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AI AX quality

S

solst_ice

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 19, 2012
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Hi,

I've got a brand new AX 308 20" with 16" forend rail. Did not fire it yet, but I was a bit astonished about some things:

- the finish reminds me a bit the arsenal sar m1 - rugged, but with small scratches and not that perfect as I did expect for that rifle
- the quad forend is off center at the top end .
- there are lots of toolmarks at the barrel under the muzzlebrake and a little burr at the sink of the muzzle

Do you have similar experience with the AX rifles?
 
I've experienced a lot of AI rifles (not an AX though) and have yet to see a single one that wasn't perfect out of the box. Some will say if it works shoot it, but I'm of the belief that if you pay $7K for a rifle, you should be the one to fuck it up. If you're not happy I'm sure it will be taken care of if you send it back to the dealer, or to AINA.

On a side note, my AX will be here later this week, so I can tell you first hand once it arrived.
 
They aren't pretty. They weren't designed to be. I had an AW and have had an AX now since they came out, and neither had skins that matched up properly etc. If the top rail isn't even, that would he a concern. Scratches though? Eh, I treat my rifles like a $5 whore.
 
Where did you buy the AI from?

1.) Its a gun....its going to get a lot of scratchs if you actually shoot it.
2.) Pull off the forend, and put it back on. Changes are it was installed in a hurry.
3.) Pictures would help, but I would just shoot it and see if there are any issues.
 
Like a $5 whore, really? -)
The thing is this: they are pretty much expensive over here in europe (around 7000 eur) and compared to the sako trg their finish looks really poor for that price. But probably you're right: they are not designed to be.
 
It was manufactured by ai in 2012 ./ 2013 .
Checked the forend. It's secured by 6 screws. Loosened them a bit and tried to put the rail into the right place. But as soon as you tight the screws, it will end up like before because it is guided by the chassis.
Will take some pics.
 
some pics: forend, barrel with brake removed, muzzle
 

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more pics: surface
 

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Thats a new rifle? If so return it if possible as this is definitely not norm and further more i don't think any paying customer should accept this from ANY company/dealer...
 
Not sure, if this is norm for an AX. At least the surface seems pretty much the same for all the these rifles. Not sure about the rest. (forend, barrel)
 
solst_ice said:
Like a $5 whore, really? -)
The thing is this: they are pretty much expensive over here in europe (around 7000 eur) and compared to the sako trg their finish looks really poor for that price. But probably you're right: they are not designed to be.
Click to expand...
I don't abuse my AX unless I'm drinking, but I do use it without worrying about the fit and finish.

That said, looking at your pics, the scratches do seem a bit excessive for a new rifle, and the handguard alignment is not acceptable. I would ship that rifle back.
 
Solst_ice, what country do you live in? I've never seen anything like this from AI North America, but maybe something is slipping in Europe?
 
bm11 said:
Solst_ice, what country do you live in? I've never seen anything like this from AI North America, but maybe something is slipping in Europe?
Click to expand...

germany. maybe the 'bad' charges go east, the good ones west ? -)
 
solst_ice said:
germany. maybe the 'bad' charges go east, the good ones west ? -)
Click to expand...

Ha, maybe so! No, I would say that perhaps you were an extremely unlucky individual that got one that "slipped through the cracks." OR your shipping company dropped it from a tall shelf onto a real hard surface and repackaged it to avoid paying a claim.
 
Unacceptable even if it were a cheap rifle. Completely unacceptable for a rifle of that cost. It looks like a used rifle that was haphazzardly refurbished.

I bought a new TRG-22 that had some ridges in the chamber, probably caused by a burr in the reamer. The rifle shot great, but I still exchanged it for another when I discovered the anomally. The dealer replaced it immediately with no hesitation even though I had put 450 rounds through it before i discovered the problem. This is how it should be when you purchase a rifle of this level.

Get it replaced or get a refund.

Just my $.02.
 
Hi all,

I'm about to buy a used one. AX338 fully loaded folder. What did you paid for your new or used AX? No scope rings.....
 
bm11 said:
OR your shipping company dropped it from a tall shelf onto a real hard surface and repackaged it to avoid paying a claim.
Click to expand...

Don't think so. The forend itself seems even as I can see so far. The rail on top of the receiver also. But when you look from the top front, you can see the forend has got an angle to the side compared to the rail of the receiver. It's because of the guiderails either at the forend or the chassis or both.
 
i would make them replace it, and have them check the new one before sending it

scratches and bent stuff should be done on your own time, your not paying them to do it
 
I've been finger fucking mine for the last few hours. The finish quality is top notch. Nothing is out of the ordinary, the tube is straight, and the finish is perfect.

One comment I will make is that the finish they use on the action is nowhere near as smooth as the blueing was on my AE. My AE was silky smooth and didn't bind at all from the factory, no break in needed. My old AWSM I bought was on the second barrel (appears to be the same matte finish type as my AX) so it was smooth and broken in when I bought it. All of the other AW's I've shot were well worn and didn't bind. This new AX is smooth, but it binds badly if you run it like you mean it. I was dry firing it and it hung up most of the time, so I got violent with it and its starting to get better. I wiped it completely free of lube so that it will wear in faster, I has EWL on it and it made no difference on it binding, just made it slicker once it freed up. I'm sure once its cycled a thousand times or so it will be nice and smooth.

