Great Lakes Firearms AR-10 .243 Win 24" FDE/SS 5-Round Tactical Rifle

The Great Lakes Firearms AR-10 .243 Win is a modern semi-automatic tactical rifle built for shooters who demand precision without compromise. Chambered in .243 Winchester—a flat-shooting cartridge known for extended range and reduced recoil—this rifle pairs a 24-inch stainless steel barrel with a lightweight 7075 aluminum upper and lower for a gun that balances durability with manageable weight. At 9.3 pounds, it's built to be carried and shot hard, whether you're at the range, hunting medium game, or running a precision rifle course.

The mechanical foundation is straightforward and combat-proven: a mil-spec trigger with 5.5–6 pound pull, a standard gas block and rifle-length tube, and a polymer grip that won't slip when gloved. The barrel features 5R rifling and a 1:8 twist optimized for .243 ammunition, crowned with a muzzle brake threaded 5/8x24 (designed for hand-tight installation without Loctite). The 20-inch aluminum handguard is topped with full Picatinny rail, giving you unlimited mounting options for optics, lights, or accessories.

Aesthetics matter—the Flat Dark Earth (FDE) Cerakote finish on the furniture pairs with stainless steel barrel and receiver for a rifle that looks sharp and resists corrosion. The rifle ships with one 5-round magazine, so you're ready to load and shoot straight out of the box. No sights are included, leaving the top rail open for your choice of optic—ideal if you've already got a favorite scope or plan to run a red dot.

Great Lakes Firearms engineered this AR-10 for hunters and shooters who want factory-grade precision in a caliber that punches well beyond 1,000 yards while remaining controllable and practical. If you run a modern sporting rifle platform and respect the .243's reputation, this is a rifle worth serious consideration.

Key Features

• Semi-automatic .243 Winchester chambering for extended-range capability and low recoil
• 24-inch 416 stainless steel barrel with 5R rifling and 1:8 twist
• 7075 aluminum upper and lower receivers for strength and light weight
• FDE Cerakote finish for corrosion resistance and field aesthetics
• Full-length Picatinny rail on 20-inch handguard for optic and accessory mounting
• Rifle-length gas system with black oxide gas block for reliable cycling
• Mil-spec polymer grip and trigger for familiarity and affordability
• Muzzle brake with 5/8x24 threads (hand-tight installation)
• Includes one 5-round magazine

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What optic should I use on this rifle?

The rifle ships with a clear top rail and no factory sights, so you have total freedom. Common choices for a .243 tactical rifle include 1–6x or 2.5–10x variable scopes for hunting and precision work, or a red dot if you plan shorter-range shooting. The Picatinny rail will accept any standard optic mount.

Can I use standard AR-15 magazines?

No. This is an AR-10 platform rifle, and it uses AR-10 magazines. The one 5-round magazine is included; you'll need to purchase additional AR-10 magazines separately if you want more capacity or higher-round options.

Is the safety ambidextrous?

No, the safety is not ambidextrous. It follows standard right-hand mil-spec configuration.

What is the muzzle brake installed, and can I remove it?

The rifle includes a muzzle brake threaded 5/8x24 and designed to be hand-tight without Loctite, so you can remove it if you want to install a suppressor, different brake, or flash hider. Any standard 5/8x24 aftermarket muzzle device will fit.