Aero Thunder Ranch AR

[Poconnor]

Has anybody seen the Aero Thunder Ranch AR? I saw a few pictures from the 2020 shot show. I could not find any other info. I am looking for a lower to build.

[Willard]

Has anybody seen the Aero Thunder Ranch AR? I saw a few pictures from the 2020 shot show. I could not find any other info. I am looking for a lower to build.

Understand this is an old thread, but I just saw it today. Looked interesting with the cut out lower and the no forward assist upper. Trying to find some reviews.

[tango-papa]

I attended the TR Urban Rifle course in February 2019 and Clint had a few of his Aero rifles (with the cutout in the magwell) on hand.
Everyone at the course had the opportunity to handle and shoot the rifles, including one student who shot the entire course with one of the rifles (active duty guy who was stateside for the course and had coordinated with the Smith's to use one of the rifles for the course).

The rifles ran without issue and the fit/finish on them was top notch.

I don't know what differences there might be between the one you are describing from the 2020 Shot Show and the one I saw/shot in February 2019.

tp

[Nephrology]

what's the deal with the cutout?

[tango-papa]

what's the deal with the cutout?

Per Clint: malfunction clearance with a side benefit of weight reduction.

tp

[Summerhelp]

Here is a link to a Guns America article about the Clint Smith Aero rifle. I haven't read it yet but I know they are going to say its the best thing since sliced bread.


https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/aero-precision-and-clint-smith-team-up-for-thunder-ranch-ar-series/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=20200515_FridayDigest_278&utm_campaign=/digest/aero-precision-and-clint-smith-team-up-for-thunder-ranch-ar-series/

[Darth_Uno]

So it’s basically a “regular” Aero with holes.

I’m sure Clint Smith knows a great many things I don’t, but that cutout seems like you’re more likely to get more crap in the magwell than out.

Pretty neutral on the FA. I don’t believe I’ve ever actually used mine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MistWolf]

When was the last time you worried about getting crapola in your AR through the magwell? Besides, a mag in the well blocks most crapola from getting in- access hole or not.

I can see where having an access hole would make it easier to reach up inside & clear brass out of the action.

[Pepper]

When was the last time you worried about getting crapola in your AR through the magwell? Besides, a mag in the well blocks most crapola from getting in- access hole or not.

I can see where having an access hole would make it easier to reach up inside & clear brass out of the action.

That is what Clint was thinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji7B_LQiMOU&mc_cid=63cbc91dce&mc_eid=f6f4af6f3d

[Willard]

That is what Clint was thinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji7B_LQiMOU&mc_cid=63cbc91dce&mc_eid=f6f4af6f3d

Was hoping he would go into why he thinks the forward assist is unnecessary also. I think I know, but would have liked him to expound on that.

[Pepper]

Was hoping he would go into why he thinks the forward assist is unnecessary also. I think I know, but would have liked him to expound on that.

He does in several of his training videos. Basically, if the round wouldn't chamber itself, why would you want to force it in with the FA?

[OldRunner/CSAT Neighbor]

He does in several of his training videos. Basically, if the round wouldn't chamber itself, why would you want to force it in with the FA?

Started to chime in here but Pepper beat me to it, as Clint shared that same sentiment w/ me in my first class w/ him in ‘97

[HCM]

He does in several of his training videos. Basically, if the round wouldn't chamber itself, why would you want to force it in with the FA?

I’ve never use the forward assist to try and reduce a malfunction but I use it all the time after doing chamber checks Prior to operational use.

And yes I am well aware that you can load and make ready and check to see if the top round has moved to the opposite side but I don’t see l end-users I work with doing that.

[Wake27]

I’ve never use the forward assist to try and reduce a malfunction but I use it all the time after doing chamber checks Prior to operational use.

And yes I am well aware that you can load and make ready and check to see if the top round has moved to the opposite side but I don’t see l end-users I work with doing that.

Agreed, it’s part of my standard admin loading procedure and often is required to fully seat the bolt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DamonL]

Thunder Ranch lowers, now for sale.

https://www.provenoutfitters.com/m4e1-stripped-lower-receiver-special-edition-thunder-ranch-anodized-black

https://www.provenoutfitters.com/special-edition-thunder-ranch-m4e1-carbine-complete-lower-w/alg-defense-trigger

[theJanitor]

I can see my clumsy ass falling down on an empty rifle and crushing that magwell.

On a related note, I can remember the SEAL that helped develop the Cylinder and Slide Trident, stating that on one mission he and his holstered 1911 got slammed hard into something, and he pinched the S&A magwell enough that it wouldn't release the magazine from the pistol

[Coyote41]

Agreed, it’s part of my standard admin loading procedure and often is required to fully seat the bolt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Checking the side the ammo is on works when loading the rifle. It isn’t terribly re-assuring when checking a rifle that was previously loaded. Did someone (or you) unload it and forget? Did you brain fart the number of rounds in the magazine? Are you using a magazine where the follower changes the side of the round? Did you load from the same magazine twice?

Chamber checks are necessary and are the only sure way to know the status of a weapon.

My LMT MWS does not have a forward assist, and I have been out in field conditions (hunting) and found this to be a huge flaw.


To keep the thread on track, the Thunder Ranch rifle is 100% gimmick, but Clint Smith, like all of us, needs money.

