Ares Armor

They don’t do private party transfers here. What kind of gun shop doesn’t offer this. When I called the lady didn’t even know if they did or did not do private party transfers!

Founded by USMC ²⁄₄ veteran Dimitri Karras, this store was shown to me by one of the Marines I work with. These guys have been extremely helpful in the purchase of gear for active duty service, along with personal items and my current rifle build. If something was wrong, they are more than happy to resolve the issue or refund your money. They have even helped me with custom requests on some of their items, and even some that I brought in.
Everything there is made by Americans, for Americans, in America. That’s just something you don’t see too often anymore, and something I, as well as them, are darn proud of. Every piece of merchandise I have purchased from them have been quality, grade A items. Every new Marine I get, I send them down to get a few items that I recommend for their load out, specifically the «Raider Admin Pouch». I always have and always will recommend this company in the area who is in the market.
I look forward to the new era of Ares Armor, now American Weapons Components, Inc.

Don’t order online. Even if the item is «In Stock» it’s not. I ordered a 1911 jig and 80% November 30^th when it was «In Stock» and up to a week ago it was «In Stock.» Now I received an email stating that I will have to wait 4 week to get my order. I like supporting local businesses but I won’t support this one anymore.

They’re slow to ship your order. Prices are pretty high too. Tried to send them an email about something and I never got a reply… I really don’t know about those guys anymore.

I was going to drive to oceanside today and start an 80percenter but after reading all the reviews on Unilocal and Google I’m seriously taken back. I understand the popularity and the atf raids that happend a LONG time ago, these factors should still not affect day to day QUALITY ASSURANCE of current operations. You’re a business not only that but one that is represented as a veteran ran business you should hold a higher standard than just taking peoples money. Even if something went wrong with shipping or dates mixed up or the wrong parts being sent out it’s YOUR job Ares to make it right that’s customer service. Get it right or you will shut down just like Quantico. Maybe not now while your riding on this 80 percent wave. But people will start to come around to the bad practice and shy. Get it together or kiss your livelyhoods away. I will not be driving to oceanside today not for fear I will get shady service I’m savy enough to build his thing without a jig. But I can do that with ANY lower and I thought I was supporting Dimitri and his cause. But after learning about this brice sterling guy, I think I will give my money to someone else.

I ordered 1 raw billet 80% lower, 2 FDE polymer 80% lowers, and 1 OD Green polymer 80% lower. I ordered them online, on a Monday, and by Friday I still had not received a confirmation email, but they had charged my card. I got pretty concerned at this point. And started researching some more. I had already done some research before my order, and found mostly very positive reviews. But then I found this Unilocal account after the order, and started getting further concerned especially because it seems like a lot of the negative reviews had to do with online sales. Well I ended finding their emails to me in my junk folder. Some how hotmail flags them as spam. So to cut it a little shorter, one of the items I ordered were out of stock, and I had to wait about three weeks for it to get back in stock. I got an email Monday morning that my order was shipping and it arrived today (Tuesday) afternoon. That’s less than two days shipping. Pretty good. The items are exactly as Ares described. So over all I had a good experience with them, and if their email had gone to my inbox instead of the spam folder (not their fault). I would have never had reason to worry. I’ll be ordering from them again.

This place is awesome. Each time I come in Jared is always there to help me. He has amazing customer service! Something that’s hard to come by nowadays. Highly recommend this pace! Go in and ask for Jared!

I messed up my order -«I» messed up my order– and they were super helpful in getting me the right parts I needed quickly while giving a full refund for the parts I didn’t need. Tod called me personally to make sure I had what I needed and that the AR build was going as planned. I’m not familiar with too many companies that will go that far! I will be back when my first «practice build» AR is completed.
Thank you Tod and Ares Armor

What a sad thing for the owner to be screwed over for such a shitty corporate company that does not care about our rights. I’ll be taking my business somewhere else. Much respect for the old crew.

I have ordered online only, never been to the store in Oceanside, but I have been pleased with the efficiency and speed which my orders were filled, and shipped. I have ordered several times, and will order again. All orders were packed well, and shipped quickly. They are all I expect of an order placed online. Good job!!!

Just stay away from ares armor. They have the worst customer service. I had to call them multiple just get get my original order. Then when I received my produce I needed to ship back something. It took about 2 weeks just to get a shipping label. I had store credit and when I used it. I had to call back again just to check even if it was shipped, which it was not.
Again, terrible customer service. Simply put just buy your parts for build from somewhere else.

Depending on who helps you will depend on the service/​advice you will get. The parts n gear are top quality and if you have a issue the staff will help you. These guys or soldiers who work here are the real deal… Be polite, wait your turn, and you will have a good experience.

