Shopping for the best AI dealers

K

kalen0475

Private
Minuteman
Jul 18, 2010
9
0
41
#1
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Mods, please feel free to move to the appropriate forum. I thought since AI's are mostly bolt-guns, this topic would do well here.)</span>

Hello everyone, I am new here on Hide. I have lurked around this forum trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can for the past month or so and so far the abundance of information is overwhelming and exciting. The positive attitudes present among the members here are encouraging.

I am shipping out for BCT next month and will be serving with the Georgia Army National Guard. I wanted to reward myself with an AI rifle for completing BCT/AIT (MOS 68W April 2011).

I am doing research now since this isn't exactly a cheap rifle. I've read many reviews on here about the rifle. I also read Zak's guide and decided I wanted something top quality out of the box so I can spend more time shooting than dealing with building. (Not that I don't appreciate the fine tuning of a custom rifle, it's just I do not possess enough knowledge and confidence to build one now.)

So this leads me to one of my biggest concerns: finding a dealer who is very knowledgeable with AI rifles. I don't want to just find the cheapest place to buy from. I want to find a dealer who cares about their customers; one who takes pride in their work; and will go above and beyond years later after the purchase. I also want it to be a one stop shop for every accessory I would need for the rifle (scope, bipod, slings, etc.,).

So any recommendations?

Thank You all for reading, I look forward to the responses.

Len
 
#2
Re: Shopping for the best AI dealers

First, Welcome to the Hide. Second, I think you pick the "right choice" for your first rifle, although most folks here may dispute with me on that issue. I am bias toward AI rifles. That's why I have two of them. In terms of the best AI dealer, my answer to you is all of them are very good and customer oriented. I had the pleasure of dealing with Stacey Blankenship before he became their go to man. Certainly, I would say, Miles High shooting in CO, or SRT in FL. are very well received here. Tac Pro is another option. Good luck with your choice. Have you decided on whether it's the AIAW vs. AIAE?
 
#3
Re: Shopping for the best AI dealers

Those names certainly sounds familiar. I've heard many great experiences with Stacey, but where exactly does he work? I wouldn't mind flying directly from Ft. Sam Houston and then visiting with the dealer for a day or two before buying. I could take it home with me provided I check it in with the airline.

I have not made a final decision between the AW or AE. I understand that both rifles are very capable of what I will be shooting and that they are designed for different scenarios. But that is about as far as I know about the two. Would you mind sharing which rifles you have and why you decided on that particular one?
 
#4
Re: Shopping for the best AI dealers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kalen0475</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Those names certainly sounds familiar. I've heard many great experiences with Stacey, but where exactly does he work? I wouldn't mind flying directly from Ft. Sam Houston and then visiting with the dealer for a day or two before buying. I could take it home with me provided I check it in with the airline.

I have not made a final decision between the AW or AE. I understand that both rifles are very capable of what I will be shooting and that they are designed for different scenarios. But that is about as far as I know about the two. Would you mind sharing which rifles you have and why you decided on that particular one?</div></div>

The AE / AW choice is a question that almost every prospective AI owner asks, and it ultimately depends on exactly what you want in your rifle. As far as I'm concerned, there is no fundamental difference between the two in terms of the core essentials of accuracy, durability, and reliability. It's the minor details that really determine which one suits your needs better, for a .308 Win rifle. The AW features a bonded action, and cannot be removed from the chassis, whereas the AE is bolted to the chassis and can be removed for cleaning/maintenance. While the AE has a two-position safety like a Remington, the AW uses a three-position safety as found on Winchesters, etc. You can top-load 308 in the AW, but not in the AE due to the single-position-feed magazine. There are also more features generally available on an AW than on the AE (such as the quick-adjust system). On the other hand, the AE tends to run several thousand dollars less than the AW.

If you ever have any questions, or would like to handle and inspect examples of each before purchasing, we can certainly arrange a visit to our warehouse to take a look at both before deciding. Our website keeps an up-to-date listing of available rifles on hand with pictures, and you can always contact me (Jonathan) directly for more information.
 
#5
Re: Shopping for the best AI dealers

I bought my AI from Lin at Schryver gun sales. Schryver is a site sponsor and works hand in hand with Mile High Shooting. Mile High is the largest AI dealer in the U.S. Give Lin a call and he will take good care of you.
 
#7
Re: Shopping for the best AI dealers

I just got my AE MkII in from Jonathan at SRT.

He was great to deal with and answered all my questions promptly. We exchanged emails and a couple phone conversations. I ended up getting exactly what I wanted.

I also went through the AE/AW struggle. With the improvements made to the AE in the MkII series I just could not justify another $2K for the AW. The only thing I really wish the AE had was the AW's safety. The barrel change without removing the action from the chassis would be nice, but not $2K nice.

If you are on any kind of budget I say go with the AE. If you have unlimited funds (meaning you can still get top end glass) then get the AW.

Either way contact Jonathan at SRT Supply. One of the reasons I went with SRT Supply was Jonathan's presence here on the hide as well as SRT's support at Sniperweek in Clearwater, FL.
 
#9
Re: Shopping for the best AI dealers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just got my AE MkII in from Jonathan at SRT.

He was great to deal with and answered all my questions promptly. We exchanged emails and a couple phone conversations. I ended up getting exactly what I wanted.

I also went through the AE/AW struggle. With the improvements made to the AE in the MkII series I just could not justify another $2K for the AW. The only thing I really wish the AE had was the AW's safety. The barrel change without removing the action from the chassis would be nice, but not $2K nice.

If you are on any kind of budget I say go with the AE. If you have unlimited funds (meaning you can still get top end glass) then get the AW.

Either way contact Jonathan at SRT Supply. One of the reasons I went with SRT Supply was Jonathan's presence here on the hide as well as SRT's support at Sniperweek in Clearwater, FL. </div></div>

+1 - I went through the exact same thing a month and a half ago, and ended up dealing with Jonathan at SRT and getting the AE what I wanted, great transaction. SRT did not have the scope mount I needed at that time, so I went to Mile High to get that, again great people and great service.

I think the fact is that you are going to find the same story from each person here who bought an AI. They likely were very happy with the dealer(s) they went with and all of the US dealers have great, passionate people who are actually out shooting these rifles every week and happy to help you make the right choice.

just my 2¢...

bill
 
#12
Re: Shopping for the best AI dealers

Accuracy International of North America (AINA) has x3 distributors which can assist you:

MILE HIGH SHOOTING ACCESSORIES LLC&#8232;
Randy & Diann Pennington
14178 Lexington Circle &#8232;
Broomfield, Colorado &#8232;80020
Phone #: (303) 519-9616&#8232;
Fax #: (303) 254-6572
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.milehighshooting.com

SRT SUPPLY INC.
Point of contact: Jonathan Mizner
4450 60th Ave N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33714
Phone #: (727) 526-5451
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.accuracyinternationalsrt.com

TAC PRO SHOOTING CENTER
35100 North State Highway 108
Mingus, Texas 76463-6405
Phone #: (254) 968-3112
Fax #: (254) 968-5857
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.tacproshootingcenter.com

Each one of these has a listing of dealers, so I would recommend you speak with all 3 and see if anyone has a dealer in your local area if you desire to have a hands on experience. If you have more technical questions or would like to discuss the system with me personally, feel free to email, pm or call and I will be glad to assist.
 
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