Talk me out of buying an AICS 2.0 for my Rem 700

[protoolsnerd]

Hi Guys,
For months i've been going back and forth between manners t5A , whiskey 3 , and an AICS classic 2.0 . They're all great but for the price the AI seems to be the best bang . Plus the ability to change it to a pistol grip with viperskins makes it even better. I've handled the AI before and i like ergos so that isn't a problem. AI also has the most aftermarket product support . And with any chassis system i can sell my current stock and DBM to offset the cost.

Any reason i shouldn't ? I know there are a bunch of AI haters out there ....have at it


Aaron

 

[rpk762]

I like mine. My only real complaint about is the boxy front end. It is not the best feeling in the hand when walking around. Other than that I like it. As far ask talking you out of it I can not. I have not held or used the others maybe someone else can give you a reason not to.

 

[Scimitar]

I loved mine except the weight. She's a fat lady.

 

[B3dlam]

You might save some weight with one of the other options but I love my AICS 2.0 another great thing about the AICS is you can probably find one in stock rather then having to wait months to get one. That being said I really like the look of the whiskey 3 or the XLR they both look pretty sick.

 

[krw]

If you like them and they fit you, then thats what you need to get. I have had 2 and did not like either of them. Kinda like chocolate and vanilla milk shakes. Get what you want.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

I have a Whiskey 3 folder and a AICS 1.5 non folder. I am partial to the W3 for its simplicity and ease of use and weight.

 

[Scooter64]

I liked folding aspect but she's a heifer.

 

[Captramrod01]

I wear XL gloves usually and found the stock cramped. I have not tried the pistol grip skins though.

I would also give the Mcree a look, much cheaper and vertical buttpad adjustment along with LOP and cheek. I really liked mine and for 300 less than the 2.0 AI it was a no brainer to at least give it a try.

 

[Rhys]

For me the grip and thumbhole configuration was uncomfortable on the AICS as I have relatively large hands. I ended up going with a Gen 2 W3 on my last build, and it is the most comfortable stock I have.

 

[Break Bad]

Love my Ax chassis more than the aics I had... great weight, love the handguard and options for rail. Great on & around barricades. Check out rock solid stocks too. From your list I'd pick t5

 

[leprechaun]

Buy a McMillan!!! did that work?

 

[gixxerk8]

I couldn't stand my 2.0 when I got t. Switched to viper skins and added 1/2" butt spacer and love it. It's a tank but I don't carry it far and with a can it's like shooting a 22. I'm having a new surgeon barreled action built and been debating on a new chassis, but pretty sure I'll stay with the 2.0.

 

[Jaxdialation]

AI stuff in way over priced. There are many, many alternatives that will give you the same functionality, for a lot less money and a lot less weight.
do some research before you go with the "easy" alternative. Think about what you really want, not what seems to be the "primo" choice.

I own 3 -- yes three AI chassis. There are better alternatives out there for the $$$. Lazy people throw up their hands and go with AI. Don't be lazy.

 

[protoolsnerd]

Awesome points everyone . What's nice about stocks is , you can quite easily change. I'm not going to be humping this rifle around anywhere , at the most running between fairly close shooting points .

Jaxadation, what are some alternatives that you like? Also, where do you like to shoot ? I've yet to go to okeechobee, but i hear it's a nice range

 

[protoolsnerd]

Leprechaun

I dig their stocks but not for this build. If i were going to go the fiberglass / nylon filled type stock i'd go manners with the thumbhole.

 

[teerex]

I was going to do an AICS and due to availability and looking at options I picked the McRee. I think the AICS has more sex appeal, but the AICS was going to cost me a bunch more by the time I would have changed out the skins and got it all set up how I wanted it would have made the price difference bigger than it already was.

 

[protoolsnerd]

Thanks Teerex,
I checked out the Mcree , i'm not super into its styling . If i was going to go with something of that kind i'd probably go Whiskey 3. I think though after handling the aics i'm pretty set on it. Especially for the ability to go from a thumbhole to a pistol grip if i want for only a couple hundred dollars

 

[shoot4fun]

AICS all the way. You can literally beat the hell out of one and, if you don't like the ugly, a new set of skins will clean it right up. I have 3 AI AW rifles, a Surgeon Scalpel, 2 GAPs and 2 APA rigs nestled in AICS chassis. I do have a stick in the XLR and one in a Manners T5a too. I am just too used to the AICS to be in love with the T5a.

 

[Boomholzer]

Buy the 2.0 and I'll trade you for a nice, new Manners T2A.

 

[protoolsnerd]

AICS all the way. You can literally beat the hell out of one and, if you don't like the ugly, a new set of skins will clean it right up. I have 3 AI AW rifles, a Surgeon Scalpel, 2 GAPs and 2 APA rigs nestled in AICS chassis. I do have a stick in the XLR and one in a Manners T5a too. I am just too used to the AICS to be in love with the T5a.

how do the ergos of the thumb holes on the manners and the ai compare? i've not had a change to really get to know the manners stock.

ps. how jealous am I at the collection of rifles you have. surgeon , gap......At some point i'll snag a gap , i'm intrigued by the gap-10

 

[shoot4fun]

the TH feels totally different on the two. In fact, the stocks are nothing alike at all.
It took years to get here and, now that I am here, I sometimes wish I could let something go. After all, beware of the man who owns but one rifle.

