I just bought an Olympic Arms AR-15

[mordechaianiliewicz]

I found an Olympic Arms AR-15 with an A1 sights setup. (but A2 style handguards) It's an 18" bbl ( I think). BBL is mint though. The shop said that it was made for guys that want a plinker AR. (I only paid $560 for it).

Well, I'm wondering if I'll "get what I paid for" or if it's a screamin' bargain.

 

[4v50 Gary]

It may be an investment casted lower receiver. Still, at the price you paid, I wouldn't have turned it down either. The only reason why I would turn it down would be no $$$ or just don't need another gun (and when does that happen? ).

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Good price, though an 18" barrel would be a custom job not likely to be found on a cheap plinker. More likely it is a 16" barrel.

 

[Seraph]

mordechaianiliewicz, I believe that you have purchased the Plinker Plus, a 20" rifle. As I understand it, if it's an earlier one, you might have the cast lower, but you're just as likely to have a newer forged lower. The lower isn't a high stress component in any case. I'd say you got a fair deal on an underrated AR-15.

 

[ArmedBear]

http://www.olyarms.com/?page=m1_plinker_models#

 

[MiniZ]

If the receiver is cast, I'd call it a fair deal. If the receiver is forged, a good deal. While not a screamin' deal in either case, I think the rifle will serve you well. Oly is generally not thought of highly among the AR crowd, but I personally have been very happy with mine.

 

[Onmilo]

I forgave Olympic and understand why they stood their ground, but remember, their goofy AR-15 pistol and their unwillingness to back down from the project was one of the big reasons the goofy Assault Rifle Ban was implemented.

Olympic produces excellent barrels.
Their upper and lower FORGED receivers are as good as any other on the market, same outsource producer as many of the big names I think.
Some of the internal parts on their manufactured rifles can be pretty cheap and cheesy, kind of similar to some of the clone 1911 pistols on the market.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

It does have a 16" bbl. As for quality, it seems good.

All I really ask for is 2 moa@ 100yds w/ quality 62 grain hp, and 3-4 moa with Barnaul, WOLF, etc.

It is one of two SHTF guns, and I'd think it would work well enough in that role stuffed with TAP urban ammo, or 62 grain surplus.

Also, I think I should be able to get a nice A2 Bushmaster upper, and put it on (fingers crossed)

 

[trickyasafox]

i'd be interested in a full range report, its one of the only AR 15s in my price range.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

It should be fine as is. Bushmaster upper will give you the benefits of chrome lined chamber and bore, as well as 4150 steel (more durable at extreme temperatures). I like chrome lining, but 4150 steel isn't as important unless you plan on shooting 180 or more rounds in a successive rapid fire.

For $560 it is pretty tough to get an AR. Under $600 you are in the realm of kit-guns, barely. Either that, or you buy used parts over time, finding hot deals, and build it yourself. Even then, you won't be saving that much.


I think you did well. Don't be so quick to dump that upper. Shoot it and see how you like it. Uppers are usually not the weakest-link in the AR platform. Most uppers, even from kit suppliers are high quality. It is hard to screw up an upper receiver and a barrel. They are simple parts. Usually the difference comes into play in the bolt/carrier group and lower parts (fire control group).

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I have an Oly "Plinker." Mine is an early one with the cast lower, but it doesn't appear to cause any problems. I haven't shot it much, but in the shooting I have done it hasn't hiccupped once. I have it zeroed to 200 yards. Don't remember what group sizes I was getting, but they were adequate for a SHTF weapon, and that's what it is.

I would suggest rethinking the 62-grain ammo choice, however. According to the Ammo Oracle article, the 16" barrel doesn't generate enough velocity for the 62-grain bullet to tumble on impact beyond about 90 meters. The 55-grain bullets maintain effective velocity out to around 150 meters or a tad farther. And 55-grain mil-surp is dirt cheap, whereas 62-grain is hard to find because that's what they use in the sandbox. So I've bought a bunch of 55-grain.

I think I will buy a small quantity of the M-855/SS109 stuff, though, for the close-in penetration of hard targets. Maybe keep one or two mags stuffed with that and the rest with 55-grain.

 

[Onmilo]

If you really need ammunition for a fat hit the shan rifle,,,,200 rounds of quality 55 grain soft point, 10 boxes, can be purchased for about a hundred bucks on sale.
Practice with the mil-surp stuff and keep 3 magazines of soft point ready to go.
We don't practice Geneva or Hague rules in civilian land,,,,,,

 

[High Planes Drifter]

I've had my Oly for about 5 years now. Never a hiccup. I've bump-fired it and abused it but its never given me a seconds trouble; literaly I have NEVER had to clear a jam from that gun.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

I'm wondering if I can use new production WOLF .223 55 or 62 grain in it with no problems (the new stuff has no lacquer or red band).

Also, does anyone know if this gun has an old 1-12"/1-9"/ or 1-7" twist

 

[Car Knocker]

Run a cleaning rod with a tight patch from the chamber end almost to the muzzle. Use a piece of masking tape to make a flag around the cleaning rod (I usually make mine vertical) and against the receiver. Pull back on the cleaning rod, allowing it to turn freely, until the flag is again upright (one turn only). Measure the distance the flag has moved from its original position and Presto Shazaam! you have the twist rate!

 

[Onmilo]

Or you could just look on top of the barrel in front of the front sight or remove the handguard and look on the left side of the barrel.
I have seen Olympic barrels stamped in both places.
The twist rate and some other information will be stamped there.

 

[Schleprok62]

Right from Olyarms website:

Plinker Plus 16" Rifle Information:

7075 T6 Aluminum Forged Receivers Made By Olympic Arms
Black Matte Anodized Receivers, Parkerized Steel Parts
Gas Operated Semi-Automatic
Upper Type A1 w/ adjustable windage only
Front Sight Elevation adjustable post w/ bayonet lug
Handguard Fiberite carbine length caps
Barrel 16", button rifled, 4140 chromemoly steel
Chambering 5.56 nato
Bore Long-life non-chromed bore
Twist Rate 1x9
Muzzle A2 flash suppressor
Stock A2 w/ trapdoor
Length/Weight 35.75" / 7.37 lbs.
Misc No factory installed options available.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I've had a PCR-1 for a couple of years now and it has been an outstanding shooter. Has the 16" SUM barrel and free floating handguard. With 55gr FMJ's over H-335 it is a tight shooting SOB.

Enjoy your Oly, like others have said, it's an underrated firearm.

 

[Foxtrot427]

sounds like you have an Oly Arms plinker model. You either got the 16" or 20" bbl. I dont believe they make an 18" unless someone shortened a 20" plinker. Its got a chromemoly bbl. The bore isnt chrome but its a very durable gun. Oly has always made pretty nice guns. This one is no different. I am considering one because I am on a budget and it makes a good platform for someone who is on a budget but still wants a cool gun. $560 seems right and considering the cost of all the other ARs out there they are a bargian. The only thing they SHOULD have on it for the price is an adj stock. That shouldnt make the gun cost more.

 

[possum]

i think you got a good deal and i too would have most certainly jumped on it to, it will fit your needs and meet all the requirements you mentioned, good deal, i hope you enjoy it and if not let me know i will take it off your hands.