AIA M10 B2 Rifle

[enfield303t]

First I want to say that my interest in AIA rifles was peaked by two very critical articles someone has posted on "shooters/collectors" sites.

My friend Bearhunter has a M10 B2 and when I discovered this I asked him if we could take it to the range to see how it shot. Of course to you who know Bearhunter personally it didn't take more than one request and it was going to happen.

Yesterday we shot it and it performed very well. We used Milsurp IVI 7.62 X 51 ammo ( it is not a .308 as the critic refered) and it will group better I think with hand loads. I know Bearhunter is going to work-up some different loads just to see if we can get MOA improvement. I believe that it will consistently shoot 1 MOA with the right ammo.

Twice we got it to group just under 1 MOA but not consistently so I think some things need to be improved. The trigger pull was too long and I know this will be changed before our next shoot. I also asked Bearhunter if he would load some 112 grain CETME bullets just to see how well it would handle them.

The rifle is heavy, very well made and at no time were we concerned about our "safety" in using it. Speculation that it is not a safe, well made rifle is just that, speculation. The receiver appears to be much heavier than any of my Lee Enfields and the quality, fit and finish were above my expectations.

I know a comment was made about these rifles being manufactured in Vietnam, well my understanding is the stock is manufactued there. Also if you are talking "nostalgia" how many of us own at least one SKS or anything else from Norinco or for that matter a Honda or a Volkswagen??? Vietnam was a long time ago and it is ok to "never forget" but it is time to "let it go".

Regardless of where it is manufactured it is a quailty rifle and yes expensive. Would I buy one, well since the B2 is almost impossible to find I am going to purchase as a B1, lighter and I am sure will be a great shooter.

I had a question for AIA and sent them a email and they did reply in a timely manner. Bearhunter and I are trying to purchase an A1/A2 in 7.62 X 39 and "Kyle" from AIA answered my inquiry on that. He also explained in detail why they are not shipping to the USA and it totally made sense to me. They are a small company and seem to be able to sell all they make without US sales but this is not why they are no longer shipping to the USA.

I have another friend Rod On that has a AIA No4 Mk4 and that is the next one to take to the range.

To sum up, the M10 B2 is well made, shoots very well and worth the investment.

Information

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[A. F Medic]

I have a 7.62X39 and it is all the company says it is. However there is a break in period since the tolerances are so close. Mostly with the magazine.

[limpetmine]

And just what is the reason they don't / won't ship or sell to the USA?
I want one of the M-10's!

[enfield303t]

And just what is the reason they don't / won't ship or sell to the USA?
I want one of the M-10's!

Kyle told me they were never paid for any of the rifles they sold to the importer not even the freight. AIA apparently had the remaining 140 (M10 A2 models) seized legally and the company storing them sold them to another dealer and again according to Kyle they never rec'd a penny. Apparently AIA was in the process of having the paperwork done to reship the guns (seized) to Canada (Marstar) as they have always had a good working relationship with Marstar and have always been paid by them.

[Pablo]

Ive got a no 4 mk 4 US export model and im pretty darn happy with it.

Like you, i reckon its built solid as. Theres nothing wrong with the quality of them at all...and from what ive been told at the range by a few enthusiasts, the quality control at AIA is to a very high standard. All hand assembled and tested etc apparently.

I dont do any reloading, so i just use over the counter stuff. Expensive, but i rarely get to the range now days.
Consistantly shoot MOA and SLIGHTLY under using 168 prem match grade remington off a bench and using rests.
Trigger adjustment would make things easier, but I'm happy enough with that.
Only used it on the 100m range.....so dunno what its like at the 300 or 500....might find out some time this year hopefully!

Theres other blokes at the range that put me to shame with their riggs, shooting well under MOA with cheaper rifles...so i guess the argument is there about these things being pricey in comparison in that regard.

[enfield303t]

Ive got a no 4 mk 4 US export model and im pretty darn happy with it.

