A few more thoughts about the M10X based on some of the recent discussion on this thread and others.
Unless I've missed something, M+M aren't looking to supplant the AK series with international military contracts, so much as they aim to produce an innovative (but relatively low cost) "every man's carbine" as an alternative to the AR for the North American market. Comparisons to the AK are as relevant as comparisons to the SIG 550, FAL, or any number of other designs that the hybrid M10X draws from. Should it meet or exceed the reliability of the AK while providing increased accuracy, a monolithic MLOK rail, refined ergonomics, improved magazine compatiblity, a better trigger and other enhancements? In an ideal world, yes. But in order to achieve full ambidexterity, a compromise was made with open cooking handle slots on both sides of the Receiver. Reliability may suffer as a result when the rifle is fully immersed in sand, soil or mud. A set of dust covers would resolve the issue, but at the expense of added complexity and fabrication cost. What sort of civilian use involves the rigors of "torture testing" over plinking at the range or running and gunning in the woods anyways? At the end of the day, how reliable is reliable enough?
The M10X represents just one possible evolutionary path for the AK design in the traditional (and cheap) 7.62x39mm chambering. That said, it is an interesting hybrid in its own right. I personally believe that it brings much more to the table than just the extended top optics rail. In addition to the aforementioned improvements, one must also consider the benefits of modern surface treatments and finishes (eg. Nitride), a standard muzzle thread, an integral brake, MLOK modularity, an adjustable gas system, improved ease of field disassembly and assembly, the use of standard Magpul furniture, overall improved fit and finish, and the list goes on. When you consider the current US and Canadian pre-sale Price of the M10X, that all adds up to a lot of value for your dollar. While the fit and finish may not be up to Swiss or German standards, they are certainly better than the workmanship found in the average AK, which is what the M10X seeks to improve upon (and succeeds in doing). While I have not yet fired the M10X, I have handled it at SHOT and had a look under the hood so to speak. The build quality appears to be fine, just às you would expect for a modern design built on state of the art US tooling.
Comparisons to other 7.62x39mm designs on or (presumably soon) entering the Canadian market make for great entertainment, but are ultimately futile. There has been some chest-thumping in other threads about the superiority of the T81 due to its "battle proven" heritage, which is of course, utter hogwash. Less vocal comparisons have been made to the VZ58/CZ 858 series, which is a known quantity and probably closer to the M10X in terms of build quality and other characteristics. If the T81 is anything like the old Norinco AKs and SKSs from the 1980s, they will be full of sharp edges and finished in a crappy salt-blue that rusts when handled and must be kept constantly oiled. That may or may not be that case with current CHICOM production - we shall (hopefully) soon see. But to proclaim that a 40 year old Chinese AK product improvement project is automatically superior to a modern US (or Romanian) international hybrid design? That is quite honestly laughable. The T81 shows its age as a dead-end branch of AK evolution, whereas the M10X reflects forward thinking with unlimited future potential. The M10X offers Integral modularity whereas the T81 cannot even mount an optic or light without an awkward and fugly bolt-on rail system. Enough said about that.
I don't think for a second that the M10X is the "second coming of the AK47". It is rather, an interesting civilian hybrid design in its' very early stages of fielding and future development. M+M have demonstrated that they are very open to incorporating user feedback into their product improvement cycle. This bodes well for future enhancements to the existing design. The M10X is not intended to be a military service rifle and is currently marketed as an international civilian "defensive" carbine aimed at North American sales. Any comparison to bonafide military service weapons is therefore moot - apples and oranges. Fun debate,, but ultimately nothing more than mental masturbation. Còme to think of it, that's kind of like my rambling on about firearms that aren't even in Canada yet! What can I say? I'm retired and it's a slow, cold day here in Edmonton.... ��