OPERATOR’S MANUAL RIFLE, 7.62MM SUPERSASS™ CARBINE, 7.62MM S UPERSASS™ READ THIS MANUAL FIRST! Almost all Operator problems are caused by failure to read and understand the information in this manual. It’s Important © 2006 ArmaLite Inc.
This book provides instructions on the operation and operator maintenance of the ArmaLite® AR-10 SuperSASS™ (SemiAutomatic Sniper System). Read and understand it carefully before you use the rifle. Your safety, and the safety of those around you, depends on your knowledge of the rifle and on your knowledge of safety rules common to all firearms. The SuperSASS is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed semiautomatic rifle produced for a high degree of accuracy and reliability.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. Safety First Unloading and Clearing the SuperSASS Safety Check Operating Procedures: 4.1. Loading the Magazines 4.2. Loading the SuperSASS 4.3. Firing 5. Installing and Using the Rifle and Accessories 5.1. Backup Iron Sights installation and adjustment 5.2. Telescopic sight installation and adjustment 5.3. Adjustable Buttstock 5.4. Sound Suppressor 5.5. Using the Rifle Sling 5.6. Installing the Bipod 6. Maintenance 6.1.
1. SAFETY FIRST! IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! ACCIDENT (Ak’si dent) N 1. An unintentional or unexpected happening that is undesirable or unfortunate, esp. one resulting in injury, damage, harm or loss. ** Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. * Never point your rifle at anything that you do no intend to shoot. * Keep your fingers off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you are aiming at your target and ready to shoot.
2. UNLOADING AND CLEARING THE SUPERSASS: Keep the rifle cleared when not in use. 1. Place safety leve r (1) on SAFE. NOTE: If the rifle is not cocked, the lever cannot be pointed toward SAFE. 1 2. Remove the magazine (2) by pressing the magazine catch button (3) and pulling the magazine down and out of the receiver.
3. Extract the cartridge (if any) from the chamber. To lock the bolt open, pull the charging handle (4) rearward, press the bottom of the bolt catch (5), and allow the bolt to move forward until the bolt catch stops it. Return the charging handle forward. 4 5 4. Look into the receiver and chamber (6) to ensure that these areas contain no ammunition. 6 CAUTION! DO NOT REVERSE THE STEPS IN CLEARING YOUR RIFLE.
3. SAFETY CHECK WARNING Make sure that the magazine is removed and the chamber is clear. 1. Pull the charging handle (4) to the rear and release it. Place the safety (1) on SAFE. Squeeze the trigger. The trigger should not fall. 4 2. Place the safety (1) on FIRE. Squeeze the trigger (7) and hold the trigger to the rear; the hammer should fall. Pull the charging handle (4) to the rear and release it. Release the trigger. You should hear a click as you release the trigger.
4. OPERATING PROCEDURES 4.1. LOADING THE AR-10® MAGAZINES 20 Round Magazine: Insert each cartridge by positioning it between the lips at the top of the magazine, with the bullet tip pointing forward, and pressing it straight down until it snaps under the lip of the magazine. (Early AR-10 magazines have a spring- loaded plunger in rear of the follower. To load the second round in such magazines, press the plunger into its hole as you insert the round.
Take it easy with your magazines. Keep them clean, dry, and don’t pound them into the rifle. It looks great in the movies but can damage them. Insert the magazine fully into the rifle then tug downward on it to assure it’s securely locked into the rifle. 4.2. LOADING THE SuperSASS AND CHAMBERING THE FIRST ROUND WARNING! Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Assure that the rifle is clear.
Never “ride” the charging handle forward. Let it slide forward at full speed. TIGHT MAGAZINE: The cartridges in a fully loaded magazine can be packed tight and require firm upward pressure to assure that the magazine catch holds the magazine. It’s always easiest to insert the magazine when the bolt is locked to the rear. In addition, using the charging handle to release the bolt provides more energy for chambering. 4.3. FIRING Aim at the target.
