New From HM Defense: AVENGER M308 Rifle

1. HM Defense is an up-and-coming AR manufacturer from Ohio that is introducing new technologies and getting noticed by the bigger players in the industry. I purchased an HM15 rifle a few years back and could not be happier with it. Definitely worth a look.

2. Other than some minor cosmetic differences on the stock, receiver and handguard, this rifle looks EXACTLY like my 18″ Aero Precision M5E1! It even has the “A” stamped on the r/side above the forward assist! Same handguard attachment. I have a Magpul ACS stock. I wonder if Aero is making the components for this rifle? Nothing wrong with that but I thought I was looking at an Aero product when I first saw the picture. If Aero does make the parts (or it’s a clone), it truly is an exceptional rifle! Look for yourself. https://aeroprecisionusa.com/m5e1-complete-rifle-18in-cmv-rifle-length.html

   • Not even close.

     Look at the spacing on the top rail. You see how the Aero upper is seamless where the upper and hand guard come together? This rifle is not.

     Now, Aero could be making their uppers and lowers as they make shit for tons of companies in the AR world, but this is not an M5E1 upper with Aero handguard like the photo you showed.

     • Not even close? Seriously?

   • Something for you to google: AR Forge Marks

     The “A” above the forward assist just means both companies bought their blank aluminum forgings from Anchor Harvey Aluminum. Another Popular supplier is Cerro Froge, their mark is a keyhole. The rest of the machining was done by the respective buyer.

3. Since the only real innovation is the Monoblock ™ design, they might have explained what that meant in their presser.

   • The Monobloc™ design has been out for a while – probably released in an earlier PR. The gas block is machined as part of the barrel. HM website should have more details.

     • What if you dont like the hand guard? How do you replace it? How do they get the barrel nut over the gas block?

     • If the gas block is not adjustable thats a very bad idea!

4. Not a bad price.

   • Have to disagree on that point. Yeah, the AR10 world is more expensive than the AR15, but $1800 is a bit steep for a gun with a proprietary barrel. I guess it saves a few issues, but parts availability is a big draw to AR patterned rifles. Also wonder which pattern AR10 they went with, could further complicate matters, and again I like DPMS-pattern for availability vs cost.

     Built my AR10 with Alexandria Pro-fab components for $750 (before the geisselle trigger anyway), and am quite pleased with the results. Don’t know if I got a ringer but it reliably shoots sub-moa out to the 500 yards I have available to shoot. $1800 is a tough sell in the current market for ARs.

     • DPMS or Armalite pattern regardless, in the 308 world there is no guaranteed compatibility like in the AR15 world. Mixing parts from different companies is a crap shoot – even when they say they are “DPMS” compatible and especially where it comes to barrel and bolt. Many folks have blown their rifles up doing this (sometimes themselves). Sure you can go to Palmetto State Armory, Surplus Ammo & Arms, Alexandria Pro-Fab and assemble a rifle but where’d the parts actually come from? They don’t make that stuff most of the time. Granted, as long as you stick with one company you’ll usually be OK. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve built my own carbines/rifles such as this and love them but If I could only grab one for armageddon it would be one of my BCM’s or Colt’s not the PSA or SAA.

       Bottom line: I’m not disagreeing with you but if you assemble it yourself there’s no warranty plus a lot of folks don’t have the tools or know how. Buying an assembled rifle like this means it has a warranty, it’s been tested and it’s probably reliable. There’s security in buying a pre-made rifle. With most quality 308’s going for well over $2,400, this isn’t a bad deal. Once they’re out on the market the price will drop more. $1900 is peanuts for a quality and assembled 308 these days. Regardless, like you, I built my Aero with a Ballistic Advantage barrel for $1200 – 1300 before the Geissele trigger and VG6 Gamma brake. There’s a lot of satisfaction in building your own.

       • My comment is what it is but I do agree with you about the value in buying completes for most people. For those that have that slightly intrepid feeling and the time to do it, why not? But for those without the (very) mild mechanic skills or more money than time, I get it.

       • True, that’s the big draw to an assembled rifle, it’s under warranty and can save a deal of headache.

         I think I’m mainly a fan of building for the “knowing your gun” aspect of it and let’s be honest, with access to the internet and a few basic tools it’s easy. Trickiest part to my build was the buffer assembly. I wanted a full length buffer (not the dons style cut-down) in a carbine stock. VLTOR just happens to make a carbine tube with specs just large enough to accommodate.

         I haven’t checked the current market, but the $2K price point is mighty prohibitive for an AR10, then again I’m cheap lol

     • Alexandria ProFab components are very under rated. Fulton Armory 308 sized AR receivers are built by Alexandria PoFab. When they started selling them under their own name they priced them very well.

5. I honestly don’t see the point of the Monoblock barrel. What problem does it solve? Gas block/port alignment? That seems a stretch. Sure, it’s a trick piece of machining, and kudos to them for showing initiative, but from an AR owner’s perspective, what problem did this solve? It made your barrel more expensive, it moves in the opposite direction of what many AR owners want to do – play grown-up erector set with their rifle.

   Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for trick pieces of machining. eg, the quarter-ribs on high-end hunting rifles that are machined from the barrel blank. Trick as all get-out, a joy to behold. But those rifles aren’t pretending to be something that the owner wants to change parts on – they’re built as monuments to the gunmaker/gunsmith’s skill. AR’s just don’t seem to be the place to exhibit this sort of skill.

6. “4150 Chromolly steel, 18” length with treaded end, 1:10 twist ratio, rifle-length gas system”

   “Treaded” barrel end…. this rifle has been “pre-treaded” upon…must be made in California.

7. Same old story, if you build you can do just as good or better for less. Why doesn’t one of these up and coming companies do something bigger? We don’t need another 15 or a 10. Someone needs to challenge Nemo, Noreen and POF on a sub-2500$ 300WinMag in the AR platform. Or at least make uppers, lowers, mags, barrels and BCGs for 300WinMag that mate up to existing handguards, stocks, triggers and what not.

   • Now THAT I would love to see. A more affordable/available .300 mag or 6.5 CM would be game changing.

     • Check out the Ruger precision rifle in 6.5 for $1400 or less. Was reviewed here as well. It is on my list to get in the near future

8. I realize I’m displaying my ignorance, but would someone explain why the Armalite AR-10 wouldn’t be good enough for most, for considerably less dough.
   (I understand it doesn’t include iron sights and full length handguard, which I have no need of.)

   Armalite AR-10: $1.099 with chrome lined barrel, uses Magpul Pmags.

   AR-10® A-Series Defensive Sporting Rifle™

   https://armalite.com/shop/defensive-sporting-rifle-10/

   • Armalite makes an excellent product! The Armalite doesn’t have a rail like this one does, which for some is a big deal. Armalite is proprietary and you can’t use DPMS parts or accessories on it. Also, just try and find an Armalite in stock – it can be challenging depending on the model. I want this one so bad I can taste it but they are almost impossible to find: https://armalite.com/shop/ar-tactical-18/

     To answer your question, there’s nothing wrong with it.

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