Fighting the AI

[moaorbust]

Does anyone else have the urge to just sell all their rifles and buy an AI? Was the grass greener for those who jumped?

I don't know anyone who has one to borrow, which makes it easier, but damn they look good. Not to mention selling everything would be a pain.

 

[banks74]

I've never regretted buying an AI. Lots of nice rifles out there but I shoot my AI's the most by far.

 

[K80/6.5]

Does anyone else have the urge to just sell all their rifles and buy an AI? Was the grass greener for those who jumped?

I don't know anyone who has one to borrow, which makes it easier, but damn they look good. Not to mention selling everything would be a pain.

I’m dealing with this exact same thing right now.

 

[hafejd30]

I sold a RR LAR 8, GAP and DDM4V11 to buy mine. Zero regrets ever

 

[BLKWLFK9]

There is a real good one for sale in the px. Hell of a deal too. Most comp ready AI on the fucking planet, too.

LoL

 

[Supersubes]

I bought 30k in custom rifles before buying my AW, which was way more expensive then($6000), than a AT is today. The grass was in fact greener. Would do again. I disagree on one point, I think they're ugly as fuck.

 

[cro789]

I got mine and never looked back. I just recently sent the bolt out to get bushed and small firing pin installed so I could run 6BR..

 

[moaorbust]

There is a real good one for sale in the px. Hell of a deal too. Most comp ready AI on the fucking planet, too.

LoL

I am looking at that same damn one.

 

[hafejd30]

I am looking at that same damn one.

If you haven’t figured out who owns it

 

[BLKWLFK9]

I am looking at that same damn one.

The seller is kind of a dummy but you should definitely jump on it.

 

[ELCO82]

Does anyone else have the urge to just sell all their rifles and buy an AI? Was the grass greener for those who jumped?

I don't know anyone who has one to borrow, which makes it easier, but damn they look good. Not to mention selling everything would be a pain.

I gave up a lot to get into an axsa and I do not regret it. I love it so much I snatched up another action from a member on here to make into another rifle. But if you don't pair an AI with alpha glass for it, you're a fool and don't deserve it...

 

[Hennig]

They are just rifles. Really nice milspec rifles, but it is what it is.

I would have regretted selling my customs if I did it to buy my AIs.

 

[ZombieMonkey]

I have zero regrets about buying an AI and will likely buy another someday as well. Still one of my favorite guns to take out 8+ years later.

 

[MrSwede]

Had a lot of Rem 700's, Tikkas etc but upgraded to an AW a few years back. I should have just bought an AW when I started out in 2008.

 

[squib]

Love my LH AT that I purchased used from a member here.

 

[Hennig]

I should clarify, sure - sell your factory rifles to buy a nice high end rifle. I wouldn’t race out to sell all my customs though. Ymmv.

 

[BullzeyeNJ]

No regrets. When I started I thought they were overpriced and overrated and had a big fanboy following. No way did I ever think they would be as good as my custom made bolt guns. Well…I got one and all the hype is true. And now I wish I started with an AI with the quick change barrel system. It would have easily replaced my stable of custom builds with each having its own high end scope on it. Go and get one, you will love it.

 

[st1650]

With previous Gen AIs, the ergos were not great for me. I actually went the other way, I sold my AI and went with custom actions about 8 years ago.
Now that I’m all kitted up with customs and I have a local smith who can chamber for me I’ll forever stay with ARC actions (Nuke 1.1, 2.0, Arch) and now have a CDG on the way. Love the trigger tech 2 stages and the BnA, my stocks and chassis fit me perfectly and they’re all sub 1/2 and some sub 3/8 guns.
The CDG on paper is really impressive, built for AW mags, CRF, adjustable trigger hanger for zero cock on close and very affordable.
That being said, if I just got started I’d be tempted to go with an AT-X since it checks all my boxes.