Most of my gears are from Ares Armor… Even my upper receiver is made by Ares Armor… I fully supported this company ever since they stood up against the ATF, and highly recommended their products to my colleagues. After what’s been happening for the past few days with the new owners of AA, specially after reading the email that AA sent out to their subscribers, starting today, I will UNLIKE this page, unsubscribe to the newsletter (that I’m always looking forward to), I will no longer drive 2+ hours to buy their products, I will sell all their gear for cheap and move on with another brand. Hopefully, the new brand of gear will be from Dimitri..

Ok here we go, went to the main shop… very friendly, helpful it was a pleasure… so $ 212.00 into it i buy a 80% percent and head over to the metal works place… so with an online $ 100.00 appt. i arrive early, and ready to go ! So with Ares placing a gentleman in front of me, my appt was basically pointless and right in their agreeement they state dont be late period no refunds!
So anyways i proceeded to do the first stage and drilled the first holes on the lower, while waiting i visited the man in front of me and noticed he came extremely close to blowing out the side of the lower… i brought this to shop tech (Kid, 24 maybe) he went and showed the office person the jig, and simply stated it was ok !
so in stage two i was using the router, and i stopped and showed these dip sticks the problem, and how close it was to the side of the lower, once again no problem here… its normal and the jig will stop it BBBBBBSSSSSSSS, so after blowing out the side… im not dumb or blind… this is $ 300.00 loss…
Bottom line is, very worn out jigs… not precise by any means, theres no refunds once you begin… even though i pointed out the jigs were shot… there excuse is well i know there worn out and we have some more on the way… WTH are you not a machine shop and only one set of worn out jigs… DO NOT EVER GO HERE ITS HORRIBLE AND JUST BS HOW THEY ADMIT AND WERE SHOWN THERE JIGS WERE BAD AND NO HELP… LEFT MY LOWER TO SHOVE UP THERE ARSE AND LEFT …

Wow, what awesome service! I went in and Brendon really helped me get all the parts I needed. I was also educated in the ways of the «ghost gun» or 80% receiver portion of the firearms industry.
The prices are competative or better than most online prices out there and the American Made Nylon gear they make is beyond awesome.
Thanks for all the help!
I would highly suggest this place and these guys to others.

These gentlemen are at the forefront of California’s 2^nd Amendment battle. Questions are welcomed at their shop. They are well versed in California’s bureaucratic nightmare when it comes to AR platform homebuilds and blackrifle accessories. I highly recommend them. They are in the fight for your right to comparable and adequate self defense. Show your support.

Seems like most of the reviews from Ares are coming from their online department. I am fortunate enough to live within a couple minutes driving distance of their store front in Oceanside. The guys in here seem to know what they are talking about when it comes to the pieces you buy from them. Both times I’ve been in there it’s been nothing but normal conversation between clerk and customer. I had questions, and they had answers.
Do you get a book on how to do everything down to a T when you leave? Nah, but you probably have YouTube and some friends with more mechanical inclination or tools than you do, and you’ll be able to figure it out if you invest enough thought into your build.
I like how this business conducts itself, I trust that my information won’t find its way into government hands.

Attended their Grand Re-​Opening and Im
Glad I did! I was able to get 2 80% lowers for myself and my boyfriends birthday and got to pick a second drawing ticket and won a FREE UPPER!
It was a lil chaotic inside so Im glad I woke up extra early and got there when I did!
Cant wait to start my build and finish my weapon!
Thanks Ares Armor for making me one stoked chick! You guys ROCK!

WARNING, DO NOT PURCHASE FROM ARES ARMOR
These thieves have had my money for almost 6 months and do net reply to emails regarding shipment or refund. I ordered 2 80% lowers in January and the status on my account order page has consistently been Out of Stock.
Yesterday, much to my surprise, they are advertising 80% lowers with fixture, drill bits, screws etc for $ 200. They show over 90 in stock.
I have been patient until now and have given them the benefit of doubt but this threw me over the edge.
These guys are thieves, go to a local gun show, many dealers have lowers for sale, there is no shortage.
Ares Armor is a bunch of cowards hiding behind their disclaimers.
Bunch of liars.

These guys are ripping people off. First, they charge you for a product that won’t be shipped for who knows how long. They state this on their website so this should not be a surprise, the issue here is that they don’t have the stock to fill previous orders so they keep taking peoples orders/​money, but they aren’t sending anything out. Its now almost mid-​June and there are people who ordered things back in December/​January (myself included) who haven’t gotten what they ordered. I actually haven’t even received a receipt for my purchase and its been almost 6 months… but then again I haven’t even gotten the product.
That said, Ares is less than responsive when you try to contact them and they keep putting out stories about how they have «20,000 units that will be filling all orders this month»…but that always seems to fall through. The funny thing is that you can go out and buy the same products from other companies and have them shipped same day.
Ares should be avoided at ALL COSTS.