 

[Rem7]

Go with a KMW Sentinel .... One sexy stock

 

[sulcop96]

I have three high quality bolt guns, one rides a T5 one now has the XLR chassis and the last has the AICS. I am LEO/SRT so all three get swapped around as my duty weapon. Other then the XLR, that is a very recent pick up, I have 1000's of round down range. Now for me personally, I did not care as much for the AISC until I picked up a set of Viper skins. That made all the difference in the world. Yes the weight is a bit more but LEO movements to FFP's are short and I always have a variety of tripods and shooting sticks so other then some standing unsupported it is not bothersome. If you hunt then that may be an issue. Of the three the AICS/Skins is my #1 BUT the XLR has grown on me fast! I have only had it out to the range twice so far but I love the feel and ergonomics. The only drawback is needing tools to make stock adjustments but that is a minor complaint.

Bottom line T5A and AICS are both great and favorites are shooter dependant.

Sully

 

[protoolsnerd]

Thanks sulcop96
The extra weight doesn't bother me . I figured i'd end up rocking the viper skins eventually , but who knows maybe i'll like the original more. glad to hear it gets the job done

Rem 7 i don't know that chassis , i'll have to go check it out. Thanks for the heads up

 

[bobaguilar]

Buy it, all your sugestions are great stocks. It's just a matter of opinion as to which is the best.

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Had one and loved it. Except for how heavy it is! Damn that thing is a led sled with a make over!

I sold it and got a mc millan a-5. Having had both and used them very much, I like the A-5. I still have a love for the AICS but if it came down to it there's no way I would pick it over my A-5.

Either way you'll be happy it's a awesome chassis!



Jay

 

[Papa Zero Three]

Get a Whiskey 3 folder and don't look back.

 

[gathumper]

I owned a 1.5 on one of my 700's that I also used for SRT. After riding in a Manners mini-chassis for a while, theres no way in hell I would ever own another AICS! Please make sure that you give yourself an opportunity to shoot as many as you can before you spend the price of a new house on an AICS.

 

[MLCherry]

I have both the aics 1.5 and 2.0. I love them both. Next one I buy will be a 1.5 simple and clean. I have the 2.0 on my 338 lm and the weight helps tone down the punch. I even took my aics 1.5 on a deer hunt this year. Good stock for me. I would recommend them!

 

[The Revenge]

Go with a mcree chassis. Awesome system, any ar style grip, and there lighter than acis.

 

[Gunfighting Inc]

I have 700 308 in a Manners T5a and a 700 338 in a AICS with Viper skins. I don't like the thumbholes and wish I had a T6a. The Viper skins eliminate the TH and allow me to hold my shooting hand thumb out board more comfortably for faster, more efficient bolt manipulation. I like the bottom accessorie rail and ability to add side rails to the AICS, but I love the balance and bullet proof feel of the Manners. I'm still trying to decide, but if someone said, "I'll trade you two T6A's for your AICS and T5A" I would do it before I'd trade for two AICSs.

 

[RTH1800]

I had one for about a week. Hated everything about it. But I am a field shooter. I doubt anyone carries one in the field much. I mean walking, day and night varmint hunting. The guys I see posing with them are at the range or otherwise not far from their tailgate. Now someone will come on post a pic and dispute this, of course.
They had one feature I liked. Great test platform for barreled actions. Comb was too high at lowest position.
The good news is you can quickly sell and recover all of your investment. Buy OD, it sells best.

 

[protoolsnerd]

rth1800

I couldn't see lugging this rifle around the forrest , or in my case the swamp. It was a beast and heavy before , long heavy varm barrel. I'd go a totally dif route for a hunting / tactical gun. 20" barrel, lighter stock, aluminum components instead of steel. This rifle will be mostly prone precision shooting and some very small distance position changes , shooting from a barricade that kind of thing

 

[mkollman74]

The adjustability of the W3 is pretty nice. That's where I put my $$$...

 

[savagenut]

Got the 2.0 ACIS and love the folding stock but hate the extra weight. My favorite stock by far is the A4. Great ergonomics for me.

 

[shoot4fun]

I had one for about a week. Hated everything about it. But I am a field shooter. I doubt anyone carries one in the field much. I mean walking, day and night varmint hunting. The guys I see posing with them are at the range or otherwise not far from their tailgate. Now someone will come on post a pic and dispute this, of course.
They had one feature I liked. Great test platform for barreled actions. Comb was too high at lowest position.
The good news is you can quickly sell and recover all of your investment. Buy OD, it sells best.

No pics. I am too old and fat to haul any rifle for miles on foot. My "field" rifle is a Remington M7 in 7mm08.
I do see a lot of pics with those Brit snipers hauling AI chassis around in the field though.