[breakingtime91]

anything that makes a rifle less sealed is not good. I have also used the forward assist in a combat situation so.. I feel like adding an issue and taking away one that could mitigate an issue is backwards. With that said I respect clint a lot. My forward assist was used when I cleared a malfunction and the bolt wouldn't go into battery because grit where the bolt head locks up. A solid press of the forward assist helped it grind past and the first round seemed to clear the issue up. YMMV

[breakingtime91]

He does in several of his training videos. Basically, if the round wouldn't chamber itself, why would you want to force it in with the FA?

not always the round that is the issue. could be fouling that a live round being fired will help clear

[OldRunner/CSAT Neighbor]

Checking the side the ammo is on works when loading the rifle. It isn’t terribly re-assuring when checking a rifle that was previously loaded. Did someone (or you) unload it and forget? Did you brain fart the number of rounds in the magazine? Are you using a magazine where the follower changes the side of the round? Did you load from the same magazine twice?

Chamber checks are necessary and are the only sure way to know the status of a weapon.

My LMT MWS does not have a forward assist, and I have been out in field conditions (hunting) and found this to be a huge flaw.


To keep the thread on track, the Thunder Ranch rifle is 100% gimmick, but Clint Smith, like all of us, needs money.

Having known Clint since '97 there's mucho veracity to Coyote's post, the last sentence in particular.

[Poconnor]

Having watched too many shooters struggle to clear a malfunction I think this lower has merit. The question of whether this solves one issue (easier malfunction clearing) but creates another (less robust lower that results in breakage) will have to be determined.
I like the forward assist button but I would rather extract the round before I create a bigger problem. Don’t forget the concave scoop on the bolt can also be used as a forward assist. Push it forward with your finger. I didn’t say it was a great idea. Just an option

[Casual Friday]

I suspect this Thunder Ranch rifle will suffer the same sizzle and fizzle that befell the signature rifles from many other trainers and gun celebrities like Travis Haley, Pat Rogers, Kyle Defoor, Steve Fisher, Aaron Cowan etc.

[Larry Sellers]

In the days of “drops” where companies build
Up hype etc, it appears that aero was able to sell EVERYTHING in short order.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Casual Friday]

In the days of “drops” where companies build
Up hype etc, it appears that aero was able to sell EVERYTHING in short order.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I suspect the current market conditions had more to do with that than the actual product.

[Larry Sellers]

I suspect the current market conditions had more to do with that than the actual product.

Agreed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lost River]

His home and business is in Oregon. The Governor is as socialist as they get, and the Marxists are winning to say the least.


I like both Clint and his bride. In my limited personal encounters with them, both at their facility and at socially elsewhere, they have always presented as very gracious and humble people in person. Both came over for the Milt Sparks 50th anniversary invitational gathering and were simply great people, as were the other notable attendees. In light of the horribly oppressive happenings on the political climate in Oregon, as well as what is happening in a physical sense, with the Marxist Terrorists running around lighting fires causing people to lose their homes and everything they have worked their entire lives for, as well as for some, even losing family members caught in those fires, I wish Clint, his family and staff nothing but success and safety.

These are horrible times to be a gun owner, a business owner, as well as a conservative in Oregon. Imagine having your life's work wrapped up in a martial type firearms training facility in Oregon right now. I hope Clint, his wife and the whole team at Thunder Ranch are able to weather this terrible storm.

LR.

[Rex G]

I full agree with Clint Smith, in that forcing a cartridge home can be a very bad idea. Better to clear it away, than try to force it home. If the next one does not chamber, either, well, transition to pistol, until this thing is sorted-out. (I realize that not all of use carry a pistol and AR15 at the same time.)

I do, however, use the Forward Assist, after a chamber check. I could, I reckon, push forward on the exposed portion of the bolt carrier, but appreciate the handiness and sureness of the Forward Assist.

The mag well cutouts do not bother me. Those areas do not appear to have structural significance.

[randyho]

I suspect this Thunder Ranch rifle will suffer the same sizzle and fizzle that befell the signature rifles from many other trainers and gun celebrities like Travis Haley, Pat Rogers, Kyle Defoor, Steve Fisher, Aaron Cowan etc.
Eh, that's ok. One of my favorite AR's has an uncle Pat upper. Bonus, it happened to be exactly what I was looking for.

[HCM]

Having watched too many shooters struggle to clear a malfunction I think this lower has merit. The question of whether this solves one issue (easier malfunction clearing) but creates another (less robust lower that results in breakage) will have to be determined.
I like the forward assist button but I would rather extract the round before I create a bigger problem. Don’t forget the concave scoop on the bolt can also be used as a forward assist. Push it forward with your finger. I didn’t say it was a great idea. Just an option

It creates two issues - durability and it facilitates dirt and debris getting into the action.

[OldRunner/CSAT Neighbor]

Eh, that's ok. One of my favorite AR's has an uncle Pat upper. Bonus, it happened to be exactly what I was looking for.

Nice score Randy, don’t recall any of Pat’s branded (EAG) product’s having fizzle but he was a friend of mine so a tad biased here.

[Casual Friday]

Nice score Randy, don’t recall any of Pat’s branded (EAG) product’s having fizzle but he was a friend of mine so a tad biased here.

By fizzle I meant they were real popular when they came out but that popularity soon subsided. There wasn't anything wrong with any of the signature series rifles I mentioned, just pointing out their popularity waned.

[Poconnor]

My LGS had 6 thunder ranch complete lowers in stock yesterday. Now they have 3 left. I will pair them with BCM uppers I bought awhile back for a KISS lightweight build. Hopefully I will find some ammo soon to form an honest opinion. Maybe I take it down to my old Dept when they qualify and let them try it out