Editor’s Note: We further evaluated the Sabre after the video and original article went live. We’ve updated our reliability findings in the article.
Palmetto State Armory Sabre AR-10 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great value
- Clone starter
- Good accuracy
Cons
- Some feeding issues
The Bottom Line
PSA's Sabre AR-10 is a great value for the price and a good jumping off point for a clone build though it did have a few feeding issues.
Palmetto State Armory Sabre AR-10 Specs & Features
Specs
Features
Continuing a string of recent hits with the shooting public, Palmetto State Armory recently released the Sabre AR-10.
This 30-caliber rifle is very stylized and has features reminiscent of another famous rifle.
This follows another trend the South Carolina-based manufacturer has been pursuing — theme guns. These are firearms that aren’t strict clones but are affordable versions of the original.
We can agree this is a great way to pick up a reasonable likeness of one of your favorite guns, but is the Sabre AR-10 worthy of your coin?
We took one out to the range and tested it to learn for ourselves. We’ll run through the specs, features, and range results with you below, so keep reading!
Table of Contents
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Why You Should Trust Us
Sean Curtis has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career of over two decades. He received continued training for his roles in SWAT and as a POST-certified handgun instructor.
He began writing in 2014 for Police1.com, covering many topics, including firearms reviews. From there, his works spread to Guns.com, American Survival Guide, Gun World Magazine, and the Glock Annual.
Sean wrote freelance reviews for Pew Pew Tactical since 2018, then came on board full-time in 2021 where he soon began focusing on videos.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Background
It’s okay if you don’t immediately know which gun the Sabre AR-10 is emulating. The inspiration is a pretty expensive piece of military hardware created by Knight’s Armament Company.
The M110 Limited Edition Deployment Package is still available on the KAC website for a whopping $30,500. I laughed out loud when I saw the “Add to Cart” button.
Regardless, the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS) was designed as a semi-automatic sniper rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm. It has seen combat service with the United States Army since 2008 and was originally highly rated by the troops.
Who Is It For?
The Sabre AR-10 is the M110 SASS you have at home. This means people most attracted to this rifle will be folks who lust for the original KAC rifle but must use their funds to pay for things like cars, college tuition, or even housing.
PSA has allowed you to bask in the FDE glory of this look-a-like rifle for a fraction of the cost. That being said, the rifle, at its base, is still an AR-10, owing much of its design to Eugene Stoner.
Accordingly, it can be used for defense, hunting, varminting, and even target practice at extended distances.
Fit & Feel
The Sabre AR-10 is a period piece. Those familiar with the evolution of America’s most popular rifle will recognize key components and from whence they hail.
For example, the stock is an A1, one of the more retro pieces on this rifle, though correct for this build. It doesn’t offer any padding on the butt or riser for the cheek.
The grip is a PSA Sabre in FDE, not the A2 of the M110 and this is an improvement to me. Controls are an interesting mix of ambidextrous arrangements.
On the left side, there are fire controls, as well as a bolt catch and release. On the right, fire control is repeated, and while there is no bolt catch, there is a bolt release along with the traditional magazine release.
Also, owing to the time period, there is a 12.5-inch quad Picatinny rail running forward of the receiver. Like the M110, grip panels were installed on the rail to provide a better support hand experience.
Other cool features include an FDE Magpul bipod and Radian Raptor charging handle. In addition, a 5-position adjustable gas block was included on this rifle.
Despite being the bigger brother of the AR-15, the Sabre 10 was not unduly long nor heavy, tipping the scales at roughly 11 pounds with an empty magazine and bipod included.
Finally, a three-tined (all different lengths) compensator capped the 20-inch barrel, which is chambered in .308 and features a 1:10 twist.
.308 / 7.62x51mm Ammo In Stock
How Does It Shoot?
For testing purposes, I added a Primary Arms PLx 1-8 LPVO. Notably, the muzzle device made bore sighting challenging with the laser units I had on hand.
