Olympic AR-15 Plinker?

[funfaler]

JaxNovice, I am not associated with either of those companies, however, that appears to be their kit. Their kits are reasonably priced and work fine, and they are good folks to work with.

For those that are shopping for an AR or AR kit, please keep this in mind, you have the option for 223 OR 5.56 chamber. Here is the scope. If you intend on using your AR for defense and protection, you will want the 5.56 chamber. It will allow you to shoot military surplus, Wolf and most every other ammo, including 223. The 223 chamber quite often will have difficulty chambering 5.56 ammo or ejecting it.

The cut on the two chambers are slightly different, and the 223s are usually tighter for accuracy in a hunting/competition mode. The 5.56 is usually not as tight, for reliability.

 

[CZ223]

I own two Oly's

and I like them fine. I own the PCR-16 and the K8 Match/Target model. I too have heard bad stories about Oly's quality and it is not evident in either of my guns. About the biggest complaint that I have heard is that their customer service after the sale is non-existant. I can't say weather or not it is true because my guns have been running fine. I was recently at a local toy store and they had an Oly there that I am very interested in so, I may be buying yet another. If I were to make one recomendation it would be this, go one step up from the plinker. Most of the bad stories that I have read on the internet have had to do with their plinker model. As for accuracy, both of mine are incredibly accurate.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I bought an Oly Plinker during the AWB, so mine has no flash hider and no bayonet lug. It also has the cast receiver. It has been 100 percent reliable, and it's certainly as accurate as my Mk III, Mod 2a senior citizen eye balls. Yeah it "only" has A1 sights, but battlefield zero is battlefield zero, and most folks with ARs put optics on them anyway. Not a problem for me anyway because the M16 I carried in Vietnam had the same sights.

The current production Plinkers do have forged receivers do have flash hiders, and do have bayonet lugs. It's a sleeper of a deal. Sure, it's easy to say "Just spend $250 more and get a real AR," but the fact is the Plinker lists for $600. "Just another $200" represents a 33 percent increase. What does that get you? More accuracy? Doubtful. Longer life span? Maybe, but I don't put thousands of rounds through mine every week. It'll outlive me by a country mile. A2 sights? That and a buck might buy a cup of coffee.

I think it's a great deal. The only drawback (if it matters for your plans) is that it's a 16" carbine, not a 20" rifle. I'm not planning to engage any goblins or zombies at 300+ metres, so the 16" is perfect for me.

 

[Condition Plaid]

My Oly has been a very reliable shooter for over 10 years and thousands of rounds.

 

[fastbike]

My Oly experience

I recently bought an Oly Plinker 16 w/ the SS barrel. Fit of upper/lower/handguards is tight/excellent. I've run about 500 rounds through it (a mix of factory and handload) w/ zero problems. Seems to be an excellent basic AR w good warranty. FWIW, my dealer also had a Plinker in 20".

I read a lot of "expert opinion" on Oly quality from people that have never owned one, or else owned one of the earlier cast receivers.

Bear in mind that a few years ago RRA was badmouthed until they won a DEA contract. They are now usually considered top tier. Also remember that there can be a big gap between good enough and best. It's your money, you know your priorities. I don't regret my Plinker purchase.

 

[fast eddie]

Decent gun. The elitist gun snobs don't like them cause the will do most of the things their snob guns will at almost 50% discount.

Bingo. Throw on a dot sight and you've got pretty much the same gun the military issues (without the three shot sear of course). The A1 rear sight is part of the reason for lower price but elevation is set with front sight anyway. The difference between a "pos" and a quality gun is the trigger group. You can buy a quality trigger kit to replace the one that came with the gun; very easy to swap. You could also use polishing compound and some elbow grease on on the trigger you've got and give yourself a smooth, crisp trigger.

 

[Logan5]

My only complaint so far on the Olympic Plinker has to do with the fact that mine is one of the ones with the brake secured to a groove milled in the barrel via four hex head set screws. In that situation, you're better off just taking it off and dealing with it as a bare barrel AR, because eventually the brake is taking a trip downrange the hard way if you leave it. Other than that, I haven't observed anything that caused me concern so far.