I would also like to note that the seams on the plastic panels are very straight. The ones on my AE, AWSM, and all the AICS I've had had gaps all down them but not these, they are a perfect little seam.

Overall I'm completely satisfied with my purchase, a minor break in is to be expected.
 
If that's a new rifle, it looks like their quality sucks. I would just ask for a refund and get a different platform. If that's what you can see, just think about those things you can't SEE !!!
 
sib1948 said:
If that's a new rifle, it looks like their quality sucks. I would just ask for a refund and get a different platform. If that's what you can see, just think about those things you can't SEE !!!
Click to expand...

Really? So what would you suggest he buy that's even on par with the AX?
 
I'd send it back to the dealer or factory. My rifle came out nearly perfect. Everything lines up properly, the bolt is slick, and it shoots lights out. Mine came from Mile High and I believe they installed the barrel there.
 
sib1948 said:
How about a DTA SRS or Covert A1???
Click to expand...

So he should ask for a refund on a superior rifle only to pay more for a DTA to get it to Europe (if he can even import one)? That makes a whole lot of sense.

His best bet it to send it back to AI and let them handle it. They're a great company and they aren't going to fuck over a customer who just spent $7K on a rifle.
 
Send it back without a doubt and make them deliver you perfection. I run $4000 Wilson 1911s. They are works of art and run better than any pistol you could own. Holstering them gives them character by slightly rubbing the slide, but this is far from being scratched. Ill b damned if I received one with parts put on wrong, has scratches, and tool marks to boot. Even on the inside! Sounds like this rifle went past the QC department, and I'm sure they would be glad to give you what you deserve. My guess is that you received a demo or a returned product.
 
Thought about a DTA some months ago. But they cause a lot of headaches because of itar. A dealer right here got several of them one year ago, but he could not sell them, because of the paperwork, which was still incomplete. Right now at least those he has in stock can be sold. But you better hope, you will not need any spare part...

I'm asking myself, if AI has got at least 2 different factories for the production? One of them located in the US, which produces the high quality AX?

Still got no answer from AI . Does someone have experience with their customer service located in the UK ?
 
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I would suggest messaging Tom Irwin here on the hide. As to the poster who said send it back for a refund and get a better rifle. Stop drinking the silly juice.

As for the gun itself, I'd be most concerned about the rail. The tool marks in the turned down portion of the barrel look to be from the muzzle brake not where it was turned.
 
Hi,
All AI sales in Europe are handled by Sporting Services in the UK who is the sole distributor. I assume you ordered your AX new from them? Call Sporting Services and speak to Graeme, I'm sure he'll help you. He used to work for AI and know the rifles inside out.

Sporting Services - Contact / Ordering Information

I've had my AX for two years now and it's perfect in every way and shoots like a laser beam.
 
solst_ice said:
I'm asking myself, if AI has got at least 2 different factories for the production? One of them located in the US, which produces the high quality AX?

Still got no answer from AI . Does someone have experience with their customer service located in the UK ?
Click to expand...

The AX I just got is engraved Accuracy International England and then AINA Fredericksburg, VA. It would appear AI England makes everything and AINA imports them. I can tell you that as of two years ago when I was in AINA's facility and saw the whole deal they weren't making anything there, importing and making some changes is all they did. As far as I know they get the actions on chassis from AI England and Dave Tooley chambers the AINA AX barrels for them and AINA installs them. I'm unsure about AW's but Mile High told me that AE's still use the England Lother Walther barrels unless you change to a Tooley chambered Bartlein.

What I have seen doesn't support the theory of better stuff coming to the states. I think you just got one they slipped up on and there is no reason to believe otherwise. AI has (or had) a few phone numbers listed on their site at one point, I would try giving them a call instead of waiting for an email.
 
I'll ask again....who did you buy the rifle through?

Also deadly is on the money. Tom Irwin is the guy on here who you want to talk to.

But seriously who did you buy it through......because those pictures look pretty bad.
 
ok, you' re right. I'll try to contact Tom Irwin.
It was delivered / sold by poltec.
 
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Checked my mailbox again. The anwer of AI was right on time. But my mail provider tagged it as spam -( Not their fault.
 
I have just read the latest updates to this thread and would like to clarify a few things.
1. If anyone is not happy with the quality of a product from Accuracy International then they should contact either AI or AINA directly, depending on their location, AINA is for USA and AI the rest of the world.
2. We will sort out the problem and treat it as a warranty return or advise otherwise if it is determined not to be a warranty. Our warranty is for 12 months but that is not the case if we see something that is clearly a workmanship issue.
3. We make all rifles in the UK but for the USA most of the AX rifles have Bartlien barrels.
4. Sporting Services is our retail distributor for the UK and rest of the world except USA, Canada and Germany. Pol-Tec is distributor for Germany where this rifle was bought.
5. As soon as we found out about this customer concern we invited him to send it back. Nobody needs to force us to take something back and refund the money.

Regards,
Tom Irwin
Accuracy International
 
Got in contact with AI quality management and the dealer will send them the rifle. Mr. Irwin is right, AI answered my mail the next working day and I also got a PM right here. The AI customer service is really top level.
 
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