Aero Precision customer service sucks

elwarpo

Still Learning...
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 15, 2011
842
426
North of Houston, TX
I bought a Atlas S-1 handguard. Go to install it and it does not fit over my superlative gas block (gas block groove too narrow on the atlas). Well during the install it got scratched due to it not fitting so I can not return it to the retailer. The superlative is a low profile gas block. Nowhere on the Aero Precision webpage does it say it won't fit. So I called them up and the guy tells me it will not fit and there is nothing he can do and tells me to sell it on ebay or armslist at a loss.

You would think they would support their product and try to keep a customer happy. I asked if they would take this one back and send me a regular handguard. The atlas costs more so this would be to their advantage as they could sell it as a blem for the same money the enhanced handguard costs.

Buyer Beware the atlas will not fit all gas blocks.
 
Aero Web Site tells you the ID


  • Front and rear picatinny rail
  • Eliminated center of top rail for weight reduction
  • Indexing grooves in 12:00 position for positive grip control
  • Quick disconnect sling socket at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions
  • Compatible with low profile gas blocks
  • 1.3" Inside diameter
  • 1.5" Outside diameter



SABO-DI-750-Solid-110921_1024x1024.jpg
 
Another thing to be aware of is that not all gas blocks work well with M Lok either, at least not if you want to install things right under the block. With some hand guards when you put an accessory directly under the gas block the screws will protrude enough to make contact with the gas block.
 
OP, you learned a valuable lesson the hard way unfortunately, but by posting the problem you've helped remind all of us to always confirm things will fit and function properly. Thank you for that.
 
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I waited 3-4 months for an SA gas block, it doesn’t seem to work any better thana normal one on my 10.5. Talk about disappointment.

I’d like to try their piston system still, because I’m stupid apparently
 
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You just need a bigger ball peen hammer.
My first one is beat to shit from letting someone else assemble it because I was lazy. They hit it on the front edge with a hammer. Luckily I got it half price or I’d been pissed. Just makes you less worried about dinging it shooting.
 
Another thing to be aware of is that not all gas blocks work well with M Lok either, at least not if you want to install things right under the block. With some hand guards when you put an accessory directly under the gas block the screws will protrude enough to make contact with the gas block.
You just trim the screw.
 
SLR gas blocks are low profile, but only with respect to gas blocks intentionally designed not to fit under hand guards. They are huge by comparison to an actual low-pro gas block.
 
Hahahahahaa

“I screwed up and you suck for not eating the cost of my own mistake!!!”

@akmike47 - if you follow the directions on the BCM MCMR they are pretty easy to install.
At least the few I have done.
Or I have Magic Hands like that one lady said….. 🤷‍♂️😆😆😆
I followed them they were just tight as hell. Also the wrench grooves on the nuts strip really easy. Had to file off the high spots.
 
The issue is the gas block groove. It is not radiuses but has sharp edges. Paint doesn not stick well to sharp edges (I challenge anyone on that since I have been inventing paint for 35 years). I did not force it on, but the gas block touched the edges and scratched the paint. I could have just returned it but I knew I was scratched, and that is dishonest. The problem is my gas block fits the height of the rail, it is the gas block groove is not wide enough. You can not measure that since there groove steps down in the middle of the rail.
 
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Hahahahahaa

“I screwed up and you suck for not eating the cost of my own mistake!!!”

@akmike47 - if you follow the directions on the BCM MCMR they are pretty easy to install.
At least the few I have done.
Or I have Magic Hands like that one lady said….. 🤷‍♂️😆😆😆
How did I screw up, when I ordered it, everything they said on their website showed my gas block will fit. Maybe you are just a trolling dick.
 
Aero Web Site tells you the ID


  • Front and rear picatinny rail
  • Eliminated center of top rail for weight reduction
  • Indexing grooves in 12:00 position for positive grip control
  • Quick disconnect sling socket at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions
  • Compatible with low profile gas blocks
  • 1.3" Inside diameter
  • 1.5" Outside diameter



SABO-DI-750-Solid-110921_1024x1024.jpg
My gas block met those measurements, the issue is the groove they cut for the gas block is too narrow and not angled, and that they do not list on their website.
 
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I waited 3-4 months for an SA gas block, it doesn’t seem to work any better thana normal one on my 10.5. Talk about disappointment.

I’d like to try their piston system still, because I’m stupid apparently

They work great, if you want to run minimal gas and use a can.

My 10" 300 will run nicely with the can and subs, or hammer the buffer with supers. I can take the gas down for supers so it's not trying to smash the buffer into a pancake.

I'm not running a fighting rifle, it's a fun gun. I enjoy dialing the gas back and not getting a cloud of gas with the can on.
 
They work great, if you want to run minimal gas and use a can.

My 10" 300 will run nicely with the can and subs, or hammer the buffer with supers. I can take the gas down for supers so it's not trying to smash the buffer into a pancake.

I'm not running a fighting rifle, it's a fun gun. I enjoy dialing the gas back and not getting a cloud of gas with the can on.
No matter what I did it was way over gassed. Eventually I’m replacing the crap barrel on it so I’ll try again later.

