AK guys: VEPR questions from a noob (video included)

[1KPerDay]

Hi,
I just got my first AK ever, a VEPR 7.62x39 with integral sights from Centerfire Systems. Ordered on Nov 9, picked it up yesterday. Rifle seems very good quality, solid, good finish, well balanced. quick intro video here for those interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=541nkgHQ_84

I have registered at the AK files but the admin hasn't approved my account to be able to post any questions so I'll bother you good people if you don't mind:

1. IF I were to simply convert my rifle as is to accept American AK mags, would I need to do anything else to be 922r compliant? What sets off the alarms on that silly law?

1a. IF I were to change nothing on my rifle except add a muzzle device/comp/FH, would that require any other mods/deletions/additions?​

2. Buttstock options:

a. Is Bonesteel http://www.bonesteelarms.com/Vepr-rifle-Galil-style-stock-VPRFSGL.htm
a going concern, are their products good quality, etc.? Stock conversions for the VEPR are rare from what I can see. Krebs makes one that uses only the bolt-on aluminum stocks (not what I want), and Bonesteel (maybe) makes one that folds (to the right only, from what I can see). I shoot lefty, so am not enamored of the right side fold. But I'll take what I can get.

b. anyone tried this receiver block? http://dpharms.com/products/vepr/vepr_internal_receiver_block_for_original_ak47_stocks.html​

3. Any options for forends? I'd really just like to put standard AK handguards on it but that may not be an option. Info welcome.

4. Trigger group: my limited understanding of 922r leads me to believe that it would be best to swap the trigger parts to US made so I wouldn't be stuck with using US made magazines. Does the VEPR have any specific requirements in that regard? Single or double hook, etc.? Where to buy? Is this a good deal? http://dinzagarms.com/misc_parts/fcg.html

Thanks for your patience and advice, as always.

 

[Girodin]

1. IF I were to simply convert my rifle as is to accept American AK mags, would I need to do anything else to be 922r compliant? What sets off the alarms on that silly law?

Yes you would. The trigger for 922r (and the similar CFR sections) is doing something to the gun that makes it "non-sporting." The one thing that seems to most clearly make a rifle none sporting is a magazine with a capacity that is greater than ten rounds. Thus, using higher capacity mags, irrespective of country would be the trigger.

Using US made mags would not be sufficient to be compliant at that point. You would need no more than 10 imported countable parts. A vepr is thought to have 14 countable parts (although if yours has a cap on the end of a threaded barrel that may also count as a part. I would remove that and add a US made muzzle device anyhow so that would deal with that part). The magazine would be three (mag body, follower, floor plate). Thus, you would still be at 11 even with US made magazines.

4. Trigger group: my limited understanding of 922r leads me to believe that it would be best to swap the trigger parts to US made so I wouldn't be stuck with using US made magazines.

I agree relying on mags for 922r compliance is not the best way. Just from an economics stand point the price difference in decent US mags versus steel surplus and the one time purchase of $30 FCG and one other part makes it better.

Does the VEPR have any specific requirements in that regard? Single or double hook, etc.? Where to buy? Is this a good deal?

Flip your gun over and look to see if where the trigger comes out of the receiver if there is a single slot coming off of it at one end or two slots. If one then a double hook wont fit. I believe a Tapco G2 should work. You could contact Dinzag at the link you provided and ask. He is a nice and very helpful guy. From the link you posted picture of single hook versus double:

View attachment 643720


As to bone steel, the only reports I have seen are on the Saiga 12 forums which do not allow members to post negative reviews or comments about companies or the products of companies that are paying members. As such reviews their are not worth much. I can tell you of examples of the moderators deleting posts and banning members to protect companies from legit critiques. As such I do not use that site anymore and place little value on product reviews their.

I will say that the bone steel stuff, while ugly does appear to be well made.

As to handguards: The vepr has a non standard gas tube. It is my understanding that the way the rear sight block is it will not accept a standard tube. That is likely to affect some handguard options.

The other issue is that the Vepr has a thicker barrel and thus most AK handguards will not fit. Some folks have reported success in cutting/sanding hand guards and getting them to fit.

With a handguard retainer that fits the vepr and some sanding AK handguards should work on the bottom. With the integrated sights model I'm not certain what you'd need to do with respect to the gas tube.

There are a number of other handguard options outside of traditional AK style that will work or can be made to work with the vepr.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks.

Re: #1, how is this possible then? http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/ind...art_product_id=1357&virtuemart_category_id=23

http://www.classicfirearms.com/russian-vepr-5-45-x-39-semi-auto

 

[Girodin]

I do not know what they have done to those guns. They are clearly modified guns. It is possible they have swapped additional parts such as the fire control group and piston. You'd likely need to call and ask them.