 

[ColbyLang]

I have a custom built 280 AI by APA, stumbled into an unbelievable deal on the last year model new AE MK3 folder in .308. The hype is real, it’s a hammer. I’d buy another. But there’s no need

 

[acudaowner]

and a good old rock

 

[SuperBoot]

In the short action realm there are so many custom options these days that I think you’d easily be on equal footing to an AI AT/AX/AT-X with the right parts. Tons of options with bolt head interchangeability, prefits (used to be a cornerstone AI selling point), great chassis ergos, etc, etc.
There are some very good things to be said about a rifle that needs nothing to function 100% out of the box, but it doesn’t take a lot of brainpower to make that happen with a custom gun.

I think they still rule the roost on long action/multi cal rifles with the AXSR though. That rifle has taken the place of 4+ guns in my case and I really don’t see myself selling it anytime soon. I have a .308, 6.5CM and 300 PRC barrel for mine with a 25CM and 7 PRC barrel on the way. There isn’t another weapon system on the market that can run all those seamlessly and still be convenient to the end user with modern ergonomics, ease of sourcing barrels, magazines, and mechanical repeatability. Yes that includes the M10 and the abortion that is the MRAD.

I will 100% caveat that by saying if you don’t dive into that system headfirst and utilize all the capabilities it offers, the ten thousand dollar starting price tag is hilariously off base.

Also, realize that while AI stuff doesn’t *usually* break, parts availability sucks huge dong and pricing is astronomical comparatively to anything else on the market.

TL;DR AI is untouchable in some facets and very easily matched or bested in others. Take stock of what your list of needs/wants are and buy accordingly.

 

[Charger442]

had an AXSA and an AW. still have the AW. AXSA was nice but i didnt want to sell off my other factory rifles to keep it. i dont miss it.

The AW is so choice, if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

 

[Charger442]

not to turn this into a pissing match, but id sell and have sold many other rifles to jump into a Tac Ops. the AI is great but the TacOps is a higher level of refinement and attention to detail than just about any other rifle around.

 

[RFutch]

I've shot multiple AI's and they're cool but I'm not selling my customs to get one.

 

[Sure Shot 45]

Yes, however I don't have the urge to sell all... but I went through my collection and picked out a few to generate the resources to buy an AXSR 27" FDE .338LM & .300NM barrel, just waiting on my SB 6-36...

It was this or the MRAD and deep down I wanted the AX. One thing I've learned is never compromise on what you want, be patient and get that you truly desire.

 

[Nik H]

I have two AIs but never owned a custom. I would definitely try one before you buy or sell anything to ensure you like the ergonomics. Some do and some don’t.

You have to reconcile the pros and cons. Is the AI the most accurate rifle…not in my opinion. However, it is the most consistent rifle I have ever fired. Performance is constant despite the environment. I have shot in all types of weather and it never matters. Neither of them have ever needed a repair. My AT has over 9000 rounds on the action and my MC has about 4,500 rounds half of which were 338 LM. I won’t say that a custom won’t match that durability since I have never owned one; but based on my friends’ rifles I am a lot more comfortable saying that AI is incredibly reliable and consistent.

It comes down to ergonomic fit and what you prioritize as important.

I did finally order a custom from TacOps so we’ll see what I think when it gets here

 

[Kiba]

I’m considering the opposite, and have been thinking of selling one of my AIs. Over the years I’ve had 2x AE Mk 3s, 2x ATs, and currently have 2 AXSA’s and an AXMC. Lately I’ve been considering selling 1 of the AXSA’s.

My thoughts regarding AIs in general…

They’re good, but the actions aren’t the smoothest things out there. They’re very industrial and solid feeling, but not something you could call smooth. Bolt lift is a bit heavy and with the decent amount of cocking on close they’re a bit clunky closing. Some like that, some don’t.

They’re typically very reliable, and rarely go down or need parts.

Unfortunately if you do need parts, AI parts and accessories can have a looooooooong backorder and wait time. Dealers can also be reluctant to sell certain replacement fire control parts direct to customers, and would prefer you ship the whole thing back to them for service under warranty. I understand the reasoning behind that for warranty reasons, but sometimes people just want to buy a spare firing pin to send to their smith to have it turned down for a spare while they’re having their older large firing pin bolt bushed.

They have one of if not the best quick change barrel setup on the market if that’s important to you. Personally, I find changing barrels and rezeroing (even if you write down the zero offsets) a pain in the ass, I’d much rather have another rifle in another caliber ready to go (hence my 2nd AXSA, I got tired of constantly switching 1 rifle between 2 calibers.)