5. INSTALLING AND USING THE RIFLE ACCESSORIES 5.1. INSTALLING THE BACKUP IRON SIGHTS To install the backup sights, slip the base over the receiver or gas block, and tighten down until firm by using a 7/32” hex head wrench. Reverse to remove. ZEROING THE BACKUP SIGHTS Because every shooter is different, two shooters may have a different zero on the same rifle.
If your shot group is not in the center of the target, adjust the rear sight to move the next group. Turning the windage knob clockwise moves the impact RIGHT. Turning the windage knob counter-clockwise moves the impact LEFT. Turning the front sight clockwise (viewed from above) RAISES the impact. Turning the front sight counterclockwise (viewed from above) LOWERS the impact. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the group is centered on the target.
Loosen the clamping nut of the sight ring so that the sight can be slipped over the rail in the numbered slot previously used to zero the rifle. Mounting the sight in a different slot may produce a slight shift of bullet impact. Once the position of the sight on the receiver has been selected, shift the sight forward on the rail interface until the rails on the bottom of the rings stop against the front of the slot on the receiver to assure that the sight cannot shift forward during recoil.
To extend the collapsible buttstock, pull the locking lever down (1) and pull the stock out until it locks into position. To collapse the buttstock pull the locking lever again and push forward until it locks into position. 1 5.4. SOUND SUPPRESSOR The SuperSASS is equipped with an Advanced Armament Corp. (AAC) brand adaptor for its sound suppressor. The rifle is equipped with an active AAC suppressor, or with a dummy AAC suppressor.
Turn the gas regulator on the gas block so that the arrow on the knob points to the letters “SUPP” when firing with the active sound suppressor attached to the rifle. For firing without a suppressor, or with the dummy suppressor installed, turn the knob so that the arrow points to “NORM”. DO NOT fire the rifle with a suppressor when the regulator is set to the “NORM” setting. The rifle will function too fast, and is subject to unreliable operation and excessive wear.
PROTECT THE RIFLE FROM CONDENSATION The gasses generated during firing contain a surprising amount of water vapor. This water vapor can condense in the suppressor (especially a cool suppressor) and travel down into the rifle bore if the rifle is stored pointing up. Until all possible moisture is dried out, store the rifle with the muzzle down to prevent water from traveling through the bore and into the action. REMOVING THE SOUND SUPPRESSOR CAUTION! THE SOUND SUPPRESSOR BECOMES VERY HOT DURING USE.
Next, tighten or loosen the sling as required, then lock it into the desired length by pushing the lock closed. Precision Shooting Sling. The sling may be quickly disassembled and reassembled into a configuration that provides good support. It is quickly adjustable for different firing positions.
To use the Precision Shooting Sling, detach the lower sling swivel from the butt. Create a loop of sling material by pulling the strap through the sling’s lower keeper. Rotate the loop ½ turn away from the body (clockwise looking down if shooting right handed, and counterclockwise if left handed) to prevent an uncomfortable edge of sling from pressing against the supporting arm. Slip the support arm through the loop, wrap it around the sling and grasp the rifle.
lock in to secure the sling at the proper position. Some experimentation will prove useful. Experienced snipers and target shooters have a trick for making the sling faster and easier to use. The sling may be disassembled and rearranged for easy access to the loose end of the sling for fast adjustment. To rearrange the sling, unlock the sling and remove the lock assembly from the sling completely. Reverse the lock so that it faces away from the rifle, and with the lock’s latch pointed to the buttstock.
3. Disassemble the bipod adaptor. 4. Attach the bottom plate to the bipod using the square stud, and the bevel bottom plate. The small square will fit into the hole left open by the sling swivel attachment. 5. Attach the top plate to the bipod and tighten the screws. The bipod is now ready for installation to the rifle.
