First off am not an Ak person. Just got my first one becasue a good deal passed by me. So if I use the incorrect terminology forgive and correct me.  As far as I can tell its a Polytech import. It only has the importers name serial number and Chinese stamped on the receiver. Anyway the question I have is about the side folding stock. Not a fan of the side folding stock. here is a pic of the stock. and the full rifle.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/akpic.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/201/stockp.jpg/

I was going to order an AR style collapsable stock as that is what I am used to. Luckily I looked over the AK and noticed that their is no "tang" on the rear trunnion. The stock is apart of the trunion. So I am hosed as far as swapping out the stock completely. I really don't like the cheesy wood in the stock and I have also ordered new handguards with rails and grip  so I can mount a red dot get a better grip. Needless to say no one sells hand guards or grips  in that off red . I have not been able to find and replacement "furniture" for that style stock. Short of drilling out the pins holding in the wood does anyone know where I could get replacement inserts? Or is just taking them out really my only option.

You know that rifle in that configuration is very valuable right? $1600-2000 valuable.It would be unwise to do anything to it.It will kill the value.
I sold JUST the stock set last week here for $500,yes $500 not a typo.
Imho buy a wasr for $500 and modify the crap out of it.Or sell the polytech and buy a ton of goodies + an AK to modify with the money you make off of the polytech.

Its your rifle,but i would highly recommend not doing a thing to that one

No I did not know it could be worth that much in its current config.
I only paid $625 for it. It was an off hip buy from a guy I work with who wanted cash to fund an AR buy.  Didn't do any real research before I bought it , but I knew generaly around what a AK went for on the current market  threw out the price and the guy agreed so I took to be a beater rifle for my first AK. Typically I'm an AR or M1A guy so I am in fresh territory here.  I did a litle research on it after I got it. Its a B West LA import, as near as I can tell its not one of their US made receivers since it has the China  import stamp. Front sight is a little canted but that is why I was going with railed hand guard and a red dot to not have to mess with the front sight at all. You can see on the side of  receiver where something was ground off some markings (possibly the original  manufacturers info) , but the serial number is still intact and matched the one on the bolt. And it had the importer stamp so as far aI'm aware in Texas its legal .  I found a pic that looked exactly like it and they all said it was Polytech. So thats the best I can guess of who made it orginally.

Like I said I thought it ws a beater rifle so I did not get hung up on who imported, etc. I just took it to the range and shot it to make sure it worked reliably and it does so I bought it. Now that I know it may be worth much more than I thought I will rethink my plan to make it my first project AK to play around with.

thanks for the info. I will put my drill and dremel tool away now.

If it says B-West and has the norinco made in china on the receiver,then its not a polytech,its a norinco bakelite sidefolder.Also known as a 56S-2 model.
Still worth upwards of $1500-2000 depending on condition,etc.Very rare rifles,and for $625 you stole it.

Some people dont like the stock,others do.Post some pics if you can,value can be better determined with pics.

Easy money if you decide to sell it.Gunbroker bidders will go nuts bidding on that rifle.

Congrats on a heck of a buy.Glad you didnt chop it up,always good to see what you have first before the power tools come out to play

Read this in the link for some excellent info.
Manufactures list is on the right showing different models,etc

http://chicom47.com/

Even if your rifle is beat all to crap its worth more than you paid for it and then some.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/403/photo8mj.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/photo7sv.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/152/photo5yg.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/809/photo4tdb.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/photo2bj.jpg/

i don't know why a couple of those are upside down. when you view them . But the are right side up on image shack library.

Original legit bakelite folder.
Very good condition.$1600-2000 rifle on gunbroker.
Should be a cleaning kit wedged inbetween the rear stock panels.There is a tiny pin hole on the top of the stock you push down on and the cleaning kit pops out.Its spring loaded and pops right back into place.
Some are missing the cleaning kit.Cleaning kit alone is worth $50-75
The original muzzle break was just a muzzle nut not a slant break.Easy to find to make it correct
You scored big on that rifle.Keep it and enjoy the collectable rifle or sell and make a hefty profit

Just found the cleaning kit. Looks like it has never been used. Didn't even know it was there. Thanks.

I'll keep it for now. At the very worst its money in the bank for a rainy day.  

Downside is now I will probally have to go out and buy another one to play with.  My wallet curses me.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Had no idea that it was valuable at all.

Your welcome,glad i could help you out.
It wont hurt the value by shooting it either,these rifles only increase in value.

I'm looking for a 223 sidefolder. I have a 223 Norinco underfolder New in box with 3 mags , bayonet and accessories to trade if you're interested.
[email protected]