Why do people do anything beside Aero builds?

[Casper]

A while ago I bought a few very inexpensive M5E1 lowers to add on to another transfer and since then I've been bargain shopping.  I got M5E1 enhanced uppers, Quantum M-lok handguards and partial LPKs to match.

I prefer the "AR10" carbine buffer setup with the tube and spring from POF, their P308 7 position setup (bought on sale but quality seems on par with Armalite and Vltor).

For BCGs, Toolcraft.

A clamp-on adjustable gas system from Odinworks.

Charging handle ambi from Mega (on clearance at JSE).

A Strike Industries Viper Modular fixed stock.

A drop-in match trigger, assorted barrels, ambi selectors and ambi magazine release.

Everything is nice and everything fell together.

The upper to lower fit is plenty tight without even touching the setscrew designed to tighten it up.  The trigger guard is great because I don't have to mess with a trigger guard roll pin.

I have to tune them at the range still which means I need to try my selection of AR buffers but everything looks great.

It's a stark contrast from my first large frame AR build which seemed to fight me a little every step of the way (but eventually turned out as I had imagined).  I researched a lot and avoided major issues but had to do more filing than I would like.  With less research or if I hadn't been willing to take a file to brand new parts, my first would still be parts instead of a rifle.

I know some people go for ultra-lite builds and some people want billet receivers but for the price and how easy it is to build, I'm not sure why Aero isn't at the top of everyone's list?

I have heard some good and bad about Aero's Ballistic Advantage barrels and I've had good luck with Criterion so I like to go that way and I'm trying Wilson Combat barrels (bought at 25-50% off).

I made this thread for two reasons, first to see if anyone has a good reason and second to tell people how easy an Aero M5E1 build can be.  Large frame ARs don't have to be hard.

Edited May 24, 2019 by Casper

[RedRiverII]

Terrific first post Casper,  thanks.  Working on setting up my first 308,  store bought PSA U/L.  Just enough challenges to whet my appetite for more.  Next project reloading,  then my first build.  I've been nudged toward Aero and I can't say why not,  there's no reason to.  I think you might want to post a couple of pics,  there's a few grunts here that don't understand these symbols we're typing.  They think the alphabet is a noodle found in soup.

Edited May 24, 2019 by RedRiverII
sp.

[haewired]

For me it's a labor of love and challenge.  People kept telling me I can't build a M1A from the ground up, but I did.  I like Aero, and it all goes together very well.  Anytime a friend tells me they want to build a 308 AR, I always tell them to buy paired receivers to make things easy.  I'm a hypocrite because I like to mix and match awesome stuff so it makes it complicated.  

[Robocop1051]

 I don’t think I ever picked a receiver for “ease of assembly“. I primarily pick my receiver sets based on the options and features that are available on that platform. 

What kind of material is it made out of? How is that material finished? Does it have integrated mechanical/operational features? What is its compatibility with other parts?b what is its compatibility with other parts?

 

[Casper]

Well the M5E1 upper and lower are forged 7075.  The handguards are 6061 and almost certainly machined from extrusion.  The finish is hard anodized black, Cerakoat FDE or custom coated builder sets.

One thing Aero doesn't do is proprietary ambi controls on the lower.  Some fancy lowers have that but it locks you in to a single supplier with high prices.  Beside the ambi bolt catch, I do ambi everything with drop-in parts on an Aero.  I could add something like a BAD lever to give it an ambi bolt catch but I don't think it's necessary.

The Aero M5 seems to be pretty much LR308 compatible.  I think the only non-AR15 type parts in the LPK are the bolt catch and takedown pins.  I'm not sure if those parts are LR308 specific or proprietary to Aero but in the world of large frame ARs, I think the only more LR308 compatible build would be an all DPMS LR308.

The one proprietary feature of the M5E1 that I go for is the enhanced upper/handguard combo.  It utilizes an inverted barrel nut and the handguard bolts to the extended snout of the upper receiver instead of the barrel nut.  This is a feature that a few other manufacturers do but Aero does it cheap.  You have to go to PSA or no-name China parts to get an upper with a free float handguard for much less and that won't have the extended snout connection.

The other thing I go for is the integrated trigger guard.  It looks nice but mostly I don't have to mess around with roll pins or worry about cracking a trigger guard ear.

Once you have the basic combination of lower, upper, handguard and partial LPK (around $300 total if you shop smart), pretty much anything else available for an LR308 compatible should drop in.  I'm not sure if every AR type gas block will fit under the handguard but that's a compatibility issue every AR has to worry about and Aero's enhanced handguards do seem pretty roomy.

To me, ease of assembly is a feature because assembling incompatible parts is never easy.

This Aero base I like might sound like it is locking you in to one manufacturer but prices are reasonable and if you break or wear out the upper, lower or handguard, you've put it through hell and Aero as a company seems stable and manages to keep everything in stock pretty consistently so it seems like as safe a bet as any other manufacturer.

[Merle]

If Aero would do a slick side M5 upper I'd be all over it. I can't stand a forward assist on a 308 AR. They are totally unnecessary.

[Ravenworks]

13 hours ago, Merle said:

If Aero would do a slick side M5 upper I'd be all over it. I can't stand a forward assist on a 308 AR. They are totally unnecessary.

Pretty certain that they do offer one.

[jtallen83]

3 hours ago, Ravenworks said:

Pretty certain that they do offer one.

Link that, sure don't see one when I look.

[Merle]

8 hours ago, Ravenworks said:

Pretty certain that they do offer one.

They offer a slick side AR15 upper but not a 308 slick side upper.

[Ravenworks]

2 minutes ago, Merle said:

They offer a slick side AR15 upper but not a 308 slick side upper.

I was just going to post that.

 

[unforgiven]

Setting up a .260 Remington on a M5 platform I eliminated the FA w/ plug.

[jtallen83]

7 hours ago, unforgiven said:

Setting up a .260 Remington on a M5 platform I eliminated the FA w/ plug.

Where abouts did you get the plug? Last one I bought the black finish ended up wiping off so now I have a chunk of white derilin. At one time I ran across a plug that was vented to help when shooting suppressed but of course now that I have suppressors to use I can't find that plug. 

[unforgiven]

Optic Planet... Black poly I thought it would solid black.

[392heminut]

I quit putting forward assists in any of my builds, AR15 or AR308! The lack of a forward assist hasn't bit me on the azz yet! If it's not a slick side upper I use these and they have been good to go for me (and they stay black!);

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/198053/schuster-forward-assist-plug-delrin-ar-15

[sketch]

same here thanks for the link!