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10/31/2015 7:36:00 PM EDT
Hey all. I'm working on my Aero Precision M5 lower and running into an aesthetic issue and a real issue.

I'm using an Aero Precision LPK and this is my first 308 build.

First, aesthetically, the mag release button doesn't look right. the screw on the magazine catch barely catches the button and just leaves a large hole in the button and it's not flush like I've seen in my AR-15 builds. I've read about another mag button that would look better. Any suggestions or am I out of luck?

Second, the front pivot spring/detent is too long. The spring reaches the front opening on it's own and when you put the detent on top and try to depress, it won't depress far enough to pt the pivot pin in. I have used the same detent/spring on the rear takedown pin and it works fine. Is the part wrong? Is the hole in the receiver not drilled out enough? Or am I doing something wrong?

Lastly, AP says the rear takedown can take a 4-40 screw but I haven't seen where I can buy that. Any ideas?

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10/31/2015 7:54:03 PM EDT
[#1]
You can get an extended magazine button off of ebay or amazon that will give you more threading and protrude higher. I had to buy them for both  PSA and a Aero Precision builds I did for my brother.  Check your springs to make sure you have not mixed up the safety spring with the detent spring.  The safety spring is slightly thicker and longer (I made that mistake once).  You can find 4-40 screws at your local ace or other hardware store. You can also find a 1/4" clevis pin which makes installation of the front pin a snap.



10/31/2015 8:06:52 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:
You can get an extended magazine button off of ebay or amazon that will give you more threading and protrude higher. I had to buy them for both  PSA and a Aero Precision builds I did for my brother.  Check your springs to make sure you have not mixed up the safety spring with the detent spring.  The safety spring is slightly thicker and longer (I made that mistake once).  You can find 4-40 screws at your local ace or other hardware store. You can also find a 1/4" clevis pin which makes installation of the front pin a snap.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a292/18_Zulu/Extended%20mag%20001.jpg

View Quote


Thanks for info on extended mag button. I'll have to pick one up like you've got on the right of your  pic.

Not using the safety spring. double checked that. The safety spring I have is shorter than my pivot/takedown springs. Measured my pivot spring at right at 1" long.
10/31/2015 8:18:18 PM EDT
[#3]
The other thing to do is run a needle or pin down into the hole to make sure it is cleaned out. Stick a pin in and make sure you can see it through the vent hole. I have had some front detent holes fill up with crud during the anodizing process. Otherwise you can shorten the spring a little, but it should take some serious effort to push the spring and detent down into the hole.  Hence the sad tales of springs and detents being launched into the depths of the assembly room. Some recommend using a plastic bag over the end of the lower to avoid loss of the parts during installation.
10/31/2015 9:55:02 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
The other thing to do is run a needle or pin down into the hole to make sure it is cleaned out. Stick a pin in and make sure you can see it through the vent hole. I have had some front detent holes fill up with crud during the anodizing process. Otherwise you can shorten the spring a little, but it should take some serious effort to push the spring and detent down into the hole.  Hence the sad tales of springs and detents being launched into the depths of the assembly room. Some recommend using a plastic bag over the end of the lower to avoid loss of the parts during installation.
View Quote


Took your suggestion and cleaned out the hole with a pin. Got a little crud out but not an appreciable amount to make a very large difference. Might give me an extra 1/16" though.

I tried shortening the spring by about 1/4" and still not quite there with the detent. My only concern was shortening the spring too much and taking away too much of the "springiness." Should that be a concern at all. I'll probably have to take off another 1/8" on the spring to get it to fit.
10/31/2015 11:08:25 PM EDT
[#5]
The end of the spring should be flush with the top of the hole in the lower with just the detent pin showing in the circle. That should provide enough pressure to hold the front pin in place.  I have to fiddle with the front springs to get them to hold properly.  It's not an exact science, and I have had holes that were drilled too deep as well as too shallow, on a variety of lowers I have worked on. The idea as always, is to modify the part that is the cheapest to replace.
10/31/2015 11:25:03 PM EDT
[#6]
My Aero Precision Button was exactly like you described. To remedy the cosmetic problem.  I first threaded a 10-32 x 1/8 set screw into the button,starting from the rear. Until it was flush. Then threaded the mag catch on like normal. Looks better & functions fine.

11/1/2015 12:00:23 AM EDT
[#7]
Don't worry about trimming again. The 'springiness' will not be affected.
11/1/2015 10:15:37 AM EDT
[#8]
My Aero was the same except for the spring. I din't have to trim any. The extended mag button is a good idea, I have to get one. If you pick one up, please post a pic when you have it installed.

Overall the Aero upper and lower seem pretty nice. The fit and finish are really good. I want to get my project(s) done but bouncing around out west for work has slowed progress somewhat. Keep us posted on your progress.
11/1/2015 1:54:38 PM EDT
[#9]
This is what it looks like with the extended mag button in place.  Like I said earlier, my brother had me build two 308's for him and his son. I used PSA PA10 and a Aero Precision 308 as the basis for the builds (His request).  The PSA was a blem PA-10 complete lower and upper that I basically put together. The Aero build was a stripped Aero lower and upper and built from scratch.  That's where I learned about dedicated pins and bolt catches, as well as a extended magazine button. So far they have put over a 1000 rounds out of the rifles. The only problem was with a tight chamber on the Aero Precsion build (I used a CBC industries barrel), that smoothed out at about 100 rounds. The only other issue was cracking in the back of the buffers on both rifles when they ran an extended amount of 180 grain bullets through the rifles.



11/1/2015 10:26:11 PM EDT
[#10]
Had the same problems with the detent spring with my build. Need to really get in there and dig it out. I thought I had it all out and the spring g still wasn't completely seated. Went at it with a paper clip and got more out. It really gets compacted in there!
11/2/2015 12:21:29 PM EDT
[#11]
Get the armalite mag release for the ar10 from their website fits perfect
11/2/2015 3:38:59 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Quoted:
Get the armalite mag release for the ar10 from their website fits perfect
View Quote


This is what should be shipped from Aero. Instead, they make a longer button. That's an improper fix in my eyes.

If people would just bite the bullet and buy Armalite AR10A lower parts kits, there would be none of this nonsense. Aero would then see no one buying their lpk and realize why.

But, if everyone keeps buying crappy parts, these mfgs won't change their operations.
11/2/2015 9:41:22 PM EDT
[#13]
Thanks for input all. After some searching I ended up ordered an ODIN Works Mag Release Button. Hopefully that works and I like the function. If not I'll buy an Armalite one.

Looks like I should have just pieced together my lower parts rather than buy a LPK  in hindsight. I do it with AR-15 builds and it's cheaper and you don't waste money on basic triggers, grips etc.
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