Armalite AR-10: Evolution and Modernization
Armalite new version AR-10 Caliber : 7.62 × 51 mm NATO Armalite AR-10 SUPER SASS 7.62x51 308 Winchester Historical Overview The AR-10, originally developed by Armalite in the 1950s, is a lightweight, magazine-fed rifle that chambers the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO round. Despite failing to secure a contract in the U.S. military's selection test in 1956, the design garnered interest internationally. In 1957, the Dutch Artillery Department acquired licensed production rights, leading to the manufacture of approximately 5,000 units. Early batches were sold to Burma, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Sudan. Early Modifications and Discontinuation In 1959, Colt made significant modifications to the original AR-10 design, resulting in the AR-10A and AR-10B models. However, the 1960s saw a shift towards smaller caliber rifles, which led to the discontinuation of the AR-10 in favor of more m...