AI AT versions question MK3 vs. 2.0?

The AT has the quick change barrel system and uses AW mags. Those are the main differences I'm aware of.

I automatically read it as AE MKIII vs AT.

Your identifiers don't line up with the AI-AT rifle. The AT rifle is not a thumb hole stock although there have been conversion kits to make it a thumbhole.

Do you have pictures or descriptions of what you're looking at?

Show us links to the rifles you’re asking about. I’m sure the one is the one I linked you to the other day which may have sold by now

They have an AX MKIII which is similar to the AXSR

Assuming you’re referring to the AE MK3? Which as noted has no quick change barrel, uses AICS mags. They also have a round action

The AT is basically an AW with quick change barrel. The AW mags are top notch mags. The 10 is the same size as the 5 round AICS and can be loaded in the rifle.

It would be an easy choice for me between the AT or an older AE MK3 if that’s what you’re asking

clubmanager said:

Yes, one is that which you referred in the other thread. Here’s the other….it doesn’t say quick change barrel, thought it did but apparently I assumed.

Accuracy International AE MK3 Dark Earth Thumbhole Folder - AR15.COM

Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear.

www.ar15.com

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That’s not an AT. Is a cheaper AE model that predates the AT. It’s a round action, AICS mag and non quick change barrel model.

Buy the AT especially for the prices of both

Also don’t worry about round count when it comes to the rifle itself. Only the barrel

If you buy a rifle with say a 1200 round 6.5 barrel then just assume you’re factoring a new barrel in it already. So another $600-$800 from the px here. Because factory AI barrels are for sale here all the time. Or custom order one for $900-$1100

The 308 barrels last forever. I’m running mine with well over 5000 rounds on it. I bought it with around 3000 rounds

The biggest difference you should factor in is the non quickloc feature of the AE. This would require an action wrench to swap barrels. Yes there’s videos of it being swapped with a hammer and wrench but just note it’s not quick change like the AT. Which takes 3 minutes and an Allen wrench to swap

The AT is the better buy for $4000-$4700

I also don’t believe the AE is bonded (action to chassis) like the tried/true AW/AT series

If I were you I’d keep researching. There’s some good threads here where we compare the AI models. Search those and it will help decide what you want.

My preference is the AW/AT line. I like the old school AI’s. Thumbholes of course.

I have owned AT, ATX and AXMC. AXMC is the predate version of the AXSR and the long action version of the AXSA.

You’re shopping used for AT or AX as they are not made available to civilians as far as I know currently. Down to the ATXC (short action) and AXSR (long action)

I personally didn’t care for the height of my AXMC. So I sold it. It was just not as naturally comfortable as my AT to shoot. If I wanted a long action I would buy another AXMC in a heartbeat though

The AXMC like the AW and AT is bonded.

I didn’t care for the ATX. The bolt lift was stupid heavy. The ATX is a 4 screw action like the AT/AW (same action) but is 35 lbs torque and unbonded vs 55 lbs torque and bonded on the AW/AT

The AE series rifles can be found here for much cheaper than $4000. I’ve seen them for $2000-$3000. Not having the AW mags and quickloc barrel feature is enough for me to spend another $1000-$1500 on an AT. The AT also keeps climbing in value. I picked my first one up a few years ago here for $3000. You aren’t touching one for under $4000 it seems currently

The AT are both in folding and non folding versions. Hands down get the folder. The thumbhole is an added option. They can be almost impossible to find sometimes but maybe you can order from sporting services if needed. Both of mine had thumbholes when I bought them here.

That NV bridge is another probably $300+ add on when considering the prices.

Between the two you listed it be the AT hands down. If the AE was around $2500-$3000 it be a harder choice but after having several AT’s I think I’d still spend the $$ on the AT.

Bottom is my $3000 AT. 20” 308 LW barrel. She’s a hammer. This is a setup for crop damage and spends most of the year covering farm fields for damage control


Top is a 260 Rem. Custom barrel from Manzella. Soon to have a bolt mod and custom 300 WSM barrel from Fritz. This is more set up for switching barrels between target and long range hunting. Or at least that’s the plan. This gun was purchased for more than the first AT and had no barrel. I considered it a deal when comparing it to current prices

It doesn’t take long for accessories to add up when looking at these used. Mine are both folders and vs a factory AT have

Arca rail (RRS on bottom and Sawtooth on top)
Spigots
Thumbholes

I bought a NV rail and side rails for the top one which aren’t shown in this pic. But let’s say that ones approaching $800 just in accessories

If you’re shopping used the AT or AX market is where I’d be looking currently depending on what you want and want to spend. Probably $4000 vs $5500 in current market pricing

I started with the AE MKIII and then ended up going the AT route years later. I will say that I like the trigger on the AE substantially better so I never ended up selling it. Other than that, it’s the only thing it has going for it as far as I can tell. A $4k price tag for the AE seems a bit ridiculous to me.

Here's one that might work for you:

Give Mile High Shooting Accessories a call. They might remove it from the auction and sell it to you.

ShtrRdy said:

Here's one that might work for you:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1079447637

Give Mile High Shooting Accessories a call. They might remove it from the auction and sell it to you.

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That’s the route I took about 5-6 years ago and they even told me about a better demo rifle with less rounds for the same money

clubmanager said:

Maybe I’ve got it wrong? I’ll seek some more info from owners.

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Mk3 is generally used with AI AE series, mk1, mk2 and mk3. 2.0 is the term used on the individual chassis. 2.0 being the folder, 1.5 is the fixed, and 1.0 was the older fixed with plainer stocksides(skins).

hafejd30 said:

Show us links to the rifles you’re asking about. I’m sure the one is the one I linked you to the other day which may have sold by now

They have an AX MKIII which is similar to the AXSR

Assuming you’re referring to the AE MK3? Which as noted has no quick change barrel, uses AICS mags. They also have a round action

The AT is basically an AW with quick change barrel. The AW mags are top notch mags. The 10 is the same size as the 5 round AICS and can be loaded in the rifle.

It would be an easy choice for me between the AT or an older AE MK3 if that’s what you’re asking

Click to expand...

Yeah, AE, for its smoother bolt and better trigger, lol. I started with a mk3, then picked up an at, then got a deal on a pre14 ax. The at had the worst bolt lift and feel of the 3, bolt was just pretty meh. The ae was like butter and the trigger was light years better than the at(why they came out with the comp trigger for at's). I dumped the at, the qc barrel is neat, but alot of the guys that clamor for it won't use the feature until it's time to replace barrel. I can swap barrels on an ae in 15 min, so it's not a big deal. Got tired of the ax and it's weight for a short action .478" size case and unloaded it. Then I stumbled into a mk2 fixed for 1600, sold the 308 barrel for 450 and stuck on a 6creed barrel I had laying around. Someone on here upgraded their at butt to an ax and I bought their folder at butt for 225. Grafted it to ae mk2 and I've got a 1425 ae mk2 folder(not counting the 6creed barrel I had).

Edit for pic i forgot....