Aero lowers, worth the premium?

[WestKentucky]

I’m building a celebratory gun for moving up in the employment realm. I’m going to keep a current upper (6.8 heavy doublestar) but I want to upgrade the rough 80% lower (my first). Is the Aero worth the premium that you pay over the other brands?

 

[Skylerbone]

Yes and no. The Aero M4E1 is a bit nicer looking than a run of the mill forged but in the end that’s still what it is. I’d prefer a Seekins for looks but won’t likely shell out $250 for a stripped lower.


Here’s a game: find the two Aero uppers and single Aero lower at a distance. Can you tell the difference?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Gotta agree, in part. You won't go wrong with an Aero Precision lower. I have a few now. I think you can go just as right with some other brands that cost less, but I have managed to get a couple other brands over the years that weren't too great at all.

 

[Varminterror]

I have typically built my own AR’s on lowers I like, ignoring the $25 lowers on the market and paying a bit more. I used to buy Bushmaster lowers by the dozen when they were still on the market, more lately I have bought Ruger AR-556 stripper lowers, with a handful of Spikes and Aero mixed in. If you’re trying to play the “look how cheap I built this AR” game on the Internet, then save every penny anywhere you can. If you’re building a rifle you plan to enjoy, then spending an extra $25-40 on the lower shouldn’t cause any concern.

 

[12Bravo20]

While the Anderson lower is one of the cheapest and will work just fine, the Aero will have a better fit/finish. I have used both, along with a few from Palmetto State Armory and DPMS. They all work as they should. If you truly want a good fit between the upper and lower, best to buy a match set from your manufacturer of choice.

 

[<*(((><]

Recently, I've been high on Aero Gen2's upper and lower matched sets, they are superb. They have a few assembly improvement items (threaded pins, etc) that then make them non-standard with mil-spec, if one cares. I don't as the few proprietary parts can be had for cheap.

 

[WestKentucky]

Lowers top to bottom, Anderson, Rock River, Aero.
Uppers.... tougher because they are unmarked. I’m guessing cerroforge marked uppers as the top 2 but won’t even guess manufacturer and aero for the bottom.

Yes and no. The Aero M4E1 is a bit nicer looking that a run of the mill forged but in the end that’s still what it is. I’d prefer a Seekins for looks but won’t likely shell out $250 for a stripped lower.


Here’s a game: find the two Aero uppers and single Aero lower at a distance. Can you tell the difference?
View attachment 887623

 

[Skylerbone]

Aero, RRA, Aero on the uppers. I’m going to finish the last Anderson lower I have this week for my daughter’s build and probably buy a few more to keep the kids’ rifles consistent (no arguments over who got a “Punisher” or Zombie Killer”) then look for a nice set for the wife. For me I’m thinking going forward it’s S.O.L.G.W. for utility and maybe some day one spiffy/unique set.

I do like the nicer finish on some receivers but if you’re stepping up to replace ho-hum, I say go all out.

 

[MySuomi]

Before Christmas I bought an Aero A1E4 from my LGS. I think it was $95. Would have bought the Anderson if my LGS had had one since that is what i have usually done. This was my first Aero. Used it in a 7.62x39 build. Had no issues with fitting in parts and it shoots really nice. I would buy it again. My disclaimer is that I have only tried Anderson, PSA and now Aero lowers. So the depth of my experience is a little shallow. It has a screw where you can clean up any slop (wiggle) between the upper and lower. Thought that was a nice feature.

 

[BrocLuno]

Not discussion so far, but I REALLY like Rainier Arms lowers. If you're put off by their graphics, I understand. But the fit, and especially the finish, is second to none.

Instead of dull flat black (which might be desirable ...) they are a silky smooth matte finish. Feel really good in hand. All parts fit as they should. Uppers close snugly. I just can't fault them in any way

 

[rdnktrkr]

I like the Aero over Anderson and PSA but they all work, the Aero looks smoother machined, the magwell is nicer and flared better, it comes threaded for a set screw to lower trigger reset, threaded for a screw to tighten your upper/lower. When I was purchasing lowers the ATI hybrid lowers were $25, the Andersons were $30, and the Aero was $40 and I felt the Aero was worth the extra. They have a closed trigger guard and an open one, I like the closed one.

