Aero precision rant / PSA if you are building a M5E1 rifle

[ruthabagah]

First of all: I really like Aero Precision products. I have build 3 COP rifles, and I now have 4 of their new M4E1 with the enhanced handguard and they are an awesome design.

<Rant>

Now the rant: Aero customer service and QC on the M5E1 sucks... Like bad... How fucking hard is it to send the right product the first time to a paying customer? And then, how hard is it to admit you made a mistake, and ship the replacement part quickly and expedite the shipping? Well I guess, when you are aero, it is TOO HARD!

First: ordered everything to build a M5E1 enhanced upper from aero (800$), receive the wrong upper (I bought the lower and lower parts locally)... The M5E1 particularity is to have an integrated handguard mount for their enhanced handguard, the one I received was the standard M5.... Pretty obvious difference. It took me 3 days, 3 emails, 4 phone call and a picture of the part, to make them admit they shipped the wrong one. So, what is their answer? Ship us back the upper, and we will ship the other one back! really, 3 weeks later I finally get my part, and with a lot of excitement, I try to put my upper together, and realize that:
1 - It is more than a tight fit between their upper and lower, and it will need some serious adjustment to perfectly work.
2 - the quick detach barrel nut advertised on their website was not the one I received
3- Worse: the enhanced handguard they send me will not fit the upper....

http://youtu.be/yxtOOZu5IYg


Back to calling them, get the cold shoulder treatment, and having to spend hours on the phone / email......

</rant>

BTW: This is what it should look like when it's done
53605

[BPTactical]

Never been impressed with Aero at all.

[XC700116]

Good to know, I was actually looking at the exact same upper/handgaurd setup because it looks like a really nice setup. Perfet Torque, nice and solid, keymod, fairly slim, etc. Glad I didn't pull the trigger yet.

[ruthabagah]

Good to know, I was actually looking at the exact same upper/handgaurd setup because it looks like a really nice setup. Perfet Torque, nice and solid, keymod, fairly slim, etc. Glad I didn't pull the trigger yet.

If you want it in 5.56 The M4E1 works great and is definitively a product I would recommend. The M5E1 (308) is not there yet....

[ruthabagah]

Update: was, again, asked to return the wrong part before getting the part they screw up.... I even offered to buy the M4E1 hand guard they send me, if they send the replacement one today.... Nope!

[ruthabagah]

Update: Getting the replacement handguard shipped to me express. Hopefully this is the right one..... Will update when received. I may even add a range report.

[ray1970]

Never been impressed with Aero at all.

Ditto. I bought ones of their lowers that was out of spec. Although, in their defense, it was at a time when everything was sold out, back ordered, and really hard to get. I imagine they ramped up production and lost a bit of quality control along the way.

[EvolvingTactical]

I built my AR using a stripped Aero Lower and stripped Upper, and neither has given me an issue yet after almost a year and 2k rounds through the rifle. It might be that I lucked out. Hope they treat you right and get you the parts you need. A range report would be nice.

[stoner01]

Two of my three rifles are built with aero uppers and odds and ends. No issues to speak of at all. Hmmmmm

[ruthabagah]

Two of my three rifles are built with aero uppers and odds and ends. No issues to speak of at all. Hmmmmm

They are probably 5.56 like my other ones that i really like. The problem is the new 308 they have (m5) and in particular the m5e1 upper.http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/store/productdetail.aspx?pid=348

[XC700116]

If you want it in 5.56 The M4E1 works great and is definitively a product I would recommend. The M5E1 (308) is not there yet....

ahhhh, yeah I was looking at the 556/AR15/M4E1 version. I've decided that if and when I go to the big format, I'm just going to drop the coin on a JP complete rifle.

[Guylee]

Only Aero products I've used are a stripped lower and barrel. The lower has worked perfectly, and the barrel was only a little more than 100 bucks and it's going on a pistol so as long as lead comes out the correct end in generally the right direction I'll be happy.

[nogaroheli]

They are probably 5.56 like my other ones that i really like. The problem is the new 308 they have (m5) and in particular the m5e1 upper.http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/store/productdetail.aspx?pid=348

Piss, I have an M5 upper and lower waiting for me at home I was planning on building a 260 on.

[ruthabagah]

Piss, I have an M5 upper and lower waiting for me at home I was planning on building a 260 on.

If it's the M5 you should be fine. the M5E1 seems to be the problem.

[ruthabagah]

Quick update: looks like the M5E1 wont take a BCM charging handle. And of course, that's the one I bought! [hahhah-no] Soon to be for sale on this forum.....

[ruthabagah]

range report: This thing is a blast!


5427954281


The good: easy to build once you have the right parts..... Looks great and shoot straight with moderate recoil. I am glad i choose the M5E1, because the design did cut a LOT of the weight and keep it somewhat manageable. One of my friend just bought a DPMS LR308, and it feels like his gun weight twice as much as mine! And he does not have a keymod hand guard.

The bad: after 40 Rnds I started to have FTF (every 3 rnds). I suspect it is either the mag or the ammo. I will disassemble and clean it and will try again next week.

[sampson]

Thinking about going this route. (for the weight savings) Did you sort out the problems? Would your recommend?

[ruthabagah]

Thinking about going this route. (for the weight savings) Did you sort out the problems? Would your recommend?

Short answer: Yes. Buy one and have fun.

Long answer: I was an "early adopter" and did experience a lot of problem.... The last one was an out of spec barrel..... I almost dropped the whole project and complained heavily to Aero... At the end, they made it right (I have to thank Mike at Bowers for this), send me replacement for everything that was out of spec, and it is an amazing rifle that I enjoy shooting. I probably put 500 rnds on this upper, and finishing a second upper soon.

Changes from the picture above: I have a DPMS SASS barrel on my rifle for better accuracy, and I use a Raptor Charging Handle which work great with the Aero Upper. Please note: The BCM CH is still a no go.

[sampson]

Thanks for all the good onfo :) Did a Google search and it led me back here. Don't know why I go anywhere else.