Olympic Arms A2

To fill an 80's/90s period gap in my milsurp rifle collecting I've wanted an M16/AR15 type rifle for a while. However as here in the UK semi-autos are no longer allowed it's next to impossible to obtain Colt or similar 'original' rifles. There are a number of AR builders here but they tend to assemble them with slotted uppers and side handles of various flavours for ease of 'manual/straight pull' operation although there are one or two who will create A1 or A2 style replicas. However my preference has always been for something entirely US manufactured if possible.

I was more than pleased then to recently find this uk legal Olympic Arms A2 MFR. It had a few missing or incorrect parts - a previous owner had lost all the detent balls and springs from the rear sight, the front sling swivel and it was missing the correct flash hider, all of which I've now managed to put right - but other than that it seems pretty original and lightly used. The OA heavy barrel is marked '5.56' and has a 1 in 10 twist. I've only managed a quick zeroing session so far but it looks promising and functions well using just the T-handle. One benefit of no gas system is that it stays pretty clean in use!

I even managed to find an unissued USGI sling new in the wrap for it too, so very pleased so far.

A few pics below.

I had one of those about 1989/90 and that one looks about perfect. Only thing to the eye is the lack of gas tube between the slip ring and receiver as you point out...not being present. Nice looking piece.

Thanks Jim.

Yes, chopped gas tube (stub remaining needed to hold the front handguard retaining cap of course) and no port in the barrel but otherwise all there. The serial supposedly dates it to around July/Aug '94 manufacture but Olympic appear to have added a later '97' after the MFR model designation, as well as LEO/Export only on the RH side. The Proof marks are dated '97 as well so that confirms when it came into the UK.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by desperatedan

dates it to around July/Aug '94

---

I actually had a tour of the facility about '89 or '90 when I went to Ft Lewis WA for some sort of regimental training, probably ranges. I was in Recon Platoon and a Sgt then so at loose ends sometimes. I took a driver and jeep and went to Olympia, turned down the old Olympic highway for a couple miles...stopped in for a visit. I'd taken a copy of my local gunsmith's license so I could pick up his recent order of parts and "Stuff". We both knew I could bring back whatever I wanted in military convoy... I was in uniform and got the special treatment when I arrived. Manager Bruce Bell gave me the whole tour. What a facility...

Sadly all gone now.

BEAR

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BEAR

all gone now

---

I haven't been even near there in years. Closest I've been was driving past to Shelton ten years back. No time to go look...

sweet , nice find

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I actually had a tour of the facility about '89 or '90 when I went to Ft Lewis WA for some sort of regimental training, probably ranges. I was in Recon Platoon and a Sgt then so at loose ends sometimes. I took a driver and jeep and went to Olympia, turned down the old Olympic highway for a couple miles...stopped in for a visit. I'd taken a copy of my local gunsmith's license so I could pick up his recent order of parts and "Stuff". We both knew I could bring back whatever I wanted in military convoy... I was in uniform and got the special treatment when I arrived. Manager Bruce Bell gave me the whole tour. What a facility...

---

I was flying AH-1s at Lewis in the early 80s. Five of us took an afternoon of (Professional Development Training) and drove down to Oly (1984). We had made advance contact, so the SWG staff knew we were coming and what we were interested in.

We were escorted into the parts room and we each selected the parts we wanted. I went with the heavy barrel Car-15, at the time about $285 complete/unassembled. I had come to Army Aviation by way of seven years in the Airborne Infantry (82nd, 172nd) and had lots of experience with the M16.

The next weekend, we had a build party, well we had a party which included building our Olys. Can't remember is any Olympia beer was associated with the Olympic Arms but we had a good time.

None of us had any functioning issues however a friend of mine from my high school days growing up in in Tacoma, bought an assembled one and had nothing but trouble. After numerous trips back to the shop, he finally got a refund.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frenchkat

None of us had any functioning issues however a friend of mine from my high school days growing up in in Tacoma, bought an assembled one and had nothing but trouble.

