It’s perhaps not the pretties of designs the Aero Survival Rifle, but I’m sure it serves a purpose on the market.

The Aero Survival Firearm has an appearance which is similar to an AR-patterned rifle, but it’s designed to be more compact, lightweight and easier to carry. It uses Glock magazines and Remington 597 magazines for the .22 LR version. The operation is blowback and both the upper and the lower are machined from 6061-T6 aluminium.

There is now a Homebuilder’s Kit, with an ATF approved 80% receiver for the Aero Survival Rifle And Pistol.

According to the producer, TNW Firearms, the Aero Survival Rifles is “the ideal emergency survival gun for outdoor enthusiasts, ranchers, pilots or anyone who needs a portable, rugged and reliable semi-automatic firearm.”

According to the product page:

The Homebuilders Kit comes with an ATF approved 80% upper receiver tube that needs to be completed, but all of the other included parts are finished and ready for assembly. Detailed drawings and instructions to finish the 80% receiver tube and an exploded view of all the parts need to assemble the lower are included.

‘The Rifle Homebuilders kit includes a 16.25″ barrel.

The Pistol Homebuilders kit comes standard with an 8″ barrel.

A 10.25″ pistol barrel is available upon request.

The Aero Survival Rifle accepts standard AR15 butt stocks, buffer tubes and pistol grips which are sold separately.  The TNW Handguard and handguard adapter are also sold separately.

Below: Some completed Aero Survival firearms shown for reference only.

Centerfire Aero Survival Homebuilders Kits are available is in 9mm Luger, .357Sig, .40S&W, 45ACP and even the powerful 10mm, all using Glock pattern magazines.  Rimfire versions also available in 22LR and 22WMR and use Remington 597 magazines.  The removable barrel and easily convertible caliber changes allow the shooter to switch between similar cartridges with nothing more than the change of a barrel and bolt assembly.

You can find the print needed to see what needs to be finished on the receiver here.

You can find the ATF Approval letter here.

Specifications:

• Barrel length: US 8” for pistols, 16.25” for rifles
• Breakdown dimensions with barrel removed: US 18.5” (for rifles depending on which customer supplied stock is used)
• Centerfire Cartridges: 9mm, .357Sig, .40S&W, 10mm, .45ACP
• Rimfire Cartridges:  22LR, 22WMR
• Magazine configuration: Centerfire – Glock pattern, Rimfire-Remington 597
• Left or right handed ejection
• Coating: None
• Action: Semi-automatic, direct blow back
• Safety: Sliding safety and integrated child trigger lock

There is also a video to describe the kit.

Video description: “Today we take a look at our ASR Home Builders Kit and how to thread the receiver for the barrel nut and buffer tube. At the end of the video we have a quick run down of what cuts will be needed to finish the 80% receiver tube.”

The price is 375 USD and delivery is around 2-4 weeks. At that price I feel tempted to build one just to learn and see how it shoots. What’s your experience?