The M4E1 lower has been one of the most popular components made by Aero Precision. This year they’ve released an upgraded design which offers true ambidextrous controls on this popular lower receiver. I had a chance to shoot an Aero AR build during Industry Range Day and it was indeed easy to shoot and intuitive.
Tag Archives: aero precision
Aero Solus Long Action
Last year, I had the opportunity to try out Aero Precision’s first bolt action rifle; an impressive modernized Remington 700 clone. This year Areo released a Long-Action version of the SOLUS action rifle platform, for longer magnum caliber cartridges. This version will come out later this year and promises to be a hit for ELR competitors and big game hunters.
Aero Tephra-22 Rimfire Suppressor
At SHOT Show 2024, Aero debuted their first rimfire suppressor, the Tephra-22. At about 7 ounces and 5 inches long, it is both light weight a small. Made of a light weight aluminum body with steel mount and baffles for durability even in full-auto. The Tephra-22 is expected to be available in Q2 of 2024.
Stag Arms Lever Gun
Stag Arms was founded as a premium AR maker but this year they introduced a number of guns to expand their offerings: an entry-level AR and a modernized lever action rifle modeled after the Marlin 1985. Last year they merged with Aero Precision and their designers have collaborated to create their own version of the design. Stag chose a more traditional design with some modern improvements such as a full length 1913 Picatinny rail, whilst Aero went for a more space-age tactical reinterpretation of a lever gun.
Premium vs Budget BCG
Does a premium brand BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) shoot better than a budget BCG? I thought I’d find out. I picked up a new black nitride Aero Precision BCG on sale. I wanted to compare this premium BCG to a budget Anderson BCG I own.
For the test I used my AR which I built using an Aero Precision ATLAS 20″ complete upper (chambered in 5.56mm NATO), mated to a budget build Anderson lower receiver with a Timney 2-stage 4lb competition trigger, and a HERA CQR (California neutered) stock. Up until now, I’ve been shooting it with an Anderson black phosphate BCG for the last 3 years and about a 800-1000 rounds.
Swapping between the Aero Precision BCG and Anderson BCG while firing on a target at 100yrds. I found no significant difference in groups between these two BCG. And there were no reliability difference between the two.
The only appreciable difference between the two BCG’s is the glossy black-nitride finish of the Aero is easier to clean than the matte black finish of the Anderson. Or maybe it’s not really easier to clean? Maybe it’s just that shiny surfaces look clean after cleaning, whilst the rough phosphate surface looks the same either way.
Anderson makes completely MISPEC components for their AR’s and are used by thousands of gun owners and have earned a reputation for being a “as-good-as” budget brand. I originally chose to use many Anderson components in my AR build specifically for components that were not important for accuracy or durability. The BCG is a critical part of the function of an AR but apart from reliable firing, ejecting, and cycling of a round, it plays no normal role in the accuracy of a bullets trajectory.
Based on my test results, I feel vindicated in choosing a cheaper Anderson BCG in my original AR build. But for superficial aesthetics, I will keep the Aero BCG in the Aero upper because it just looks shiny and pretty.
Anderson BCG on Optics Planet https://shrsl.com/3okir
Aero Precision BCG on Optics Planet https://shrsl.com/3okiu