Plenty of prefit barrels are available from various shops. Used to be that AI was one of the only manufacturers out there with prefit barrels, but many customs offer that nowadays. Keep in mind the larger 30mm tenon barrels for the AXMC and AXSR are a bit harder to find and more expensive than the 27mm tenon barrels for the AW/AE/AT/AXSA.

At least all the new production AIs all run small firing pins now so that’s one less potential issue to have to send out to get modded or spend a bunch of money on a factory small firing pin bolt (depending if the caliber you’re running has cratering issues with the older large firing pins.)

Like was said above by another poster, the AXMC and AXSR are pretty hard to beat for an “all in one” package that will handle long action and most short action cartridges. I say “most” short action cartridges as the long AXMC/AXSR actions aren’t the greatest when it comes to feeding short and stubby rounds like 22/6 BR/BRA/Dasher, the short action AT & AXSA handle those stubby little cartridges much better because in the AT and AXSA the magazine sits closer to the feed ramps and breech than in the long action AXMC & AXSR.

The biggest issue with AIs has always been that AI chassis ergos just don’t work for some people, and while it used to be you were locked into the AI chassis regardless of whether it worked for you or not, at least there are a couple of aftermarket options now (Vision, MPA, maybe more I’m not aware of) as well as the AT-X. Certainly not as many stock and chassis choices as an R700/custom though, so keep that in mind. Being mostly limited to AI ergos is the best reason to try one before buying if you can.

Only reason I’m thinking of selling one of the AXSA's is many of the custom actions out nowadays are far, far smoother to operate than an AI and that’s something that appeals to me more now than it did several years ago. I generally get along just fine with the AI stock ergos so that’s not my main concern, but there’s a lot more choices for stocks and such for R700 type custom actions, and lately I’ve been having an itch to try different actions and stocks.

Still haven’t made up my mind what I’m going to do as I don’t really need 2x AXSAs.

Who the hell am I kidding, I’ll probably keep both of them as I really like them as well as keep building new customs and just buy another safe, LOL

 

[carbonbased]

I own an AIAX, and it is nice. For me, not as ergonomic in the cheek rest area as my KRG Whiskey 3 chassis, and the grip is a little weird (but the third party thumb rest mostly alleviates that issue). I needed seriously sky-high rings to get comfortable as my neck demanded it.

Don’t be fooled by those that endlessly wax poetic about how awesome the bolt lift is. It’s a 60° action and physics is physics…more effort than a 90° action. It feels super solid, of course. My Rem700s and even my Tikkas require less lift effort. All three brands have bolts that glide smoothly.

I hear of long-time AI owners that would probably disagree with my above bolt-lift assessment. Maybe their AI is worn-in, maybe all AI bolt lifts eventually become like hot knife through liquid butter. Mine isn’t.

Edit: @Kiba nailed it when he described the bolt lift/feel as “industrial.” I think of it like the world’s smoothest Jeep CJ-7 4x4 transfer case lever…gotta put a little effort into it. “Thunk thunk”

Maybe I’m an idiot.

My AX is likely my most accurate rifle and the recoil just feels…right? Very flat. The chassis design must be accountable for that. I read the ATX has even more of a straight-line recoil.

The stock trigger is awesome and I don’t see why someone would swap it out. I own two stage Bix n’ Andy ProSport triggers set at 8oz/8oz for a 16oz total pull and I think my particular AI trigger hangs right with them in feel. A wee bit heavier, but I don’t notice when shooting.

Maybe I just got a particularly awesome AI trigger? I didn’t even touch it. Bought the rifle new.

The right-folding stock is sweet. But I don’t need that and most soft cases aren’t wide enough to contain a folded AI. (Edit: I forgot it’s nice when cleaning)

It would be super cool to be able to swap at will to 223, but the one conversion kit I’m aware of (Bugholes) is not readily available due to lack of bolts from AI.

AW mags rock.

It will hold its value better than most any firearm.

