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2/21/2003 11:15:26 AM EDT
Can anyone tell me about the quality of Olympic
Arms? I'm looking at the pistol AR version OA-98 But I am also curious about the rifles.
2/21/2003 11:22:21 AM EDT
[#1]
I own the PCR 16. It shoots greats, I get less than 1/2 groups with mine. No problems that I have encountered. If I have questions, I call them and get immediate reponse.
2/21/2003 11:25:57 AM EDT
[#2]
Ask me in a week.  I just bought a preban Oly, it should be here soon.
2/21/2003 1:14:35 PM EDT
[#3]
i like oly better than them all. you canot beat there customer service.  sure their mag wells are sometimes tight.
2/21/2003 1:43:01 PM EDT
[#4]
I have one factory Olympic and 3 gun built on Olys Lowers. Perhaps it just luck but I have not had any tight magwells or any other problems with them.
2/21/2003 3:41:53 PM EDT
[#5]
My pre-Oly (SGW) reciever is still going strong since the mid 80s.
2/21/2003 5:25:49 PM EDT
[#6]
Mine too.
2/21/2003 6:46:01 PM EDT
[#7]
I'd stay away from the "Plinker", I think that was a bad marketing move for Olympic Arms. Olympic Arms lowers have improved since they bought their new CNC machines. Too bad chrome barrels are not standard, rather than being an option. I have a Palmetto (made by Oly) that still going strong without the tight magwell frequently complained about.
2/21/2003 11:22:27 PM EDT
[#8]
OLY also has either SAMMI spec, or .223 chambers, & that gives you less grace with the ammo that is available to ARF shooters. It is really kinda limiting, so I wouldn't get one, unless I was looking for a target/varmint configuration, & then there are better choices I would make for a rifle that I wanted to make into a tack driver. They arn't top of the line quality, but the not trash either, I mean they don't say Hesse anywhere on them, but tey are towards the bottom end of the spectrum of the Big Guys out there making AR's. I'm not trying to make anybody angry, it's just the truh about what you asked.
And just for the record welcome to the board[:D][wave]it's nice to have you here.
2/22/2003 8:49:08 PM EDT
[#9]
My experience with them has been flawless. I have the SUM barrel with the SAAMI spec chamber and it didn't go pop after I put a mag of military stuff through it. How nice. It does have a lifetime warrany on it too with some exceptions of course. The bushy only has 1 year.  Just remember that people are only as proud of their gun as the amount they paid for it. Take that into consideration when reading posts.
2/22/2003 9:36:33 PM EDT
[#10]
I'll jump in here too.  

I ordered a pcr-16 and they treated it like a custom order.  

I had them install the FIRSH rails at the factory and ordered some other changes and I was generally a big pain in the ass.

Don (the guy I worked with in sales) was absolutely first class the whole time.  Shipped the rifle direct to my FFL and kept me in the loop on the tracking the whole time.

Quality, fit and finish are all great. it is very accurate - I haven't had a chance to shoot it from a bench.
2/22/2003 9:50:40 PM EDT
[#11]
1) Oly non-match (i.e. military-looking) rifles
  are 5.56 NATO now...

  If you pay extra for a SUM (their 'match')
  weapon, you probably WANT .223

2) No problems with mine. Oly complete-minus-
  reciever 20" parts kit on
  an Oly 'PCR-02' forged reciever.

3) The Plinker is the 'Oly Pinto'... It's an
  attempt to make a cheap-as-dirt AR, for those
  who don't want to build. I spent about the
  same amount on my gun, and got a much better
  product for the same price (20" not 16",
  forged parts not cast, true A2 irons,
  etc...)
2/22/2003 10:56:43 PM EDT
[#12]
Oly's recent stuff is pretty good. If you send it back for warranty work, they WILL fix it. They ar also good about custom requests. I live 10 miles from their factory. They always have stuff at the local gunshows.
2/22/2003 11:14:02 PM EDT
[#13]
I looked at Oly, RRA, DPMS, and Eagle Arms forged lowers side-by-side at the Louisville gun show yesterday. I could not tell any difference.
Caveat: I'm fairly new to AR15's. [:)]
2/23/2003 10:26:24 PM EDT
[#14]
 Just bought an old SGW  preebie OLY...I was very hesitant but so far it has been a real champ!!!!

