Aero Precision M4E1 Upper Receiver and Ambi Lower Pistol Review

Aero Precision M4E1 Upper Receiver and Ambi Lower Pistol Review

It should be no surprise that Aero Precision keeps turning up in my articles. They make some of the highest quality upper and lower receivers in the industry. MajorPandemic.com was actually one of the first editorial sources to feature Aero Precision back when they did not have a website and their primary business was still in aerospace. At that point they were just getting ready to release the COP platform which was licensed by Armalite and now today they make receivers for “many” AR brands you know.

Aero Precision has been extremely aggressive with their marketing and has taken full advantage of the surge in sales over the last eight to nine years to become a real powerhouse brand online and offline. 

From lower receivers to uppers, to their COP platform to their new design integrated M4 upper and handguard, full based AR rifle builder chassis ready to shoot minus the furniture, fun limited edition lower receivers, a strategic partnership with Ballistic Advantage barrels delivering sublimely made barrels, a couple company acquisitions, and now limited edition builder sets custom cerakoted by Blow Deadline. Aero Precision has been on fire.  This AR15 pistol build was to showcase a part of what Aero Precision can deliver to your next build.

FIT, FINISH, FEEL, FEATURES, & FUNCTIONS

MajorPandemic.com has reviewed and abused pretty much every one of Aero Precision products in custom builds at one point or another except the M4E1 upper which brings me to this build. Aero Precision M4E1 based uppers are not your typical AR15 upper in that they have a BAR handguard compatible mount forged into the receiver. This one-piece upper combines the handguard mount and upper into a single incredibly strong upper/handguard union. Instead of having a handguard bolted to a collar which is screwed onto the receiver, the handguard is just bolted directed onto the receiver itself and thereby has no contact with any portion of the barrel.

The system is significantly stronger, overall lighter, and runs cooler than a standard receiver and handguard mount. Another reason for this style of handguard is that it delivers a huge 1.8” internal diameter that will accommodate even largest suppressors and compensators. Although this handguard may seem a bit proprietary, it is actually compatible with other BAR style handguards. For example Seekins Precision and Spikes Tactical BAR handguards are compatible with the Aero Precision M4E1 upper or you could just buy one of Aero’s stunning BAR compatible handguards. Aero Precision M4E1 handguard is a great custom setup which provides monolith level strength with railed, keymod, or MLok rail options. The final large gauge handguard is extremely comfortable to handle, offer improved heat dispersion, and compatibly with any suppressor.

AWESOME BUILDS MADE EASY

Aero Precision now also offers Complete M4E1 Uppers which include a complete factory built upper including barrel and flash hider minus the charging handle and bolt carrier group.  

According to Brian Deal with Aero Precision, “Customers often have some particular charging handle and BCG in mind for a build, so we sell the base Uppers without these items, but have them available as add ons.”  In this case I slid a Phase 5 Tactical Ambi Charging Handle and Complete BCG into the upper and it was technically ready to fire. I did swap out the A2 birdcage flash hider with a Phase 5 Tactical “FatMan” Compensator which probably the coolest looking comp on the market which also delivers a superb braking effect.

Of course if you have a really cool upper, you need a really cool lower to go with it and I chose the Aero Precision Ambi Lower receiver. If you asked me quietly in off the record, I would tell you that the AP Ambi Lower is the most ergonomic and functionally well thought out ambi AR15 lower on the market. I may even add that it uniquely delivers both bolt release and bolt catch functionality with one lever and is fast and easily masterable with very little practice, but that would be… ya’ know off the record. For this custom AR15 pistol build, the AP Ambi Lower was an easy choice.

CUSTOM TOUCHES

Beyond the Phase 5 Tactical Ambi Charging Handle, Bolt Carrier Group, and FatMan compensator, a super cool Phase 5 Tactical Hex-2C buffer tube assembly was added to the lower. Though the Hex-2C buffer tube features a nice foam cover on half the tube length, I opted to do a midnight blue paracord overwrap. The same paracord was used on my own custom cut down and re-textured A2 pistol grip as well as wrapping the Hi-Lux Micro Max-b-Dot riser.  

The featured Hi-Lux Micro Max-b-Dot red dot is an amazing red dot with a 50K+ hour run time, which features a near tint-less tube which in turn provides an extreme amount of clarity and enhanced low light vision. The Micro-Max is extremely compact and comes with flip-up lens covers, kill flash filter, and spare CR2032 battery compartment in the battery cover. For a street price of around $200, the Micro-Max is one of my new favorite red dots.

A few months later I added a Law Tactical Folding
Stock Adapter to allow this awesome little AR pistol
to slip into any small backpack.

Other little touches include a KNS JJ Anti-Rotate pin, Seekins Billet Mag Release Button and Trigger Guard, and a HiperFire EDT trigger. The HiperFire EDT are a huge step up from mil-spec with less creep, and a more crisp break all for only around $80 on the street.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This build is far from done and destined for a new custom paint job and a few more upgrades so stay tuned. As the build sites, the Aero Precision 1:7 twist barrel (made by Ballistic Advantage) delivered a light and accurate AR15 build that operated flawlessly.

