First Build
- Thread starter 1rstEncountr
- Start date
thegrandpoohbah
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Terrace, BC
Saskatoon Gun Works has Aero uppers in stock but no lowers. True North Arms has good deals on Faxon barrels right now and they have Toolcraft BCGs at a good price.
Milofficer
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
Depends on your budget and your intended use, really. If you're building a 'casual' or 'hobby' kind of rifle on the cheap, then you'll be fine with TNA level stuff.
When it comes to a BCG or other major AR components, you do get what you pay for. The cheapest BCGs will have batch or no QC inspections, cheapest materials, cheapest coatings and components. If you're only using it a few times a year, that's usually just fine, and it may never break or fail on you for the life of your AR. But buying at this level involves a bit of risk that your stuff might fail or break on you.
If you want something with a level of quality that you can depend on, you'll have to shell out some more money for a quality BCG made by Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense, etc. These BCGs are made closer to the mil-spec TDP and have far more QC, gauging, tighter tolerances, inspections, better materials and coatings. If I wanted a BCG to last, to work reliably especially with frequent use, then I'd buy from this category. "Buy once, cry once" applies here.
Then there are the 'exotic' level of BCGs and other components, where you're paying for a style or a certain look made by a certain company. These BCGs may work just fine but they tend to have a higher price tag because they use some proprietary technologies or designs or coatings to squeeze extra performance from your rifle. Whether these claims or true or not, or whether you consider the extra cost worthwhile is up to you and your wallet. For my money, I consider this level a bit gimmicky and not worth my money. But to each their own.
When it comes to a BCG or other major AR components, you do get what you pay for. The cheapest BCGs will have batch or no QC inspections, cheapest materials, cheapest coatings and components. If you're only using it a few times a year, that's usually just fine, and it may never break or fail on you for the life of your AR. But buying at this level involves a bit of risk that your stuff might fail or break on you.
If you want something with a level of quality that you can depend on, you'll have to shell out some more money for a quality BCG made by Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense, etc. These BCGs are made closer to the mil-spec TDP and have far more QC, gauging, tighter tolerances, inspections, better materials and coatings. If I wanted a BCG to last, to work reliably especially with frequent use, then I'd buy from this category. "Buy once, cry once" applies here.
Then there are the 'exotic' level of BCGs and other components, where you're paying for a style or a certain look made by a certain company. These BCGs may work just fine but they tend to have a higher price tag because they use some proprietary technologies or designs or coatings to squeeze extra performance from your rifle. Whether these claims or true or not, or whether you consider the extra cost worthwhile is up to you and your wallet. For my money, I consider this level a bit gimmicky and not worth my money. But to each their own.
The AR parts market is especially suspect to paying a lot for a name. Its best to look into who actually makes the parts as well as read reviews etc.
For a receiver Aero has a nice fit and finish and the price is right. The Aero m4e1 threaded uppers have a few nicer options over their basic receivers but still fit most handguards.
Faxon makes nice barrels, you'll enjoy that for sure. Did you get the gunner profile?
As for a BCG, i think Toolcraft is a really quality brand and doesnt cost too much. Readily available in Canada too.
For handguards there are a lot of options. Im not a fan of the crazy long handguards guys are putting on 20" rifles but with a 16" barrel a 14 or 15" handguard looks damn nice, lots of space on the handguard. If you want to keep weight down, Aero Atlas S-one or R-one handguards are nice for a range gun you just really have to make sure you get a low profile gasblock to fit under it. With all the m lok stuff lately id say youre best off to stick with mlok over keymod.
The mistake i made was getting an Aero lower parts kit then replacing 90% of it with nicer stuff after. I could have saved a lot of money by just going with a strike industries enhanced lower parts kit (no grip no trigger)
Also for a trigger ALG ACT trigger is better than one that comes with a lower parts kit but not hundreds of dollars. It'll do and if you ever want something expensive itll resale easy and by then youll know what youre after for something expensive but specific.
For a receiver Aero has a nice fit and finish and the price is right. The Aero m4e1 threaded uppers have a few nicer options over their basic receivers but still fit most handguards.
Faxon makes nice barrels, you'll enjoy that for sure. Did you get the gunner profile?
As for a BCG, i think Toolcraft is a really quality brand and doesnt cost too much. Readily available in Canada too.
For handguards there are a lot of options. Im not a fan of the crazy long handguards guys are putting on 20" rifles but with a 16" barrel a 14 or 15" handguard looks damn nice, lots of space on the handguard. If you want to keep weight down, Aero Atlas S-one or R-one handguards are nice for a range gun you just really have to make sure you get a low profile gasblock to fit under it. With all the m lok stuff lately id say youre best off to stick with mlok over keymod.
The mistake i made was getting an Aero lower parts kit then replacing 90% of it with nicer stuff after. I could have saved a lot of money by just going with a strike industries enhanced lower parts kit (no grip no trigger)
Also for a trigger ALG ACT trigger is better than one that comes with a lower parts kit but not hundreds of dollars. It'll do and if you ever want something expensive itll resale easy and by then youll know what youre after for something expensive but specific.
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I went with the Faxon 16" Heavy fluted barrel. I think I'll stick with the basic areo set for now if I choose to upgrade to the threaded later I'll have a spare to do another build on. As per BCG I've been tossing the lightweight bcg idea around but not sure.
As for a handgaurd I'm thinking 15" I was looking at the areo ones I'm gonna go right now and check the brand you just suggested!
As for a handgaurd I'm thinking 15" I was looking at the areo ones I'm gonna go right now and check the brand you just suggested!
thegrandpoohbah
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Terrace, BC
Check out the Maple Ridge Armoury V-1 handguards. The Aero is a solid choice as well if you are already going with their receiver set.
I'm planning to put it together yes once I have the barrel I'll post a picture up. Then it's just waiting for more stuff to be re stocked so I can purchase them.
