A beautiful FDE build created on an Aero Lower with a Brownells BRN-180 16" Upper making up the heart and soul of this rifle.
 
From the upper manufacturer:
 
BRN-180 Reliable Piston System Made Even More Versatile
Designed in conjunction with PWS & FM Products, the Brownells BRN-180  is inspired by the Armalite AR-180 of the 1960s. Developed as a successor to the original AR-15, the AR-180 was a civilianized version of the AR-18, itself an upgrade on the M16 platform. The BRN-180 incorporates many of the AR-18/AR-180 improvements - including its robust and reliable gas piston operating system.  The BRN-180 Gen2 Upper Receiver Group improves upon the original BRN-180 with two main upgrades. The operating mechanism, the short stroke gas piston concept remains the same, but the user can select between two settings, depending on their conditions and ammunition, to ensure smooth and consistent function. No more spare gas piston cup to worry about. The Handguard is now retaining with a single locking screw. This large screw provides ample locking force and ensures a more consistent handguard lockup. During extended firing, and the barrel heating up, this new locking system ensures the handguard retains alignment and rigidity with the upper receiver. Also, with this new takedown mechanism, the handguard can be removed to access the gas system without removing the internal components. Like the original, the BRN-180 bolt carrier rides smoothly on a PAIR of guide rods. The carrier is buffered at the rear by a built-in polymer buffer with a molded-in steel plate that captures the guide rods. The Nitride bolt replicates the original AR-180 bolt design, right down to its use of a standard AR-15 extractor. Wait - we know what you're dying to ask. Yes, the BRN-180 upper receiver is fully compatible with any standard, mil-spec AR-15 lower receiver. The 16" barrel is machined from extra-strong 4150 carbon steel, with a hard Nitride finish that really resists surface wear. The BRN-180 is chambered in .223 Wylde - for extra flexibility in ammo choice - with 1-8" rifling, so it handles both .223 Remington and military-type 5.56mm NATO ammo with equal aplomb. Up front there's a replica of the AR-180's unusual three-prong flash hider: the hemispherical bottom prong helps prevent the muzzle blast from kicking up a dust signature when shooting prone. Standard ½-28 tpi muzzle threads let you swap on a modern AR-15 muzzle device should you be bitten by the customizing bug.
Ultra-reliable AR-180 piston operating system
Compatible with current mil-spec AR-15 lowers
Machined 7075 T6 aluminum receiver & handguard - hardcoat anodized finish
16" barrel with matte black Nitride finish
.223 Wylde chamber
Button rifled bore; 1-8" twist
½"-28 threaded muzzle
Replica 3-prong AR-180 flash suppressor
Molded polymer ejection port cover
 
 
List Of Components Used in Assembly
 
BRN 180 Gen 2 Upper 16"
Aero Lower FDE
Timber Creek FDE Takedown Pins
B5 Systems Type 22 Grip
BCM Trigger Guard FDE
KNS Precision Stock Adapter
BCM Vertical Grip MOD 3 FDE
BCM Rail Panel (4)
Forward Controls Design Ambidextrous Magazine Release FDE
Timber Creek Ambidexterous 45 Safety FDE
Midwest Industries Triangle 1913 Folding Stock FDE
Vortex Spitfire 5X Prism
Virdian RFX25 Green Top Dot