Aero Precision vs Radian: AR-15 brands compared
Aero Precision leads in 4 of 6 categories.
Aero Precision for upper receivers, lower receivers and bolt carrier groups. Radian for charging handles.
From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.
Our take
Aero makes forged AR receivers, mainly the M4E1 line, with a billet look that still takes standard mil-spec parts. They also make complete uppers, charging handles and rifles.
Mil-spec compatible · M4E1 receivers · Transferable warranty
- Close to average prices
- Upper receivers, picked 9x as often
- Lower receivers, picked 5x as often
- Bolt carrier groups, picked 16x as often
Radian makes ambidextrous AR controls in Redmond, Oregon, and the Raptor charging handle is the one everybody knows. They used to go by AXTS Weapons Systems.
Ambi controls · Limited lifetime warranty · Billet charging handles
- Paying more: about 33% above average
- Charging handles, picked 2.6x as often
Many builders mix them: 29% of Aero Precision builds add Radian, most often the charging handle.
Biggest differences
"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.
| Aero Precision | Radian | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price vs average | 17% cheaper | 33% pricier | Aero Precision cheaper |
| Share of builds | 25% | 26% | |
| BCGs picked | 9.8% | 0.6% | Aero Precision 16x |
| Uppers picked | 14% | 1.7% | Aero Precision 8x |
| Parts listed | 2,220 | 398 | Aero Precision 6x |
| Lowers picked | 23% | 4.6% | Aero Precision 5x |
| Charging handles picked | 16% | 41% | Radian 2.6x |
Price: Aero Precision wins
For the same part, Aero Precision parts run 17% cheaper than average and Radian parts run 33% pricier than average.
Builder favorite: Tie
Aero Precision is in 25% of builds and Radian is in 26% of builds.
Why Aero Precision: Aero's limited lifetime warranty covers the guns and parts it makes even if you aren't the first owner.
Why Radian: Radian covers everything it sells with a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
Receivers: Aero Precision wins
Builders pick Aero Precision lower receivers (5x) and upper receivers (9x) more often than Radian.
Why Aero Precision: The M4E1 upper is forged 7075-T6 with a billet style look, and it still takes a standard barrel nut and mil-spec parts.
Internals: Split
Builders pick Aero Precision bolt carrier groups (16x) more often than Radian. Builders pick Radian charging handles (2.6x) more often than Aero Precision. Aero Precision barrels, muzzle devices and gas blocks are picked often, Radian's rarely. Radian triggers are picked often, Aero Precision's rarely.
Why Radian: The Raptor is an all billet ambidextrous charging handle you can run from either side.
Furniture: Aero Precision wins
Aero Precision handguards picked often, Radian rarely.
Most picked Aero Precision furniture
Aero Precision Enhanced M-LOK Handguard Gen 2 15"$135.00, in stock at 1 store
Aero Precision Enhanced MLOK Handguard Gen 2 15"$138.99, in stock at 2 stores
Aero Precision Enhanced M-LOK Handguard Gen 2 10.7"$144.99, out of stockMost picked Radian furniture
Rarely picked
Shopper clicks: Aero Precision wins
Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 68% went to Aero Precision and 32% went to Radian.
The full record
Everything we track for Aero Precision vs Radian, from builds, store listings and daily prices.
| Aero Precision | Radian | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of builds | 25% | 26% |
| Price tier | Mid priced | Premium |
| Parts listed | 2,220 | 398 |
| Part types | 32 | 23 |
| Retailers carrying | 19 | 15 |
| In stock now | 3% | 63% |
| Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts | 11% higher | Flat |
| On sale now | None | None |
