Olympic AR-15?

R

ReserveCop

New member
I'm looking for an entry level AR-15.

In another post, a fellow TFL member suggested an Olympic AR-15 as a good entry AR-15 (about the price of a Mini-14).

What's your opinion...pro or con?

What is the price?

Do they have a website?

Thanks for your opinions.
 
Some people hate Olympic Arms' AR-15s. When I was choosing a brand of AR-15, I did some research (go to the forums at http://www.ar15.com) and came to the conclusion that for my needs/wants a Bushmaster was the way to go.

I would highly recommend Bushmaster. A few--not too many--people don't like Bushmaster, but I get the impression that even more people don't like Olympic. I'm sure that most of their rifles are fine products, but, like every company, I'm sure that a few lemons escape the quality inspection.

Olympic does not chrome line their barrels and chambers. This gives slightly better accuracy, but greatly reduces barrel life and ease of cleaning. Bushmaster keeps their rifles as close to the military specification as possible and offers good prices too. (I believe that Bushmaster has done military contract work.)

I'm sure you will be ok with any major brand of AR-15, but I will personally vouch for Bushmaster.
 
Even more help for ya!

ar15.com has a new web page that doesn't have all of the info from the old web page. the old web page is archived on port 81 of their server:

http://www.ar15.com:81/

Info on Oly arms:
http://old.ar15.com/manufacturers/olympicArms/

Oly arms web page:
http://www.olyarms.com/

Bushmaster's web page:
http://www.bushmaster.com/

Be sure to check out the Bushmaster FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
http://www.bushmaster.com/faqs/Default.htm

Bushmaster's Law Enforcement ar15/m16/m4 web page:
http://www.bushmaster.com/le/Default1.htm
(click on products up at the top)

Colt's ar15 web page:
http://www.colt.com/colt/html/a2g_commrifles.html

Colt's Law Enforcement ar15/m16/m4 web page:
http://www.colt.com/colt/html/a2f_lawenforcement.html

(my personal opinion is that colt rifles are ok--maybe suffering a little quality lately--but usually cost too much. You are paying for the colt name.)

If you want to look at some current prices to get an idea on what is a good price or not, you can browse http://www.gunsamerica.com but there are some people trying to sell some really over priced stuff. When you browse, look for the few rifles that are lower priced for the others (that are new in box or NIB). Those lower priced ones are generally what you should expect to pay. I don’t know what many of those guys are thinking, trying to sell.

New Bushmasters seem to be about $675 to $750. (some sell for more, but that seems too much for the AR-15 market right now.)
New Colts can be a few hundred more than Bushmasters, but you get a cool horse on the side of your receiver :) .
Olympic Arms has a suggested retail price of $792.00 for their standard rifle or $750 for the carbine. I would expect Olympic to be priced similarly to Bushmaster.

Olympic has a now low quality ultra cheap “plinker” carbine for $598. But I wouldn’t recommend any rifle that is made with less quality on purpose.
 
I'm the fellow who posted the info on the other thread. I was in the same place as you about a month ago... AR-15 vs. Mini-14. I was also hampered by a real loyalty to Ruger stuff. Look, I won't pretend to be objective: I've decided I like the Olympic as an entry-level AR. Here is Olympic's link:

http://www.olyarms.com/usa.html

There's a link on the main page to take you to the .223 plinker description. There's more in their retail catalog section:

http://www.olyarms.com/popup/plinker.html

I've seen the .223 plinker for $529 with the lifetime warranty, 60 day satisfaction guarantee, and case. Now that was at a dealer who really wanted to get established as a distributor. If you order the muzzle brake as the rifle is assembled, it adds just $25.

If I had the extra $200 to throw at the project (as quoted by the Bushy rep on the phone), I'd strongly consider get a Bushy as well (they were my first choice). They seem to be really fine rifles and Q-Man seems to have had a great experience with his. I just don't have the moolah. I'm sure you get what you pay for, too. The difference between the Oly PCR-5 and the .223 plinker is a cast reciever set. Everything else is the same.

On the issue of chrome-lined vs. chrome alloy barrel: Remember that you are comparing the AR-15 to a Mini-14, which isn't chrome-lined either and also isn't nearly as accurate as an AR. According to my sources, if you keep the weapon clean, the lack of chrome lining won't come into play. The lining is VERY important if you plan to use the thing in combat and can't do a thorough cleaning after you use it.

Here is the Maryland AR-15 shooter's site manufacturer's comparison page:

http://communities.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite&naventryid=155

It's a pretty nifty little site as well.

Have fun shopping and let us know what happens... Ain't it nice to be able discuss calmly? ;)

Bobbalouie

You know, I still like the looks of the Mini-14 better...
 
ReserveCop,

Having owned both of the AR's you are looking into
I'd point you to the BushMaster line all the way.
No I'm not going to bash the Oly, but I'll never buy another.
 
If you can foresee the possibility of needing customer service or support in any way, stay the hell away from Oly Arms. There was a long thread on the original ar15.com, in which thread were posts by the Sales Manager for Oly Arms. His attitude towards Oly's customers was callus and he was one of the most obnoxious individuals that I can imagine.

Oly had a fire, in which several Oly rifles in for repairs were destroyed. Oly's position was that their previous customers came last, and that they were only shipping rifles to new customers, and essentially, to hell with their old customers.

I've owned a Bushy Shorty for around four years. I've fired thousands of my reloads through it, with not one malfunction. I've shot a bunch of 1/2" groups with it, using Berger bullets and my handloads.

When I was modifying my Shorty, Bushmaster's technicians were more than happy to help me over the phone, even though I had not bought the parts from them. Recently, I lost the safety detent spring; called Bushmaster on Fri.; had a new spring, free, in the following Monday morning's mail.

As to chrome-lined barrels. In addition to being easier to clean, they also outlast non-chromed barrels by many thousands of rounds.
 
WalterGAII - what are your favorite loads for the BUSHIE? I am getting the upper half of mine soon, and I very much want to "roll my own." Also, have you analyzed the Berger loads vs. Sierra match bullets or any others? Thanks for any advice.
 
My own experience with Olympic Arms has been very positive. The best trigger I have ever seen on any ar15 came from them. Also they did some custom work on my .240Nic wildcat. Their price was low and it only took them 2 weeks to do the work. If I wanted an accurate low cost ar15 they would be my first choice. I would want to see the rifle before I bought it as their fit and finish is not always the best.
 
ReserveCop, I own four Olympic AR15's and I wouldn't hesitate a second to purchase another. All of mine are flattop configurations with the stainless ultra match barrels - ALL are tack drivers. Fit and finish are nice on ALL of them, All have functioned flawlessly. Never owned a Bushmaster so can't compare the two but have heard alot of good things about them.
 
Sam: I'm using AA2200 just about exclusively, with my Bushy now. I'm shooting only moly bullets, so my loads would be a little hot for non-moly bullets. I go a grain or two over the max listed for a given bullet weight on the data supplied for AA2200 by Accurate Arms.

I've also had good success with H335, which is just a little slower than 2200.

I have fired most of the polymer tipped varmint bullets, as well as Berger, Starke, and Sierra match bullets. Most of the premium bullets do really well in my Bushy. I get reasonable, but not stellar, groups with IMI fmjbt, which I buy from Wideners. The IMI's do better for me than either Rem. or Win. bulk bullets.

I free-floated the barrel with a DPMS tube; installed a JP hammer/trigger; use a Smith brake; use a target scope.
 
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