I don't why it's so difficult to just admit that the rifle is grossly over priced, does essentially nothing better than any other quality PRS style rifle & doesn't even have good ergonomics but, you just want an AI.
First of all thank you for answering my question.
There are plenty of others on this thread with similar or more experience levels to me on this but here goes.
- I've been at matches in the mud and rain where other rifles a third of the price have simply stopped working. Failure to fire all over the line. This includes high end custom guns. The guys (including myself) running AI rifles just kept on going.
- Quick change barrel ability with repeatable return to zero.
- Multiple cartridges in one system with change over in less than 2 minutes by the user in the field or at the range with no special tools.
- For military and LEO units they don't have to lose their rifle for months on end to get a new barrel.
- For civilians you don't lose your rifle for weeks or months on end to get a new barrel.
- Prefit barrels on the shelf which most good barrel manufactures can spin up. (no bloody barrel extension to deal with unlike some others)
- Arguably the best magazines on the market for any rifle system. Everybody else uses them or has copied them.
- Modularity.
- They have passed stringent controls and tests for military deployments. (including dust and ice testing)
- Designed from the outset to be the best.
- AI keyslot has been proven again and again to be the strongest attachment system.
- 1 rifle can replace 5 or 6 in your safe (if not more). You can't shoot them all at the same time. I have the 308, 300 and 338 bolts for my AXSR. That's quite a versatile package. It has actually saved me money. Go figure.
- The AI trigger (standard) is pretty much perfect for a hard use rifle. The competition trigger did have some teething issues granted. That seems to be resolved. I personally have had zero issues with any of my competition triggers.
I personally wasted many years with inferior rifle systems and custom guns. They all gave me some sort of issue over and over again.
Out of all the bolt guns in my safe the AI's see the most use. They do everything i want and more.
To me and many others on here, the extra money is definitely worth it.
Finally a sensible answer. (not aimed at you
PrecisionRifleGuy)
Aside from your 1st point, you have a reasonable argument. Just as there were some rifles which didn't function, there are plenty 1/3 the price that do.
The quick change barrel system is unquestionably a luxury that very few guys can practically justify the necessity of.
Shouldered barrels are no problem to swap & take but a few minutes if necessary in the field which, for the vast majority of shooters, it isn't.
Multiple cartridges in one system, most of which the average shooter has no need of or propensity for.
Key slot system is very good but, totally unnecessary for most shooters.
1 rifle can replace 5 or 6, yes, but so can many other custom rifles which utilize a floating bolt head which, is all that's really necessary, less weight, far less expense for the customer & has been tried & proven for decades.
AI triggers are an interesting subject. Not withstanding that the rifles are confined & thus relegated to the proprietary trigger system, I find it truly remarkable that a rifle company supplying new trigger systems would allow those designs to reach their customers with the faults they had.
Although this situation is not unique to AI, I find it remarkable when the price of both the rifle & triggers are considered in perspective.
For the record, about 5 years ago, I was all set to order an AI. After speaking with only one guy on the phone & hearing one opinion, aside from the usual fan boy antics & BS, I decided to seek a few more opinions by visiting some websites & PM some owners & in particular previous owners who, were all quite willing to answer my questions.
To cut a long story, I decided against the AI, not because they were inferior or had any issues worth noting or over & above any other brand of rifle. I decided against an AI because, for the average guy, shooting normal stuff, I simply couldn't justify the absurd price when compared to other rifles while keeping a firm grip of what a rifle actually does & is expected to do as opposed to all the fancy but absolutely unnecessary tricks the AI could do.
Since the proof is in the eating, why don't we see AI rifles with far higher representation in PRS when many of the competitors rifles are bumping the cost of an AI?
I've read many opinions on this question from top PRS competitors & although their comments are diplomatic, they certainly do carry weight which causes some pause with those who are more discerning than some others.
When we consider the fact that the vast majority of competitive shooters don't seem to be at all disadvantaged by not utilizing best of the best, I think the reality is obvious. AI rifles do nothing of significance better than any other quality competition rifle.
I don't at all regret my decision because there's one thing I hate more than anything &, that is paying for a reputation with no real world justification. Most of know that as being ripped off & would definitely have been ripped off.
I would have happily paid 6k or maybe even 7K but 10k,.......leave it to the suckers Jack.