With the added Law Tactical Folding 
Stock Adapter it added an very much appreciated
inch of overall length to the buffer tube.

The FatMan comp is loud, however not as loud as expected and not nearly as loud as most other chambered brakes previously tested. My suspicion is that due to the size, the brake is actually partially shielding the shooter from some of the blast which was nice. All around this build was a lot of fun to shoot and turned out to be my lightest AR15 build yet which was an unexpected surprise. 

As a Brand Ambassador for Optics Planet, they provided us with the very well made and high quality Hi-Lux Micro Max Red Dot for this build. The build easily delivered a few 1” 25- yard groups with just the Hi-Lux Micro Max Red Dot with just some PMC Bronze ammo off a sandbag and hammering through the 4”-6” steels at 50-yards was simple. I love this build… now one to the next phase of paint and a few other additional upgrades.

SPECS

M4E1 Assembled Upper Receiver

Enhanced Handguard of choice (Keymod, M-Lock, Picatinny)

7.5" 5.56 Pistol Length CMV Barrel, 7.5”, 1 in 7 Twist, 1/2"x28 Threading, Chrome Moly Vanadium, QPQ corrosion resistant finish both inside and out, .750 gas block, Pistol Gas System Length:

Receiver forged from 7075 T6 aluminum

Precision machined to M4E1 specs

M4 feedramps

Matte black hard coat anodized Mil 8625 Type 3 Class 2

Laser engraved T-marks

Assembled, with port door and forward assist installed

Accepts standard AR15/M16 components

Handguard mounting platform is forged into the receiver

BAR compatible handguard system

Barrel nut and wrench are included

1pc free float handguard design

Handguard Rail is Machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum

Built in Anti-Rotation tabs on handguard

Scalloped rails

Continuous top rail

1.8" inside diameter fits most muzzle devices and 1.5" suppressors

Chamber: 5.56

MSRP $345 (Includes complete upper excluding BCG and Charging Handle)

Aero Precision Ambi Lower

PDQ Ambi-Bolt Release: Allows user to lock the bolt back as well as send the bolt forward

Material: Military grade steel

Coating: Matte black hard-coat anodized Mil 8625 Type 3 Class 2

Made in the USA

MSRP $165

Other featured Products

Phase 5 Tactical Hex2-C Buffer Tube - $79

Phase 5 Tactical Fat Man Comp - $115

Phase 5 Tactical Bolt Carrier Group - $160

Phase 5 Tactical Charging Handle - $80

Phase 5 Tactical Lower Parts Kit - $65

Paracord.com custom paracord - $10

Hi-Lux Leatherwood Micro Max b-Dot - $249

HiperFire EDT3 Trigger $99

KNS Precision JJ Anti-Rotate Pins - $40

Seekins Precision Billet Mag Release button - $10

Seekins Precision Billet Trigger Guard - $20
Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter -$260 (added a few months later) Highly recommended.

SOURCES

Check BROWNELLS for the best deals on firearms and accessories

Aero Precision - http://aeroprecisionusa.com

Hi-Lux Optics - http://www.hi-luxoptics.com
Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter - http://lawtactical.com

HiperFire - http://www.hiperfire.com

Phase 5 Tactical - http://phase5wsi.com

Paracord.com - http://paracord.com

Seekins Precision - https://www.seekinsprecision.com

Hi-Lux Micro-Max B-Dot Sight: http://bit.ly/21HU65A
Hi-Lux Micro-Max B-Dot Riser: http://bit.ly/1Y2iLzG
Hi-Lux Leatherwood at OpticsPlanet: http://bit.ly/1LVNo2I
OpticsPlanet: http://bit.ly/218smoA
Use code "MAJOR5" for 5% off your entire OpticsPlanet.com order

OKAY Industries SureFeed Genuine Military AR15/M16 Metal Magazine Review

OKAY Industries SureFeed Genuine Military AR15/M16 Metal Magazine Review

For an of my regular readers you know that I have a meandering path of interests which lead to my [cough] unique editorial content. As of the end of 2015 and the start of 2016 I seem to have a developing interest in the more traditional origins of the AR15 and by accident discovered the OKAY Industries SureFeed AR15/M16 magazines. Surely you are sick of some stupid editor pitched the virtues of yet “another new AR15 magazine”, but I was surprised to find out that the SureFeed mag was the original and first 30-round magazine every developed and are still considered so good that the remain as the preferred U.S. Government M16/AR15 magazine today. OKAY developed the first 30-round M16/AR15 magazine when the military wanted to bump up capacity from the first twenty round mags. Interested peaked? Read on.

