AIAW Questions

S

Scooter64

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 22, 2009
198
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USA
#1
I have been trying to learn about AIAW rifle and might be interested in purchasing one. I have a few questions. I have searched the site and I need some clarification.


1. What year did AI offer the Picatinny railscope rail on the rifle from the factory.
1a. Is the rail attached to the receiver with screws or it’s machined on the receiver?
2. I have read that the AI scope mount may have to be modified for a USO scopes . Is that true?
3. Is the action bedded or glued in the chassis or none of the above.
4 Can the Butt spike be installed on a non Butt spiked 1.5 stock

Thanks
 
#2
Re: AIAW Questions

One should have thought to look at the source.

www.accuracyinternational.com

may be one place to look

1) Yes, it is now a standard option. I believe it is screwed and epoxy

2) Unsure. If this is the case, and you have a Picatinny rail, you have so many other viable options than molesting an AI mount

3) No bedding on AW series. Receiver/chassis are screwed and epoxied together pretty much considered 1 solid piece. Synthetic skins cover the chassis.

4) AI butt spike: NO, Aftermarket Accushot Monopod: YES

To help you learn:
http://www.impactguns.com/store/accuracyinternational.html

and the videos on the right hand side

http://www.accuracyinternational.com/gallery.php
 
#3
Re: AIAW Questions

You can install a buttspike to an AI rifle if you have a Tig welder and a bridgeport. But you have to get AI to sell you the spike.

Rich
 
#4
Re: AIAW Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FLHX</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been trying to learn about AIAW rifle and might be interested in purchasing one. I have a few questions. I have searched the site and I need some clarification.


1. What year did AI offer the Picatinny railscope rail on the rifle from the factory.
1a. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Is the rail attached to the receiver with screws or it’s machined on the receiver</span></span>?
2. I have read that the AI scope mount may have to be modified for a USO scopes . Is that true?
3. Is the action bedded or glued in the chassis or none of the above.
4 <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Can the Butt spike be installed on a non Butt spiked 1.5 stock</span></span>

Thanks
</div></div>

The pic rail on AIAW are screwed and epoxy glued on to the action. The scope mount are made for the 35 mm tube.

Terminology: AIAW rifles don't have a 1.5 or a 2.0 number attached. They are either fixed stock vs. folding stock with/without adjustable cheek piece. The 1.5 or 2.0 that you commonly see are referred to the AICS chassis. I know what you were asking, but just a clarification on the terminology that's all.
 
#5
Re: AIAW Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...scope mount are made for the 35 mm tube.... </div></div>

Me thinks you meant 34mm.

John
 
#7
Re: AIAW Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrp3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...scope mount are made for the 35 mm tube.... </div></div>

Me thinks you meant 34mm.

John </div></div>

Right on John. My bad.
 
#8
Re: AIAW Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pointblank4445</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They still have 30mm mounts too </div></div>

I think the 30 mm mounts are with the dovetail base only. I have to use the redux rings for both of my AIAWs.
 
#9
Re: AIAW Questions

They've got the 30mm Picatinny listed on their website. However they are listed as being 18 MOA cant while the dovetail are 28 MOA cant.
 
#11
Re: AIAW Questions

I didn't care much for the idea of the pic rail when I was shopping around for a rifle a few years ago because it was an add-on rather than integral but have since become a fan. It ultimately gives you more options and since it's screwed down/glued down like the action to the chassis, it's not going anywhere (and I prefer the once piece mounts to provide a scope specific MOA cant anyway)
 
Last edited:
#14
Re: AIAW Questions

The AI mounts (Dovetail and Pic rail versions) would need to me milled to fit a 34mm PR under the turret housing. If trying to fit a USO 35mm you would need to have a machinist open up the rings from 34 to 35mm. It can be done Zak Smith had it done as referencen in a past artical he wrote. If using a 30mm or a SB 34mm optic you should be just fine with either factory AI mount.

Another option would be to get a AI style mount from Desert Tactical as they offer them in various MOA cants and tube dia. These will only work with the pic rail option but its a much better option than milling the AI mount. Of course with the factory pic rail you can just bolt on a set of rings but the base is flat so thats why you would want to use a canted uni-mount.

USO offers 20moa replacement rails, they slide over the dovetail and the action must be drilled and tapped...just another option.
 
#18
Re: AIAW Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shane45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Starvin, if you really have to get the one pice mount anyway to have built in moa, why have something in betweeen? </div></div>

Flexability.

With a 0 MOA rail I have the ability to mount different one piece setups to match my scopes mechanical ideal and I have my choice of several providers (AI, NF, DTA, Larue, KAC, etc) or in a pinch I could forgo the cant and just mount rings straight to the rifle (not ideal but it'll work).

I'm guessing this is why every military contract AIs gotten since they introduced this option has selected it.

With the dovetail mount I am limited to the AI mount or get an aftermarket pic adaptor which will have a built in cant that could restrict the mechanical ability of my scope.

My Windrunner came with a canted base and the only alternative I can find is the USO which also has a set cant. This annoys the hell out of me because both are 20moa and to get the most out of my S&B I want 45moa. With a zero base I could just drop a one-piece mount on there and be done (and could conviently swap that scope between my AIs, LR308, and Windrunner).

Again I wouldn't suggest passing on a good deal for a dovetail rifle, I just think the railed model offers more flexability.
 
#19
Re: AIAW Questions

Thanks for the insight. I went dovetail route myself and wondered what I might be missing. I have a S&B PMII 4X16 in an AI 18moa rail and it just worked out. With 100yd zero I still have all of my "up" even with the 18 moa mount. I know that the AI mount simply works and I hear no complaints but it just doesnt exude beefy like the rifle does eh. I might have to come out with a new product
grin.gif
 
#20
Re: AIAW Questions

Yea, the AI one piece dosn't seem as beefy as a lot of other setups but it does the job well for me so I have a hard time complaining!

I definately wasn't trying to shake your confidence in the dovetail. A dovetail rail combined with the dovetail mount is a rock solid setup!
 
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