---

I've heard about that too, we had a thread here on it. I had no troubles either. I think I ended up with a heavy barrel 10" CAR and had mostly Canadian parts except the lower. I remember the parts room two guys were working to assemble and we were just through the glass in the next room where hundreds of boxes sat waiting to fill and ship.

I remember the AH-1s lined up by the dozen on the Gray Army airfield I think it was...we of course have never owned any.

When my boys were young and the "Assault Weapons Ban" was on, I picked up an Olympic PCR (Politically Correct Rifle) to train them on. Still have it. It is a carbine with a A1/A2 receiver and an A1 stock. The receiver is pure A2 except for A1 sights and handle. It is missing the bayonet lug and has a muzzle brake rather than a threaded barrel to make it PC. Olympic's idea was to make it an inexpensive starter rifle, so they cast the receiver parts rather than forging them. All in all, it is a great little rifle. I've had one issue with it: the bolt's gas key broke off during a shooting session. I went back to the dealer and asked if they could order one for me. They pulled apart an AR on the wall and exchange it on the spot and I've had no further issues. It is a highly accurate rifle.

I've been wanting to replace the cast receiver so my son recently got me an upper receiver with a rail for my birthday. Now I just have to grab a lower, some parts, and sighting system and put the thing together. I'm beginning to wonder at what point it will be a ship of Theseus!

Bob

From the UK too.
I had an Olympic PCR A2 dated 95. The old 1:10" barrel managed around 14000 rounds before it couldn't keep an ETR target.

I guess technically I still have the rifle but it now has a flat-top upper, new fire control group and it's on its 4th barrel.
A bit like Trigger's broom (an Only Fools And Horses joke for the non-Brits ;) )

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mattnall

A bit like Trigger's broom

---

We get it...

Here's my broom:

Looks like an aluminum butt? Here's my last one...the SGW was long gone.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by desperatedan

To fill an 80's/90s period gap in my milsurp rifle collecting I've wanted an M16/AR15 type rifle for a while. However as here in the UK semi-autos are no longer allowed it's next to impossible to obtain Colt or similar 'original' rifles. There are a number of AR builders here but they tend to assemble them with slotted uppers and side handles of various flavours for ease of 'manual/straight pull' operation although there are one or two who will create A1 or A2 style replicas. However my preference has always been for something entirely US manufactured if possible.

I was more than pleased then to recently find this uk legal Olympic Arms A2 MFR. It had a few missing or incorrect parts - a previous owner had lost all the detent balls and springs from the rear sight, the front sling swivel and it was missing the correct flash hider, all of which I've now managed to put right - but other than that it seems pretty original and lightly used. The OA heavy barrel is marked '5.56' and has a 1 in 10 twist. I've only managed a quick zeroing session so far but it looks promising and functions well using just the T-handle. One benefit of no gas system is that it stays pretty clean in use!

I even managed to find an unissued USGI sling new in the wrap for it too, so very pleased so far.

A few pics below.

---

Really nice Kev, I have a hankering for a similar A2 or A4 build, semi automatic in .22 WMR.

Re the tube stub, if you wanted 'the look', you could fit a solid gas tube, most of the Airsoft companies sell them, drop straight in.

I know, a bit daft, but it looks right....

Cheers John.

Now I have my first one I'm off down the M16/AR15 rabbit hole I fear :lol:

Next I'd like one in .22WMR too, probably a flat top. I quite like the Guncraft one - it was them who kindly helped me out with most of my missing parts.

After that I'd like to have something like a National Match rep built, I've already got a new A2 free float handguard kit and buttstock tucked away. Then hopefully I'll stop there!

I bought so many of these back in the early/mid 80s. $279.00 for a disassembled kit less a stripped bolt carrier. No FFL needed and you couldn't order stripped bolt carriers with a kit order. They had to be ordered separately. I think I bought 13 of them. Man, those were the days!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Looks like an aluminum butt? Here's my last one...the SGW was long gone.

---

Nice Jim, are you still allowed to shoot it mate?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mrclark303

are you still allowed to shoot it

---

No, they've been relegated to indoors until the Gubm'nt gets around to seizing them, not long away. I parted mine out as soon as that came down.