Exactly what is wrong with Olympic Arms AR15s?

[BEAR]

For years I have heard that the Oly Arms rifles are garbage. I do know that the early Oly Arms did have some problems but those have since been rectified. So, hopefully, someone can tell me what is wrong with Oly Arms? Please have specifics. I know there are a million opinions out there and I'm sure everyone has a good/bad story to tell about their or a friend's Oly rifle but I need some hard evidence.

I used to have an M1 that kicked out the 8th round (unfired)and clip together unless the clip was loaded exactly like arsenal loaded clips. Does that make all M1s garbage ... no! However, due documented failures and metalurgical problems the early M1903s could face catastrophic receiver failure. Did they all fail... no! But anyone who shoots a low numbered 03 is taking a risk at a catastrophic failure. This is hard evidence and kind of like what I would like to see on the Olympic Arms rifles.
TIA
BEAR

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[NuJudge]

I have a 20" Oly 1:9 barrel. I've cussed at it more than any other barrel I have ever shot. It shoots great with 52's but poorly with anything heavier. I've tried them all, up through 75's, fast, slow and intermediate.

If it's any indicator, others will have stories about their other parts.

CDD

[Litt'le Lee]

I have had several and 1 pre-ban ,plus other ar's with their barrel and find nothing wrong with them-several years ago they put out some short chambers,,but their service dept took care of mine at no charge..their stock trigger is better than any I've had-which is Colt(2) Bushmasters(2) DPMS(1)

[High Plaines Doug r]

I have an Oly upper that took me from Marksman to Master in about 5000 rounds. Barrel was toast by that time, but I was still shooting Master scores when I had it rebarreled.
No complaints from me.

[Bill Hollinger]

I have had about 15 SGW (Olympic Arms) ARs and CARs over the last 20 years and I have nothing but great things to say about them. I have two Super-Ultra-Match rifles and two carbines. I will put them up against any AR out there. Up until this last year I could call them up and order just about any part I wanted but they refuse to ship to Kaliforniev any more. That got me mad because I had placed an order in December, got confirmation on the order, an email telling me they were 90 days out on the parts I ordered and then when the 90 days was up I called them only to have them tell me they don't ship to Kaliforniev. I was PI$$ED! They would not honor the order. I can't wait to get the heck out of this state!

[DaveE]

Must not be anything wrong with them. My dealer has been back ordered since before Thanksgiving.

Dave

[jim r]

i read a while back that their barrel was one of the best, a lot of bashing gets started because someone had a problem ( more then likley their fault) but they wouldn't admit it. heck i see more problems with colt and bushmaster then anything else. the oly i owned was one of my best, my brother has it now.

[heckinohio]

I once had FA Olympic gun w/all walnut furniture. Neato serial # was 10101........ worked fine for me & Dr. I sold it to. His wife scared the pants off several trespassers with it one time.......they didnt need a reminder!!! PJH

[Bob Womack]

For years they were primarily chambering for .223 Remington and carefully warned you not to use 5.56 NATO in the rifle or lacquered ammo because their tight chambers were designed to increase accuracy, couldn't handle the larger rounds, and would collect paint and foul badly. Apparently people still tried NATO and still tried Wolf-type ammo and ended up with all kinds o' trouble. Could that be some of what you heard?

Bob

[Bill Hollinger]

I've shot both commercial and surplus ammo from all mine and had zero problems. Of all the ammo I've shot it did hate two; Winchester 55gr FMJ and Remington 40gr BTHP. Remington 55gr is great in it but the 40gr is all over the place. The Winchester just leaves the action filthy dirty and fowls everything in the gun. When cleaned it is fine but if you go and shoot 300 or 400 rounds it gets really nasty.

The Olympic Arms S.U.M. barrels are some of the best made.