Forget who made it but at 25yd on a rest it was shooting 5” groups lol. I got it at some crazy low sale price and quickly figured out why.
 
No matter what I did it was way over gassed. Eventually I’m replacing the crap barrel on it so I’ll try again later.

Forget who made it but at 25yd on a rest it was shooting 5” groups lol. I got it at some crazy low sale price and quickly figured out why.

I'd guess they drilled a far over-sized gas port and you just couldn't vent enough.
 
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I'd guess they drilled a far over-sized gas port and you just couldn't vent enough.
Yeah that’s my thoughts. If I ever run across a cheap comb .22 conversion I don’t need I’ll build a .22 lr upper with it. That way it’ll have a good reason to shoot like shit lol

Would be fun though I guess, I have a m&p-15/22 I shoot the hell out of.
 
The R One that came on my 10.5 upper clears clears carbine length gas block. However, their S One 12.7" will not clear a carbine length gas block due to the narrow gas tube channel. It won't clear their own Aero low profile set screw gas block. It has to be a mid or rifle length gas block so it sits about 2 mlok slots behind the front of the HG.

Ironically the superlative clears the 12.7 Aero Atlas better than their own low profile gas block. I have to pull the barrel quite a bit towards the right side for it to contact.

I have yet to find any handguard manufacturer consistently creating enough clearance inside the HGs to clear all types of gas blocks.


I am going to see if I can get a thin ball endmill and grind off some material.
 
Yeah, I gave up on it. Been a few years ago I just remembered I had one.

Probably sent me a junk one, I had to call them over a few months to get them to ever ship it. It was in stock when I ordered it too.

You need to experiment with the buffer weight. When I ran the Super 42 H3 with my SA AGB, I had to run it in restrict mode 2 clicks. Talked to Superlativr and tried the Carbine buffer. Was able to vent it at 24 clicks unsuppressed and 42 clicks suppressed. They suggested I try H1 next but never got around to it. Will experiment with H2 and H1
 
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The Atlas only clears the gas block if the gas block sits in the front 2 inches of the Atlas handguard where there is room. So if you run a 12"-13" or greater length Atlas on a carbine-length gas system, there won't be enough clearance. My Aero 10.5" upper came with a 9" Atlas R-One and it clears a carbine length gas block just fine because it sits within that 2" pocket of the front of the handguard.

The Midwest Industries Gen 4 / Combat Rail will clear the SA AGB without any problems regardless of length. The Aero design is stupid in general, along with the taper nut/clamp system. My Atlas always shifts around regardless of the torque applied to those taper nuts.
 
That is a very unique case but yeah that SLR is inside that extra clearance pocket.

The 1.3" ID measurement by itself is 110% meaningless. A lot of handguard manufacturers cite 1.3" but the clearance needed at the gas block is specific to the top and bottom of the gas block as well as the corners where the gas tube meets the gas block.

My 10.5" w/ carbine-length gas block clears the Atlas 9" because the gas block sits in the pocket. My 16" carbine-length gas block does NOT clear the Atlas 12"-13" where the pocket is at the very end (more like rifle/mid-length gas). Nothing clears it with that 16" carbine-length gas system, not even Aero's own low-pro gas block.
 
That is a very unique case but yeah that SLR is inside that extra clearance pocket.

The 1.3" ID measurement by itself is 110% meaningless. A lot of handguard manufacturers cite 1.3" but the clearance needed at the gas block is specific to the top and bottom of the gas block as well as the corners where the gas tube meets the gas block.

My 10.5" w/ carbine-length gas block clears the Atlas 9" because the gas block sits in the pocket. My 16" carbine-length gas block does NOT clear the Atlas 12"-13" where the pocket is at the very end (more like rifle/mid-length gas). Nothing clears it with that 16" carbine-length gas system, not even Aero's own low-pro gas block.

I do realize you can't base it off the 1.3" - its all about channel at the top. What i wanted to communicate is that i believe the internal diam or profile is the same between the two models.

I don't mean to argue it - I'm just trying to be helpful for the OP to understand his options... but my gas block is not in front in the clearance pocket where you're describing it. I took a few photos, and tried backlighting it to illustrate. Again this is an SLR gas block, not an SA.

I'm glad you commented, because looking at it tonight again....it fits alot closer than I would like. I was definitely wrong thinking "decent room to spare". I'll likely try to clearance it a little. In hindsight, i would have chosen a different rail. Cheers.
 

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Y'all do realize that diameter means dick all....right ?
Aero Web Site tells you the ID


  • Front and rear picatinny rail
  • Eliminated center of top rail for weight reduction
  • Indexing grooves in 12:00 position for positive grip control
  • Quick disconnect sling socket at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions
  • Compatible with low profile gas blocks
  • 1.3" Inside diameter
  • 1.5" Outside diameter



SABO-DI-750-Solid-110921_1024x1024.jpg
Note how nicely the dead center is marked out...
That is what you measure from because the centerline of the device is not a true centerline.
The top and bottom are offset from it as is the adjustment lever....thingie ?

Measure from dead center,
Always.