AI AE/AW question...

[abogue77]

Been reading a lot and researching the forums about the AI AE and AW. Not trying to start a "this gun vs that gun" debate as thats already been covered.

My question is, for those of you that actually own one. Do you like it? Do you regret spending that much money on it? Is there anything about it you don't like, or like exceptionally well? Do you find the stock comfortable to shoot in most shooting poistions. Would you change something about it if you could (or have)? Is the AW really worth the extra money over the AE MK3? It's my understanding that there are several barrel makers for the US versions, which do like better?

Been trying to get a chance to shoot one but have been out of luck. I believe in "buy once, cry once" so I want to get this right the first time.

Just trying to get a general feel about this before I drop that kind of cash. All opinions will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Graham]

If I could only have one rifle, it would be an AW. If I couldn't afford to buy an AW, or just wanted the best value in a precision rifle, I would get an AE.

 

[beenjammin]

Well now is certainly the time to buy the the special mile high is running on these rifles. Can't beat a free spuhr and atlas bipod. Why can't these deals ever come around when I'm buying ?

 

[Mendy300wm]

Where do you live man I'm sure there is someone on here that would let you shoot their AI.... And yes worth every penny

 

[abogue77]

I live in East Texas, Tyler area.

 

[cramey74]

I have an AIAE MKIII and love it. I don't have any regrets, only that I should have bought one sooner. Accurate as hell, solid as it gets, and I believe it to be a value when compared to everything else custom or factory. I sold all of my customs and now only have the AI. I will likely end up with an AX also at some point.

 

[Jrb572]

I love my AW. But I have been told now the mkIII is out only real difference is the ease of changing barrels out. Wish I had bought it sooner. Thanks again Benjammin. As far as barrels go. I think AI puts out one hell of a barrel no matter what. Mine has a 1/12 twist whatever they are when they came from England it shoots great. I like the stock a lot more than I thought. It fits me better than my Remington in an a5 I use to shoot. I did not care for the AI factory pistolgrip stock.

 

[abogue77]

I have an AIAE MKIII and love it. I don't have any regrets, only that I should have bought one sooner. Accurate as hell, solid as it gets, and I believe it to be a value when compared to everything else custom or factory. I sold all of my customs and now only have the AI. I will likely end up with an AX also at some point.

Who did that camo? Is it a skin, dip, paint?

 

[cramey74]

Who did that camo? Is it a skin, dip, paint?

Custom Gun Coatings or ShortBus here on the Hide. It is paint

 

[abogue77]

Custom Gun Coatings or ShortBus here on the Hide. It is paint

That looks sick. Nice rifle

 

[cramey74]

That looks sick. Nice rifle

Thank You.. You really won't be disappointed with an AE MKIII.

 

[abogue77]

Thank You.. You really won't be disappointed with an AE MKIII.

I'm selling about 8 guns to get one, I hope I won't be !

Seriously though, I have not read a single article or thread about someone just not liking one, or had accuracy and mechanical issues. I just like like to research the s**t of of something before I buy. All your comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[tylerw02]

AI AW vs AI AE MK III:

AW---bonded action, doesn't need to be removed from chassis to replace barrels, very heavy, uses double-stack magazines that can be loaded with the bolt open, magazine inserted.

AE---tubular shaped receiver that is not bonded to the chassis, heavy (as opposed to very heavy----so slightly lighter than the AW), retains the excellent AW bolt, same skins, must be removed from chassis to change barrels, uses single-stack AICS magazines---can't be topped off from open bolt with the magazine inserted.


I wouldn't pay the coin to get an AW over an AE MK III. The AE is 90% of the rifle the AW is. If I were ponying up to the next tier in price, I'd go AX.

 

[poison123]

I'd get either the AW or an AX. Do not underestimate the importance of those double stack mags.......they do in fact make a rather large difference. Get behind both and figure out which stock you like more.

 

[samnev]

I bought the AW after I had a TRG 22. I like the AW better than the TRG though not buy much. The AW is slightly more accurate abd more consistent in the size of the groups it shots. I like the trigger on the TRG better and the lack of a bolt stop make single loading easier on the TRG. I prefer everything else about the AW. I have never been sorry I bought the AW and don't shoot the TRG much any more. If you can spend the extra coin I would get the AW over the AE because of the advantages that have been previously pointed out in other posts.My AW came with a Bartlein barrel and has been a tack driver right out of the box with 100 yard 5 shoot groups averaging 0.31" So it's the AW for me over the AE. At least thats the choice I made.

 

[W54/XM-388]

If you can afford it, get the AW or AX (folder models highly suggested) and don't look back.

 

[Yakface]

I bought a used AE off off Beenjammin, a few post up. I was looking at the AW then found a deal I couldn't pass up. No regrets. Best rifle I own.

 

[hypno02]

I honestly believe there's literally no reason to buy an aw over an ae unless you're 1. Anal 2. Insecure 3. A barrel swapping maniac. 4. A gear whore 5. Loaded

The bonded action basically means that if you throw your rifle our out an airplane your zero will only be off 5ft vs 7ft with an AE. When's the last time you saw someone's properly torqued action screws break? I have never seen it.

I have never needed the ability to top off my magazine while its in the rifle.

I do understand how the AW can offer an improved peace of mind over the AE, but after shooting my Ae for almost a year now I don't know how the price difference could be worth it. I believe the perfect comparison of the AW vs. AE in optics is the nightforce f1 vs. f1 mil spec. The f1 is supposedly more durable but will any of us ever notice the difference in durability with the shooting we do? Probably not.

AE/ NXS= indestructible.

AW/ nf mil spec= bomb proof

 

[wiganbear]

I bought the AW after I had a TRG 22. I like the AW better than the TRG though not buy much. The AW is slightly more accurate abd more consistent in the size of the groups it shots. I like the trigger on the TRG better and the lack of a bolt stop make single loading easier on the TRG. I prefer everything else about the AW. I have never been sorry I bought the AW and don't shoot the TRG much any more. If you can spend the extra coin I would get the AW over the AE because of the advantages that have been previously pointed out in other posts.My AW came with a Bartlein barrel and has been a tack driver right out of the box with 100 yard 5 shoot groups averaging 0.31" So it's the AW for me over the AE. At least thats the choice I made.

2 mins with a dremel on the plastic mag follower will get rid of the bolt stop. First thing I did with mine when I bought it and it single feeds faultlessly.

 

[Frank Green]

I'd go with the AW or the new AX. I feel these are a better platform vs. the AE. I feel you would be happier in the long run.



This is the shop rifle. Barrel on it is a .308win. The gun just pounds ragged holes all day long. Out of the box nothing done to it. The only thing I would do to a AW is get a set of Viper Skins with the regular pistol grip and not the thumb hole type grip like this one has.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

if i get a AI it will be "THE" AI aka AW or AX. The AE's are awesome guns for the money but if you have the cash to even question spending the money for the more expensive model go full monty and have no regrets.

 

[samnev]

2 mins with a dremel on the plastic mag follower will get rid of the bolt stop. First thing I did with mine when I bought it and it single feeds faultlessly.

Thanks for the tip. I will give it a try.

 

[Graham]

I'd go with the AW or the new AX. I feel these are a better platform vs. the AE. I feel you would be happier in the long run.

Some AEs have had cold bore issues. I have one that has; and one that doesn't. AWs don't have cold bore issues. So with the AE it's probably the result of chassis-to-action torque. That said, the AE is a great value. But I like the 10-round AW mag for comps and the ease of feeding singles with the AW.