I started off my first official day of SHOT Show 2019 with quite the metaphorical bang. I had a GREAT visit with Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage.
I have been so impressed with the finish and performance of my Aero AR pistol for the past few months, that I’m now interested in learning how to build my OWN rifle in a hunting caliber. I went to the Aero booth with the intent of looking over the possibilities.
So no kidding, there I was, minding my own business looking over the wall display of completed rifles, when who should address me and offer to help, but Clint Smith! (Yes – Thunder Ranch’s Clint Smith!)
I told him what I was interested in doing, and that I was considering the AR-10/M5/.308 platform for hunting (among others). Well didn’t THE Clint Smith proceed to take me under his wing, offer his own advice about weight and barrel length, and then guide me to the barrel guys across the booth at Ballistic Advantage and ask them which .308 barrel would suit this young lady’s needs best.
I was then treated to an explanation of the various lengths and flutings etc, the advantages/disadvantages of stainless vs chromoly, and other details. I freely admitted that I am not a subject matter expert in the rifle-building department and I am currently quite low on the learning curve. But nobody batted an eye or made me feel as if they shouldn’t be bothering with me. They actually cater to the home builder’s market.
In fact, it was pointed out to me that Aero Precision has a whole YouTube channel “Builder Series” which I could take advantage of during my learning process! I’m actually quite excited about this prospect now. I’m hoping that this process is so-easy-a-pediatrician-can-do-it. Maybe not quite “easy”, but I’m optimistic about “do-able”.
Between Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage, they’ve got upper receivers, lower receivers, barrels, and Magpul components – a large chunk of what I would need for a build-it-myself gun. As I thanked the rep and started to walk away, Clint Smith called me back to make sure that I had gotten my questions answered. I was impressed that such a fellow was genuinely interested that someone like me had gotten what I needed.
If Aero’s customer service is anything like the service I received in the booth, then this should be an enjoyable process, and I would recommend them to anyone.
