Aero Precision Ar15 M4e1 Enhanced Upper Receiver Anodized Black Review
The Aero M4E1 complete upper receiver is what I recommend to my friends who want the all-time bang-for-the-buck.
Information technology's also the upper that is taking the place of my previous home-defense setup.
I'll walk through everything from fit & feel, to shootability, accuracy, upgrade potential, how it performs in competition, and more.
Go gear up for tons of pics…and a new full YouTube review of the consummate upper and Aero lower build kit.
Johnny'south full build is at the bottom of the article! And if that video helped, delight subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the latest weekly uploads.
If you can't wait…this one with the regular barrel and 12″ M-LOK handguard is the 1 to go:
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at Aero Precision
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Table of Contents
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Well-nigh the Aero M4E1 Upper
The specific upper Aero Precision sent me to test is the M4E1 sixteen" 5.56 Mid-Length Pencil Barrel with their new 12" M-Lok ATLAS handguard. Pencil means the barrel is thinner…resulting in less weight but reduced stiffness.
445
at Aero Precision
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
Simply look…didn't I say that I recommend getting the regular butt one?
Yes…since my previous version of the review showed the awesome accuracy of the regular barrel. The new handguard PLUS the regular barrel makes the perfect upper.
The M4E1 combines everything I talk about in my AR-15 Buyer's Guide :
- xvi" barrel then information technology satisfies all laws regarding length
- Mid-length gas arrangement for a softer shooting gun
- Complimentary-floating 12" handrail and so you can become better accurateness + a longer grip
- Yard-Lok attachment system so you tin can easily add lights, etc.
Who Is It For?
I'd say the M4E1 is a general use upper. Only especially useful if…
- Y'all're looking for some other AR-15 upper that has all the new stuff (mid-length gas, gratuitous-floating handrail, and Thousand-Lok)
- You're building a new AR but don't want to mess with installing the butt and gas organization. They crave tools and I've messed upward my off-white share. Sometimes yous just want a reputable company to build it.
- You want the all-time value upper (or full rifles here).
Fit & Experience
Allow'south become through all the parts starting with the "engine" of the gun…the BCG.
Information technology's MPI/HPT tested and properly staked…like all my other mil-spec BCG's that just plain work. As well right weight for a full-auto (FA) BCG.
I got the ambidextrous charging handle which is super beefy and useful if you lot want to easily contumely check (using your right hand on the right side of the handle).
Otherwise, it'due south probably not worth the extra $60 from the regular one. The best blindside for the buck is still my favorite Bravo Company ($45) 1.
Note that the upper doesn't come with the BCG nor charging handle (sadly this is the norm for uppers now), but Aero'southward versions are priced well.
- Aero BCG ($125)
- Aero Ambi Charging Handle ($78)
- Aero Standard Charging Handle ($xx)
I also got the flip-upward sights ($139) which are metal and again…super beefy. I actually like having them on a home defence gun just in case my optic fails. It's a little expensive so if you are looking for cheaper backup sights…expect at Magpul polymer ones ($threescore).
Which hopefully it doesn't since I'm using an Aimpoint cerise dot. Check out my recs for the best AR-15 eyes .
The track is machined nicely and has my favorite M-Lok zipper system pioneered by Magpul. No more quad-rail since that adds unnecessary weight.
I also Really honey the contour for me to identify my thumbs where they removed the top middle department of Picatinny. If y'all aren't running tons of stuff on summit…it'south a decent weight reduction.
Note…it's rounded and so you won't be able to stick on a light/laser pad.
And if yous use flip up sights and similar to place your thumbs on the groove…y'all'll take to contrary the rear sight and so that it lies downwards towards the barrel. Still works fine…simply be prepare for "hey your forepart sight is reversed."
If y'all need/want the total track on top, there's now the R-Ane version of the ATLAS.
