In 1997, we launched AIM on a foundation of timeless core principles that include our commitment to conducting business with high integrity, treating our customers and employees with courtesy and respect, offering quality products that are clearly and accurately advertised, and building a team who will commit themselves to these same standards.
Now, twenty incredible years later, we are blessed with thousands of loyal customers, many of whom have supported us with their business since the early days.  To those “old timers,” I wish to express an enormous thank you for all that you have meant to us over the years. To you who have entrusted us with your business more recently, I appreciate you giving us the opportunity to serve your shooting and collecting needs.  We strive to exceed your expectations each and every time you connect with us.
A BIG THANK YOU from your friends at AIM!
Steve Neal
President

MrGunsandgear bought one of our Yugoslavian Ceremonial Guard 59/66 SKS Rifles last year when we had them and did a review…….WHY didn’t i keep one for myself!

Out friends over at AK Operators Union bring the best AK47 info to YouTube, now they have a video on the best way to clean a AK after shooting corrosive ammo. You don’t need anything special, just good old H2O. Give it a watch and subscribe!

I once heard a story about a man who heard from God.  God told him in a vision that there would be a terrible flood in his city, but that God would save him.  Sure enough, the flood came and the man went to his roof to wait on God to save him.  Some of his neighbors came by on a raft they had made.  They asked the man to jump on the raft with them.  He refused because God told him he would save him.  Not too long after that a police boat came by picking up stranded civilians.  They asked the man to come aboard so he would not drown.  He refused because God had told him he would save him.  With the water about to sweep the man away, a helicopter hovered overhead.  They dropped a rope ladder down to the man.  He refused again because God was coming to save him.  Moments later he was swept away and drowned.  When he went to heaven, he asked God “Why didn’t you save me?”  God replied, “You goofball… I sent you a raft, a boat, and a helicopter!”  The moral of the story is… if you let the opportunity to buy a Canik TP9SA or TP9V2 pass you by you just might die.  And it rhymes.
One of the first handguns I ever purchased was an HS 2000 out of Croatia.  I paid $249 for it.  It quickly became one of my favorite guns.  When these first hit the American market people were skeptical about these pistols.  Could a small obscure country like Croatia really come up with a polymer service pistol that could rival a Glock?  Springfield Armory thought Croatia had done just that!  In 2002 the HS 2000s licensing rights in the States was purchased exclusively by Springfield who quickly slapped their logo on it, knighted it the Springfield XD, and drastically increased the price..  The same gun you could buy for $249 started selling for $400 to $500.  As good of a gun as the HS 2000 was, I believe the Canik line is much better.  With a price point of under $350 dollars, the Canik TP9SA & TP9V2 makes the list as our fifth and final gun in the blog series 5 Budget Guns You Should Have.
There are 2 models available currently.  The TP9SA and the TP9V2.  The SA is a striker fired single action pistol.  It has one of the best triggers I have ever felt on a stock polymer pistol.  It’s light, crisp, almost no creep, and has a short tactile reset.  It really is amazing.  The TP9V2 has an almost identical feel, but gives you the option of de-cocking the striker on the first shot.  This makes the first shot a double action trigger that is longer and heavier.  Some people are big fans of this option for carry or defensive purposes.  The V2 also has a slightly shorter barrel than the SA version.  Here is a brief overview of the features of the pistols.

Canik TP9SA 9mm Pistol (Black or Desert Tan)

• 4.47″ Cold Hammer Forged Barrel
• Cerakoted Finish on the Slide
• Improved Single Action Trigger
• Ambi Slide Mounted De-cocker
• White 3 Dot Sights
• Adjustable Dovetailed Rear Sight
• Loaded Chamber Indicator
• Striker Status Indicator
• Reversible Magazine Catch
• Two Interchangeable Backstraps
• Picatinny Rail
• Two 18 Round MecGar Magazines
• Holster With paddle or belt option
• Cleaning Rod/Brush, Mag Loader, & Hard Case
• Our Price- $339.95 With Free Shipping (prices as of 9/18/15)

Canik TP9V2 9mm Pistol (any color you want as long as it’s black)

