Dwight Williams of Williams Arms Company, in Sisters, Oregon, introduced the Aluminum Combat Elite around 08-01 (?). Beautifully machined, it endured one man's 1000 round torture test - then cracked. Tested with proofloads by White Labratories for DSA (http://www.dsarms.com) it failed catestrophically. I have examined the splintered shards of the receiver. Several other people have had locking shoulders and ejector block pins walk out. I have examined photographs of several other full and semiautomatic aluminum receivers with cracks. Although possibly okay for pistol calibers, I choose not to complete this review with a live fire. I have serious reservations about its safety and structural integrity.
Dwight Williams unethical behavior with regard to customer concerns over the safety of a WAC receiver has further reinforced my decision not to work with this product.
Dwight Williams of WAC (Sisters Oregon) "sold" his business to U.S Armament. A company where Dwight now works. The ownership of the Williams Arms Company cum U.S. Armament is in question, with Dwight Williams being the registrtant of U.S. Armament as a web entity. U.S. Armament has made public anouncements to placate purchasers of the aluminum receivers by offering a steel receiver, with partial credit given for the return of the aluminum receiver. It is not my intention to investigate the company's orginization, Dwight Williams' contribution, or the appropriateness of the receiver exchange. Plenty of information can be found from supporters and detractors on http://www.falfiles.com. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the steel receiver for dimensional and cosmetic congruencies or variations from a "standard" set by Fabrique Nationale Herstal as exemplified by Belgium made or Belgium licensed (Brazilain Imbel) receivers.
ARS received a Williams Arms Company (Bend, Oregon) steel receiver as a free sample, provided I post a review of the product.
As of 08-21-02, I have completed initial photography and am posting the pictures for your review. I have not completed the assembly or testfiring, nor have I completed any narrative to accompany the photographs. Please be patient and don't nag me for the build and narrative, I will finish it as soon as possible.