Undaunted, I proceeded to the range and dialed in a 100-yard zero. Using different brands and weights of ammo, I fired 5-shot groups to get an idea of the accuracy.
Testing four different kinds of ammo, I came up with the following groups:
| Hornady American Hunter 150 gr | 1.41” |
| Hornady Black 168 gr | 1.92” |
| PMC Bronze 147 gr | 4.35” |
| Remington Match 175 gr | 2.10” |
I suspect accuracy could have been improved slightly by using an optic with more magnification. Regardless, I was fairly stable using the Magpul bipod and a squeeze bag to support the rear.
My alternate shooting position was a newly established 320-yard shot. Laying prone (and one unlikely standing shot), I was able to hit torso-sized steel repeatedly.
The recoil impulse of the Sabre AR-10 is fairly strong but certainly not unmanageable. The plastic cap on the butt stock did little to dampen this interaction though the rifle-length buffer made the 30-caliber rifle feel reasonable.
There were a few hiccups between the different ammunition I tried. Over the course of roughly 250 rounds, I experienced three failures to feed.
In addition, when I started testing the rifle, I could not get the bolt to lock back on the last round. After adjusting the gas block, I was able to resolve the last-round lock-back issue.
Editor’s Note: Dialing the gas block to horizontal while facing the block is fully open, while vertical is its least open setting. AR-10s are more finicky and you have to dial your gas settings for each round…or just leave it open like we did for the rest of testing.
The trigger was good enough that I did not immediately consider replacing it. It’s a two-stage with short pre-travel, then breaks crisply at an average of 2 pounds 10 ounces on my Lyman Digital Gauge.
Reset was both audible and tactile and occurred at the full return of the shoe. In general, the trigger moves a very short distance either direction.
Finally, the Sabre AR-10 we tested came with three steel 20-round magazines. These inserted and dropped cleanly, and I appreciated the neon green follower.
Sounds like newer versions may be shipping with PMAGs, so your purchase may vary.
Editor’s Note: We tested with another 110 rounds across different ammo brands, weights, and mags. We had one additional failure to feed with gas completely open on the metal mags. Also several last-round lock-back issues with the metal mags only. However, with PMAGs we didn’t have any problems with either locking back or failure to feed.
What Sets it Apart?
At its base, this is an AR-10 with some upgrades — coming in around $1,500, which is a pretty strong argument in its favor. But if you take into account the likeness to the KAC M110, you open up another realm of possibilities.
Those inclined to do so could purchase this rifle and be well on their way to a clone of that lofty original. You’re only a few tweaks away from something looking very similar.
Palmetto State Armory Sabre AR-10 By the Numbers
Accuracy
4/5
With the setup mentioned above, I averaged the best three groups out to 1.81 MOA.
Reliability
3.75/5
Tune your gas and use PMAGs, otherwise we had 4 failures to feed in 360 rounds. Good for an AR-10 platform.
Customization
5/5
This is the type of rifle that doesn’t beg for a great deal of customization, but it is highly capable, given its category.
Ergonomics
3/5
This version of the Sabre has standard AR-10/AR-15 ergonomics
Value
5/5
Given the price of the Knight’s Armament Company M110 is in the tens of thousands, $1,500 seems very reasonable. Even if it wasn’t so stylized, it’s an AR-10, and that’s a competitive price.
Overall
4/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Palmetto State Armory Sabre AR-10 Upgrades & Accessories
Final Verdict
You could easily make the argument that this gun is worth the money as an AR-10 with some upgraded features and a sweet peanut butter paint job. But the value doesn’t stop there.
The Sabre AR-10 could be tweaked to look even more like that unobtainable M110 just by adding a few correct accessories. It wouldn’t be clone-perfect, but it’s far more affordable than the original.
I’m enthused with Palmetto State Armory’s dedication to keeping our shooting dreams affordable.
Will you be picking up a Sabre AR-10? Let us know in the comments below. For even more battle rifle goodness, check out 6 Best AR-10s: Complete Buyer’s Guide!
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