I own a B-WEST pre-ban that has the Chinese folding bayonet parts kit on the U.S. made marked receiver. I never had any problems with it and the quality is excellent. It looks almost identical to the ten other factory pre-ban Poly/Norinco's I own with the exception of the scope mount holes already drilled into the side of the receiver from the factory. I never understood this and had two plug screws put in for a cleaner look. The guy I got it from had five other B-West receivers that were all used for "Krink" builds and they are all going strong to date. I was told a while ago from Keng's/KFS that B-West was getting the receivers raw from China and finishing the manufacturing here and stamping them with their info. I tend to believe them.
B-West was made by Jensen's in Tucson Arizona, owned by Lathrop's. I was present when they were built. Use caution, I saw many come apart during operational tests.
All the receivers that were built into factory guns had the serial number on the trunnion and in the form of BWA####, BWB####, BWC#### or BWD####. The receivers that were sold as stripped receivers or unassembled rifle kits were serialized on the right hand side of the sheet metal receiver in a 999#### configuration or on the left hand rear of the sheet metal receiver in a 989### configuration.
B-West produced between 86 to 89 when the BATF discovered B-West was not actually producing the receivers on sight, but that a sheet metal fabrication company right down the road was doing the actual receiver manufacturing - without a license.
To make it all go away, B-West got out of the AK making biz. Their rifles were made completely from Chinese parts and U.S. made sheet metal receiver."
I own a side folder Tucson AK and after aprox. 1100 rnds the ejector was misforming. A short fix w/the welder and Dremel cured the problem and has handled another 500 +rnds w/out issues. A much better weapon than some will give credit for.
I'm very happy with my B-west AK.Just as I figured gunshop BS.Out of all my AKs it has the best trigger and great quality.Unlike most of the junk thats in stores now.
I worked at Jensen's (B-west) gun shop in the early from about 1990 to 1993 during the time of AK receiver production. They originally had a problem with the receivers and corrected the problem by adding reinforcement to the affected areas. Looking inside the receiver may help in identifying the reinforced receivers. Good Luck
I own a real BWA made folding stock AK have had it for many years The rifle is very reliable and have had no failures at all No receiver problems nothing at all Just good reliable fire power, A very well built gun, I agree with the guy who says people just want yours for nothing, If theres a better one out there go get it, Dont bother to talk crap about it then buy more parts,Thats like petting the dog that keeps bitting you.Dont make sence!!!
If some person has Evidence of Failures ,Like Pictures they can post, then I will take note but until then its all just chatter.
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