 

[427Cobra]

I bought a ATX last year, no regret, but it does take some getting used to, as mentioned the action is not the smoothest, but after very little dry fire and 500 rounds the bolt throw is fine, never owning a rifle with a 2 stage trigger I will never own a precision rifle without one, the recoil impulse is great, everything in a straight line making natural point of aim adjustments takes little refinements, mine is a gen 3, I tolerate the buttstock adjustment knobs, I may replace all of them with aircraft hardware for a set n forget setup, IMHO at this price point the folder mechanism and sling attach points should been included, the folder makes cleaning so much easier, 6677 mags have been flawless.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Fudd rifle. Just ask @BurtG

 

[BurtG]

Biggest problem is you won’t shoot your other rifles near as much once you get an AI

 

[cas6969]

....sell all their rifles...

 

[TylerN]

I drink the AI Koolaid so that's my bias.

I have an ATX and AXSR and they meet all my bolt gun needs. I dumped my long action custom after buying the AXSR because I knew I'd never shoot it again. I'd agree with @SuperBoot that compared to customs the long action AXSR is a bigger step up vs the AT's vs. customs. And that's not a knock on the AT action guns, it's just that there are so many great custom short action options and Chasis that the AI's aren't as special. However I wouldn't be happy with only the AXSR because I love shooting the BR based cartridges and the long action AX's don't do that well. But the short action and long action AI combo does everything I need.

If you want to scratch the AI itch and it's what you really want then go for it. Don't compromise with yourself because you won't be happy and will probably end up with the AI in the longrun anyways. and my last caveats:

• If your expecting cheap and available parts with the AI then, LOL... $750 for a bolt body, $500 for a firing pin... and OOS for who knows how long... Short action bolt assembly, $1k backorder and maybe a 2 year + backlog. GBPSWE is a thing and so is the leadtimes.
• If light bolt lifts and 1 Oz. triggers are your thing then stay away from AI's, your just going to get your feelings hurt by the replies to your "why isn't my AI bolt lift light post".

 

[Nik H]

I back ordered a LH 300WM bolt body for my MC from EO in Nov 22. EO only required a $150 deposit.

I figure I may get by the end of 2024…LOL

 

[TylerN]

I'm already at NFA level wait times for an AT bolt from EO. Cost $950 upfront and word on the street is the backorder is 2 years+. And I'm gonna hop on a back order list for an SR 308 bolt body and I don't have much optimism for leadtime on that one either, probably not as bad as the AT bolt though. And I'm not even wrong handed!!

 

[M8541Reaper]

Biggest problem is you won’t shoot your other rifles near as much once you get an AI

Fact.

Zero reason to grab any other rifle out of the safe now that I have an AXSR.

 

[CK1.0]

I wouldn't sell off stuff to fund an AI, in fact, even if someone gave me one, I'd just immediately sell it to fund putting together another custom rig (or three).

I own or have owned Rolex watches, Jaguars, Land Rovers, and lots of other shit like that, so I'm kind of an SME at overpaying for shit that is expensive mostly due to some perceived exclusivity... and IMHO that is all you're getting for the premium an AI comes in at.

Besides, at my club at least, many/most of the guys who shoot them are posers.

 

[carbonbased]

Biggest problem is you won’t shoot your other rifles near as much once you get an AI

Fact.

Zero reason to grab any other rifle out of the safe now that I have an AXSR.

Personal experience here: as mentioned, I own an AIAX. And I grab quite a few rifles more often than the AX.

I think if you are a hardcore target shooter, esp. long distance, yeah, I could see happily reaching for the AI almost each and every time. It’s an easy button…buy it and it just works. No futzing with your custom that you are piecing together.

But I’m not a target shooter. I shoot varmints. Little ones. So I reach for the 22LR Kidd shooting silenced/subsonics, 17 HMR, 17 hornet, and 204 way more. For me, the AX shooting 6BR is primarily for those longer prairie dog shots off a stable platform.

I think I smile the most when I grab the Kidd or maybe the 17 Hornet.

Not trying to be a dick. I’m trying to give some realistic advice to the OP and including other uses for rifles other than LR target. We don’t know what sort of things the OP uses rifles for.

