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Posted: 2/22/2007 2:20:03 PM EDT
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I've come accross a B-West AKS in the box that's configued as such: Full stock, folding bayonet, red wood furniture that looks like "Legend" style wood, serial #00XXX with no prefix on left side of rec'r trunnion, also on left side of rec'r is AKS 7.62X39, on bottom of rec'r it says B-West, LA CA China. No other markings on gun anywhere. Box says made in China. My question is this one of the imported B-West Guns that was completely made in China with a Chinese made rec'r and therefore a good one? Anything else known about these? Thanks Larry |
| I have a B-West AK that I bought new in the box waaay back when they were being made-It has been sitting unfired in my gun safe ever since. It is a US-made one, with a serial number of BWC 10xx. Contrary to what you have read, it looks to be a well-made and well-finished rifle. I am concerned with what I have read here and elsewhere,though. What is the failure mode for an un-heat treated receiver? Can anything be done about this? Should I try to rebuild it with a new receiver,or leave it as a collector's item? (a friend who also bought several at the same time as me told me he sold one like mine (NIB) for a sizeable amount recently at a gun show to someone who was specifically looking for a B-West). |
Contrary to what we have read? It isn't what we have read. I know some of the guys that built the B-West rifles and worked with one. The guy I worked with said he wouldn't own or shoot one. But that's beside the point. The receivers have been known to egg out at the axis pin holes in as little as 1,000 rounds. You can fix that if they haven't egged out with a mapp gas torch and some oil to heat treat like the OOW receivers. The correct procedure has been posted by myself a number of time with links to the webpages that explain it. Probably here on the "build it yourself" forum. Google "heat treating an AK receiver" and you will find plenty of info on the akfiles, gunsnet and other places. It involves heating the axis hole of the hammer and trigger to cherry red I believe, quenching in oil, reheating to purple(?) and letting the receiver slowly cool in something like a container of sand. Look up the directions for correct colors and method as this is off the top of my head. I've seen actual preban Chinese rifles that are imported receivers for $600.00. I don't see why anyone would think that a B-West built rifle is collectable, they are worth less because of the non heat-treated receiver. They are a parts gun. To sell one for a higher sum than the Chinese rifle would not be something most guys here would do with a clear conscience I would hope. |
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