So like many people in recent weeks, I had a feeling of "no time like the present" and ordered the M10X-Z CAN WOOD NS recently brought in. I believe this is the same model as the newly introduced M10X+, which ships with stronger hammer springs, a CHF barrel, skeletonized long handguard, and an updated gas regulator. Some first impressions taking it out of the box; looks good, feels good. I honestly haven't handled prior versions but the weight and balance seem fine here. I love the shape of the handguard, it feels comfortable to hold no matter where your hand is placed. The "woodland" paint job looks a little more Multicam Black in certain lighting conditions, but looks pretty cool regardless. Zhukov stock locks nice and solid but while extended I notice a little flex and a "pop" sound when pressing it firm against the shoulder (of course, this is not really noticeable while at the range). Not much else for defects, there is a little scratch along the left-hand safety lever, but it reminds me of the AK's fire selector scratch so I'm actually kinda okay with it lol.
Now for the part people actually care about, does it actually work now? The answer, at least initially, seems to be... maybe? As someone who only ever shoots surplus out of his 7.62x39 guns, I haven't encountered much of the horror stories I've read about earlier models. I fired around 300 rounds of 1973-dated Chinese copper wash, and had 4 or 5 light primer strikes with no other types of malfunctions. Curiously enough the light strikes seemed to stop when I changed the gas setting to the 6 O'clock position (arrow facing straight down), and the rifle felt a little softer shooting to boot. This is a brand new gun, with ammo that's known for having some harder primers, so I'll give it a bit more time and try out different batches of surplus before I'm confident in saying it's a hundred percent good to go (for surplus ammo, anyway).
I can't speak much for accuracy yet I was mainly testing function, but using an inexpensive 1-4 LPVO, with only the front end supported, under poor lighting conditions, I seemed to be getting 3-4 MOA. It's certainly no DMR, but for a service-type rifle using cheap commie ammo, I'm pretty happy with 3MOA potential. I plan to go back for some more serious accuracy testing with a bipod, rear rest, and SLX 3x optic, preferably while the sun is still out.
Other random points, the rifle feels really nice to shoot even with the "adverse" gas setting. Trigger feels good. I didn't realize how useful the swapable charging handle is, for bench rest shooting I had it installed on the right, and for off-hand on the left. The rifle works just fine with AK magazines modified to fit with the Type 81, but will not work with the T81's proprietary magazines. Gun tears down quickly and effortlessly, perfect for cleaning out that corrosive residue. Bolt has a kind of gold hue to it, no visible marring or anything with the carrier group and hammer after 300 rounds.
Will update after the next range trip (accuracy + different batch of ammo).
Now for the part people actually care about, does it actually work now? The answer, at least initially, seems to be... maybe? As someone who only ever shoots surplus out of his 7.62x39 guns, I haven't encountered much of the horror stories I've read about earlier models. I fired around 300 rounds of 1973-dated Chinese copper wash, and had 4 or 5 light primer strikes with no other types of malfunctions. Curiously enough the light strikes seemed to stop when I changed the gas setting to the 6 O'clock position (arrow facing straight down), and the rifle felt a little softer shooting to boot. This is a brand new gun, with ammo that's known for having some harder primers, so I'll give it a bit more time and try out different batches of surplus before I'm confident in saying it's a hundred percent good to go (for surplus ammo, anyway).
I can't speak much for accuracy yet I was mainly testing function, but using an inexpensive 1-4 LPVO, with only the front end supported, under poor lighting conditions, I seemed to be getting 3-4 MOA. It's certainly no DMR, but for a service-type rifle using cheap commie ammo, I'm pretty happy with 3MOA potential. I plan to go back for some more serious accuracy testing with a bipod, rear rest, and SLX 3x optic, preferably while the sun is still out.
Other random points, the rifle feels really nice to shoot even with the "adverse" gas setting. Trigger feels good. I didn't realize how useful the swapable charging handle is, for bench rest shooting I had it installed on the right, and for off-hand on the left. The rifle works just fine with AK magazines modified to fit with the Type 81, but will not work with the T81's proprietary magazines. Gun tears down quickly and effortlessly, perfect for cleaning out that corrosive residue. Bolt has a kind of gold hue to it, no visible marring or anything with the carrier group and hammer after 300 rounds.
Will update after the next range trip (accuracy + different batch of ammo).
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