The US Army, Marine Corp and Navy Seals (USSOCOM, JSOC, NAVSOC) have all chosen (independently I might add) the KAC AR10 over m14/m1-a variation. These guys can shoot whatever it is they want so it isn't a political consideration.
Never found an AR10/15 or variant that could hold its water against a Springfield. Tried alot of them (cannot say I tried them all) and they were just not reliable in my book.
They all had their little quirks. Be it magazine, picky on what kinda ammo, could not handle dirt, barrel sensitive to being touched against something, soft touched primers, etc.
The Springfields all shot and operated with the same amount of reliability as long as the person did not try to “customize” and go all Rambutt with it.
Sorry, the Alphabet Brigade just chose wrong and liked the color black.
And what is wrong with “Baby Cakes”? That is a pretty name.