Want Additional Information?  See OA-93 Patent and OA-93 Owners Manual!

Brief Review of the OA Series of Weapons

The OA-93 family of weapons history stems from attempts to make a lightweight and handy version of the M-16/CAR-15.  The OA-93 was the first version and was introduced in 1993.  The pistol was designed in both a civilian arm (the OA-93OSS) and a law enforcement model (the OA-93).  These saw respectable sales, especially the law enforcement model which garnered some popularity with SWAT units across the United States.  However these weapons were only used in certain tactical situations because it is felt that these weapons present too much power in a handheld pistol (thus resulting in possible over penetration of a suspect.  The passage of the 1994 Crime Bill however required Olympic Arms to perform modifications to the basic design to continue selling them.

The first revision to the OA-93 was the OA-96 in which a 30-round ammunition well is pinned and welded in place as such it cannot be detached. In addition, the OA-96 has a button in the rear which opens the upper receiver and can then be loaded via stripper clips.  The original OA-93 has continued to be produced but in a different configuration, with the biggest change being that of an added forward handgrip (this model uses detachable box magazines). 

A second answer to the Crime bill is the OA-98.  This pistol is unique in that it is made using a detachable magazine but the pistol itself is rather unusual in that it is greatly cut away to reduce the weight to under the 50-oz to allow the OA-98 to have one more "evil" feature removed to be compliant with the 1994 Crime Bill.  An additional answer to the crime bill is the OA-93TG which is an "Any Other Weapon" which is an National Firearms Act registered weapon like weapons like machineguns and short barreled rifles.

Following are photos and details of each of these weapon systems.

OA-93 Pistol

Please note:  I really could use a series of photos of the OA-93 pistol.  If anybody would care to share images, please drop me an e-mail!

Photo above shows OA-93 pistol upper above an OA-93 Carbine upper mounted on an OA-93 Pistol receiver.

OA-93 Carbine

The OA93 Carbine is based on the OA-93 Pistol design. The addition of a folding stock makes this weapon light, versatile, and compact while delivering a potent round. Options can be custom added to this rifle to allow import into some countries such as colors, removal of flash suppressors, etc. Features include:

OA-96 Pistol

Photos above provided by loknlode of AK-47.net forums

More OA-96 Images

Note the magazine release button and the rear takedown pin in photo above!

Overview:  Olympic Arms OA-96 AR-15 Pistol

A BATF-approved post-ban pistol based on the original OA-93 design. The 30-round ammunition well is pinned and welded in place and cannot be detached. The unit has a button in the rear that "shotguns" the upper open and can then be loaded via stripper clips or singly as you would a standard AR magazine. Features include: Button cut heavy barrel, 6.5" OAL, 1x9" twist Aluminum free-floating handguard No buffer tube Weight: 4 lbs 3 oz Length: 15 3/4"

OA-98 Pistol

Overview:  Olympic Arms OA-98 AR-15 Pistol

The OA-98 is a post-ban crime bill complaint AR-15 pistol that is able to use any mil-spec AR-15 M-16 style magazine.  All weight has been removed in non-critical areas to ensure safety and strength. All lower parts are standard AR-style parts, and are interchangeable with other standard GI (non-Colt) parts. The upper is a modified component that contains the same OA-series recoil system as the OA-93 described above and it eliminates the need for a buffer tube or standard recoil system of any type. There is virtually no recoil due to the gas-op OA style system, but it still packs the punch of the .223 Remington rifle cartridge. Features include: Button cut light barrel, 6.5" OAL, 1x9" twist No buffer tube Detachable magazine Uses standard AR lower parts and bolt Weight: 48 oz Length: 15 3/4"

OA-93TG Pistol

If you have one of these AOWs and I can get you to send me a few better pics, please e-mail me!

Overview:  Olympic Arms OA-93 TG AOW

The OA-93 TG was first introduced in 1998 as another replacement for the OA-93 pistol design that was affected by the 1994 Crime Bill. The OA-93 TG is an NFA firearm that is classified by the BATF as an "Any Other Weapon", and must be purchased by a Class III dealer (dealer of machineguns). The weapon is transferred on a Form 4 (same as a machinegun, short barreled rifle, etc.),. Features include: Detachable magazine Forward pistol grip 6.5" 4140 CM barrel Aluminum handguard Vortex flash suppressor Flattop upper Weight: 4 lbs. 3 oz. Length: 16"

OA-93TCP

The OA93TCP is based on the OA-93 Pistol design. The addition of a folding stock makes this weapon light, versatile, and compact while delivering a potent round. Options can be custom added to this rifle to allow import into some countries such as colors, removal of flash suppressors, etc. Features include:

Other Resources:

Following is a copy of a letter from BATFE to Olympic Arms related to the OA-96 pistol.