• 4.1″ Cold Hammer Forged Barrel
• Cerakoted Finish on the Slide
• Improved Single/Double Action Trigger
• Ambi Slide Mounted De-cocker
• White 3 Dot Sights
• Adjustable Dovetailed Rear Sight
• Loaded Chamber Indicator
• Reversible Magazine Catch
• Two Interchangeable Backstraps
• Picatinny Rail
• Two 18 Round MecGar Magazines
• Holster With Paddle or Belt Option
• Cleaning Rod/Brush, Mag Loader, & Hard Case
• Our Price- $339.95 With Free Shipping (price as of 9/18/2015)

We have had a ton of positive feedback on these pistols.  I have heard of zero reliability or feeding issues with them and reports are the cold hammer forged barrel makes them very accurate.  I am a Glock fanboy and I am proud to admit it.  I will, however, say that this pistol feels better in my hand then my Glocks.  The angle of the grip and the position of the magazine release and slide release are perfect.  I can manipulate them without changing my grip on the gun, something I can’t do on my Glocks.  Takedown is just like a Glock.  It’s a breeze.  Canik is also an ISO 9001 certified company and you can tell by the quality of TP9 series.  This pistol feels like quality in your hands.  When you consider the overall package you get with this gun, I can say it may be the best deal for a new pistol in todays market.  For anyone looking for a new budget home defense pistol… this is what I recommend every time. Here is the package as it will come to you.

Don’t be like the man waiting on the roof who let the opportunity pass him by.  That guy died.  Don’t be like him.  I don’t think the deal can any better on this package.  In all seriousness, what are you waiting for?
Below are links to purchase the TP9SA & the TP9V2.
Canik TP9SA 9mm Handgun- $339.95
Canik TP9V2 9mm Handgun- $339.95
An added bonus is we currently have a ready supply of factory new Canik TP9 Series 18 round magazines.  These will work with both the SA and V2 models.  They currently sell for $23.95 each.  You can purchase them here.
As always, if you have any questions or would like to place an order please call or email our friendly and knowledgable sales staff at 1-888-748-5252 or [email protected].  We would love to help answer any questions you have.
Look for more blog posts and series to come in the near future.  Until then…
Stay safe, have fun, and shoot more.
Daddy Fungus
AIM Customer Service Manager
 
 
 
 

There are two births in history that changed the world.  The birth of Jesus Christ and the birth of the AK 47.  No matter what your opinion is on either of them, they undoubtedly changed the world forever.  In the firearm world, the birth of the Kalashnikov rifle is as close as we could come to an immaculate conception.  A simple web search revealed there are an estimated 500 million AK variants in use in the world today.  It is without a doubt the most infamous and instantly recognizable firearm in history (right up there with the 1911 45 and the M16.)  Simply speaking the AK47 as designed is tough as nails, simple, reliable, powerful (ballistically), capable (in every measurable way), accurate enough, and light enough.  But is it a budget friendly firearm?  Thanks to modern advancements in manufacturing and several new and old manufacturers efforts the answer to this question is an emphatic yes!  This is why the AK47 is the fourth topic in our series on 5 Budget Firearms You Should Have.
First, I need to get something out in the open.  I have a love hate relationship with the AK platform.  I love the many benefits of the rifle, but I hate them in practice.  Undoubtedly this could be fixed with training and practice.  For me, my big round American hands would rather slam the magazine straight into my AR lower than try to rock it in to an AK receiver.  I would also rather rack a charging handle or slap a bolt release on my AR than try to reach under/over to manipulate the charing handle of an AK.  I am just not enough of an “operator” yet.    I know very experienced shooters who love them and operate them like a boss… so I know it is just me.  Despite my personal preference, I would be doing a huge disservice to anyone looking for a budget rifle if I did not recommend the AK 47 platform.  No matter how you or I feel about the AK, everyone should own at least one.
I would like to spotlight one great budget AK option of the many we sell.  Enter the Inter Ordinance AKM247 rifle.  Before you begin throwing your rotten vegetables at me, please let me explain.  IO AKs have not had the best overall track record.  All that changed when IO decided to step up its game in 2013.  They moved to Florida and began manufacturing a 100% American made AK.  In the past, American made AKs were not well thought of.  They usually consisted of American receivers and barrels mashed together with a mix of surplus parts.  The current IO line of AKs is a completely different machine.  They developed new manufacturing processes and designs which greatly improved the overall quality of the rifles.  Brand new nitrided barrels are head spaced to brand new trunnions and fit perfectly to new receivers using modern CNC equipment and custom made jigs.  What does this mean for you and me?  The days of crooked barrels, poor rivets, and canted sights are now over thanks to manufacturing advancements and new QC standards.  In 2014 our Vice President visited their facility and was very impressed.  We have been selling their new 100% American made AKs ever since.  Here is what you get for $489.95 with the IO AKM247.
 

