Olympic Arms A2

[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.