Open the lock of the bipod adaptor. Hook the fixed side of the adaptor over the bottom rail, with the crossbar of the adaptor aligned with a slot in the rail. Swing the locking side of the adaptor over the rail and push the lock lever parallel to the rail to lock the assembly in place. 6. MAINTENANCE 6.1. FIELD STRIPPING CLEAR THE RIFLE IMPORTANT: Put the safety on SAFE. Remove the magazine, THEN pull back the charging handle (1) and check the chamber. 1 SLING Remove the sling.
UPPER AND LOWER RECEIVERS 1. Push the takedown pin (1) as far as it will go. Caution: Excess force can severely damage the receiver. Take it easy! 1 2. Pivot the upper receiver (2) from the lower receiver (3). 3. Push the receiver pivot pin (4) as far as it will go.
4. Separate the upper and lower receivers. CHARGING HANDLE AND BOLT CARRIER ASSEMBLY 1. Pull back the charging handle (1) and bolt carrier assembly (2). 2 1 2. Remove the bolt carrier assembly (2).
3. Pull the charging handle (1) back and down to remove it. 1 4. Move the bolt assembly (3) forward to the unlocked position. The firing pin retaining pin (4)is retained in the carrier group by friction. Press it out of the carrier to remove the firing pin. Do not open or close the split end of the firing pin retaining pin. 5. Push in on the bolt assembly (3) to put it in the locked position. 3 6. Catch the firing pin (5) as it drops out of the rear of the bolt carrier assembly (2).
7. Lift the Cam Pin straight out. 8. Remove the bolt assembly (3) from the bolt carrier assembly. 3 9. Press the rear of the extractor (7) to check that the spring works. 7 10. Remove the extractor pin (8).
11. Remove the extractor and spring assembly. Note: Do not remove the spring assembly, its insert, or the O-ring from the extractor. Assure that the inner extractor spring isn’t lost. LOWER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY 1. Cock the hammer with your thumb. Push in the buffer (1) and depress the retainer (2) to release the buffer. 1 2 1. Remove the buffer (1) and the buffer spring (3).
DISASSEMBLING THE MAGAZINE Use the tip of a cartridge or another suitable tool to very slightly pry the rear of the floorplate up so that it can be pulled off the magazine. Remove the spring and attached follower from the magazine shell. The spring will exit the shell easily, but the follower must be twisted and withdrawn, rear first. Do not remove the spring from the follower. NO FURTHER DISASSEMBLY IS REQUIRED.
6.2 CLEANING AND INSPECTION Proper cleaning and lubrication is essential to the reliable function, corrosion resistance, and accuracy of the SuperSASS. CLEANING SOLVENTS AND LUBRICANTS Lubricate generously with CLP (Cleaner, Lubricant, and Preservative) Mil-LHigh quality cleaning solvent like Hoppes no. 9 removes metal fouling from the bore excellently. Under NO conditions should any lubricant containing graphite be used with your rifle.
1 2 2. Use a cleaning rod, bore brush and cleaning solvent. Run the rod (1) through the chamber (2) and flash suppressor (if applicable) several times. 1 3. Install the chamber brush on the cleaning rod (1), dip it in cleaning solvent, and insert it into the chamber (2) and locking lugs (4). Clean by pushing and twisting the cleaning rod.
4. Use a worn out bore brush to clean the outside surface of the protruding gas tube (5) (get the sides and bottom from the bottom of the upper receiver). This procedure ruins the brush. 5 NOTE Gas tubes will discolor from heat. Do not try to remove this discoloration. Do not try to clean the inside of the gas tube. It is not needed with good quality propellant, or effective with bad propellant. Do not bend the gas tube; if the tube is bent it will slow or block forward movement of the carrier group. 4.
8. Cleaning the locking lugs. The hidden surfaces of the locking lugs of the barrel must be cleaned and protected. Place a chamber cleaning brush on the chamber cleaning tool. Dampen the brush with CLP and screw it into the chamber with a clockwise motion until the wide diameter steel brushes enter the barrel extension. Rotate the brush three times and, while continuing to rotate clockwise, pull it from the chamber.
