I joined this forum a little while back to get information on AR’s brands before I made my purchase. Based on my research here I settled on a Daniel Defense V5 and couldn’t be happier, I thought. Less than a year goes by with my V5 and the bug bites me again and I end up with a Daniel Defense MK18. NOW I’m wanting to build an AR of my own. I didn’t want to purchase one of pricier lowers (Mega, Seekins, Noveske, etc.) for my first build so I researched here again and settled on a forged Aero Precision lower. I figured it was a solid lower that didn’t break the bank so I purchased one. This is where I think I’ve dropped the ball.
I found a killer deal for the lower and assumed that when I read the details for it it would be a for a blem lower, but the ad didn’t say anything about that so I ordered it. This was about a week ago. It showed up at my LGS yesterday. The woman working the counter that did my transfer was quite attractive, I guess that’s my excuse for not noticing the problem at the store. I didn’t notice that the lowers roll markings were inconsistent until I had looked at the lower again when I had gotten home. The main roll mark is deep and very nice but the markings for City/State above the trigger seem to thin out, and the mark at the top of the safety (Bullet with a square around it) is very thin as well. The markings for the safety on the other side are deep and consistent.
I emailed the seller earlier tonight and will call them tomorrow to see if there is any way I can do an exchange. I’m figuring I’m basically screwed, but hopefully they can help me out. Here’s some pics. Am I being too critical?!
You were trying to save money, and you bought a blem. Not a thing in the world wrong with that. But, in my opinion your forfeit the right to bitch about cosmetics…and if I was the manufacture, that is exactly what I would tell you…I would take it back on trade toward a non-blem to make the customer happy however. Good luck.
Well yeah, I guess I was trying to save money. I didn’t want to buy one of the more expensive lowers for my first build only to make small mistakes like marring the finish since it was my first time building. I couldn’t agree with you more about someone forfeiting the right to complain about a blem lower when they knew that was what they were buying. When I purchased this Aero Precision it wasn’t advertised as a lower that is blemished. The seller made no mention of imperfections so I figured it would show up as a non blemished lower. I made the mistake of not inspecting thoroughly when signing for it, and I imagine the seller didn’t notice it when he packaged the lower. I’m just hoping that there is a chance for an exchange. I’ve never had to deal with an exchange when it comes to firearms. I’ve never held an Aero Precision lower till I picked this one up and I just wanted to find out if this indeed was a blem. Looks like the seasoned AR guys are confirming my beliefs.
I hope it works out for you, for the record, I handled an Aero lower in the shop a couple weeks ago. It was as well done or better than my personal DD, LMT and Colt. Small sample but there it is.
Thanks C. I agree, the roll mark looks really good and I dig that it’s pretty simple. The “A” and “P” combined is pretty slick looking and the anodizing/parkerized (I don’t know which one it is) finish is nice. Hopefully I can exchange it, if not, time to move forward and start shopping more parts for the build.
I have 2 aero blem lowers and both of them are junk. I can put a loaded mag in both stripped lowers and they dont fall free. I would get rid of them and cut your loses.
The roll marks won’t affect how well the lower works. Depending on how much you paid, it would probably be cheaper for all concerned if you keep it. Chance are the LGS is going to charge you another $25 in fees whether you exchange the lower or get another one
The one that I have seems to be fine as far as dropping mags freely.
I didn’t think about the transfer fee to send it back. Luckily my LGS charges $20 per transfer so long as you have a CC permit. If not it’s $25. Still, I wouldn’t want to pay any additional fees.
I realize it’s just a cosmetic thing and most likely it’ll make a fine rifle, so long as I do my part and do a good job putting it together. I’m not typing this or any of my posts in this thread in rage, but I figured if the lower was a blem and it was advertised as not being the case the seller might do something about it. We all seem to agree that the lower is indeed a blemished lower.
He replied to my email earlier this morning at 7am which was a suprise, I figured I wouldn’t hear from them till they opened. That was nice. He asked for some pictures of the problem. He stated that he no longer stocked blem Aero lowers, I guess he meant the black ones since his site advertises FDE forged Aero Lowers. I’ll let you know what he says when he replies to my photos.
Take into consideration that if you send it back chances are your build will be put on hold for a couple weeks. Personally I think your being to critical. Its a basic forged lower but if it makes you sleep better at night then send it in.
Reading is critical. He didn’t buy a blem lower, he bought what was advertised as a new lower with no mention of it being blemished.
OP, I’d be a little ticked off at a company misrepresenting their goods too so I get it. But in this case with what the blems actually are and the hassle of returning the one you have for a new one Id probably just call out the seller and chalk it up as a lesson learned. They probably thought they were good enough to pass them off as new and reached with this particular lower. F’em and enjoy the build.
I’d build it and use it. If it’s in spec and runs well, the roll marks aren’t really that important. What is important is the fun you had building it and shooting your rifle.
If it doesn’t work out for you, consider it a lesson learned - move on and don’t make the same mistake twice.
What Scatman said regarding the reading of the original post. No biggie though man, if I was that guy I’d want to bitch at me too.
Thanks for breaking it down for our brother lahunter57. I’ve read portions of posts and drawn wrong conclusions as well, all’s good. Hopefully they didn’t try to pass them off and it was a mistake from Aero. That type of business sucks and I wouldn’t want any of you fellas to have to deal with that type of BS. I’m still waiting for an email from the seller, but if I don’t hear anything from him c’est la vie and build on!! I will be PM’ing you guys when I get to installing gas blocks and such.
I agree completely, and won’t let this happen again. Thanks for positive reply 556.
I don’t understand Lahunter. The quote of mine you used states that when I saw the price I initially thought “This has got to be for a Blem set” but when the description said nothing of the sort and read like all other factory descriptions of this lower when advertised as non blems, I bought the lower with no question that it was a blem since it didn’t say at all that it was a blem.
Yeah, that was in the back of my mind when I initially posted, but I wasn’t certain that it was indeed a blem. After reading the rave reviews for the lower I was curious to find out if slight imperfections were typical of the Aero forged lowers. Seems they aren’t. That’s really what I wanted to find out.
