AR10 vs SL8

[HK Hopeful]

I have an opportunity to buy either one of these 2 rifles but I have to pick just one as I can't afford both. Calibers aside, which is better? Pros? Cons? How is the reliability of both of these guns? Are either of these guns prone to jamming when dirty (like the AK is famous for it's ability to still shoot when covered in sand). I don't care about looks here, this is totally a question of quality, reliability and accuracy. Thanks.

Note... I know that I should look though the search functions before posting and I did. However I couldn't find any threads comparing the 2 side by side which is what I'm after.

 

[Epoxy7]

These are two very different firearms.

The AR-10 is a restricted weapon, that shoots .308 calibre ammo

The SL8 is non-restricted and shoots .223 ammo.

I have already bought a DPMS LR-308 = AR10 design and was looking at the SL8. I ended up ordering a Swiss Arms PE-90 instead. The PE-90 seems to be a better designed firearm. Also the SL8 has a problem with cracking near the receiver.

It really depends on what you want to use this firearm for. Since they are meant for different purposes. The AR-10 is a designated marksman's firearm while the SL8 is a civilianized version of the German G36 assault rifle. It would be a squad weapon much like the PE-90 or AR-15.

You'll probably eventually want both. If you don't have any smaller calibre firearms I'd go with a .223 instead of the .308. The .308 is a great long distance round but they are expensive and have a lot more recoil than the .223. The .223 is cheaper very accuarte as well and has a lot less recoil.

 

[beltfed]

IMHO the SL-8. Ammo is less to build or buy, and it is a better firearm than the currently available 7.62mm ARs overall.

 

[Epoxy7]

I'm not convinced of that. The AR rifles look a lot less plasticy (if that's even a word) and the receiver's don't crack. When the receiver cracks on the SL8 the last shot bolt hold open doesn't work.

With the AR you can easily buy an aftermarket trigger group and put it in. I don't believe you can do that with the SL8. While the stock SL8 trigger is probably better (haven't tried one but have heard it's not bad) than most ARs, it isn't better than some of the aftermarket drop ins. Even with the drop in trigger the AR comes is less or almost the same as the SL8.

The advantage of the SL8 of course is the fact that it's an HK, unrestricted and uses a gas piston system.

Accuracy wise, I'm not sure. Due to the add ons, and multiple configurations of the AR rifles I'd tend to give the AR the nod for accuracy. The AR-10's have been known to shoot around .5 moa with match ammo.

As for durability. They are both based on combat firearms. Durability is often a trade off with accuracy. So it depends on what you plan on doing with the rifle. The fact that the AR is restricted means it's a range firearm only.

I think the better question is what will the firearm be used for. IE what are the shooter's interests. For these two weapons this is a more important question since they are designed for two different purposes, both with their cons and pros.