Alternatively, place a patch on the steel bristles of a very worn and unserviceable chamber brush and use it to press the patch against the hidden surfaces. 9. Lubricate the locking lugs. 10. Drip lubricant on the front sight detent, then depress the detent to work the lubricant in.
CHARGING HANDLE AND BOLT CARRIER ASSEMBLY 1. Clean all parts and outer surfaces of the bolt carrier assembly with a swab saturated with cleaning solvent. 2. Clean the bolt carrier key (2) with a worn bore brush dipped in solvent and dry with a pipe cleaner. 2 3. Remove carbon deposits and dirt from the locking lugs (3) with a bore brush dipped in solvent. 5 3 4 4. Clean the areas behind the bolt rings (4) and under the lip if the extractor (5). 5.
1 2 3 1. Inspect the charging handle (1) for cracks, bends or breaks. 2. Inspect the bolt assembly (2) for cracks or fractures, especially in the cam pin hole area. DO NOT interchange bolts between rifles. 3. Inspect the firing pin retaining pin (3) for bends, breaks, or dents. 4 5 4. Inspect the bolt cam pin (4) for cracks or chips. Assure that the firing pin spring is installed with the tight end in the firing pin’s groove. 5.
3. Lightly lubricate the inner and outer surfaces of the bolt carrier (8). Generously lubricate the slide (9) and the cam pin area (10) of the bolt carrier. 10 8 9 4. Lightly lubricate the charging handle (11). 11 11. Dry the key of the bolt carrier assembly (8) with a pipe cleaner. Place one drop of lubricant inside the key. 8 Note: Carbon in the groove at the bottom of the gas cylinder in the carrier cannot accumulate eno ugh to become a problem.
LOWER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY CAUTION Do not use a wire brush or any type of abrasive material to clean aluminum surfaces 1. Wipe dirt from the trigger with a swab. 2. Use a swab and cleaning brush to clean powder fowling, corrosion, and dirt from the lower receiver. (2). 2 3. Use a pipe cleaner to clean the buttstock screw vent hole. 12. Clean the buffer (4), recoil spring (5), and inside lower receiver with a swab dipped in solvent.
5. Examine the lower receiver assembly for a broken or bent trigger, buttstock, corroded or deformed lower receiver, cracked or damaged grip, and bent or damaged safety. Look at the inside parts for cracks, dents, or breaks. 6. Lightly lubricate the recoil spring (2) and buffer (3). 2 3 7. Generously lubricate the takedown (4) and pivot pins (5) and the inside parts of the lower receiver assembly. 5 4 MAGAZINE The magazine is one of the most important parts of a rifle… and one of the most neglected.
SOUND SUPPRESSOR CLEANING Clean the outside of the suppressor with a CLP dampened cloth. Copper removing bore cleaner such as “Hoppe’s No. 9” may be used to remove copper fouling from the suppressor. Brush the contact areas of the suppressor and compensator/adapter contact areas to remove carbon and other fouling. Fouling will render re-attachment of the suppressor difficult. Do not use abrasives to clean the bearing surfaces.
REASSEMBLY LOWER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY Insert buffer spring (1) and buffer (2). 1 2 CHARGING HANDLE AND BOLT CARRIER NOTE The extractor has a silicone insert (2) in the spring. Don’t lose it. 1. If the spring comes loose, seat the large end of the spring in the extractor. Assure the reinforcement ring is around the spring. 2. Insert the extractor (1) with spring assembly into bolt. 3. Push extractor until the holes on the extractor (3) and bolt are aligned and insert the extractor pin (4). 4 3 1 2 4.