Like you, i reckon its built solid as. Theres nothing wrong with the quality of them at all...and from what ive been told at the range by a few enthusiasts, the quality control at AIA is to a very high standard. All hand assembled and tested etc apparently.

I dont do any reloading, so i just use over the counter stuff. Expensive, but i rarely get to the range now days.
Consistantly shoot MOA and SLIGHTLY under using 168 prem match grade remington off a bench and using rests.
Trigger adjustment would make things easier, but I'm happy enough with that.
Only used it on the 100m range.....so dunno what its like at the 300 or 500....might find out some time this year hopefully!

Theres other blokes at the range that put me to shame with their riggs, shooting well under MOA with cheaper rifles...so i guess the argument is there about these things being pricey in comparison in that regard.

Good to hear you have had success with your No4. Yes they are expensive and I can say they are going to get alot more expensive very soon. The economy of scale works against AIA and that is a shame. I have never thought about safety in shooting anything made by AIA but unfortunately one person wrote some very disparaging comments and brought up safety. If you need another one I suggest you or anyone buy it soon, prices are going up I am just not sure exactly when.

[Pablo]

When i bought mine i justified the price by comparing it to a remington 700 varmint/tactical. They sell for the same price as the m10 and were my other option if i hadnt gone with the mk 4. So really the price isn't that bad anyways.

Factor in the 10 shot mag and the much nicer stock and iits worth it. The rem 700 varmint/tactical stocks are pretty ordinary.......yer looking at the 700p if you want a nice stock and thats 2 grand.

As for the bad press, seems that most complaints are feeding probs with the 7.62 x 39 models from the early 2000's and the occasional 7.62 x 51 with a crappy barrel from about the same period. I reckon 99% of people who own them love them and are happy. Most negative things ive read on the net have been from americans who have never seen or fired one and have heard from a friend of a friend who has a friend with a friend that ownes one who wasnt happy with it for some obscure reason.

Every time an aussie mag does an article on them its nothing but positive.

[rogertc1]

I'm in the heartland of the USA. I got mine form Gander Mountain a couple years ago for $700. Beautiful rifle. The wood matches, metal finish perfect, and mine works just fine.
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[enfield303t]

When i bought mine i justified the price by comparing it to a remington 700 varmint/tactical. They sell for the same price as the m10 and were my other option if i hadnt gone with the mk 4. So really the price isn't that bad anyways.

Factor in the 10 shot mag and the much nicer stock and iits worth it. The rem 700 varmint/tactical stocks are pretty ordinary.......yer looking at the 700p if you want a nice stock and thats 2 grand.

As for the bad press, seems that most complaints are feeding probs with the 7.62 x 39 models from the early 2000's and the occasional 7.62 x 51 with a crappy barrel from about the same period. I reckon 99% of people who own them love them and are happy. Most negative things ive read on the net have been from americans who have never seen or fired one and have heard from a friend of a friend who has a friend with a friend that ownes one who wasnt happy with it for some obscure reason.

Every time an aussie mag does an article on them its nothing but positive.

Thanks Pablo for your posting. The bad press came from one person only who from what he stated never handled or fired one. That type of "bad press" does no good at all. Before you "beak-off" about something you should at the least know what you are talking about. The mag. on the B2 I shot was very tight and I have heard this from owners of M10's also. Good you like yours and comments from people that have used them are always appreciated. From what I know the production by AIA in 2010 will be very limited and prices will increase due to that.

[enfield303t]

UPDATE>>> Talked to Bearhunter last night and he took the M10 apart and did a little "tuning" plus changed scopes. He believes part of our problem was the scope mounting (not the scope or mount) and hopes this will make things better. Didn't do any trigger work and now we will have to do some reloading with 112gr. CETME bullets to see if we can really get it to shoot consistently less than 1 MOA. Will post more after we shoot it again, this may be sometime from now as we have two shows to attend and hopefully will be too broke from finding a few great rifles to buy powder??