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BlueTrain · December 15, 2012, 07:09 AM

I just pulled out the only reference I have that has an AR-10 in it. The captions of two that clearly have wood handguards (and plastic buttstock) are described as experimental. They had different barrel lengths and built-in grenade launchers. However, I suspect that all production models were made with no wood at all, only plastic. They were made in The Netherlands. Intitial production of AR-15s was at Colt. My reference is the 1962 edition of Small Arms of the World.

I don't have any reference handy on the EM-2 other than a photo in the same book. It calls the forearm "molded" but it looks like wood.

I was wondering when plastic was first used on long guns. The Germans experimented a great deal with laminated stocks for rifles during WWII and I think ultimately began producing the 98k short rifle with a laminated beech stock, which is a polite way of saying plywood. One source said they experimented with metal butts but they otherwise only used a plastic butt on the MG34 and MG42. I don't think anyone else used plastic like that during the war.

December 15, 2012, 07:09 AM	#21
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	I just pulled out the only reference I have that has an AR-10 in it. The captions of two that clearly have wood handguards (and plastic buttstock) are described as experimental. They had different barrel lengths and built-in grenade launchers. However, I suspect that all production models were made with no wood at all, only plastic. They were made in The Netherlands. Intitial production of AR-15s was at Colt. My reference is the 1962 edition of Small Arms of the World. I don't have any reference handy on the EM-2 other than a photo in the same book. It calls the forearm "molded" but it looks like wood. I was wondering when plastic was first used on long guns. The Germans experimented a great deal with laminated stocks for rifles during WWII and I think ultimately began producing the 98k short rifle with a laminated beech stock, which is a polite way of saying plywood. One source said they experimented with metal butts but they otherwise only used a plastic butt on the MG34 and MG42. I don't think anyone else used plastic like that during the war. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.