07-23-07, 14:04
Pwa Commando Pre Ban
We carry Pre-Ban 'Assault Weapons' and Collector grade firearms on a daily basis. 800M Adjustable rear sight. Example of Response: The manufacture date for PWA lower receiver, serial number 1xxx, is xx-xx-19xx. Essential arms went out of business in 1993 only a year before the ban. 80% Arms sells AR-15. PWA (360) 438-3983 35222 and Below - Pre-Ban (Note:Some lowers are cast not forged. Out of business) Post-ban have a year prefix in the serial number. Rumored to have only sold lowers.
Olympic Arms Serial Number Lookup
Anybody here remember the PWA (PacWestArms) lowers? I believe they were the forerunner to Olympic. Anyway, at the shop where I work, a fellow came in with a box or AR parts, enough to build 2 rifles, a 20' HBAR and a 16' carbine. The only things missing from 2 complete guns was the 20' bbl gas tube and a buffer retainer and spring. Both lowers were PWA, uppers are un marked, one w/ A2 sights and 1 w/ A1, barrels pre-ban w/ bayo lugs and threaded. I know the PWAs are pre-ban. The carbine has the old style 3-position aluminum stock, and its barrel is heavy out to the FSB and thin from there to the muzzle (pre-M4). I put them both together, using tha A2 sighted upper for the 20' gun. The 20' gun needed a new extractor spring and buffer and then worked flawlessly, even not properly lubed. I started lurking around here shortly after that so now I know it wasn't properly lubed, thank you Pat Rogers. The 16' gun has been a PITA. the upper is obviously no to spec. It needed filing on the rear tab just to close all the way, and the barrel locating notch is off. One of the triggers was too wide, so I don't believe the FCG is spec either. I got the shorty together and it has been one thing after another, it is just about working. The shop owner wanted to sell both rifles, but after so much tinkering to get the short one to work, he's not selling that one. It is basically the AR I have wanted for awhile (I don't currently have any), with the barrel profile and A1 sights and such, so I think I can get it on the cheap. I figure then I can upgrade parts to maybe end up with something worth having. I'm sure there are opinions, so I'd like to hear them. I know I can either listen or ignore, so either way I'll read them. Thanks in advance.