AIA M10A1 rifle, 7.62×39 caliber.
AIA M10A2 rifle, 7.62×39 caliber.
AIA M10B1 rifle, 7.62×51 / .308 Win caliber.
AIA M10B2 rifle, 7.62×51 / .308 Win caliber with optional bipod and Picatinny rail.
M10A1 | M10A2 | M10B1 | M10B2 | |
Type / action | manually operated bolt cation | |||
Caliber | 7.62×39 mm Russian | 7.62×51 / .308 Win | ||
Weight unloaded | 3.8 kg | 3.5 kg | 4.1 kg | 4.97 kg |
Length | 1048 mm | 950 mm | 1125 mm | 1200 mm |
Barrel length | 508 mm | 410 mm | 560 mm | 640 mm |
Magazine capacity | 10 rounds | 10 rounds | 10 rounds | 10 rounds |
The M10 line of bolt action rifles was developed in Australia by Australian International Arms Pty, a small company dedicated to produce quality rifles for civilian use. Initial intent was to produce bolt-action rifle with high capacity, detachable magazines. Starting with time-proven design of the famous SMLE No.4 Mk.2 rifles of British origin, AIA engineers developed new and improved version of the venerable "Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield". The AIA rifles feature all-new components machined from modern steel and quality wood. First prototypes of the AIA improved No.4 mk.2 rifles appeared in 1998-99, and since then company has produced several versions of the basic design, of which most notable are M10 rifles and carbines, chambered for popular 7.62×39 M43 Russian and 7.62×51 NATO / .308 Win ammunition. The 5.56x45mm / .223 Rem version of the same design was planned but apparently is still not in production at this time.
AIA M10 rifles are manually operated, bolt action rifles with rotary bolt of Lee-Enfield type. Bolt design is improved by utilizing only one size of non-rotating bolt head (as opposed to original design that relied on several sizes of bolt heads to maintain proper headspace on different rifles). Bolt is locked into newly manufactured receiver using dual locking lugs at the rear of the bolt. Feed is from detachable box magazines, and, in 7.62×39 version, M10A1 / M10A2 rifles will accept high capacity AK / AKM type magazines holding 20, 30 or even 40 (RPK-type) rounds. Manual safety is of lee-Enfield type, located on the left side of the receiver. Standard sights include L-shaped flip-up diopter rear sight, adjustable for windage and set for 100 / 300 (M10A 7.62×39) or 200 / 400 (M10B 7.62×51) meters range. Receivers are pre-machined to accept Picatinny type rail which is used to install various telescope sights. Stocks are made from teak timber, in variety of shapes and sizes.