Anyone here have any personal experience with the Wild West Guns (Alaska) model called the "Copilot"?

Thanks, Jeff

I'd get on the Alaska hunting section on this forum and ask there. Have seen lot's of comments regarding wild West guns, and seem to be mostly extremely negative. But, that's where I'd ask.

I have never bought a gun from Wild West.

But I have been in there shop twice, several years apart, and found them to be friendly and nice on both occasions.

All the reviews I have read on their lever guns have been positive. The ones I have handled seemed well made.

I use a take down guns a lot, and can say they are very handy and great to travel with.

I have one converted from a standard 1895. I kept the 22" barrel and didn't get the take-down (just couldn't justify the money for an already great gun). I really appreciate the longer barrel as I shoot much better with it (slows me down a bit and feels like a lighter recoil). Great work and I love the extended chamber for heavy bullet and solids. Shoots around 1-1.5 MOA with Garret 540's. Nice.

Yes, I know Jim West and have had Jim make my dad a co-pilot.

I flew the bush with other pilots who had guns by Jim West and they praised his work.

You will love his product!

They do great work but are a bit pricey and very opinionated. Still iit is a great weapon for thick bush and fits most anywhere. It is however not a long range weapon

No but I have one of their Guide Guns in 50 Alaskan.It works great,never had a problem with it.Regarding the people,Yeah they seemed to have
this attitude that you were from the lower 48.and
could not have any use for 50 Alaskan.I thought it must be Water...

Well you know that Alaskans refer to every place other than Alaska as "Outside", so until I moved there every time I spoke with them over the phone I was an outsider! Then when I had been in the store a couple time they lightened up. I does seem as if gun stores attract an odd sort of employee. ( I worked for Great Northern Guns in Anchorage part time so I guess I am one of those types; however I try not to be)

I used to work next door to Jim's old shop on the Old Seward Highway, and would visit his shop a couple times a month. The Co-pilot is a realy neat package and the ones I handled were exceptionaly well done. I bought one of his first "Alaskan Guide" conversions and carried it many miles in the bush. It provides great peace-of-mind. I don't think you'd be disapointed with his products.

I have had several over the years (50 Alaskans)and liked them all.They shot and worked fine for me,but I didnt draw any blood

Yes

RAC,

Your rifle is a sweet one...what are the specs?

Both a QD scope mount and good open sites.

Congrats.... based on the pics, nice work with your "Co-pilot".

Thnaks for sharing.

Mine has an 18.5 inch barrel and is a takedown. I have had it for 8 years. Despite all the problems associated with WWG I have read on this and the Alaskan board, I have not had any problems with them except a shipping damaged gouged forearm when I received it. That was replaced with no problems. I shipped it to them before I went to Africa to have the serial number engraved on the barrel, plus a shorted LOP, and a no flop trigger installed. Generally, I shoot the 405 grain Remington bullet loaded out to the 457 Mag length. On the trip to Africa, I used a Alaska Bullet Works 405 grain bonded bullet. Both of these loads are around 1800 fps. I see no reason to use the 457 Mag as there is nothing it can do that a 45-70 won't do.