The First Generation
In 1992, Olympic Arms was looking to make its mark in the AR-15 market by designing an AR-style firearm with a redesigned recoil system. Similar to the AR-18, the idea was to have a bolt with its recoil spring housing contained in the upper receiver, leading to a more compact design.
In 1993, the concept was realized and released as the OA-93 chambered in 5.56mm NATO. Unfortunately, the OA-93 had a short-lived production, as the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was passed a year later.
AWB Effect
The Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was a 10-year ban on the manufacture of common use sporting firearms. Manufacturers in the United States created a plethora of unique firearms designs to comply with the law.
The ban focused on the restriction of certain features on firearms, such as threaded barrels, removable magazines, pistol grips, retractable stocks, bayonet lugs, and other features. The ban implemented a point system, where rifles with detachable box magazines could only have one “tactical” feature, while a pistol had the same provision with a clause that restricted the use of “barrel shrouds” and limited the weight to under 50 ounces.
Olympic Arms Complies
In 1996, in compliance with the new regulations, Olympic Arms released a new version of the OA-93. Designated the OA-96, this AR pistol featured a pinned and welded 30-round magazine with a ramp for feeding the ejection port with stripper clips. This version of the AR pistol concept was also very short-lived, as it was extremely difficult to reload without stripper clips.
In 1998, to further update the design under compliance, Olympic Arms released the OA-98. Unlike the OA-96, the OA-98 accepted standard AR-15 pattern magazines. Sacrifices had to be made on the features of the pistol so that the detachable magazines would be allowed.
Features
The first regulation addressed with the OA-98 was the 50-ounce max weight requirement imposed on handguns. The lower receiver features lightening cuts throughout the magazine well and around the pistol grip. The lower has been milled out in any area where the removal of material does not affect the strength of the construction. This is most noticeable with the basketweave pattern through the AR magazine well.
The upper receiver is also lightened, in part due to the shrunken design of the gas-operated recoil system and the shorter bolt. The most noticeable feature on the upper is the lack of a traditional handguard, which is replaced with a folded metal grate that achieved compliance in both reducing the weight and forgoing the use of a “barrel shroud.”
The barrel of the OA-98 measures 6.5 inches, also reducing material weight. The barrel is not threaded, so it does not add to the overall point tally on the handgun.
A Place in History
In 2004, upon the expiration and failed renewal of the ban, the OA-98 was quickly relegated to a specific period in American firearms history. In fact, by 2007, Olympic Arms ceased production of this platform.
By today’s standards, the design seems odd and pointless without understanding the world it was brought into. Ultimately, the Olympic Arms design would only be recognized by the few who remember “Clear and Present Danger’s” John Clark (Willem Dafoe) and the Olympic Arms AR pistol that he rocked in his adventure to Columbia.
Summary
Any 6.5-inch AR is going to be a little fireball blaster that pretty much is only good for having (a lot of) fun at the range. In fact, an argument can be made that bans like the 1994 AWB made firearm designs less safe by removing necessary accessories for safely exercising a person’s Second Amendment right.
From a historical perspective, the OA-98 is an interesting and rare piece of American firearm history. While it may just be a fun gun with rather useless qualities, this history is fascinating.
Also, I may have picked it just so I could go to the range and pretend I was John Clark rescuing Jack Ryan from the clutches of drug lords in Columbia. Either way, what a treat it is to see something like this come through the warehouse.
