- Olympic Arms
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Olympic Arms Type Private Industry Weapons Predecessor Schuetzen Gun Works (SGW) Founded 1956United States in Colorado Springs, CO,Headquarters Olympia, WA, United States Products Rifles, Pistols Website http://www.olyarms.com References: Purchased Safari Arms in 1987 Olympic Arms, Inc. manufactures and markets AR-15 and M16 pattern rifles, carbines and pistols. Olympic also manufactures Colt 1911 (M1911) series 70 style pistols. All products currently manufactured by Olympic are sold under the Olympic Arms brand name.
History
Olympic Arms, Inc. was founded by Robert C. Schuetz, and began as Schuetzen Gun Works (SGW) in 1956, manufacturing barrels in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to that Mr. Schuetz had been partnered in business with well known gunsmith P.O. Akley. In 1975 the company moved to Olympia, Washington, and while its business in rifle barrels and barrel blanks thrived, it also began manufacturing complete custom bolt-action rifles. In 1982, Schuetzen Gun Works began to manufacture AR15/M16 rifles and components under the trade name of Olympic Arms, Inc, while custom bolt action rifles continued to be produced under the SGW brand. In 1987 the company purchased Arizona-based M.S. Safari, adding the M1911 pistol to its lineup under the name Safari Arms.
Olympic was the first to introduce features now seen as commonplace on the AR15 platform. It was the first company to produce flat-top upper receivers, free floating aluminum hand guards, pistol caliber conversions, and AR-15 based pistols. Olympic also manufactures many AR-15s in calibers other than the standard 5.55x45mm. Olympic was the first in the industry to offer AR15 style firearms in 9x19mm and .45 ACP, 10mm, 7.62x39, and the Winchester Super Short Magnum cartridges.[citation needed]
Olympic Arms is one of the few AR15 manufacturers to make every major component part in-house. They have been found to constantly meet the rigid specifications of military, government and law enforcement agency contracts. Olympic Arms has provided firearms for Law Enforcement and Government agencies around the globe, including every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.[citation needed]See also
External links
Categories:- Firearms manufacturers in the United States
- Companies based in Colorado Springs
- Companies based in Washington (state)
- Thurston County, Washington
- Privately held companies based in Colorado
- United States manufacturing company stubs
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