With all they advancements of AR-15s it’s easy to forget that the original intent of Eugene Stoner was to build a battle rifle, not an assault rifle.  The original design, the AR-10 was for the .308/7.62x51mm cartridge.  There are several reasons why that model was droped by the military and the M-16 was born, but those don’t apply to most shooters.  Today’s sportsman-shooter already has half a dozen AR-15s and is perhaps looking for something with a little more “boom” than “pew”.  It’s time to move to a bigger cartridge and the AR-10.

Because the AR-10 was never a military rifle there is no such thing as “mil-spec” and that can lead to frustration.  Stag Arms has built their Model 10S to accept aftermarket stocks, pistol grips, and best of all aftermarket triggers.  After first glance the conservative build specs seen below lead me to expect a well-built, albeit boring, battle rifle.  I was wrong.  Before we get into how, let’s look at those specs taken directly from the Stag Arms website:

Weight: 8.2 pounds

Length: 35.25″ collapsed, 38.50″ extended

Action: Semi-Auto Direct Impingement

Caliber: .308 Winchester | 7.62×51

Twist Rate: 1/10 button rifled

Muzzle Device: VG6 Gamma 762

Barrel: 16″, 4150 steel, chrome lined

Handguard: 13.5″ Stag M-LOK Handguard

Receiver Material: Forged 7075 T6 aluminum with type 3 hard coat anodizing. Upper features a .210 Tang Height (DPMS High Profile)

Bolt Carrier: .308 Nitride QPQ BCG

Hammer/Trigger pin size: Mil-spec small pin .154″

Pivot/Takedown Pin Size: .2770″

Buttstock: Magpul ACS Stock

Gas System: Low Profile Gas Block with Mid-Length Gas Tube

Buffer: Standard .308 Carbine Buffer and .308 Action Spring

Trigger: Mil-spec single stage trigger with a non-adjustable 5-8 lb trigger pull

Grip: Hogue Grip

Magazine: 10rd PMAG

Safety Selector: Right Hand

I knew that Stag builds good rifles.  That was proven when we experienced the Model 3 and Model 4.  What I did not expect was to be able to run .308 and the softer 7.62x51mm in both brass and steel casings without issues.   Nor did I expect that 10 shots at 100 yards from two shooters with a hot barrel would fit in 1.2″.  We’ve seen accuracy from Stag rifles before, but doesn’t range lore mandate an absurdly long barrel and special trigger?  The Model 10S Rocks and will make for an excellent addition to any personal armory.  Beefy battle rifle, semi-auto hunting rifle, or surprisingly accurate target shooter.  I would say the choice is yours, but with the Stag Model 10S it appears you get all three.