OKAY’s military magazine manufacturing history dates much further back than the company’s 1973 development of the 30-round AR mag we know and love today. The company, previously called B Jahn, actually was one of the manufacturers of the WWI M1 Carbine magazines, which they made in the millions.

Due to the high manufacturing demands of the US military contracts over the years, the OKAY SureFeed mags have been difficult for consumers to obtain due to being tied in part to the now halted Colt Military contract. OKAY had a lot of fans of their SureFeed magazine in the military and made a decision to expand into consumer sales.

WHAT MAKES SUREFEED MAGAZINES SPECIAL

With a longstanding reputation of reliability when lives are on the line, OKAY has made reliability mandatory. All the SureFeed magazines are 100% USA made with all American made components that meet or exceed MilSpec requirements. All SureFeed magazine bodies and floorplates are made from lightweight aluminum which is then heat treated to Mil-Spec requirements for strength and durability. OKAY then hard-coat anodize and finish the mags in either Mil-Spec dry film lube grey or Tactical Black PTFE. A four-way, anti-tilt, self-lubricating, non-hygroscopic resin follower and high performance Mil-Spec stainless steel spring keep rounds properly aligned and tensioned for flawless performance. After running these mags for about a month now through all manner of AR15 rifle and pistol, I am satisfied that they deliver total reliability.

“BUT MY MAGS SUCKED IN THE MILITARY”

Of much debate within the military ranks have been the reliability of issued mags and some of those mags may have been OKAY SureFeed mags. With millions of SureFeed mags issued, re-issued over and over in military service since the mid-1970s there are plenty of their mag components which have been abused to the point of affecting reliability. It should be noted that although a process is in place to remove damaged mags from service, a large portion of damaged mags end up back in circulation. Additionally SureFeed has updated its magazine follower design several times over the years. The net of this background is to note that you should not judge the reliability of any magazine that has potentially had a twenty year old service life and been beat to hell in the process. New factory fresh SureFeed mags are still regarded as the gold standard of reliability of M16/AR15 metal mags.

METAL VS. POLYMER

We all are infatuated with the durability of reliability of polymer mags over the last couple decades, however metal mags still offer a lot in terms of durability in certain situations. Aluminum magazines still deliver the advantages of avoiding the potential for shattering or swelling in extreme temperature conditions and retain compatibility on all US Military STANAG magazine based firearms. Thus the rational the military as a whole still uses metal magazines instead of polymer magazines. Most people would be surprised that aluminum mags are at least in most cases the same weight as polymer mags and are actually lighter than many reinforced polymer magazines.  If damaged, the aluminum magazines can be bent back into a useable specification, however once polymer magazines are broken then cannot be easily field repaired to a workable specification which is certainly a consideration.

SUREFEED QUALITY

All OKAY SureFeed magazines are made under strict ISO quality manufacturing standards. Each SureFeed mag, weld, and spec is fully and individually hand and electronically inspected and then function tested before shipment. OKAY calls this non-destructive testing the”magazine scuffing process.” The testing process does scuff the mags and cosmetically mars the finish, but the process in no way impacts performance, durability or reliability. No other manufacturer fully tests every magazines this thoroughly. SureFeed has a well earned reputation for being the most reliable USGI magazine available. Top end quality does not mean unobtainium level prices. Most retailers are selling the SureFeed 30-round magazines for $12.99 which is about the same as most polymer mags.

FINAL THOUGHTS

My perspective on AR magazines are that they must be reliable and I have personally tested many polymer and metal magazines which fit that criteria. I have also tested some me to metal and polymer mags that do not. Thankfully most magazines do deliver very good reliability including polymer magazines like MFT, Magpul, Troy, and HexMag and metal magazines from Brownells, OKAY, Elander, and many others. My only challenge with a polymer magazine was a very old hard used polymer magazine failure during a freezing cold day. On the other hand I have proportionally had many more challenges with metal magazines generally due to often tighter manufacturing spec range of non-milspec receivers favoring the more forgiving design of polymer mags.

I am not going to be the editor who says metal mags are better, because I do not believe that to be true in all cases. Depending on the application and destructive test completed, there may be analytically supportable data to reach for one material over another - both have their place. The SureFeed mags are exceptional quality, arguably one of the highest quality metal magazines, and for only $12.99, why would I choose something other than the original SureFeed if I am buying a metal magazine.

SPECS

• 30-round, 20-round, & 10-round - $12.99 MSRP each
• 100% USA made with all American MilSpec level components
• Bodies and floorplates are made from heat treated lightweight aluminum
• Hard-coat anodize
• Finished in either Mil-Spec dry film lube grey or Tactical Black PTFE
• Four-way, anti-tilt, self-lubricating, non-hygroscopic resin follower
• High performance Mil-Spec stainless steel spring keep rounds properly aligned and tensioned for flawless performance

SOURCES

Check BROWNELLS for the best deals on firearms and accessories

OKAY Industries SureFeed Magazines - http://www.surefeedmagazines.com