I traded a shotgun to nephew for this Aero X15 rifle (that's what it says on the lower). I was wondering about the quality of these rifles and the price range. The rifle was actually built by a local who registered the serial number as a complete rifle. I've shot it and it seems to be a good shooting AR. It has a quad rail and a handguard with a decent heat shield. I believe it may be free floated but I'm not sure about that. I don't know the twist rate or what internals were used even. I know this is a tough question and there isn't a lot to go on. I was told the guy builds quality rifles but I don't know the details which bugs the heck out of my OCD. Any help at all would be appreciated.

Here's a couple of photos. I have more if needed. I added the forward grip and the red dot sight.

Aero is a high quality manufacturer who also functions as an OEM manufacture for many AR15 parts like lowers. I know that Spikes used or still uses Aero for lowers. They are high quality parts.

I have used Aero lowers and find them to be better it terms of fit and finish over PSA & Anderson. They are well machined and have had no trouble fitting parts.

They do not have the same name recognition as some other parts
manufactuers because IIRC they have not been selling direct to the public under their own name for that long. They used to only be an OEM. They make the rails, bolts, handguards, mounts, buffer tubes, lowers and uppers in house.

Their barrels are made by Balistic Advantage which is a partner company. They are well made and have decent rep. Most of the Aero barrels I have seen are 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel with a Govt, mid-length profile, then treated with a QPQ finish.

I am a huge fan of their OEM rifles which do not come with hand guard and can be had for around $550-$600 these days and have a lot of desireable features like mid-length gas, 1/7 twist, pressure tested HPI & HPT 158 steel BCG etc.

5.56mm NATO OEM Mid-Length 16" Rifle : AERO PRECISION OEM MID-LENGTH 16" RIFLE | Brownells

Issue with a gun built by a local builder is you don't know how much of the gun is Aero vs someone else. I also like their BUIS. I would bet you got a decent rifle if you trust the builder.

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Use should dictate gear!

I would also add that it looks like he used Magpul furniture, grip stock and BUIS. If it is an Aero rail it should have the logo on it visible under the covers.

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Use should dictate gear!

Actually I'm thinking I remember the nephew saying he put the front grip on which would have included the quad rail and the heat shield I would assume. We talked about how well it matched as far as the color goes. Is there any way to know for sure what barrel, trigger, etc.. I've asked the nephew who doesn't seem to know much about it really. He seemed to really trust the builder and I know he has been into AR's for quite a while. He has quite a collection and he told me this Aero was one of his favorites. I traded him a Kel-Tec KSG for it because my neck injury just doesn't get along with short, 12 ga. shotguns now. I got a good deal on the Kel-Tec and I believe he knew what he had in this rifle and it was comparable. He also gave me a very nice bag that holds 2 AR's plus range stuff and plenty of mags. He even threw in some tracer rounds. He has been doing this a while. I've been shooting since I was 4 but I just got into AR's a few years ago. This guy has been into them for at least a decade. He's actually married to my niece and I don't really know him real well but I know him well enough to trust he didn't rip me off. Plus they have so much money they don't need to rip off relatives.

Some barrels are marked with a manufacturers name but unless you can find one there is no way to know. I would get the name of the builder and see if he has a build sheet.

Triggers are also sometimes marked but short removing it and looking for logos and or proof marks there is no way to know.
If is shoots I would just leave it alone.

One thing I would look for or at least ask the guy you traded with is what is the twist rate of the barrel so you can stay ways from ammo that might be too heavy or too light for the twist.

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Use should dictate gear!

I tried several times to get info like that from the guy I traded with but he didn't seem to know I guess. Some people look for different stuff in a rifle. From what I understand the builder builds quite a few AR's so getting the exact info may be hard. Maybe he keeps records based on the serial number. I don't really feel like pushing it too much because it does shoot well and I don't want the guy I traded with to think I'm not happy.

Yeah I definitely understand that. You can determine the twist rate with a cleaning rod, jag and patch.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/techn...el-twist-rate/

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Use should dictate gear!

The barrel should be marked for the twist. Look towards the end near the flash suppressor.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

Aero Precision is good stuff. Fit it up like you want and go shoot the heck out of it. Good gear...enjoy

You're right. It's a 1:8. I don't know how I missed that when I looked at the barrel. I guess I didn't read past the 5.6 mm NATO part.

The handgaurd in the pic appears to be supported by the delta ring and handguard cap.

A free float design replaces the standard barrel nut and delta ring with a barrel nut designed to support the handguard with no support from a handguard cap.