Why is this receiver called HEX? It appears to me it has 8 sides or is there another reason for the term.
Why is this receiver called HEX? It appears to me it has 8 sides or is there another reason for the term.
Because it appears to be hexagonal! Actually it's half hexagonal.
It is a hex, the bottom is flat not cornered at 45* as the top. So 6 sides not 8.
They claim that the hex is stronger than the later round model.......but I don't know why that would be.
Hey!, it looks neater, what more could you want?
All I know is they cost more cause folks think they are cool
I agree with the OP. The top half of the receiver is 1/2 of an octagon, the bottom half is 1/2 of a square or rectangle. The receiver has six sides, but since they are not equal angular, it's not a hexagon. Hex is more fun to say than octo though....
Glenn
Perhaps it has something to do with hexagonal barrels being traditional from a long time back.
I have no basis for this other than being familiar with the Russian desire for simplicity in military arms. Maybe it made putting the receiver in a vise to work on it easier.
The Finns who developed one of the most accurate military rifles of the last century from the Mosin Nagant action...went almost exclusively with the hex receiver...and that is all I need to know about hex or round. My bubba-ized model 39 with a homebuilt scope mount has recently shot a 5 shot .7" group with 4320 and Hornady 174 gr spbt, and about .9" with H4350. Plus, if there is ever an ugly gun contest, it's a shoo in. I can't imagine what it might do in the hands of a good rifleman.
Many things in firearms history are not exactly what they are called. Why isn’t a 38 Special called a 358 Special ? A 44 mag not called a 429 magnum ? Whatever, they were a sweet deal only a few short years ago.
The round receivers are easier to machine!
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |