Atheris Rifle Company: quick review

Status
Not open for further replies.

JeeperCreeper

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
2,145
Location
Under A Rock
I normally don't post reviews on forums, but I couldn't find a while bunch of info when I was searching months ago. So maybe this week help someone.

I wanted to build a "budget but good" long range AR in 6.5 Grendel. Searched high and low between a bunch of brands and ways to go about it.

Long story short, found a small company named "Atheris Rifle Company". I think out if Virginia, not sure. Anyways, bought an stainless18" barrel with 5R rifling. Free-floating guard. A couple other nice additions.

Anyways, upper is top notch. Much nicer than the asking price. Shoots 1" 5 round groups with Hornady... Maybe 1-2" 3 round groups with Wolf at a 100.

Shipping took 2 weeks, but that's fair even though I got spoiled by Amazon prime.

I highly recommend and I had great luck if anyone is concerned with it being a small company. So add this as a 'positive' to the internet data pool.
 
I normally don't post reviews on forums, but I couldn't find a while bunch of info when I was searching months ago. So maybe this week help someone.

I wanted to build a "budget but good" long range AR in 6.5 Grendel. Searched high and low between a bunch of brands and ways to go about it.

Long story short, found a small company named "Atheris Rifle Company". I think out if Virginia, not sure. Anyways, bought an stainless18" barrel with 5R rifling. Free-floating guard. A couple other nice additions.

Anyways, upper is top notch. Much nicer than the asking price. Shoots 1" 5 round groups with Hornady... Maybe 1-2" 3 round groups with Wolf at a 100.

Shipping took 2 weeks, but that's fair even though I got spoiled by Amazon prime.

I highly recommend and I had great luck if anyone is concerned with it being a small company. So add this as a 'positive' to the internet data pool.
Just another KUDO for the Atheris Barrel and the Company. I purchased their 18" SS barrel, bolt, and handguard. While it took a month for my gunsmith to put it together, it was worth the wait. Components were installed on a matching upper/lower from a Bushmaster 223, After getting on paper at an indoor range, I took a trip to get it out to 100. New scope and 4 shots to adjust. Shots 5-8 went into .466 inch group, with shots 9 &10 opening it up to .889. The .889 was on me. I came off the gun and didn't get the same Point of Aim for the last two shots. Shooting H322 and 123 grain bullets, I'm still smiling. The .889 also, could have been the difference between Lapua and Midway second bullets, I can't say. Atheris guarantees MOA or less and they delivered. If Time and $$ permit, I'm building a pistol with heir barrel.
 
Can't believe it took me so long to discover the 6.5 Grendel. Looked into it because my buddy was on the 6.5 CM wagon, full bore. I love my AR's and I don't shoot pass 300. My AR-10 SASS is a heavy 15 plus pounds and I wanted to go lighter. Barrel, bolt, and magazines beat a new AR-10 or trying to find the matching upper for an Armalite B Series lower, plus I count my pennies.

Atheris Barrel Company was the right everything to convert a .223 to 6.5G. Bill Alexander developed a great Cartridge, and Atheris has a great barrel at a great price point. Check them out?
 
When I researching a 6.5G upper I had it narrowed down to Atheris and Sanders Armory. I went with the Sanders and have been very pleased, but its sounds like I couldn't have gone wrong either way. Definitely a big fan of the 6.5G, it doesn't get the attention it deserves.
 
When I researching a 6.5G upper I had it narrowed down to Atheris and Sanders Armory. I went with the Sanders and have been very pleased, but its sounds like I couldn't have gone wrong either way. Definitely a big fan of the 6.5G, it doesn't get the attention it deserves.

If you're happy, that's all that counts. Made another order from Atheris. They notified me my order was being shipped, and BANG, Ice Storm in Va. Had to be bad if USPS wasn't picking up. The order arrives tomorrow. Going on a .223 NM upper. I liked the 17.5 inch handguard so much on my Grendel, I'm putting one on a NM .223, 20 inch. Gonna love the Cool Factor with their Handguard, plus, the barrel shoots too.
 
I ordered back in early November and still havnt recieved mine, have called sent emails all it get the same story that their suppliers are not sending the parts or shortages ect. Not sure how long I should wait.
 
I ordered back in early November and still havnt recieved mine, have called sent emails all it get the same story that their suppliers are not sending the parts or shortages ect. Not sure how long I should wait.
I'd suggest waiting as long as you're comfortable with then asking for a refund.
I spoke to a number of AR-15 consumer supply companies about getting stuff not in stock recently, And if they tell me anything it's pretty much exactly what those guys told you, so it's really whatever you're comfortable with.
 
I ordered a complete 6.5 Grendel upper with 18" stainless/fluted bbl back in April. After checking my order status for a couple weeks with no updates, I emailed and asked what was up. I was told that lead times were ranging 12-15 weeks, but they'd been getting them out in 8-10. Last Friday, they responded to my email asking if I was gettin close to having my upper built since I was gettin close to 12 weeks, with a sort of generic response about they were still waiting on components. I'd seen several reviews on the BBB website about them, folks sayin they'd waited for 6+ months to get their upper/rifle. So, I emailed Atheris back and stated that since they couldn't, at no fault of their own, give me an idea of how much longer I'd have to wait, that I'd rather have a refund and I would reorder when their supply chains were gettin back to normal. Monday I they responded saying that, that very mornin the 18" stainless fluted Grendel barrels had arrived, and they had my order completed in a couple weeks. The next day, got an email saying my order had shipped complete with tracking number, but for 2 days now when I check the tracking number, it says the label has been created, but package has yet to be received by ups... So, I guess we'll see how long it takes to arrive, and how good it is when/if it does. That's my experience with Atheris. Unless I get this upper and it's just amazing, I likely wont do business with them again.
 
Not better luck here either. Ordered complete 6.8spc upper back in Dec. Web site stated item was "in stock". After 8 weeks, sent an email inquire. They said it can take 8-12 weeks. For something "in stock" this seams rather extensive wait time. Now, after 7 months, that's 29 weeks actually, no upper. Sent a nasty gram on BBB. Got a call two days later from the owner complaining about my review. He said that it is not his problem. It is his suppliers for the barrels. To me, "in stock" means that it is actually in the building, on a shelf, waiting to be put together and shipped. To me "in stock" does not mean waiting for back order parts. Apparently his definition for "in stock" means located somewhere on this planet. He claimed to have it in 2-3 weeks. Of course it still has to be put together and delivered. As I am not in a huge rush, I agreed to give him another 3 weeks. 8 months for a "in stock" complete upper, it better be incredibly amazing. I should have done more reviews on Atheris. I now have found several reviews of the same issue. I will not be doing any additional business with them. Unless, of course, the upper is worth the 8 month wait.
 
Quoting LR308, as I can concur.
"Not better luck here either. Ordered complete 6.8spc upper back in Dec. Web site stated item was "in stock". After 8 weeks, sent an email inquire. They said it can take 8-12 weeks. For something "in stock" this seams rather extensive wait time. Now, after 7 months, that's 29 weeks actually, no upper. Sent a nasty gram on BBB. Got a call two days later from the owner complaining about my review. He said that it is not his problem. It is his suppliers for the barrels. To me, "in stock" means that it is actually in the building, on a shelf, waiting to be put together and shipped. To me "in stock" does not mean waiting for back order parts. Apparently his definition for "in stock" means located somewhere on this planet. He claimed to have it in 2-3 weeks. Of course it still has to be put together and delivered. As I am not in a huge rush, I agreed to give him another 3 weeks. 8 months for a "in stock" complete upper, it better be incredibly amazing. I should have done more reviews on Atheris. I now have found several reviews of the same issue. I will not be doing any additional business with them. Unless, of course, the upper is worth the 8 month wait."

My place of employ and my self personally support firearms manufacturing's in a manufacturing and engineering role. Things are very wild out there. I personally started the acquisition/building of 3 AR-15 type rifles this year.
I'm particular both cost and component wise of what I end up with for a firearm, and have 1-1/2 of the 3 guns completed. I have also collected 98% all the accessories that are to hang on these guns. I figure I'll have the 2nd gun build together before Atheris Rifle Company comes thru with the ordered complete rifle, as the backordered Barrel and BCG should be delivered in 2-4 weeks.
After pricing out the components and considering the effort required on my part for another build, I chose to order a complete rifle from Atheris Rifle Company more than 6 months ago .
The previous 2 posts reflect what I experienced with Atheris Rifle Company.
Atheris Rifle Company has been fairly responsive, but it has been talk and little real real feedback on the true status of my order. The last I was told, they have all the parts, but are backlogged a few weeks on assembly. that was 5-6 weeks ago.
I truly hope they build a quality product and are proud of their past reputation, but they sure are not doing themselves or us any favors with their wishfully statements an way off estimates of product delivery.
I investigated the BBB complaints against Atheris Rifle Company.
See: https://www.bbb.org/us/va/roanoke/profile/gun-dealers/atheris-rifle-co-0613-90030096
I'm not accusing Zack Curtis & all for anything criminal, but there is a definite pattern of poor business practice. That's my experience with Atheris Rifle Company. Unless I get this rifle and it's just amazing, I likely wont do business with them again. If the rifle is fine I'll give them a great review, but would still need to mention the way they conduct business.

I welcome Zack Curtis' response.
 
Last edited:
More than a little concerned Atheris Rifle let themselves over promise and just not to be truthful about their rifles delivery status. In the meantime I built 2 of my own. I was a newbie to the AR15 world. Near 8 months on order, no rifle.
I am quite happy with my two built from scratch AR15s, an 18" .223 Wilde/.22LR CMMG Rifle and a 7.62 x39 General Purpose 16" Carbine. They tool a bit of work to fine tune, now form fit and function is excellent. If I get this Atheris rifle and it's just amazing, I'll just fade away and not ding them, but any more guns I'll piece together myself, hard as it was to get the exact parts I wanted with the first two.
 
FYI

I received a response.

Hi Mike, we are pretty busy. I do want to thank you for sticking with us through this hard time we have all had to go through. Your order will be shipping out in September. We have had a builder out with family emergency and we have been a bit short staffed. I do appreciate your understanding.


Sent from Mail for Windows

From:
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 8:13 PM
To: Zach Curtis
Subject: Re: 2nd request +7 months and patiently waiting on my ORDER#XXXX???


On 08-03-2021 12:47 PM, Mike69440

Hi Zack,

I would appreciate truthful status update on ORDER #5606.
I was told you have all the parts approximately 2 months ago.
You must be busy!

Thanks,
Mike
 
It’s not a fun time to be a manufacturer right now. Between world supply problems, workers out on sick leave from covid, and enormous demand for anything firearms related, it’s very difficult to try to plan production. Their suppliers are doing the same thing to them that they are doing to you. I suggest you take a breath and be patient and don’t bug them. Check back with them if you haven’t gotten it by the end of the year. They are probably getting 100 emails a day checking on back orders and that doesn’t help them put rifles together.
 
I work supporting Manufacturing.
We provide tooling and engineering support. About 15-20% involves small arm manufacture. I know it is crazy difficult times. My Rifle finally got picked up by UPS last night. So 10 month wait.
Built 2-1/2 AR's just to keep busy while waiting. I'm picky about BCGs Lowers, barrels, stuff, etc, and I shop for price. Slow going even DIY.

I will post after testing it out.

PS

This seem slick for the Price.
https://atherisrifle.com/products/spartan-shield-group-order.html

Anyone know the specs? 2 stg Trigger or just an EPT? BCG? Barrel Manufacturer?, etc.
 
Last edited:
From Atheris Rifles page…

“Group Order Rifles for Spartan Shield. If you dont know what that is, dont order this product, Thanks.”

Are they talking about the group buy, or the rifle?

That is not the attitude I’d like to have from a company selling a simple, commodity rifle.
I went to find information about the mentioned rifle, evidently they had none to offer. Knowing nothing about it, and receiving no information from the company that is building and selling them seems like a con.

This seem slick for the Price.
I think they seem expensive for a bog standard rifle. I don’t think I’ll be buying one.
(That’s disingenuous. :D I don’t buy AR rifles. I buy parts. Once a human can assemble one themselves, putting up with the cost saving parts of cheap rifles or the inflated costs of a name brand rifle company is wasteful.)

After such a wait, I hope your rifle is great, Mike. I’m looking forward to the review.:thumbup:
 
From Atheris Rifles page…

“Group Order Rifles for Spartan Shield. If you dont know what that is, dont order this product, Thanks.”

Are they talking about the group buy, or the rifle?

That is not the attitude I’d like to have from a company selling a simple, commodity rifle.
I went to find information about the mentioned rifle, evidently they had none to offer. Knowing nothing about it, and receiving no information from the company that is building and selling them seems like a con.


I think they seem expensive for a bog standard rifle. I don’t think I’ll be buying one.
(That’s disingenuous. :D I don’t buy AR rifles. I buy parts. Once a human can assemble one themselves, putting up with the cost saving parts of cheap rifles or the inflated costs of a name brand rifle company is wasteful.)

After such a wait, I hope your rifle is great, Mike. I’m looking forward to the review.:thumbup:
I got my Atheris https://atherisrifle.com/products/atheris-arc24-t2-7-62x39.html Thursday night and also a Armscor VRPA40 12GA Pump. I love a deal and for a fully outfitted Pump gun with 4 Mags, Red Dot, Weapon Light, shotgun card, and Sling, even replaced the crap front Sling swivel. All for just under $250! (with discounts) I pity us American manufacturer's having to compete with the Turks and Chinese. I really shopped for the accessories, and for the price, their surprisingly ok. Damn thing really kicks. My 500 is easier on the body.
Now regarding the Atheris Rifle, I tested it out this weekend. We had over 4" of rain so I just shot one mag at 100 ft. It hit where was pointed and functioned well. Fairly sure it will shoot at least a 2" group at 100 yards with steel 7.62 x 39 70 year old ammo, because at 100ft I put a few shots right on top of each other just standing. Plus I'm not a great shot.

