Olympic Arms 9mm carbine

[John from Maryland]

Does anyone have experience with Olympic Arms AR15 in pistol calibre? I'm concerned about current and future availability of Colt, especially for individual purchase. I'd also like to find a lower cost alternative, but I do not want to sacrifice quality for the sake of a bargain. Thanks and be safe.

[Sparky]

You might want to re-examine using a pistol caliber. The increased barrel length will increase velocity and you will get some "over penetration".

5.56mm is actually LESS likely to "over penetrate". Lighter bullet. The TAP round is excellent, but is actually just a varmint round.

Unless you're placing a great significance on round interchangeability, I would look into getting the 5.56mm. There are many more benefits that I won't get into here.

Just my opinion though.

[John from Maryland]

You're preaching to the choir on the rifle/pistol issue, Sparkster. The senior firearms instructor doesn't support rifles for patrol use. With a semi-automatic pistol-calibre carbine, we have a long distance handgun. While that solves a lot of tactical problems, a 9mm carbine is a fairly underpowered weapon. Any thoughts regarding a mix of 9mm carbines and shotguns for patrol use? Be safe.

[KenM]

I seem to remember some failures in the Olympic Arms rifles. I can't remember the exact circumstances. I decided to go with Bushmaster. They have the military contracts now due to some manufacturing problems at COLT. There is a site you can go to that has just about everything on AR15's. Its at www.AR15.com (http://www.AR15.com)

[prowler]

Our department just went with the Bushmaster CAR-15 chambered in .223 cal. Every patrol officer was issued one and the quality is great. Might check them out.

[Sparky]

I don't feel the 9mm in sub-gun velocities is what I would call 'under-powered'...as I said, it will actually penetrate MORE than the 5.56mm due to bullet weight and added velocity.....but anyway.

If the department issued pistol is in 9mm, there is a valid arugement for it just for practicallity. I'd prefer a 9mm sub than a shotgun, actually, but that's just me. (Then of course I'd REALLY prefer the 5.56mm)

I think the combination would be maximized if a less lethal option, such as a bean bag rund, were added to the shotguns. You HAVE to mark these shotguns for less lethal only!! (Paint the stock pink!)

Put the subs out. Take some of the shotguns in. Paint the stock bright pink. Order some bag rounds. Train up, and issue. Now you can go one step up from pistol to the sub for greater distance and accuracy or penetration PLUS you also have the option of less lethal on patrol.

Maybe??

site you might want to check out:
www.firearmstactical.com/tactical.htm (http://www.firearmstactical.com/tactical.htm)




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-Sparky

[LeeRoy]

I think I posted this on the previous board.

Our department installed a second shotgun in each of our supervisor cars. We equipped the shotguns (Rem. 870's) with off the shelf orange nylon hunting stocks and fore ends. Those shotguns are loaded with beanbag rounds. The shotguns are only loaded by members of the firearms team to prevent more lethal rounds from being loaded.

We are considering .223 rifles for patrol but the jury is still out whether they will be approved.

[John from Maryland]

Thanks for the feedback. We stock Remington 870's and a couple of AR15 9mm's. I'm hoping to get some of the shotguns converted to less lethal weapons. I have debated the issue of dedicated less lethal vs. unload buckshot/slugs and reload beanbags. The surrounding county is going to dedicated orange guns. That being the case, my inclination is to adopt their protocol.
Most officers do not carry shotguns on patrol. Qualification with the shotgun is currently voluntary. To our discredit, most of us have only fired fourteen rounds of shotgun ammunition in the past year. I have proposed mandatory shotgun training and qualification to the other firearms trainers. Any feedback? Be safe.