Olympic Arms' OA-98 AR Pistol - A Strange Product of the AWB

Published on June 1, 2017
Duration: 13:14

This guide details the disassembly of the Olympic Arms OA-98 AR pistol, a unique firearm designed to comply with the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban. The video highlights its bufferless, direct impingement system, which requires a non-standard disassembly process compared to traditional AR-15s. Expert Ian McCollum demonstrates the field stripping, emphasizing the removal of the top-mounted recoil spring assembly and modified bolt carrier.

Quick Summary

The Olympic Arms OA-98 AR pistol is a unique firearm designed to comply with the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban. It features a bufferless, direct impingement system with a top-mounted recoil spring and aggressive skeletonization to keep its weight below the 50-ounce threshold, allowing for detachable magazines.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the OA-98
  2. 00:35History of Olympic Arms AR Pistols
  3. 02:24Impact of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban
  4. 04:30Design Features of the OA-98
  5. 06:03Disassembly and Mechanics
  6. 11:21Conclusion and Legacy

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Olympic Arms OA-98 unique in its design?

The OA-98 was uniquely designed to comply with the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban by being aggressively skeletonized to weigh under 50 ounces, allowing it to retain a detachable magazine while avoiding the 'assault pistol' classification.

How does the OA-98's operating system differ from a standard AR-15?

The OA-98 features a bufferless, direct impingement system. Its recoil spring assembly is located above the barrel, eliminating the need for the traditional AR-15 buffer tube and making the firearm more compact.

Why was the Olympic Arms OA-98 created?

The OA-98 was created by Olympic Arms in response to the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban. They developed a series of AR pistols (OA-93, OA-96, OA-98) to navigate the ban's complex definitions and restrictions on firearms.

What are the potential drawbacks of the OA-98's design?

While an ingenious solution to legislative challenges, the OA-98's extreme skeletonization, necessary for weight reduction, can make the firearm more fragile and susceptible to damage compared to conventionally built firearms.

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