Aia 7.62x39

[Dr. Strangelove]

You might find this article interesting - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.tvg/AIA%20M10A1.pdf

[Maxwell Smart]

Paul Green's article above is most interesting. Can well understand his feelings when the rifle did not perform.

I must have got a good one, because I have not any of the feeding issues he mentions, and am getting 2 moa accuracy quite happily.

Internet reports on this rifle are mixed, some good, some bad, but there is certainly consensus that the company's customer service is woeful.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

I spent a LOT of time with M-10s over the "formative" years.

One of the more interesting things was that the 16" barreled A2 version, as a batch, consistently grouped better on the range than either of the 20" versions.

In Australia, the shorter barreled model also found favour with folks who hunt feral pigs. Those who hunted in close country and those who carried them on dirt-bikes on the open plains appreciated the short barrel. (If it was good enough for Mr. Kalashnikov.....................)

Yes, there were issues with the chrome lining. Interestingly, the rifling in those 7.62 x 39 barrels is EXACTLY the same as in a bog-standard AK barrel; I have seen both sets of drawings. Equally interesting is that on the "mil-spec" drawings, the rifling is clearly shown as having a very "conventional" form. This WILL cause problems at both the roots and edges of the lands.

Thus, when the time came to make the 7.62 NATO version, the rifling was changed to a form derived from that in an L1A1 barrel, which very clearly specifies angled flanks and radiused roots and corners. One problem was that some early NATO cal. barrels built on blanks rifled for 7.62 x 39 (complete with 1:10" twist) managed to get out, mainly because they actually grouped quite well with M-80 ball that was used for testing. There were warnings about potential chrome problems, but that is what happened.

At the muzzle, the rifling should run out at a radius, whether the muzzle is counter-bored or not. If the ends of the lands, in particular, are left sharp, as one does on plain steel barrels, the chrome coating will be less than optimal. The lower current density at the internal corner formed by the junction of groove and land side-wall caused lower current density al thus lower deposition rates. The external corner at the top of the land causes higher current density and thus greater deposition.

This is not good. Low deposition allows rapid penetration and ingress of combustion residue to the base steel. Fouling and corrosion will follow. The high deposition rate on the top corners of the lands results in a "micro-ridge" on both sides of the land, from one end of the rifling to the other. This ridge is brittle and, if big enough (we're talking microns here), will probably start to fracture after a few rounds, particularly at the throat and muzzle. This will lead to slow but inexorable chrome (and accuracy) loss. Note that M-14 National Match rifles do NOT use standard chrome lined barrels but a specially made and gauged plain steel barrel. This is for a very good reason.

Sadly, designers and engineers can specify all they want, but if the manufacturing facility decides to get a bit "creative" and are not pulled into line, all bets are off.

[enfield303t]

Just got home from the range and after sighting in with the Bushness 10X it probably shot 2MOA at 100 yards. I think once I get more thru it I can get it a little better than that.

Has anyone done trigger work on theirs. It is typical, long and heavy but again cheap to shoot and never worrying about super accuracy as I have a few guns that I use when serious shooting is done.

Guess what.. case stuck in the chamber around shot 25 or so. Of course being the "genius" I am neglected to take the advice of having a cleaning rod with me. Oh well that won't happen again I hope.... leaving the cleaning rod at home. I know a case will get stuck again however.

Overall I am pleased with it, just cleaned it and with that low round count was filthy just like the SKS's are after a few round, just much easier to clean.

Going to try it at 300 yards tomorrow come rain or shine providing the "Big Guy" doesn't throw my card out of the deck before then.

[Maxwell Smart]

.

Has anyone done trigger work on theirs.

I put a Huber trigger on my heavy barrel M10B2, this gave me a nice smooth trigger but still a very heavy pull-off weight.

Given that the trigger mechanism is pure No 4 design, there is ample information on this forum on how to adjust trigger pull. I think if you follow that, and work slowly and carefully much can be done to improve the trigger.

Wry smile about the cleaning rod....

[enfield303t]

Maxwell, please enjoy your smile about the cleaning rod. I did utter a few choice words when it happened especially when I looked at my son and said," should have brought a cleaning rod as suggested". Luckily the range wasn't far from where I live and it didn't happen after one or two shots.

Have to learn to slow down when shooting this gun and eject very quickly after each shot. Have a friend who was a armourer and millwright and will see if he will try to improve the trigger. He has one of these also so maybe he can try his first and then make mine perfect...LOL.

Interesting you have a M10B2 with a heavy barrel as I thought that was a B3 feature. It appears AIA did make some oddball guns at some point and I would love to get a B2 or 3. I have a friend that has a M10 No4 mk.IV with a heavy barrel and boy is it a shooter. These are super rare here in Canada and IIRC less than 12 were imported.

In regard to AIA are they still in business?

[Maxwell Smart]

A few choice words, eh?
Glad the range wasn't too far away. What does fuel cost now in your part of the world?

As far as I know, the M10B1 was the 7.62 sporter model, the M10B2 the heavy barrel model, and the M10B3 had the ex mini-gun barrels.

As far as AIA still being in business, I don't know for sure. Their website seems to no longer exist.

[enfield303t]

A few choice words, eh?
Glad the range wasn't too far away. What does fuel cost now in your part of the world?

As far as I know, the M10B1 was the 7.62 sporter model, the M10B2 the heavy barrel model, and the M10B3 had the ex mini-gun barrels.

As far as AIA still being in business, I don't know for sure. Their website seems to no longer exist.

Well 87 Octane is $1.25 litre at this moment but has been up and down like a ...well you know. We are really getting bent over by the oil companies and it does amaze me that they all have the same price. Someday someone is going to squeal and tell a court about price fixing. Everyone knows it happens but no one is going to do anything about it.

Thanks for the explanation of the difference between the 1,2 and 3. Would love to have a 2 or 3.

I heard that AIA was still building/selling in Australia but maybe that was just a rumour.

[Norton1]

http://www.marstar.ca/gf-AIA/index.shtm

http://world.guns.ru/civil/austr/aia-m10-e.html

[Maxwell Smart]

Well 87 Octane is $1.25 litre at this moment

Hovering about the equivalent of CDN $1.53 per litre here at the moment. I just about double the value of my car every time I fill it up!.