【WESTERN ARMS】Bob Chow Matte Black Ver. with Real Wood Grips

Western Arms products are gas guns made of high-density plastic, allowing you to enjoy the same realistic weight as a real firearm. The "Magna Blowback" mechanism, which controls the gun's core, provides a powerful recoil shock just like a real gun, allowing you to enjoy realistic and impactful shooting. It uses safe low-pressure gas to fire 6mm BBs in the same process as a real firearm.

A fierce appearance, as if stripped of all excess. The legendary fighting gun, reproduced with an overwhelming presence, is revived as a matte black version with a baked-on finish.

A unique custom gun that swept through Japanese gun enthusiasts in the 80s

Frank Robert Chow (1907-2003) was born in the United States to Chinese immigrant parents. His family and friends called him Bob (a nickname for Robert) Chow.

In the early 1930s, Bob Chow joined the Naval Reserve, becoming a non-commissioned officer, which was rare for an Asian American at the time.

He was also well-versed in shooting competitions, setting 37 handgun shooting world records. In the 1948 London Olympics, he reportedly achieved excellent results as the first Chinese American to compete in pistol shooting.

After retiring from military service, he settled in San Francisco and operated a gun store until the 1960s. In his later years, he worked as a gunsmith, and his custom guns, known as the "CHOW" brand, were highly regarded, especially among bullseye (precision shooting) shooters.

Bob Chow's custom work in the United States is mainly known for its precision shooting creations, such as .45 automatics with adjustable rear sights. However, in Japan, a custom .45 automatic based on the Colt Government, commonly known as the "Bob Chow Special (hereinafter Bob Chow Spl.)", is still revered as an absolute legend.

Introduced in the October 1981 issue of "Monthly Gun," published by Kokusai Publishing, which was the bible for gun enthusiasts in the Showa era, this unusual Government custom was not intended for shooting competitions, which was Bob Chow's specialty. Instead, it was created as a complete fighting (practical) .45, incorporating all of his knowledge about .45 automatics.

He stated, "I pursued what kind of gun would be good for real combat," and the concept, intended for constant carrying and quick drawing when needed, is clearly evident from its form, where every sharp edge has been smoothed down.

WESTERN ARMS' craftsmanship revives a legend in the modern era

The actual Bob Chow Spl., said to have been almost entirely custom-made by combining a Colt Mk4 frame with a military National Match slide and barrel, is captivating for its unique style, rich in detail, making it difficult to find any part that hasn't been modified.

WESTERN ARMS has meticulously reproduced each part using machining and handcraftsmanship, bringing Bob Chow's masterpiece back to life as the pinnacle of Magna Blowback models.

The slide and frame are made from carbon black heavy-weight (HW) material, known for its superb weight and texture, and finished with a tough, matte black baked-on coating, creating a jet-black matte black version.

While maintenance with silicone oil and other products is essential for WESTERN ARMS HW models to prevent oxidation and discoloration of the material's surface, such care is not necessary for the matte black version, which is covered with a painted coating. This specification is recommended for those who want to use their gun extensively and hold it daily to appreciate it.

Of course, the solid texture unique to HW models remains unchanged. Coupled with the rigid feel characteristic of HW material, anyone who holds it will enjoy a tangible sensation that ABS resin models can never provide, making them doubt their eyes.

Customization points of the slide assembly

The slide, heavily machined almost beyond recognition, with only traces of the National Match details remaining on the inclined cocking serrations, is reproduced using a dedicated mold.

The softened muzzle area and the significantly widened ejection port details are the result of meticulous handcrafting.

The minimally cut, low-mounted, fully adjustable micro rear sight, the highly visible front sight designed to prevent snagging on clothing during drawing from a holster, and the snag-free bushing emblazoned with the "CHOW" engraving are all faithfully modeled using dedicated parts.

One of the symbolic features of the Bob Chow Spl. is the marking on the left side, which was re-stamped with a lot number after the original engraving was polished away, a feature that later influenced the Snake Match.

Customization points of the frame assembly

The anti-slip stepping (or stippling) on the front strap of the grip and the front of the trigger guard is a major highlight of the frame that distinguishes the Bob Chow Spl. This fierce form has also been reproduced by manufacturing dedicated parts.

The newly crafted rosewood grip panels feature a traditional full checker pattern with neatly carved checkering across the entire surface. The bold scalloping that assists easy access to the magazine catch button has been reproduced.

While providing a secure grip, the soft feel and warmth transmitted to the hand when gripped are the unique charms of wooden grips made from natural materials.

In addition to the snag-free Mark IV hammer and the A.D. Swenson ambidextrous safety, it is noteworthy that the thoroughly de-edged slide stop also has the protrusion of the axle on the right side, which is manipulated during disassembly, removed.

Furthermore, it incorporates a long trigger with an internal adjustment screw updated for IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) competition, a wide grip safety, and a stippled straight mainspring housing, encompassing the style of the existing "Version 1.5" models.

And the belt clip, known as the Bob Chow Spl.'s companion, comes standard. This item is useful when carrying the gun directly inside trousers or similar places. Made of thick steel, just like the real gun, it is a highly practical and excellent piece of equipment.

This is a custom gun in the true sense of the word, created by a top gunsmith in the good old days of America using his own hands and knowledge, distinct from factory-made tactical customs.

Bringing that spirit back to modern Japan is the "Bob Chow Special," which WESTERN ARMS proudly offers as one of its flagship models.

【Specifications】