[Foxtrot427]

I have some questions though.

- Mags. I want a .223 VEPR but Im sure they dont take AR mags, so how much are the mags for the .223 VEPR? Do the 7.62 ones use the regular AK mags?

- It costs more than regular AKs, anything set it apart other than that pretty synthetic stock?

- They dont seem to have any space for rails on the top or up front. Id probably want a red dot and a vertical grip. Are there any rails besides this one:

http://nas4.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/046808000/46808206/pix1006458125.jpg

as for the front rails, do you just buy a certain length rail and screw it on?

- Does anyone have good pictures of it?

- Are they amazingly reliable like most AKs?

[LOST SOUL]

Here's mine 5.45x39 and it is the most reliable Ak I have ever owned and it shoots better than me.
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/285/dsc005006sj.jpg

[LOST SOUL]

Also if you can find one you better scoop it up, Vepr is no longer around. Molet is out of bussiness. And the price of Vepr's are going up

[grimjaw]

Foxtrot427, I can only answer so much, b/c I've only been able to handle one of the VEPRs at a gunshow.

- 7.62x39 versions should take regular AK magazines. There's another thread floating around about how there's never been a universal standard for .223 AK magazines so they can be problematic for any version, not just the VEPR.

- They were marketed as being built on RPK receivers, stamped but thicker than typical stamped AK's. This also makes them somewhat heavier, which I didn't like. The fit and finish on the few that I've examined was excellent. I personally don't like their furniture, but there's nothing shoddy about it. As far as AK's go, they are supposedly one of the more consistently accurate.

- I would think they are just as reliable.

I found this (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=154988) and other threads (http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?searchid=1282678) on this board useful when doing research.

I went with an Arsenal AK in .223 instead. If I had to go with a stamped version nowadays, it would probably be a Saiga conversion or a SAR3 (or if Vector made one). I would like to have a VEPR in .308, though.

jmm

[Correia]

Do a search on Veprs. There is a ton of information out there. Including all of your questions.

I did a group buy on Veprs last year. Sold almost 40 of them on THR alone.

They're hard to find now. I've got one used one in stock, hardly any rounds through it. 6 magazines and a rail like the one in you picture. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

[rangerruck]

plus one on the saigas, they are very accurate, with well made bbls. If you need one with rails, get a saiga with the tromix conversion. Also Robinson arms makes a kind of ak/ar hybrid, with all the rails, bells and whistles.

[Don't Tread On Me]

Which side mount rail is that in the photo? That looks like a great rail.


Would like to take note of it for a future AK project...

[Coronach]

The main problem I have with the sidemount weaver rails is that they all make the optics sit a little high. That's personal preference.

Mike

[Foxtrot427]

I did try a search. Couldnt find much. THose are the questions I had left over.

That sidemount rail is on gunbroker. LOST SOUL, where did you get that bottom rail?

The only 30 round .223 AK mags cost $30! Is that normal? 3x as much as AR mags.

These were made in russia correct? Do these have any US parts? I like the whole American part of ARs, M1s, etc. Are they used by any any allies of the US?

As for the 5.45 round, how is it compared to the 5.56? Its not much more exensive at least. And the mags are MUCH cheaper.

So it sounds like they are more reliable than normal, higher quality, and more accurate. What kind of groups would you get at 100" with a 5.45 compared to a 5.56 AR?

[Foxtrot427]

bump

[Correia]

For your specific questions:
$30 is pretty standard for .223 AK mags. AR mags are cheaper because .223 was never a standard eastern block cartridge, so there aren't any surpluse .223 AK mags.

Yes, made in Russia. They have US parts to allow importation.

5.56 vs. 5.45, there are about a thousand threads on this. See the first link below from when I did the group buy. Same for you next question.



For general info:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=141300&highlight=vepr
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=128885&highlight=vepr
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=82118&highlight=vepr
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=15502&highlight=vepr
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=17362&highlight=vepr
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=74976&highlight=vepr
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=61941&highlight=vepr
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=58029&highlight=vepr
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=38502&highlight=vepr


Right now if you want a super high quality Russian made AK you've got 2 options. Converted Saigas or Veprs. Veprs are heavier. Saigas are actually available. I do both when I can actually get Veprs. If you get a converted Saiga, get one from somebody who knows what they are doing. I only use Tony Rumore of Tromix.

[Foxtrot427]

thank you very much for your help!

[LOST SOUL]

The rail is a standard AR rail 6" on a Vepr vented hand guard. The hole are already in the bottom of the hand guard, so no drilling is needed.

[Foxtrot427]

nice. How did you get the handguard vented? DIY?

[Kestrel]

When did Molot go out of business? I didn't know that.

So, the VEPRs are gone?

[LOST SOUL]

The vented hand guard is from Vepr $80.00 and they shut down last month. So the Vepr is no more:(

[Foxtrot427]

damn. Does anyone sell railed handguards?

[rangerruck]

you can go to any gunshow here in houston and get ak mags in 223 for 12 to 20 dollars ea. Also you can get 5.45 mags and put a 223 follower in them for about 6 bucks. and you can get those mags for 10 to 15 dollars.

[LOST SOUL]

Yes rangerruck is right about the mags. You can usally buy 4 mags in a rain pouch with cleaning kit for $39.95 and then just buy the 233 follower and they will work great. Also on the vented hand guard, I have never seen any around anywhere. At the time the only place to get them was threw the Molet web site.

[Correia]

Molot isn't out of business.

Here is what happened. Izmash sued Molot. Molot was violating Russian law by not paying Izmash for all of the AK type rifles they were building. According to their law Izmash actually owns the rights. The verdict was huge, worth more than Molot is actually worth. So Izmash now owns Molot.

What is going to happen now? Nobody knows.

[Foxtrot427]

well I wish they would hurry and come back or something. I want a damn VEPR.

[LOST SOUL]

Yes, Izmash sued Molot but as for right now they are closed and can't make any weapons right now. The factory is closed and all of Molet's assets are frozen.