The rifle looks real pretty all Ceracoated. I borescoped the barrel and was impressed. Definitely a step up from a Radical Firearm's barrel I own. Parts fit together about as well as my Areo Precision guns. My Areo builds really are precision fits with Black Rifle Arms Nickel chrome Teflon BCG's that function great. This is my 4th AR and first one I did not put together myself. I swapped scopes putting the new 1-10 LVPO on the .223 Wylde and my Vortex 1-8 on the Atheris. I never liked the eye relief and my head position and sight alignment on the 1-8, but as the Atheris has the Luth AR stock, was able to set up the scope so now I like it a lot more mounted on the Atheris. Likewise the Swampfox 1-10 seems better on my .223 with the DD furniture.
To date my favorite AR is my 7.62 X 39 with the SIG Bravo 5 Prism scope. The Bravo5 seems like a big heavy Red dot with 5X mag. For 5X it has a really wide field of view. This built gun feels and fits me right. The Atheris is a bit heavier feeling, but both are H-Bars and have about the same weight weapon light, same bipods., Only difference is the scope, and Atheris has billet lower and really fancy handguard. Oh, Atheris puts a decent trigger in the gun, but I kind of wish it were a 2 stage.
Time will tell if the Atheris will be in the front of my gun safe. (Just realized I shot the Atheris with a 28 rd. mag and I normally run a more handy 20 rd. mag., thus with the difference ins scope & Mag, it felt heavier.)
 
Last edited:
Noticed my rifle was not built with the silent buffer system. I suspected what was described on the Atheris website was this. https://www.jprifles.com/1.4.7.2_os.php
What came with the rifle seems standard buffer system. They also shipped with a non Ambi. Std. safety as the said they were out of stock at time of build.
I have not pulled the weight apart until I get a response from Atheris
 
I would have not been pleased to be charged with a $200 upgrade spring and not received it in my rifle.
The JPSilent buffer does not look like any common recoil spring and buffer. The weights are not hidden in the buffer so examination is easy for the weight combination. Was this charged for in the build sheet?

They also shipped with a non Ambi. Std. safety as the said they were out of stock at time of build.
But was it paid for, included in the price? As far as rifle parts went this shortage, they weren’t hard hit. Why can’t Atheris get any parts?

Kind of a long time to wait for something without the right parts in it.:(
As long as it shoots well and you like it, Mike, and everything that was paid for is in the dang rifle, all is good. But this isn’t exactly a shining review of their business practices, even though it is very enlightening.
 
20211103_195441 (1280x857).jpg 20211109_Atheris with silent buffer.jpg
Well I called at work at around 3:00 PM, and the women who answered the phone had me speak to one of the assemblers.

The did not want to hold up my rifle so they shipped with std buffer and safety. He said they will ship out the silent buffer, rifle length spacer & Ambi.safety. When I got home there was a package containing the ambi safety, an ambi CH I order for another build, and the silent buffer, less spacer.

So I need to call tomorrow to stop shipment of a silent buffer, & tell them someone at Atheris already sent the missing parts, but omitted the spacer tube. Atheris was just trying to get the rifle to me without any further delays, and I believe they want to do their best by me.

About 20% or more of my day job is engineering and tooling support for the firearms industry. Industry can't keep up & is in both terror and turmoil. The people at Atheris are reputable and do their best. Think it is good product for what you get. If anything they are guilty of being way optimistic. I now have 3-3/4 AR15's, in process if finishing a last build I'm doing more out of boredom and stumbling over some great pricing.
If you are tolerant and patient, I think Atheris will please the fussy and thrifty with their product. I have seen not as nice rifles being for sale at more money. I've got a lot more situations where I have a right to be upset over than with anyone at Atheris.

PS I did not pay extra to have the 416 s/s barrel black Ceracoted and the upper matches the scope color almost perfect where the lower & guard is a mil spec green.
 
All’s well that ends well! They have a good follow through.:thumbup:
You have good taste in rifle set, mine are very similar. Love the LuthAR stocks.

in process if finishing a last build I'm doing more out of boredom and stumbling over some great pricing.
I bought three triggers in the last two months from finding such excellent buys.:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top