Head to Head: Arsenal-Inc AK vs. Vepr

[Coronach]

OK.

Does anyone have experience with these rifles? They're both in the same price range. Arsenal seems to be more conventional-looking, the Vepr seems to be heavier and more robust (based as it is upon the RPK receiver...but I'm not sure whether or not that is really much of a bonus, as the standard AK can't really be described as lacking in the reliability department).

So...


Opinion time. Which to get? Which would YOU get? Why?

Assume that I'm looking for a handy rifle in 7.62 russian (Vepr K vs Arsenal's SAM-7 Classic).

Mike

PS Range reports always appreciated.

 

[762x51]

Personally, I would get a gun from AK-USA. Just as nice if not nicer than the 2 you mentioned. That aside, from the 2 you listed I would get the Arsenal gun. I personally find the furniture on the Vepr quite uglyand the reciever is slant cut in the back making it impossible to put on standard AK furniture unless you have the receiver welded up. What caliber are you thinking of? I dont think a heavier and more robust receiver is a must have in a semi auto 762x39 AK. JMHO.

 

[gun-fucious]

Redstar had a great report of a Vepr at a HP shoot

heres a text vesion:
http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cach...RC/vepreport.pdf+vepreport.pdf&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

i can email ya the .pdf

 

[JG]

Vepr is out on looks alone (function aside), If I'm looking for an AK......I want the gun to actually "look" like an AK. If you want a milled gun I would go with an Arsenal Inc. SAM-7, if you want stamped I highly recommend AK-USA as well. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[goon]

I had a VEPR K. It was a good rifle. Well built, reliable and accurate as hell for an AK. Mine was the 223 though, not the 7.62x39mm. The only thing about it was that they are very nose heavy. They balance somewhere between a field goal post and a totem pole.
I currently have an Arsenal SA-M7 carbine. It is only a little lighter because of its milled receiver, but the balance and handling are much better. Mine is defective from the factory. The slot in the rear sight base is not machined squarely, and to make things worse, the rear sight was also out of square. I called Arsenal to get another sight, but they gave me a line of crap about how I had to send them the sight I had so they could fit another for the gun.
I just ordered an adjustable rear sight from Gordon Tech, and that has allowed me to straighten things up to where they should be.
I also had an SAR-1. It was a good gun for the $300 I paid for it. Worked every time, but wasn't very accurate.
I would suggest that you look over ANY AK that you buy very closely, trying to see if there are any defects before you buy it.
You can't count on a reputation when buying an AK. All you can count on is that they are all hit and miss, just some makes have fewer misses.

 

[rock jock]

I also am interested in this post.

Goon,
What kind of accuracy are you getting from your SA-M7? Have you tested it off a bench?

 

[goon]

Off the bench at 100yds I got around 3".
I was shooting at one of those scope zeroing targets with the little squares. It has a 2" square in the middle, and a larger one around the smaller one, just to try to give you a picture to work with.
IIRC two of the shots were together almost touching in the center red ring, and another was about 1.5" from those, higher.
The last two were a little higher still. I fired the shots about as fast as I could shoot and reacquire, so there was not any time for the barrel to cool. With a little better ammo, one could possibly do better, but it is still an AK.
I had an SAR-1 that I did the same test on, and after 15 rounds, not a single shot had hit inside the outer red ring. The group was around 6"-7" inches.
The VEPR that I had was a 223. I shot it at about 100yds from the prone. After zeroing, I put 10 shots into about an inch and a half, again firing about as fast as I accurately could. I used the issue sights. I attribute the good accuracy not only to the gun, but to the UMC 55 GR ammo that I shot out of it.
All told, I like the SA-M7 best. It is a good compromise of acuracy and handling. It is a little heavier than the SAR-1 because of its milled receiver, and a little lighter than the VEPR, but much better balanced.
It was defective from the factory, and they gave me a hard time when I tried to get it fixed, so I would advise you to make sure that there is nothing wrong with it before you leave the typically dim lighting of the gun shop with it. In my case, an adjustable rear sight has mitigated the problem to a point where it isn't really an issue, but that was extra money that I had to spend to fix a new gun.
Just someting to think about.

 

[rock jock]

Where did you buy yours? Do you mind if I ask what you paid? Theey are located about 2 hours from me and I have been tempted to visit their factory and buy one directly, if they do that.

 

[Coronach]

Yeah, anyone know the dealer cost on the SAM-7 Classic, in 7.62?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[JG]

anyone know the dealer cost on the SAM-7 Classic, in 7.62?

Well, Arsenal only built between 250-300 Classics.....that was awhile back. Some dealers may still have some, but I kind of doubt it at this point. Online, FAC and Tennessee Guns had them for about $595 (give or take). I paid $695 in the local retail store.

If you decide to go with an SAM-7 and can't find a Classic, the SAM-7 Carbine is cool (doesn't have the ugly brake Arsenal uses on the Standard SAM-7s).

http://www.arsenalinc.com/images/sam7carbinebig.jpg

 

[rock jock]

Note that the SAM-7 from Arsenal Inc. (http://www.arsenalinc.com/) is different than the guns from Arsenal USA (http://www.arsenalusa.com/). The former are located in Las Vegas and from what I have read have some quality issues. The latter are located in Houston and supposedly make an excellent rifle. I talked with Jimmy at Arsenal USA today and they said that their new SSR-85C-2, which should be out in June, will be built on a RPK receiver, or something very close. The suggested price tag is over $500, though.

 

[JG]

I would go with an Arsenal Inc. gun over Arsenal USA/Global Trades gun personally. While both companies have their issues, I have heard/read way more complaints over Arsenal USA AKs.

Also, we'll see how quick Global gets their new models out....Jimmy is a very nice guy, but if I were a betting man, I don't think its going to be out by June (but you never know).

 

[Coronach]

Gaaaaa....my brain is going to explode.

Yes, Arsenal INc is what I meant, not Arsenal-USA/Global Trades. I edited the thread title to reflect this. Good catch.

Mike

 

[goon]

I bought mine at a local shop.
It cost me $559 + tax.
Mine is the Carbine version.
CDNN has Bulgarian 30 rounders for $10 a pop.
Have fun.