• Quality Mil-spec Receiver
• Adjustable Front & Rear Sights
• Military Finish
• Buffer
• Bolt Hold Open
• 16.25″ Nitrided Barel
• Extended Mag Release
• 30 Round Magazine
• Black Polymer Furniture
• Bayonet Lug

You will be hard pressed to find a better AK for under $500 dollars.  Another $30 dollars gets you beautiful wood furniture along with a CNC machined side scope-mount rail on their AKM247C (photo below.)

Their rifles also come with the peace of mind of knowing you bought a completely American made and built rifle!  As the customer service manager here at AIM, I personally handle all returns and issues on the products we sell.  I can tell you that in the hundreds and hundreds of these rifles we have sold, we have had extremely positive feedback.  I can recall just 1 rifle that was returned to us for an actual issue.  The customer reported having feeding issues, but it is hard to know if it was the rifle, the mag, or the ammo.  Bottom line is you can’t go wrong with this rifle, especially when you consider the price.
IO’s  AKM247 & AKM247C  are not the only players on the budget AK field.  You can also check out the Century Arms RAS-47 and the DDI AK47S.  Both of these would also make great options.  You can find all of these and more in the New Rifles section of our website.  As always, if you have any questions or need help deciding which one to buy feel free to call or email our knowledgeable and helpful sales staff at 1-888-748-5252 or [email protected].
Keep an eye out for our final post in this series on 5 Budge Firearms You Should Have.
Until then…
Be safe, have fun, & shoot more
Daddy Fungus
AIM Customer Service Manager

I always get the upsized combo at the fast food drive through.  If you saw me… you would agree.  Why do I do this?

1. Because I love greasy, fake, American food!
2. Some deals are too good to pass up!

For 50 cents I get 30% more fries and drink.  How can I say no to that?  Some people might be willing to take the risk of running out of Diet Coke before the meal is finished.  I will not take that risk!  Some deals are too good to pass up.  This is an appropriate metaphor to the current AR Market.   You cannot afford to pass on purchasing or building an AR 15 at this time.  For this reason, the AR 15 is the third topic in our blog series on 5 Budget Firearms You Should Have.
When I was 18 I bought my first AR.  It was a basic DPMS.  I paid 669 dollars for it.  I remember thinking it was a steal at that price!  In reality it was a good deal and I loved that rifle.  That was 14 years ago.  Fast forward to today.  Prices have actually gotten better!  Not only have prices gotten better… but you have more options than ever.  There are more ways to customize a rifle exactly the way you want it for your exact purposes.  To put it frankly… this is the best time in recent history to buy an AR 15. That is a scientific fact!
I am often asked by friends and family, “what is the best AR 15 I can buy for the money?”  That, however, is not what they are asking.  In my opinion the answer to that question is a Daniel Defense, BCM, and Spikes Tactical.  Those are probably the best value dollar for dollar you can buy in an AR 15.  But again… that is not that the question they are asking.  The question they are actually asking is “What is the best budget friendly AR 15 I can buy?”  Knowing that they are referring to the latter question, I always start with the Anderson Stripped Lower Receiver.  This is the serialized part of the firearm that the ATF considers to be the “gun.”  We sell them for 39.95.  If you pair that with one of our AR Build Kits, you can have an almost ready to shoot rifle for under 450 dollars (plus shipping and any transfer fees).  See the pictures below.

Here are the benefits to building your own rifle as opposed to buying a complete rifle.

