Let us know if the offset is like that on yours too



looks like that's the plan now

I know it will be a great product, but damn if I am a sucker for consistency, and the BCM CH trend was strong



Still don't know which way I'm going to go with this likely being my only 308 AR. 16" or 18" - red dot or magnified

What would cause my bolt catch to snap in half? It's a Aero and happened to me today.

DPMS High Profile for the M5s.

Improper heat treatment of the metal most likely. Too deep and it makes it brittle.
Call Aero and see if they'll send you a replacement.

this is where I stand right now.
Raptor on the way with a FA kit

Thinking about SLR rail with a Rainier Arms Select Barrel (or maybe the Mega from AIM)
Thinking maybe 18"
AIM NiB BCG
Still not sure on the stock situation right now


ETA Photobucket is a joke. that photo displays correctly in photobucket, but then they screw it all up through the link

You might want to see my post about SLR rail and Rainer Select barrel... you may not be able to use the rear QD socket on the rail.

Mega barrel and SLR rail is GTG for the QD socket.  Guess the Rainier barrel is a bit beefier.

Good to know as this is what I am going with.



 

Just to clarify, I have an Intrepid series rail.  Not the solo series mentioned in the other post.

thanks for the heads up guys. Can you please help me by pointing to your post?
Do you think these two barrels are perfectly comparable?

Is this the magazine in the photo?  http://www.brownells.com/magazines/rifle-magazines/magazines/ar-20-round-308-magazine-prod71942.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR+xzzx308
 

Also, it seems like ~5.5oz for buffers seem to be the benchmark for 308s, so would a Spike's ST-T3 be good to go for most applications in 308?

yep

https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_121/681674_SLR_Rail_QD_socket_won_t_work_with_16_Rainer_Barrel_.html

Ok, before I go out and order more parts that won't work...

The good people are Aero said the buffer tubes are the same as regular ARs, but when looking at Armalite's 308 tubes, the carbine is longer AND the thread pitch is listed as different from a standard Milspec AR one (1 x 16 vs 1 3/16 x 16)

Is that thread pitch specific to Armalite pattern receivers? I'm guessing when users in here say Armalite buffer systems work great with DPMS ones, they mean the springs and buffers, but not the tubes?

Here's what I did on my Aero M5 and this combo works...

Use a standard length AR15 Carbine buffer tube.
The bolt on a .308 travels farther than the bolt in an AR15. Therefore you need either a longer buffer tube or shorter buffer. DPMS uses a shorter buffer, Armalite uses a longer buffer tube.

Use a DPMS 308 Carbine buffer.  It's shorter than a standard AR15 Carbine buffer.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/232006/dpms-buffer-lr-308-carbine

Use a Sprinco ORANGE Spring.  This is a specially made spring for a standard AR15 Carbine buffer tube and DPMS 308 Carbine Buffer.

"ORANGE Spring" The ONLY specifically engineered EXTRA POWER Buffer Spring for .308 Carbine Platforms using standard 7" Depth M4 extension tubes and .308 short 2.5" buffers (Including aftermarket "heavy buffers.") You cannot clip coils from any other commercially available buffer spring to yield the proper spring loads for this application, especially in heavily gassed .308 carbine platforms. We started from scratch on this design to provide Operators with a viable alternative to existing OEM and aftermarket offerings. Platforms known to exist using this approach include DPMS, Bushmaster (Post 2010), Remington, CMMG, Mega, SA Defense, Colt 901, Rock River Arms and many others. Color Coded ORANGE.

http://www.sprinco.com/tactical.html

The nice thing about this combo is it works and because it uses a standard AR15 carbine buffer tube, your collapsible stock will slide all the way up to the castle nut like it should.  If you go the other route with a longer a AR10 buffer tube, a standard H3 buffer, and a AR rifle spring, then your stock won't collapse all the way (threads will be showing).

You will want an adjustable gas block because the gas port on most 308 barrels are too big and you will be overgassed without an adjustable gas block.

Best one available now is the SLR Sentry 7.

Thank you.



 

Thanks for the buffer/spring info, how many rounds down range do you have through that beast.



 

Thanks for all of that. What about the Seekins adjustable gas block? There a reason why I should go with the SLR?

For those of you using a complete factory made 18" barreled upped what kinda of accuracy are getting?

I’m curious as well.



 

Over 400.

Seekins gas tube adjusts from the side and has a brass set screw at the receiver end of the gas bock to keep the other side screw from backing out.  I would think this would be very difficult to adjust without
taking the rail off.  Syrac Gen II and SLR adjust from the front by turning a single screw that "clicks" and stays in place.  Of the two, I think the SLR is the best design.  

