. . because they can build a properly heat-treated AK receiver. I'm getting ready to build my Bulgarian '74 and I can't seem to locate a receiver that is actually made to the specs of the original without dismantling another made-in-the-third-world by-slave-labor weapon. Doesn't it bother you guys that the most technologically advanced country in the world, with the most kick ass military and some of the most fertile minds on Earth can't create a properly heat-treated AK receiver?
I mean look, if the freakin' BULGARIANS can do it, why can't an American company? The complaint from all of the US manufacturers is that "the receivers bend during heat treating" . . . well, they can make it work in the third world, can't they? I mean for God's sake, it's just a fricken bent piece of sheet metal with spot-welded rails. It's not like we're building a M1 Abrams. And please, no crap about cost. It can't cost more than $1 in raw materials. The blank is bent and punched on some sort of mandrel. You pay a monkey $6/hr to spotweld in the rails with a jig so they can't screw it up. I would be more than willing to pay the extra $20 in overhead cost for a no-compromise receiver.
I hope one of the manufacturers reads this and feels challenged. Why is it that the parts of my rifle that are made in the US are the compromise? Why can't the USA build a BETTER receiver than the flippin' backward third world 1960's technology using POLISH?
Yep, I think I'm irritated.
PS>> For those that are using Hesse/OOW receivers and aren't having problems, great. I'm just pissed that I am FORCED to use substandard parts . . . especially when the parts in question are American made. I'm sure I'll pony up the the bar and get an OOW - I can't afford to disassemble my SAR to build a proper rifle.
Whew . . . . </RANT>