 

[sulcop96]

I haul mine around the field all the time, but as stated LE/SRT my "hauls" are relatively short and it sits in my Eberlestock and I cover my approach with an M4 until I am close to my FFP so never an issue. Now for a long range hunt in Alaska, well that could suck but the Gunslinger packs are the way to go for the AICS.

Sully

 

[Kasumi]

Aaron, I bought 2 Remingtons last year a LTR and a PSS, I put one in a AICS and the other in a Manners T5. I am very comfortable behind both, yes the AICS is a little heavy. As far as a perfect fit, there is something about the Manners that edges over the AICS, maybe its the angle and size of the grip that makes it a perfect fit. If you can get behind them both thats your best option, they are very different.

Either way you'll end up with a great stock.
Kasumi

 

[exx1976]

I put an AICS 2.0 on my build. The reason I went with the folder is so I don't have to move/adjust the comb height to get a cleaning rod/guide in there. It's a bit heavy, yes, but it's a bench/target rifle, so I don't mind it at all.

 

[Flatland308]

Loved mine and it was a great combo with the Rem 700 action.

 

[Pink_Mist]

I have a W2C G2 folder. I love it. I've used the AI. I prefer the KRG over all. As long as its a folder. I have one tiny issue with the KRG. The butt pad requires the allen wrench adjust the height. That's it. If you want pictures of any angle or have more questions feel free to contact me. I will gladly show you. Here is one word of wisdom when it comes to putting legs on this thing. I run a Harris shorty with knotched legs and phoenix claws. I also have the accu-pod mono-pod. If you plan on doing the same you will want the taller mono-pod. this way you can level the rifle. Otherwise the front sits too tall unless you buy the spigot mount they make which is another 119$. If you go with the Larue spikes then this is not a problem. I am a machinist and will be making my own. . I also plan to release my own chassis in the next year.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Rock Solid.
Definitely worth a look, I've had AICS's and for this shooter the Rock Solid is a better platform.
The TH on the AICS drives me nuts, and if I gotta run my thumb outside the stock, why bother?
If you gotta go AICS, ViperSkins are a must in my book.

 

[protoolsnerd]

I have a W2C G2 folder. I love it. I've used the AI. I prefer the KRG over all. As long as its a folder. I have one tiny issue with the KRG. The butt pad requires the allen wrench adjust the height. That's it. If you want pictures of any angle or have more questions feel free to contact me. I will gladly show you. Here is one word of wisdom when it comes to putting legs on this thing. I run a Harris shorty with knotched legs and phoenix claws. I also have the accu-pod mono-pod. If you plan on doing the same you will want the taller mono-pod. this way you can level the rifle. Otherwise the front sits too tall unless you buy the spigot mount they make which is another 119$. If you go with the Larue spikes then this is not a problem. I am a machinist and will be making my own. . I also plan to release my own chassis in the next year.

Very cool about your chassis . What are you basing it on? any inspirations ? Right now i'm running a harris notch swivel the lowest i believe . I think eventually i'll go atlas , but i have other things to spend money on before then. Prob viper skins. But so far i like the TH on the ai. A little weight doesn't bug me, more of it to absorb recoil. As rear stabilization goes , i prefer my trusty sand sock.

 

[Pink_Mist]

I am basing it on a CheyTac M100 but making it for a Remington 700SA. Plan to make a prototype with an 18" barrel. (1.0" dia) 1-8 twist. Using an AI mag.

 

[protoolsnerd]

I am basing it on a CheyTac M100 but making it for a Remington 700SA. Plan to make a prototype with an 18" barrel. (1.0" dia) 1-8 twist. Using an AI mag.

Very cool, chambering in .223 wylde ?

 

[bjay]

I own 2.0 on my custom 260 mtu barrel bartlein.i realy hate their weight together second i can never get used to on the feeling.so i baught a5 like the rest of my rifle.went to the range meet up with some friend that has t5, ax, w3 and xlr.. i handle all of tbem and shot the w3. If ever i have to redo my set up? If fiber glass thumb hole t5 feel great.fiber simplicity? Cant beat a5. If i ever let my 2.0 go for another tactical stock? Definitely w3 next in line ax..dont realy care about the thumb hole on 2.0.thunlmbhole in t5 almost a pistol grip for a medium hands like me..why buy 2.0 and install a viper pistol just to get a better feeling if you can jump on w3 or ax that already has pistol grip saves you those extra hustle..if you can wait w3 if you want it now ax ...imo

 

[Pink_Mist]

I never run my thumb around the grip as it introduces pulse.

 

[LongArm]

I like AI's but my next will be a rock solid stock

 

[protoolsnerd]

I really do like the wiskey 3 chassis but after getting an email from KRG they're at 4-5 month lead time on delivering chassis . So at least for now it's going to be the AI . It'll give me ample chance to run it through its paces and see if its for me .

Does anyone know the weight difference between the 1.5 and the 2.0 chassis ? I"m not sure that i'll need the folding mechanism , might be nice to save on some price and some weight.

 

[Mile High Shooting]

You're looking at about 5.5 lbs on the 1.5 and 6 lbs on the 2.0. The folder is very nice for easy transportation and cleaning without having to remove the cheekpiece.