THIS ^^^  When you're switching from suppressed to un-suppressed, you can count the clicks to get you back to the exact setting you had.  Also, you can shut the gas completely off when cleaning with foaming bore cleaner to keep it out of the gas tube and then easily reset when you're done.  SLR sells the correct hex key to adjust their gas block on their website.  (If you're running a long rail, be sure to purchase the longer hex key.)

Odin Works also has a front adjustable gas block in a lower price range. I just took my build out to the range and got it tuned in really easily and it had the same as the Syrac and SLR audible clicks for each setting.

Has anyone else tried the MI 308 rail? Wondering if the offset results that were posted a couple pages back were the standard

Can anyone tell me about this company and their rails? (Good/Bad)  I have an FDE M5 build started and could get this rail cerakoted.

http://www.jtactical.com/AR-10-Free-Float-Hand-Guard_p_36.html

Is the gas system on 308s so finicky that you can't find a single setting that works reliably w/ and w/o a suppressor?

Doesn't really fit my Aero M5 right.  Not flush with top of receiver.  

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Doesn't really fit my Aero M5 right.  Not flush with top of receiver.  

Sucks because I really like their rail (and the price isn't too bad either) Did you contact them at all?



Asking this because I am about to pick up a Seekins adjustable (yes, adjusts on the side) - but if I can get it set and leave it, I will be happy. But if I have to adjust every time I go from unsuppressed to suppressed, I suppose that would be worth the extra 50+

So I discovered that Black Rain receiver pins do not work on the M5.
Also does anybody notice a very weak lockup of their mags?  my CMMG mag catch seems to just barely snap into the hold point on the mag.  I can push on the side of the mag (barely deflecting it) and pull the mag right out.
I am trying to avoid buying the $89 aero lpk but it is looking like it would be eaiser.

Just for reference of others walking this road:

The Odin Works rail with the 2.06 adapter mates up to the Aero upper like this:


The BCM Charging Handle interfered with the upper/lower and I modified it.


A run through on the mill:


A touch of the file and some Super Black:


The Aero LPK did include a longer magazine release and proper length pivot and takedown pins.  Shown on left compared to a Seekins release.


I also have a DMPS low profile upper.  This shows the gap between the DPMS upper and Aero lower:

Will Aero 308 uppers fit on PSA lowers?

I have two PSA lowers but the reports on the their upper is less than optimal.

The Aero have much better reports.

Picking up the scope mounts this weekend. Then will give it the workout.

Aero Upper/lower
UTG Pro handguard (fits like a glove, and its level on top)
Aero BCG
Aero LPK
Balistic advantage barrel/ mid length gas tube
Anderson adjustable gas block
DPMS 308 rifle buffer and spring
Old A2 stock I had laying around
8.6lbs so far.
Hope to bust an elk on the 24th.
Thanks to everyone in this thread for the info you have given.
It definitely swayed my decision on the M5.

Just curious, what barrel did you choose from BA?

What website did you order the UTG Pro handguard from?

 

Unstable...its a 16in melonite.

Chris, ordered from CTD. They only have in black for now. The color is my own brew. Rustoleum flat tan then immediatly mist with od green. Should get me thru elk season. Then off for a proper fde cerekote.
I couldnt find that other thread about handguards.

Has anyone tried a PRI handguard on the M5?

Awesome, thank you.



 

Thank you.  Premium or Modern?

I ask because I am building 2 Aero M5 upper/lower combos right now and am down to barrel and forearm choice.  I may put a modern on one and a premium on the other and compare.

Sorry bout that, its the modern series.
I just noticed they went on sale as well. (.mil discount as well)
They are very nice barrels.
Kyle does really good work, and he has answered my emails quickly.

No.  The same rail in DPMS Low fits my PSA PA-10 perfect.

I have since switched to an SLR DPMS high 13" solo lite for my Aero M5.  It fits perfect and does not require the barrel nut to be indexed to the gas tube and the rail locks to the barrel nut via a groove in the barrel AND it's about 1 oz lighter that the MI even though it's about 1/2" longer.  The SLR really is the perfect rail for the Aero M5

I hope the M5 upper I just ordered on sale at Brownells will fit my JMT 80% lower.
Anybody have any experience with Aero upper on a JMT poly lower?

My new lightweight Aero Precision M5 build.  7lbs 12oz empty without scope and scope mount.













