Olympic Arms A2

[frenchkat]

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.