 I have to tell ya, it's an ugly little pig....but a dependable one so far
2/24/2003 7:53:13 AM EDT
[#15]
[img]www.conquerearth.com/images/mypcr1th.JPG[/img]
2/24/2003 7:22:32 PM EDT
[#16]
I bought a stripped SGW receiver made for Palmetto Armory in the early 80’s and built up a Shorty CAR.  It was machined out of bar-stock aluminum and pretty soft: the holes were egging out.  I sent it to Olyarms (previously was SGW) for refinishing and they "remanufactured" it on a new forged lower for safety concerns.  They used the same serial number, as allowed under the AW ban, so I have a new forged lower with preban status.  The original manufacturer can do this.  I think they will do it for you for the price of a new lower, about $100.  Olyarms takes care of their buyers!
2/24/2003 10:50:41 PM EDT
[#17]
I have a Oly CAR97 and I love it. In the past I have had a pre-ban Colt CAR-15 that I hated and got rid of right away. I also had a pre-ban Eagle Arms CAR-15 that I loved! I should have never let my ex talk me into selling it. [>Q] The only thing that I do not like about my Oly is the post-ban CAR stock, it is less then desirable. So I have ordered a RRA green A2 stock kit to put on it. I hope this helps.[8D] Phessor
3/7/2003 5:13:57 PM EDT
[#18]
I have a PCR-1 with Williams set trigger that has shot 3/8" groups (I think the rifle will shoot better than I can) and their new Feather wieght built from a kit on an Oly upper (3/4" groups).  Both function flawlessly and you can't beat their customer service or warranty.  Not happy with the rifle in the first 60 days? They'll fix it, replace it, or return the cost of sale (to dealer).  Add to this a lifetime warranty, what more can you ask for. During the first 60 days of having my PCR-1, I wasn't happy with the barrel finish (black finish on stainless).  Drove the rifle to them in the morning, a couple of hours later barrel is bead blasted - no charge.  Nothing wrong with the finish, no manufacturer defect, just my own poor taste shining through (silver barrel on an AR?).  These guys will bend over backwards to make you happy.
3/7/2003 6:10:57 PM EDT
[#19]
I bought a stripped receiver at my local gun shop and was very impressed.  I built it up and it's become my favorite AR.  It has just as nice fit and finish as my other ARs.  IMO, you can't go wrong with Olympic.

Marc
3/7/2003 7:08:04 PM EDT
[#20]
I have a OLY PCR 4. The Oly 5 shot mag that came with it fits tighly into the magwell. I don't have this problem with any of my USGI mags. Other that I haven't had any problems with it.
3/7/2003 7:32:45 PM EDT
[#21]
Tell me about these  SGW guns. I was thinking about buying one. I only glanced at it briefly, but I need another pre-ban. The guy wants $1200 for it. I haven't attempted to negotiate.
Were the lowers cast or forged ?
Does the Olympic warrenty cover SGW guns ?

Anything you can think of, this will be a serious burden on my pocket book but I am getting bonus at work for not calling in sick for 11 years.
3/7/2003 7:34:22 PM EDT
[#22]
Oh, and the gun has a collapsable stock and an 11 1/2" barreled upper. I guess it is an XM-177 clone.
3/8/2003 5:29:23 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
Tell me about these  SGW guns. I was thinking about buying one. I only glanced at it briefly, but I need another pre-ban. The guy wants $1200 for it. I haven't attempted to negotiate.
Were the lowers cast or forged ?
Does the Olympic warrenty cover SGW guns ?

