Do I "need" a VEPR?

[vanfunk]

Well, Guys and Gals...

So I'm there in the gunstore after work and this little devil swoops down and lands on my shoulder and whispers, "psssst, go have a look at that that VEPR 7.62x39 over there"...

The thing is surprisingly heavy, but in a reassuring kinda way. It's built like a T-34/80, and the action schnick-schnacks positively and smoothly. The finish is flawless, and while there's a faint whiff of Hoppe's near the action, it hardly appears to have been fired by the previous owner. The tag says $425.

Now, I have an SAR-1, which does everything an AK is supposed to do, i.e cycle reliably and keep bullets flying through a pie plate out to 200 yards or so. However, the action sounds like a shaken coffee can full pennies when it's worked, the sights and gas tube are a bit canted, and (although I've prettied her up with a stock refinish and some oxpho-blue in places) it's still a Romanian clunker.

So, I guess I've answered my own question - I don't really "need" it. But for you VEPR owners/operators out there, what do you think? Will the performance/accuracy/pride-of ownership make me happy?

Also, I know the stock set and receiver cut on the VEPR are not of conventional AK design, but are there aftermarket stock sets out there that'll give the buttstock and pistolgrip a more "traditional" look? I know the handguard cannot be swapped for a more AK-like upper and lower.

Thanks for your help! If I'm going to buy this thing, I'll buy it tomorrow.

vanfunk

 

[Moparmike]

You should know better than to ask "Do I need "X" gun?" here on THR. The answer will usually be a resounding yes.

 

[762x51]

In order to install a conventional type grip and stock, the rear portion of the receiver will need to be converted. RPK's (the VEPR is an RPK receiver) have a slanted cutout on the rear. Krebs custom however can weld a piece on to make it into a standard type. Not cheap I'm sure.....but it is an option. VEPR's are very nice guns albeit a bit heavy and that price sounds about right for a used one in good condition.

 

[C.R.Sam]

NEED ?..............NO.

Want ?..............up to you.

Sam

 

[Sir Galahad]

Of course you need it! It's a VEPR and a good price on it! I'd trade my Ruger M77 International .308 right off the bat for a VEPR!

 

[DMK]

Do you "need" another AK? Probably not, but does that really matter?

A more appropriate question is: Do you have $425 plus tax?

 

[Correia]

I love mine. They are great rifles.

 

[vanfunk]

Ach,
Went by the store the next day and it was gone, gone, gone:banghead:
The VEPR is now VAPOR.

Thanks anyways, guys!
vanfunk