450
at Aero Precision
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
It'due south also thin…about ane.5″ in diameter. My gripe almost the previous generation'southward was how thick it was at two″ in diameter.
The M4E1 comes with a standard flash hider but if you're going the featureless route or want to actually reduce recoil and muzzle rise…I switched mine out for Aero's VG6 Gamma ($75) muzzle device.
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Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
The biggest departure in the new Aero upper receiver is that it gives it a absurd billet look without the cost increase. I love the more ambitious lines.
Versus a regular upper.
The weight of the erstwhile upper with the thicker handguard comes in at iii lbs half-dozen oz (without charging handle or BCG) while the new upper with pencil barrel comes in at a apartment 3 lbs.
vi oz is a lot of weight that information technology shed!
But…plenty about how it looks.
How Does information technology Shoot?
Afterwards some quick cleaning to get rid of any preservatives or oil, I lubed it upwardly and went to the range.
I zeroed in the flip up sights and shot 100 rounds at 100 one thousand steel. No malfunctions of whatsoever kind.
I'chiliad glad I didn't have to say to myself…"oh, it just needs a couple hundred rounds to break information technology in."
Then came the fun function of taking me out of the equation and shooting groups.
Accuracy: Regular Barrel
- Lead Sled DFT ($200)
- Schmidt & Bough PMII 5-25x Telescopicwith Larue Mount($3500)
- Regular ammo: my go-to .223 PMC and .223 Wolf Gold (Best AR-xv Ammo Guide)
The results of a 10-round slow string with no cool-downward in-betwixt shots with the PMC and my favorite unmarried-stage trigger .
Yes, I messed up one round merely it's roughly ane" (1 MOA). Which is pretty great for plinking ammo at 100 yards.
By comparison military XM193 rounds are around 2-3" at 100 yards.
If you lot await you'll come across the sad confront next to Wolf. I was walking dorsum from the targets and somehow lost the Wolf Shoot-n-C. I would guess it was around two MOA.
Accuracy conclusion…I tried to make it the best possible case with a lead sled, a sweetness optic, and a crisp trigger. The rifle holds up then at present it's really downward to the shooter.
Accuracy: Pencil Barrel
Pencil barrels have the notoriety that accurateness goes down when information technology's heated up from previous shots. Merely if y'all're looking at shorter engagements or simply "minute of bad guy"…it will do the job.
I duplicated the original test with the aforementioned trigger, sled, and scope. Hither are the results at 100 yards.
Rapid burn down meant as soon equally I got on target again I shot (around every 2-3 seconds). While slow burn was waiting for the barrel to be cool and shooting around every 30 seconds.
And Part 2 with PMC XTAC (XM193) and Gold Medal (match ammo).
So…it wasn't the greatest. Here's my takeaways:
- Pencil barrel was around 2-3 MOA vs 1 MOA of the original barrel.
- Visible differences from rapid fire vs slow fire…but not as much equally I would have thought.
- No specific ammo did MUCH better…even the Gold Medal Friction match. Looks similar you can get with the inexpensive stuff similar Wolf Aureate (Best AR-15 Ammo).
Recoil/Shootability
I put on my red dot since I wanted to run into how fast I could transition betwixt targets at my side by side competition.
Recoil and shootability are on par with all the other AR-15's I've shot that aren't using adjustable gas-blocks. Which is yet…very fiddling due to the modest .223 round plus the compensator.
The pencil barrel too did not showroom extra recoil.
Competition
I commonly run my lightweight upper but wanted to put the Aero M4E1 upper through the ringer.
Competitions and me just take a really good track record of breaking down and exposing flaws in guns.
My main problem was choosing to go with the red dot and not getting enough time shooting at long range targets to memorize the drop.
I regularly identify in the 50 percentile mark at my local matches and this fourth dimension was no dissimilar. I re-lubed at the beginning of the match and had no problems.
The Aero feeling at dwelling with other AR-xv's.