5. Insert the bolt cam pin (8). 8 13. Drop the firing pin (9) into its opening. (AR-10: verify that the tight end of the firing pin spring engages the groove on the firing pin.) 9 7. Pull the bolt assembly forward and insert the firing pin retaining pin (10) in the area behind the large flange of the firing pin (9). Push the AR-10 firing pin to verify the spring returns. 8 8. Turn the bolt carrier assembly up and try to shake out the firing pin. The firing pin must not fall out.
9. Place the charging handle into the upper receiver and engage the handle’s lugs with the track in the receiver, then push the charging handle (11) part way into the upper receiver. 11 10. Slide the bolt carrier assembly (7), bolt extended, into the upper receiver. 7 11. Push the charging handle assembly (11) and bolt carrier assembly (7) together into the upper receiver (12).
UPPER AND LOWER RECEIVERS NOTE The hammer must be in cocked position to join receivers. 1. Join the upper and lower receivers. 2. Align the pivot pin holes with the pivot pin and push the pivot pin (3) in. 3 CAUTION Close the ejection port cover (5) before the receivers are joined to prevent damage to the cover. 3. Close the upper and lower receivers. Push in the takedown pin (6). 6 NOTE Normal forging and manufacturing variations may result in slight overhang or play.
REASSEMBLING THE MAGAZINE. Insert the follower and spring assembly into the magazine shell. Insert the right front corner of the follower into the magazine and roll the rear of the follower into the shell. This step will take some practice. With the follower and spring held in the magazine shell, the floorplate is easily slipped under the tabs at the bottom of the magazine.
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROBLEM CHECK FOR WHAT TO DO WON’T FIRE Selector lever on SAFE. Put it on FIRE. Improper assembly of firing pin. Assembly correctly. NOTE: the pin. retaining pin goes in back or large shoulder of firing pin. Oil or fouling in bolt. Clean with pipe cleaner. Defective ammunition. Remove and discard. Too much carbon on firing pin Or firing pin recess. Clean. Bolt not fully locked. Extract cartridge, clean area BOLT WON’T LOCK Dirty bolt. Clean. Burred or broken bolt.
TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) PROBLEM CHECK FOR WON’T EXTRACT Clogged gas tube. WON’T FEED DOUBLE FEED Replace. Short recoil. Gas regulator incorrectly set. See below. Set to NORM if not using suppressor. Dirty, corroded, or reloaded ammunition. Remove and discard. Dirty or defective magazine. Clean and lubricate or replace. Too many rounds in magazine. Remove excess rounds. Buffer assembly is restricted. Take out and clean buffer and spring. Magazine not fully seated.
TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) PROBLEM CHECK FOR WHAT TO DO SHORT RECOIL Rings worn or too loose. Replace Carbon or dirt in carrier key or on outside of gas tube. Clean. Q-tip/pipe cleaner stuck inside carrier key. Remove. Weak or reloaded ammunition. Replace with factory fresh ammunition, Weak or reloaded ammunition Replace with factory fresh ammunition. Quality match ammo is recommended. Loss of gas power. Dirty rifle. Check entire gas path, especially carrier key. Clean Improper lubrication.
TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED) PROBLEM CHECK FOR WHAT TO DO BOLT CARRIER “HUNG UP ” Round jammed between bolt and charging handle and/or double feed. 1. Remove magazine. 2. Push in on bottom of bolt catch. 3. Bang rifle butt on ground, bolt should shift to rear. 4. While bolt is held to rear, round should fall out through magazine well. NOTE: If this procedure fails, use a cleaning rod to push bolt fully to the rear through the ejection port. WARNING: KEEP CLEAR OF THE MUZZLE! 8.
9. MISCELLANEOUS TECHNICAL NOTES ArmaLite publishes a large number of Technical Notes that provide a huge amount of information about our rifles and similar models. This information is available at no charge in the Technical Notes section of the Library at ArmaLite.com. The following extracts may be particularly relevant to your new rifle: FIRING PIN RETAINING PIN: Do not pound or force the firing pin retaining pin into position.