Lightweight Aero Precision M5 build - 7lbs 12oz empty w/o Scope and mount

Aero Precision M5 upper receiver
Aero Precision Gen 2 lower receiver
Aero Precision Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group w/Forward Assist
Aero Precision Steel Take-down Pin
Aero Precision Steel Pivot Pin
Aero Precision 16” .308 4150 CMV QPQ finish HP/MPI Tested Barrel
JP Enhanced 308 Bolt Chromium Nitride finish
POF-USA NP3 Coated .308 Roller Cam Pin
Geissele Super Semi-Automatic (SSA) Trigger
Magpul CTR Stock
Magpul 0.70" Butt Pad
Magpul MBUS front and rear sight
SLR DPMS High 13” Solo Lite Handguard #3LITE-13-ML
SLR Sentry 7 .750 Adjustable Clamp-on Gas Block-Melonite
SLR Nitrite Midlength Gas Tube
AXTS Raptor Charging Handle
Springco Carbine Length Chrome Silicon Buffer Spring (Color Coded Orange)
DPMS LR308 Carbine Buffer
DPMS LR308 Bolt Catch
Standard AR15 7075 Carbine buffer tube
Standard AR15 Steel Magazine Catch
Extended Aluminum Magazine Release Button
Celtic Arms Stainless buffer Retainer & Spring
Celtic Arms Stainless Steel Bolt Catch Plunger & Spring
Celtic Arms Stainless Take-down/Pivot Pin Detent/Pins
Lantac Dragon Muzzle Brake
Hogue Rubber Pistol Grip (No Beavertail)
Stainless Steel Pistol Grip Screw & washer
V7 Aluminum End Plate & Castle Nut Combo Pack
V7 Aluminum Forward Assist with Steel Engagement Parts
V7 Hybrid Short Throw Safety Selector
Larue SPR / M4 Scope Mount QD LT-104 w/30mm rings
Vortex Viper HS-T MRAD 4-16x42mm scope

Few comments...

When I ordered the parts to build my first Aero M5, the take-down or pivot pins, can't remember which, was not quite the right length. They "worked" they just looked odd.  

The pivot and take-down pins Aero sent for this build appear to be a new style with a small dimple in the end and they fit perfectly.    

The new Aero M5 gen 2 lower has a tension screw that can be used to eliminate any wobble between the upper and lower.  Unfortunately, the screw is very loose in the threaded hole that it goes in, so loose
that I'm not sure if Loctite will keep it in place.  No biggy because the upper and lower I got are pretty snug anyway, but something's off here.

So how did I get the weight down?

The SLR rail for starters.  It's very lightweight and has an aluminum barrel nut.  I really love this rail.  The barrel nut does not have to be indexed to the gas tube so you just torque it to whatever you want and you're done.

The rail locks to the groove in the barrel nut extremely securely.  Be aware that QD swivels my not clear the barrel on current gen of this rail with some barrels.  SLR is fixing this in the next gen by slightly raising the QD socket so that it will clear any barrel.  That said, the SLR rail works just fine with Aero's new 16" melonite barrel.

The next thing I did to get the weight down was the barrel.  The Aero 16" barrel is not a pencil barrel by any means but it is lighter than the Rainier 16" select barrel I used on my first build.

Some additional savings come from lightweight V7 parts like Aluminum castle nut, end plate, and safety selector and some little things like aluminum extended length mag release button instead of steel magazine release button.  

Some weight savings came from things that at first glance might not be so obvious like the model Hogue grip without a beavertail.  I really love Hogue grips and beaver tails on grips have just never really done much for me.
That's good because eliminating the beavertail saves some weight.

I could have gone even lighter but I stayed away from a titanium bolt carrier because the mass of the standard steel bolt carrier will drive a round into the chamber that a lightweight carrier might not.  Titanium also has a reputation for being brittle which is why I stayed away from parts like a titanium pistol grip screw.

I went with the V7 short throw non-ambi safety selector because it's about as light as you can get.  I'm not a big fan of ambi-selectors.  The right side short lever always seems to want to dig into my right hand index finger for some reason.  

Not pictured are the Blue force lightweight HD QD swivels.  

My safety is extremely mushy. Anyone else have this issue and figure out a fix? I suspect I just need a slightly better spring for it.

Is it possible that a spring for one of the take down pins was mistakenly installed for the safety? Is the safety's dedent pin properly inserted ?

Awesome rifle! I love seeing a 308 AR thats lighter than a SCAR17 as thats one of its main selling points.

Will post a pic of my M5 here soon, just waiting on the matching AERO M5 rail

more parts coming tomorrow

18" Mega barrel, Adj Gas Block, and Accupoint.
All that will be left are the BCG and SLR Solo Rail

might be a while before I can finish it off (see total above )

That rifle is awesome!  Couple questions if you don't mind:

What bipod mount is that?

Have you cycled any rounds through the Brownell's magazine?  Any issues with it?