Jody Lewis visits the Aero Precision factory to check out the new M5 forged 308 upper and lower combo set.
With Aero Precision being in my back yard, it made sense to take a trip down to see their facility and how they manufacturer their products from start to finish. You wouldn’t believe how inconspicuous the AERO facility is. When you arrive, you have to do a double take because the building is nestled into a small industrial complex in Tacoma, WA. Step inside and it anything but small. The facility houses some of the largest production machines on the market, some nearly as long as a football field.
I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves, but the visit was pretty cool and watching AR’s being made is never boring. While I was there, I stumbled across their newest offering in the vastly growing 308 AR market. Their newest offering, dubbed the M5 is a DPMS style forged set that has very clean lines, much like Noveske’s GenII.
I snatched one up while at AERO and have been planning my build ever since. Since it is DPMS compatible, there is a plethora of available rails, barrels and options on the market to build it out.
Lower Receiver Features
- Semi-auto M5 (.308) lower receiver (DPMS cut)
- Machined from 7075-T6 forged aluminum
- Matte black hard-coat anodized Mil 8625 Type 3 Class 2
- Marked “Cal Multi”
- Works with standard DPMS 308 components and magazines
- Rear takedown pin detent hole is threaded for a 4-40 set screw
- Bolt catch is threaded for a screw pin (no roll pin needed)
- Integrated trigger guard
- Selector markings will work with 45, 60 or 90 degree safety selectors
- Accepts Battle Arms Development short throw safety selectors, but will work with any standard selector
Upper Receiver Features
- Forged from 7075 T6 aluminum
- Precision machined to our specs
- M4 feedramps
- Matte black hard coat anodized Mil 8625 Type 3 Class 2
- .2795-inches takedown pin holes (DPMS size)
- Laser engraved T-marks
- Accepts standard .308 components
- Works with DPMS high profile handguards
- Assembled upper comes with forward assist and port door installed
There is a myriad of 308 upper and lower options on the market today and AERO is definitely a viable option. To my knowledge, they are the only forged option available. If billet (heavier) is your thing, I can’t say enough about CMT and the Rainier Arms 308 sets and I see a new set on the market by SI-Defense that I will be checking out soon.
Visit the Aero Precision website for more details on the M5 308 Forged Set. Don’t forget to find them on Facebook, too.
Stay tuned for photos of my build and testing soon and let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns.
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