AR10 owners I would appreciate your comments on the overall quality and performance of this weapon. Which variant of the AR10 would you recommmend?

Thanks,
Lucs

I have an AR10 A4 243 w/a 22 inch barrel if I had it to do over I would get a carbine.In the configuration I have it is unbalanced heavy in the front otherwise I am happy with it.w/regards

I shoot an AR-15 with heavy match barrel and free float hand guard. To counter balance it we put a 3 and a half pound weight in the buttstock. This might help your AR-10 balance problem.

Howdy, depends on what you plan on doing with it. I've got the -10(TLW) and it's a heavy mutha', but will shoot .5 moa. I've got a M-1A bush rifle and I shoot it more than the Armalite, mainly because of ease of handling, more of a challenge to hit targets. Of course the -10T can shoot circles around it, but we're talking apples and oranges. At the range or if I'm not planning on walking, the Armalite shines. I would like to have an -A4 carbine configuration for a carry gun. That would be super fun. So, If you want a long range sharpshooter get the 10T, you may want to wait and see what turns up with the .300 RSUM chambering which is rumoured to occur. If I were to start afresh, I'd get the -A4 or T-Carbine might be a possibility. The -10B is cool but no room for optics. Decisions, decisions.

I had one of the very first AR-10T's and it was an accurate somebody. It was long and heavy and heavy. Did I mention heavy?

It had many peculiarities - it preferred GI 173's and M118 over 168's, it would shed primers with ANY reload using IMR 4064, and it was hell on brass. And heavy.

It seemed to recoil a bit more than a rifle that heavy should and I believe it was due to the mass of the bolt carrier. You just can't have that much reciprocating weight flinging back and forth and not pay a price.

It made a neat prone gun, but I'm really glad I didn't have to hump the boonies with that pig! Magazines were an issue, too.

Redial

Good point Redial,,Been looking to get one in .243.After reading this thread,,thinking now maby i'd be happier with a bolt gun.I have a 742 in .243 but is on it's last leg,was contemplating about replacing it with a ar-10.Hmmmmmmm,decisions,decisions,,,,,,,,

Thanks everyone for your input.

Lucs

I luv AR10s. I had an A4 carbine. The accuracy didn't quite meet their guarantee, so I sent it back and had a 20" stainless barrel put on it. Scope fell apart, so I can't tell you how it shoots yet. Has been shooting some of it's shots very close together (less than 1") and then throwing the others somewhere else (again very close together). So I think it will shoot very well with a new scope.
Handling is surprising and not what you would expect. The carbine felt very heavy. The rifle feels lighter! And to my mind, better balanced. Recoil is soft, and it treats brass better than a FAL.
Magazines can be had for $45 if you do it right. Buy junk USA brand magazines and the full conversion kit. A very good deal.