I haven't competed with the new upper merely from a couple hundred rounds at the range engaging 100 1000 steel…it's more than capable even with a ruby-red dot. And much amend feeling in the hand with the contour and thinner handguard.
Hither information technology is in action in my current home defense form:
Now nosotros're in the home stretch.
Specifications
From the Aero site:
Upper
- New enhanced 7075 forging that gives the upper receiver a "barracks await"
- New picatinny profile that blends seamlessly with our Enhanced Series Handguards
- M4 Feedramps
- .250 takedown pin holes
- Laser engraved T-marks
- Includes port door and forrad assist installed
Handguard
- Forepart and rear picatinny rail
- Eliminated eye of top rail for weight reduction
- Indexing grooves in 12:00 position for positive grip control
- Quick disconnect sling socket at the iii, vi and 9 o'clock positions
- Compatible with depression contour gas blocks
- 1.iii" Inside diameter
- one.5" Exterior diameter
Butt
- 5.56 Nato 16″ Midlength, one/7 twist, 4150 CrMoV, QPQ, gas port drilled
- .750 gas block journal
- Midlength gas organization, .0785 gas port
- M4 Feed Ramp Extension
- HP and MPI tested
- Standard A2 wink hider
By the Numbers
Reliability: 5/5
No failures of whatsoever kind in the ~thousand rounds of the original and around 500 of the new pencil butt upper. But recollect to keep it nice and lubed.
Accuracy: five/5
Information technology'll practise its job with regular plinking ammo. If you get-go to reload or apply match ammo, you can likely make it a sub-MOA gun if you do your office. Looks like regular barrel > pencil barrel for accuracy.
Ergonomics: five/5
Now a 5 with the new ATLAS handguards that are thinner and allow a nice contoured index for my thumb.
Looks: 5/5
Pretty sweet and the details on the receiver make information technology stand out.
Customization: five/5
Information technology's an AR-fifteen with Thou-Lok so the sky's the limit. Cheque out my list of the Best AR-15 Upgrades and Best AR-xv Flashlights if you demand help.
Bang for the Buck: 5/v
Aero has proven themselves to me as the best blindside for the cadet in strippedreceivers (I have build half dozen+ uppers on Aero), complete uppers, and full rifles.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Johnny'south Build
Peep the video to see Johnny's M4E1 in action and check out below to see his consummate build list!
- Aero Precision M4E1 Stripped Lower
- Aero Precision xvi″ Mid-Length M4E1 Complete Upper due west/ R-Ane Handguard
- Aero Precision Nitride BCG
- Aero Precision Ambi Charging Handle
- Aero Precision LPK
- Geissele 2-Stage SSA-E Trigger
- Magpul MOE Stock
- Magpul MOE Grip
- Linear Compensator
Determination
The Aero Precision M4E1 AR-15 upper fulfills many roles from plinking to home-defense and has maintained a spotless reliability record. Accuracy, ergonomics, and finish are also great. It'south more than expensive than introductory AR-15s but bang-for-the-cadet versus "loftier-end" manufacturers is stellar.
If you're thinking of getting an AR-15 upper, you can't go wrong with anything Aero.
I've toured their manufacturing facility in Tacoma, WA and it is legit. They are a true manufacturer and non just an AR-fifteen parts assembler.
My proffer would be for the regular barrel and the 12″ Grand-LOK ATLAS handguards. You'll get the best of both worlds…accuracy and a kickass grip.
Editor's Selection
429
at Aero Precision
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
For those of you who want the full rail…there's the R-I version of the ATLAS.
450
at Aero Precision
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Or if you're looking to shave a 5 oz off and "minute of bad guy" accuracy is enough…the pencil barrel is crawly too.
445
at Aero Precision
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
And if for some reason yous're not feeling it…check out other options in our Best AR-xv Uppers for the Money and Best AR-15 Upgrades manufactures.
Source: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/aero-precision-upper-review-m4e1-16-5-56-mid-length/
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