began in 1956 – 2017
- Robert Schuetz partnered in business with gunsmith P.O. Ackley
- 1956 began as Schuetzen Gun Works (SGW)
– manufacturing rifle barrels in Colorado Springs, Colorado - 1975 moved to Olympia, Washington
-rifle barrels
– barrel blanks thrived
– began manufacturing complete custom bolt-action rifles - 1982 began to manufacture as Olympic Arms, Inc
- 1987 purchased Phoenix, Arizona based Safari Arms
- 2002 revived the 1955 Whitney Wolverine pistol
- February 2013 announced they would no longer sell its products to New York law enforcement officers following the state’s passage of an assault weapons ban
- 2017 Olympic Arms, In closed
About Olympic Arms
Olympic Arms was a family-owned gun maker in Olympia, Washington. Its roots go back to 1956, when Robert “Bob” Schuetz, who had worked with the well-known gunsmith P.O. Ackley, started Schuetzen Gun Works in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to make rifle barrels. The company moved to Olympia in 1975. In 1982 it began making AR-15/M16 type rifles and parts under the Olympic Arms name, while custom bolt-action rifles stayed under the Schuetzen Gun Works brand. That made Olympic Arms one of the earliest civilian AR-15 makers after Colt.
In 1987 the company bought Phoenix-based Safari Arms and added 1911 pistols to its line. By 2004 all 1911 production had moved to Olympia. In 2002 Olympic Arms brought back the 1955 Whitney Wolverine .22 pistol with a polymer frame. After New York passed the SAFE Act in early 2013, the company stopped selling to New York law enforcement. Company president Brian Schuetz called the law unconstitutional. Olympic Arms announced in January 2017 that February 28, 2017 would be its last day of operation. It filled orders and sold parts on a limited basis until founder Bob Schuetz died on May 22, 2020.
Key Facts
- 1956: Schuetzen Gun Works founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 1975: Moved to Olympia, Washington
- 1982: Began making AR-15 type rifles as Olympic Arms, Inc.
- 1987: Bought Safari Arms of Phoenix, Arizona
- 2002: Revived the Whitney Wolverine pistol
- February 28, 2017: Last day of regular operation
Sources
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