The AR-15 and AR-10 are both popular rifle platforms designed by ArmaLite, but they have several key differences:
1. Caliber: The most significant difference between the AR-15 and AR-10 is the caliber of the cartridge they fire. The AR-15 fires the .223 Remington or 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, which is smaller and lighter than the AR-10’s .308 Winchester or 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The larger caliber of the AR-10 makes it more powerful and effective at longer ranges, but also heavier and with more recoil.
2. Size: The AR-10 is larger and heavier than the AR-15, primarily due to the larger cartridge it fires. This can make it less maneuverable in tight spaces, but more stable and accurate at longer ranges.
3. Magazine: The AR-10 uses a larger magazine than the AR-15 to accommodate the larger cartridge, typically holding 20 rounds compared to the AR-15’s 30-round magazine.
4. Parts Compatibility: Although both rifles are based on the same design, many parts are not interchangeable between the two platforms. For example, the upper and lower receivers of the AR-15 are smaller than those of the AR-10, so they are not compatible with each other.
5. Use: The AR-15 is often used for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense, while the AR-10 is typically used for long-range shooting, hunting larger game, and military applications where greater power and range are required.
In summary, the AR-15 and AR-10 are similar in design but differ in caliber, size, magazine capacity, parts compatibility, and intended use.