 

[WestKentucky]

The main reason I’m looking at an Aero is that a coworker stumbled into a deal where he bought a few and got them cheap enough that he just bought a few extras. Now he is playing more with AR10 rifles and wants to sell a couple for what he has in them so that he can turn the money around and put it into an ar10 barrel... something I haven’t heard of before. Sounds like I’m probably going to bite. I like the details that the Aero has.

 

[silicosys4]

I have a rifle built with a $250 billet lower, and a few with $40 Anderson lowers. The billet lower is paired with a VLTOR MUR upper, and is built with premium parts. The billet lower and MUR upper is supposedly a better matched set machined to tighter tolerances giving a better fit. The billet lower rifle is $1800+ worth of parts, the Anderson rifles are $600 tops worth of parts. They both are equally reliable and accurate IME. The difference in upper to lower fit is negligible. The only thing the $1800 rifle does better is offer better bragging rights.
My buddy has over $3k into an AR15 that is nothing but a problem child. It is pretty though.
Just my experiences.

 

[jmorris]

I like nice stuff but just like Contenders, the accuracy is in the upper. If it runs and has a good trigger, the lower doesn’t matter much.

Even if it’s a real turd a soft tipped setscrew and a drilled and tapped hole will make the fit seem like a much more expensive one or even less work an accuwedge.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

. They both are equally reliable and accurate IME..

I have never heard of an AR15 lower being described in terms of accuracy. I am not even sure how it would apply.

 

[silicosys4]

I have never heard of an AR15 lower being described in terms of accuracy. I am not even sure how it would apply.

When I was shopping for lowers and uppers, I kept running into advertising stating a lower such as a billet lower that is machined to tighter tolerances would fit closer to an upper machined to the same tight tolerances. I have seen advertisements stating that billet lowers, particularly factory matched billet lower/upper combos, are potentially more accurate than standard because they fit together better with less slop, therefore are more consistent from shot to shot. Same principle as using an accu wedge.
My experience cannot confirm that theory. Then again, I am comparing different barrels, one CHF and chrome lined, and one button rifled and chrome lined, chosen foremost for durability rather than consistency and accuracy, so it is not a completely realistic comparison.
I suppose I could try an accuracy test by swapping the same upper onto the two different lowers. Might try that if I think about it next range session.

Neither is an Aero though.

 

[Demi-human]

Can you tell the difference?

Yes. The Aeros are prettier!

Smooth, tight and a dark Dove grey to their anodizing. Their match sets match better. Their lines are sleeker. Their finish is, just, more finished-er.

And yes, they are more accurate.

For certain, my other rifles are more accurate when an Aero is with them in the truck, too!(I have more than one...)

I have lost twenty pounds since I assembled my Blackout.
My hair has stopped falling out and I feel happier.
I have more energy and twice women have walked up to me to talk!
My reflexes are faster, saving the waitress her tip and that customer from wearing Rogen-Joshe as a shirt.
My stocks are up, though I think Trump helped me with that, a little.
My children listen to me better and Lil Bear is doing better in school.

My truck even stopped burning oil since I built the Valkyrie!

So, Yes! They are worth it!

 

[Double Naught Spy]

When I was shopping for lowers and uppers, I kept running into advertising stating a lower such as a billet lower that is machined to tighter tolerances would fit closer to an upper machined to the same tight tolerances. I have seen advertisements stating that billet lowers, particularly factory matched billet lower/upper combos, are potentially more accurate than standard because they fit together better with less slop, therefore are more consistent from shot to shot. Same principle as using an accu wedge.

Ah, I think you may be the victim of marketing. I have never seen where anybody has demonstrated that upper/lower slop has any sort of impact on accuracy or that the installation of a little piece of foam rubber will improve the deficiency.
https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Can_an_Accu_wedge_increase_accuracy_/118-622600/
https://762ar.com/ar-308-frequently-asked-questions/accu-wedge-effect-on-accuracy/
https://m14forum.com/m16-ar15/68057-accu-wedges-worth.html