Anything you can think of, this will be a serious burden on my pocket book but I am getting bonus at work for not calling in sick for 11 years.
View Quote


I'm no expert but it's my understanding that the SGW was manufactured by Palmetto but since Olympic bought them they will remanufacture the SGW and even restamp it with the SGW logo!  I think all of them are forged but who cares if it's cast cuz you can send it in and for $100 get a brand new forged one [bounce]
I have on on the way and can't wait to get my little mits on it.  $1200 is about normal from what I've seen on the EE.  

11 years!?  Damn

Marc
3/8/2003 5:50:41 AM EDT
[#24]
>(silver barrel on an AR?).

[noclue]
3/8/2003 6:28:58 AM EDT
[#25]
My family owns three Oly's, one since 1990. Is the equivalent of my two Colts and one Essential Arms.
3/8/2003 6:35:23 AM EDT
[#26]
Oly started as SGW, Schutzen Gun Works, they are the same company.

SGW/OLY made receivers for Palmetto. I'm not sure that others didn't. Nor am I sure what quality they are.
3/8/2003 8:52:23 AM EDT
[#27]
I have not had any problems with mil-spec ammo (I DON'T use Wolf) in my Oly SUM barrel, nor in my rifles with Oly heavy 20" (Service Match) or heavy 16" CAR bbl.  NO ejection problems.
3/8/2003 3:16:37 PM EDT
[#28]
I sent an E-Mail today to Olympic Arms and asked them if they would in fact give me a new lower receiver if I bought this one and sent it in to them.
I would imagine that I won't hear back before Monday, and I will be out of town all week.
Hopefully the guy will sell the rifle and I won't be forced to spend the money on it.
3/8/2003 11:10:20 PM EDT
[#29]
They suck pure and simple. I bought an Ultramatch about 6 years ago. If came with a loose freefloat tube. The bipod hole was vut 20 degrees off, The chamber bulged brass and was not in spec, it did not come with the grip option I ordered. I sent the upper back in per their instructions. I did not get it back for over 12 months yes a year. Then it would only shot 1 mao or so no better than a typical AR15 costing much less. Then after 600 rounds or so the set trigger goes out. Oly will not fix it. They said to contact their sub contractor. They were absolutly rude lied to me several times about return times. I would never buy one of their products again ever.
PAT
3/8/2003 11:49:38 PM EDT
[#30]
Me and 2 friends built 20" kits from Olympic recievers. We've been nothing but pleased with them. We've bump-fired them and everything and couldn't get them to jam. They look great and shoot even better. They're even accurate as hell. If I could suggest something, build a kit with an Olympic lower and aorder your kit from J&T. That's what we did and the finishes match up perfectly. Putting a kit together is alot easier than most people think. If more people knew how easy and cheap it was they would be doing it.
3/9/2003 2:55:21 AM EDT
[#31]
I helped my son build a PCR-4 from their on-sale upper kit last fall and their forged lower receiver purchased thru a local FFL. Don @ OLY handled the phone order for the upper kit and was super to deal with. The lower was a beauty and assembly took about 2 hours. Fit and finish are very nice and my son is very happy with it. 20" HBAR is 5.56 and handles both XM193 and AE 223 FMJ with ease. My overall impression with both the personnel and the product very favorable. Although I am not in the market for another AR-15 myself, I would rate the OLYs as a product for serious consideration if I were.
3/9/2003 2:48:33 PM EDT
[#32]
My experience is that the PREBAN Olys are the best AR-15 variants normally available.

I had two of their super-match rifles and one regular rifle.

Fit, finish, function and accuracy was exceptional on all 3. Other Oly prebans I've seen LOOK just like the ones I had.

Postbans? I've heard some bad things about Oly, especially since the factory burned down back when. But I don't have first hand experience.

Generally when an outfit goes sour, even for a little while, they are history for me.

I'm looking at getting a new AR-15. DPMS looks like the place I'll get one from.

Bushmasters are decent rifles, but those a-holes burned me BIG TIME cancelling a long standing PRE-PAID order for 6 of their rifles once back when I gave a shit. So I won't buy squat from them either.

Mike
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