Just saying for some, lugging around a heavy-ass AI to shoot ground squirrels or mountain goats isn’t where that rifle excels. Of course, if you are an Ironman triathlete, be my guest and hoof all you want.

For example, I own a heavy 204 (18-20lbs) and light 204s. I take the light ones if I’m walking distance.

If there was a qualification like, “For LR target shooting…” I wouldn’t have bothered to respond.

Not attacking anyone, no drama, just pointing out other possible scenarios. And yeah, I know who the site’s typical user tends to be.

But sometimes the AI mythos runs a bit thick, you know? Like when you open the gun safe and there it is, bathed in golden light, your sacred (elite sand) AI floating, awe-inspiring and vibrating the very ground beneath your filthy undeserving bare feet with its sheer raw, totemic power!

With angels chanting in the distance lol.

Man, now that would be cool.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



P.S. presumably we all know that all other AI colors besides sage green are blasphemous and profane. I included the “elite sand” color in my text above as a trap to weed out the less pure. Sage green, for the uninitiated, is the favorite color of our dear and most holy Lord of Lords, He who created this lush and verdant world therein for us to shoot our AI’s. @Huskydriver and @Krob95 are going straight to Hell and they know it.

 

[BurtG]

expensive mostly due to some perceived exclusivity... and IMHO that is all you're getting for the premium an AI comes in at.

 

[SuperBoot]

Personal experience here: as mentioned, I own an AIAX. And I grab quite a few rifles more often than the AX.

I think if you are a hardcore target shooter, esp. long distance, yeah, I could see happily reaching for the AI almost each and every time. It’s an easy button…buy it and it just works. No futzing with your custom that you are piecing together.

But I’m not a target shooter. I shoot varmints. Little ones. So I reach for the 22LR Kidd shooting silenced/subsonics, 17 HMR, 17 hornet, and 204 way more. For me, the AX shooting 6BR is primarily for those longer prairie dog shots off a stable platform.

I think I smile the most when I grab the Kidd or maybe the 17 Hornet.

Not trying to be a dick. I’m trying to give some realistic advice to the OP and including other uses for rifles other than LR target. We don’t know what sort of things the OP uses rifles for.

Just saying for some, lugging around a heavy-ass AI to shoot ground squirrels or mountain goats isn’t where that rifle excels. Of course, if you are an Ironman triathlete, be my guest and hoof all you want.

For example, I own a heavy 204 (18-20lbs) and light 204s. I take the light ones if I’m walking distance.

If there was a qualification like, “For LR target shooting…” I wouldn’t have bothered to respond.

Not attacking anyone, no drama, just pointing out other possible scenarios. And yeah, I know who the site’s typical user tends to be.

But sometimes the AI mythos runs a bit thick, you know? Like when you open the gun safe and there it is, bathed in golden light, your sacred (elite sand) AI floating, awe-inspiring and vibrating the ground beneath your filthy undeserving bare feet with its sheer raw, totemic power.

With angels chanting in the distance lol.

Man, now that would be cool.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



P.S. presumably we all know that all other AI colors besides sage green are blasphemous and profane. I included the “elite sand” color in my text above as a trap to weed out the less pure. Sage green, for the uninitiated, is the favorite color of our dear and most holy Lord of Lords, He who created this lush and verdant world for us to shoot our AI’s in. @Huskydriver and @Krob95 are going straight to Hell and they know it.

“Are Corvettes worth it?”

“ONLY IF YOU ARENT PLANNING ON PULLING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER FOR YOUR LANDSCAPING BUSINESS EVERY DAY SONNY”

I see what you’re trying to get at, but… c’mon man

 

[carbonbased]

“Are Corvettes worth it?”

“ONLY IF YOU ARENT PLANNING ON PULLING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER FOR YOUR LANDSCAPING BUSINESS EVERY DAY SONNY”

I see what you’re trying to get at, but… c’mon man

I get it. I’m laying it on thicc.

But never discount the churning, sleep-depriving lust for something you that don’t need haha! (Or worse, for something that is not right for you)

I know this feeling well.

So I’m just sprinkling some holy water around, lighting some sinus-clearing incense, and hitting the low notes on the church organ all in an effort to try to clear out some (maybe future) poor possessed soul’s eyes and mind before they lay that cc down.

