come in various capacities, usually ranging from 10 to 20 rounds.

Modularity

The AR-10 and M110 are known for their modularity. They often feature Picatinny rails on the handguard and upper receiver, allowing for the attachment of various optics, accessories, and foregrips.

Semi-Automatic Fire

Both firearms are semi-automatic, meaning they fire one round with each trigger pull without the need to manually operate a bolt or charging handle between shots.

Conclusion- Which One to Buy?

In the M110 vs. AR-10 debate, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Both rifles offer unique advantages and cater to different needs.

The M110 excels in affordability military applications and long-range precision shooting, while the AR-10 provides versatility and customization options for civilian enthusiasts.

After going through all the important aspects and the price, the AR-10 is the clear winner in my opinion. The reason being the design, cheaper and more widely available upgrades and customizations, and, not to mention, the caliber options.

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