• Cost- It is hard to find a decent quality forged mil-spec AR 15 for under $450
• Experience- You gain experience and knowledge by building the lower yourself
• Simple- Anyone can build an AR 15 with basic tools and YouTube.
• Customizable- You can easily customize any part you want.
• Pride-  It is manly and it makes you feel good about yourself to say you built a gun!
• Cool Factor- People will think you are cool when you tell them you built it yourself.

If you simply do not have the time or desire to be cool, then there are still some great options.  For the price, it is hard to beat the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport.  It comes ready to shoot out of the box and includes a 30 round PMag and a Magpul flip-up rear sight for $569.95.  I take back what I said earlier, the M&P 15 Sport is a cool rifle and possibly the best budget minded complete AR 15 you can buy.  It also comes with a melonited barrel (longer service life) and a free cardboard box.  What more do you need for that price!  See the picture below of one we customized with Magpul furniture.

These are just a couple of examples of the plethora of AR lowers, uppers, and complete rifles we sell.  Take a look at our website to see our current AR products.  If you have any questions about buying your first AR 15 or building an AR 15 please do not hesitate to call into our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff at 1-888-748-5252 or email us at [email protected].  We are here to help you.  Below you will find links and prices to the Anderson lowers and Smith M&P 15 mentioned in this post.
Anderson AR15 Lower- $39.95
Smith M&P 15 Sport Rifle- $569.95
Some day soon we will all look back and say “Do you remember when you could buy a quality AR lower for only $39.95!  Those were the days!”  This deal is so good, you should have to talk yourself out of buying it.  But where is the fun in that?  Stay tuned for the fourth post in our series on 5 Budget Firearms You Should Have.
Until then…
Be safe, have fun, & shoot more.
Daddy Fungus
AIM Customer Service Manager
 

Today we are enrolling in “Why You Should Buy Surplus Guns Now” School.  Our teacher will be the infamous and battle tested Mosin Nagant rifle.  Not long ago these rugged workhorses could be found for 69 dollars.  Now good luck finding one for under 200 dollars, if you can find one at all.  Hopefully you bought a crate of them when they were still available (the free coffee table was a bonus).  We get calls asking about the availability of these rifles all the time.  Our response is always the same… “we hope we will see some more, but none for now.”  This is usually met with weeping and gnashing of teeth.  It is a story that has been told over and over again by any gun collector.  “In my day you could get xyz for so-n-so!”  Why do we do it to ourselves?

Last time we talked about LEO trade-ins as a great option for a budget handgun.  This second blog post in this series on 5 Budget Firearms You Should Have will focus on Surplus Guns in general.  We have several great options available now. These firearms are budget friendly and will come with no regrets!  Right now you can get Polish P-64 9×18 Pistols, Star Super B 9mm Pistols, Romanian Tokarev 7.62×25 Pistols, and Swiss 1911 Rifles and Carbines.  These guns are beautiful pieces of history.  See the pictures below.

 

 

 
 
If you are on a budget, buying a surplus firearm has some huge benefits:

• Price- All but one of these guns listed are under 300 dollars!
• Dependability- These designs are time-tested and battle proven.
• Parts Availability- Replacement parts are usually available online or at local gun shows.
• Shootability-  Surplus guns are a blast to shoot!
• Cool Factor- You are buying a piece of history.

Do yourself a favor and buy a surplus gun right now.  These guns are no longer being produced and we never know when our last shipment will be the last!  One thing you can count on is that prices on these will only go up.   With prices like these… now is the time to buy the surplus firearm you have been thinking about.  See the links below for pricing and information.
Polish P64 9×18 Pistol- From $219.95
Swiss 1911 7.5×55 Rifle- $319.95
Swiss 1911 7.5×55 Carbine- From $239.95
Star Super B 9mm Pistol- $239.95
Romanian Tokarev 7.62×25 Pistol- $239.95
Be sure to keep an eye on our website to stay up to date on availability and pricing on all our surplus firearms.  We will be back next week with part 3.  Until then…
Be safe, have fun, and shoot more.
Daddy Fungus
AIM Customer Service Manager