AR 10 in the Dominican.

[HHollow]

The AR-10 was manufactured under license by a Dutch Company in 1960 and adopted by Portugal. These were issued to paratroops and special forces and used
from 1961 to 1974 in Angola, Portuguese Guinea and Mozambigue extensively. Some were fitted with 3x scopes, all were selective fire and could use rifle grenades.
None of these AR-10's exhibited the problems and issues associated with the early M16's service in Viet Nam under identical conditions.

Note: after Portugal retired their AR-10 rifles, the parts kits (without the selective fire lower) were imported into the USA where some companies manufactured a
semi auto steel lower to fit these kits, they are still around !

The Dutch made several variants, most notable below.

Cuban variant AR10 made in 1957-1958. Maybe a couple of hundred sold to Castro and other central and South American dictators. No bayonet lug or BFA threads, or provision for grenade launching.

Sudanese AR10s were made in 1958. Like the Cuban except had a heavy barrel shroud with bayonet lug. BFA threads and the shroud was compatible with grenade launching. A scoped example is in a photo below. Original AR10 Delft scopes are uber rare and a mechanically identical FAL Delft scope is shown on the gun. The brass disc on the stock was installed at the factory and often had the unit number engraved.

Portuguese AR10s were made in 1961 (maybe starting late 1960). The barrel was heavier and bolt lugs beefier. The handguard system was completely designed to be a multiple piece affair that was easily removed.

Peter Wilke (Ontario, Canada) imported a few hundred surplus AR10s, mostly Portuguese. Wilke sold some to the Canada market as semi-auto conversions. Many more were sold as parts sets and imported into the US from Canada. The US made lower receivers used to complete the parts sets were most commonly aluminum. Only one or two makers might have sold a steel receiver.

Alan Lever, Lever Arms, was a Canadian importer that must have had connections in Holland. Lever Arms was able to import quite a few un-issued AR10s left over after the closure of the AI factory.

Information

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