Clarity.

That’s what I’m after, that’s what I’m trying to create in the OP’s brain.

But I realize that maybe, just maybe, an Accuracy International IS the sermon they need.

They are an awesome rifle, after all.

 

[BurtG]

Everyone needs a AI , a desert tech SRS and a nice custom in a light stock with a light barrel

Your toolbox has more than a sledge hammer and vice grips in it. Your safe should be the same way

 

[Kiba]

But I’m not a target shooter. I shoot varmints. Little ones. So I reach for the 22LR Kidd shooting silenced/subsonics, 17 HMR, 17 hornet, and 204 way more. For me, the AX shooting 6BR is primarily for those longer prairie dog shots off a stable platform.


P.S. presumably we all know that all other AI colors besides sage green are blasphemous and profane. I included the “elite sand” color in my text above as a trap to weed out the less pure. Sage green, for the uninitiated, is the favorite color of our dear and most holy Lord of Lords, He who created this lush and verdant world therein for us to shoot our AI’s. @Huskydriver and @Krob95 are going straight to Hell and they know it.

Ah, another varmint connoisseur.

I’ll freely admit that my 2x AXSA’s get used most frequently for blasting thousands of ground squirrels, 1 with a 6 dasher barrel and the other with Gilbert & Enrique’s 223 conversion. They’re great varmint blasters from a bench or tripod provided you can get a vehicle close to your shooting spot… given the weight they’re certainly not ideal for a long distance hiking/packing kind of hunt. I have lighter custom builds for those kinds of hunts.

The AIs also get used for long range steel and paper and they’re great at that job too, but I find that using them to blow up walking reactive meat targets is far more entertaining and do so at every opportunity.

Also, I thought it was scientific fact that FDE and Elite Sand were tied for the most accurate colors. "Wet concrete" elite sand > "that fuzzy mold on some old bread in your cupboard" sage green.

 

[carbonbased]

I’ll freely admit that my 2x AXSA’s get used most frequently for blasting thousands of ground squirrels, 1 with a 6 dasher barrel

Also, I thought it was scientific fact that FDE and Elite Sand were tied for the most accurate colors. "Wet concrete" elite sand > "that fuzzy mold on some old bread in your cupboard" sage green.

Hell! Straight to Hell I say!!

 

[roostercogburn98]

Biggest problem is you won’t shoot your other rifles near as much once you get an AI

I don’t t shoot any of my guns now. Seems I’ve already arrived to the AI party then?

 

[Junco Grande]

OK ,come on. What is it really?
Your AI doesn't shoot THAT much (if any) better than any other any other high-end rifle you've built. Call it like it is... it's the >>> hey look at me with my AI you poor miserable bastards. The rest is semantics.

 

[kthomas]

They are well built rifles.

But you need to get along with their quirks and nuances. AI's aren't comp guns. They aren't guns built specifically for YOU. They are rifles designed to be a "one size fits most" solution for .gov clients.

I can see why some like the AI's. Very well built, with some nice features. I would personally never sell any of my customs to get an AI. I hate the bolt lift (it's stiff, heavy and clunky). I hate the pistol grip and ergos. I hate the trigger. They are not optimized for me, my build, or my uses.

Maybe an AI really suits you. Maybe not. Only you can make that call.

All that said, I think it would be really cool to have an OG AW in the collection. But I'm not selling a custom to get one

 

[Nik H]

Everyone needs a AI , a desert tech SRS and a nice custom in a light stock with a light barrel

View attachment 8144847

Your toolbox has more than a sledge hammer and vice grips in it. Your safe should be the same way

I missed out on Desert Tech. They no longer make LH models

 

[kthomas]

I missed out on Desert Tech. They no longer make LH models

Another rifle system that has a lot of quirks.

 

[Nik H]

Another rifle system that has a lot of quirks.

I haven’t shot a rifle that didn’t have quirks. I hated the trigger on the DT Gen 1. Not so sure that there is anything that can be done about it though. It is a consequence of the bullpup design. I like the compact nature of the bull pup. It has its advantages