Olympic arms quality?

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.45FMJoe

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Hey guys, just a general observance question. Anyone have any opinions of the quality of Olympic Arms AR-15's? My local gunshop has one (short barrel) for $699 brand new. I happen to work next store to them and know the owner pretty well and I'm sure I could talk him down a bit, but I want to know if it's even worth it? Anyone?
 
I've got the Olympic service match version, and I really like it. It has a 1:8 heavy match barrel, two stage trigger, and match sights -- so you are looking at a very different rifle.

Two raps on Oly:

1) Their stainless match barrels have really tight chambers - contributes to accuracy, but may cause feeding problems with random mil-surp ammo. My rifle has been 100% reliable with hand loaded match ammo, but that's all I've ever shot in it.

2) The finish is not as durable as some other AR's. Then again, mine is a match gun and doesn't get beat around too much.

I've been very happy with my Oly - up to you to figure out whether the one you're looking at meets your needs.
 
Their guns work, and hit what you aim at. They just don't look as nice compared to Bushy, Colt, DPMS, etc. They are not finished as well and can be pretty rough cosmetically.

I have one, but prefer my Bushmaster for above reasons.

Service is slow.

Talk your friend down in price.
 
Sounds like one of the "Plinker" models for that price.

They are decent rifles that will work. There are tons of satisfied customers out there with Olys. Just don't expect the fit and finish to be on par with some of the others. I personally can't stand the silly Olympic Arms pistol grip that comes with the rifle. Although slow..they do back things up with a great warranty.

Olys, both post ban and pre ban have a relatively low resale value compared to many others. The problem with the pre bans are that the company lost all their records in a fire, so they cannot tell you definitely if your rifle left as a complete rifle or a kit. That leads the sole proof upon the seller. With post bans the initial low price keeps the resale low.

For that price you could get a very good used Bushy or Rock River. For $100 more you could get a new Bushy.

Good SHooting
RED
 
Definetly try to better on the price. In November I picked up a nice NIB DPMS Classic 16 for $675. Came with forged upper and lower receivers, hard chromed bolt carrier and in addition to the mil-spec anodizing on the upper and lower, it also is coated with baked on teflon.
 
I own and SP1, AR15 but I decided to get an OLY Arms "plinker" several months ago. Fit and finish are great, accuracy and reliability are outstanding. Compares very favorably with the SP1. Has cast upper and lower receiver (mine is well done) unlike the forged SP1. Since I'm not a metallurgist and I don't know what alloy(s) OLY used, it's a non-issue to me. With the lifetime warranty it must not be an issue with Olympic Arms either.:)
 
I like my Oly. Be aware they make a low cost plinker type AR with a cast rather than forged lower receiver, and some other less expensive parts, like the old M16 rear sight. They are very upfront about it, it is designed as a reliable low cost AR. If this is what is being sold, it is not the best price. Check their website

http://www.olyarms.com/usa.html
 
Got an Oly upper. No complaints. BTW, you pay more for Colt because of the name recognition and following Colt has. Do you want to resell it and if not, the extra $ isn't worth it. JMHO
 
Olympic...bad ju ju. Every time I have fired or seen being fired, a friend's AR, it jammed within 5 rounds. Hopefully, he has done some remediation on it by now.

Just fired another friends Rock River Arms Ar and it is really sweet!
 
I have a Oly Arms PCR-7 (ya gotta love their since of humor inthe name)

Has always performed flawlessly. Mine is the DCM profile. I don't know about the "plinker" that they sell.
 
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