Olympic Arms gone

Brian98579

Olympic Arms announced on their web site and on FB that effective next month they are out of business, and will no longer provide products, parts, or service.

http://www.olyarms.com/

I think they started the downhill slide when their head 1911 pistol smith passed away several years ago,and some time after they ceased production of the "Safari Arms" 1911s. I know I'm proud of my Safari Arms Westerner, a color case hardened full size 1911. It will not be for sale soon. I checked my receipt the other day and the MSRP at the time I bought it was $1039, and I paid about $650, and picked it up at the factory.

The comments on their FB page border on the ridiculous.

mark christian

For years their bread and butter were ARs, and they sold them at well under Colt's prices and also under priced Bushmaster, which at the time were the only major manufacturers. Fast forward to today and now you have big players which include Ruger and S&W, as well as countless smaller manufacturers (too numerous to list). In any case, probably half the AR "buyers" don't purchase a complete rifle; they buy a receiver and assemble their own rifle using a wide variety of parts, at prices which can fit anyone's budget.

Olympic Arms just can't compete any longer. I have an OA AR (of course some members claim that I have one of everything [;)])

hoosier

First of the Many. With possibilities of de-regulation, and the political climate calming down.

Complete AR's are now selling for $425-$550 for basic Anderson and other brands.

I'm turning down distributors 1-2 times a week for this type of firearm.
Sales as hit the bottom around here on Black guns.

buschmaster

I remember looking at the ads for their Enforcer and Black Widow 1911's in SOF magazine in the 80's, always wanted one. (back then, anyway)

sorry to see them go.

savage170

They made a AR chambered for 30 carbine that I always wanted

buschmaster

had an XM177 upper on a Essential Arms cast lower, I think it was from OA. it does resemble MC's above except A1 style. liked the FS better than the original. underneath that handguard it has a huuuuuge barrel profile.



unfortunately EA may suffer the same fate. "support your locals" is all I can say!

Ditch-Runner

I bought one ) Olympic arms AR during the last craze , when no one could find one dealers were struggling and if you did it was 2x or more the retail price
I stopped by Walmart one morning they had just received it and a colt ( the colt was sold some fellow had been waiting every day for a shipment for several weeks what he told me would get there before the store opened every day and was at the counter when I walked up ) any way I bought the Olympic arms I would have liked the colt of course [:D]
I just happened to be there on a day off shopping for some groceries and went by the counter ( pure luck ) I did not know much about them as I was looking at the rife a group gathered around I told the clerk I would take it ( after a fast search on my phone to check it out , I never laid the gun down [}:)] ) as I said that about 6 more fellows turned and walked away
I thing it was 550.00 or close with tax
still have it never shot it as of now

Mr. Perfect

If memory serves me correctly, OA had some serious quality issues with their earlier offerings, that put them solidly into the category of "ARs to stay away from" in many people's minds. They certainly were an affordable option, and their quality improved significantly in more recent years but the stigma is/was hard for some to overcome.

And yes, Mark, I believe you have one of everything. [:D]

44pinshooter

There AR's were kind of up and down on the quality control.
Never did anything with their 1911's.
BUT............their AR barrels, the Ultra Match, were GREAT.
Used one of the UM barrels with an 8&1/2 twist, to build a prairie dog rifle. It shot right at the 1/2 inch mark at 100 yards.
Sorry to say, that after 10 years and a little over 12,000 rounds, it is now an honest 2+ at 100 yards. Throat looks like burnt orange peel.
Wish I had laid in a few spares....

fordsix

you see more of the companys fold in the next couple years for makers of ar stuff we are flooded

Ditch-Runner

at least 4 years

amazing you can now buy a "AR" rifle for about twice the price of a new ruger 10-22 who would have guessed

Ol big ears was a great firearms salesman

quote:Originally posted by fordsix
you see more of the companys fold in the next couple years for makers of ar stuff we are flooded

chiefr

quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
If memory serves me correctly, OA had some serious quality issues with their earlier offerings, that put them solidly into the category of "ARs to stay away from" in many people's minds. They certainly were an affordable option, and their quality improved significantly in more recent years but the stigma is/was hard for some to overcome.

And yes, Mark, I believe you have one of everything. [:D]




Yep, someone has to say it.

Horse Plains Drifter

quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
If memory serves me correctly, OA had some serious quality issues with their earlier offerings, that put them solidly into the category of "ARs to stay away from" in many people's minds. They certainly were an affordable option, and their quality improved significantly in more recent years but the stigma is/was hard for some to overcome.

And yes, Mark, I believe you have one of everything. [:D]
Yes, that was ONE gun, and long ago. They tried a price busting "plinker" which had a cast receiver. It did not turn out real well. Other than that their stuff was/is top notch, which they have sold world wide, including an order of several hundred selective fire 9mms for the South African gov't. I think their problem, now at least, is they have not dropped their prices to reflect the current AR market. Still today, their cheapest AR that I see on their site is $811. Some other "assemblers" are nearing half that.

Mr. Perfect

quote:Originally posted by Horse Plains Drifter
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
If memory serves me correctly, OA had some serious quality issues with their earlier offerings, that put them solidly into the category of "ARs to stay away from" in many people's minds. They certainly were an affordable option, and their quality improved significantly in more recent years but the stigma is/was hard for some to overcome.

And yes, Mark, I believe you have one of everything. [:D]
Yes, that was ONE gun, and long ago. They tried a price busting "plinker" which had a cast receiver. It did not turn out real well. Other than that their stuff was/is top notch, which they have sold world wide, including an order of several hundred selective fire 9mms for the South African gov't. I think their problem, now at least, is they have not dropped their prices to reflect the current AR market. Still today, their cheapest AR that I see on their site is $811. Some other "assemblers" are nearing half that.
I remember being at a gun show looking over their AR offerings and the feed ramps on the BCG looked like they had sand glued to the surface, among other things.

SP45

Bought a Safari Arms Matchmaster in 81 for the huge price of 525.00.