I recently found out that VEPR AKs are being made and imported again in 5.45x39, 7.62x39, .308, and 7.62x54R and in barrel lengths of 16", 20", and 24".
Preliminary reading says VEPRs are some of the best quality AKs out there, which is good to hear. Can anyone attest to parts compatibility? Specifically, stocks, receiver covers (TWS dogleg), handguards, etc. I’m particularly interested in the .308 and 7.62x54R versions, but if their 7.62x39 version is up to snuff as well then it’s also worth looking at. MilitaryArms has a thread on the 7.62x54R version and he seems to love the thing.
I’m not sure about all the new VEPRs being brought in, but the ones Rob Arms imported have a stock/pistol grip combo that is specific to the VEPR slant cut receiver. Traditional AK furniture will not work. Krebs Customs and Ace LTD have developed some receiver block options to add folding stocks and or telescoping stocks to the VEPRs.
Also, they are built on an RPK receiver so they are on the heavy side.
For the three 7.62 calibers, I actually wouldn’t mind the added receiver weight of the RPK. It would only bother me on the smaller calibers, and then only if I can’t do other things to make the weapon more manageable to handle. I would not be averse to fluting or recontouring the barrel if it’s thick enough to do so.
The slanted receiver complicates things a little bit for me. It doesn’t look like Kreb’s has anything for converting it to a standard stock/ & pistol grip listed on their site. The lack of a folding stock (or ability to have one) on the .308 and 7.62x54R models is not a deal-breaker for me, though it might be for the 7.62x39 models.
VEPRs are a bit too heavy for 5.45 and 7.62x39. When robarms sold them for $400 something, converted, they were a good deal. But for the money any SGL is a better deal in today’s market and much more practical.
I imagine the .308 and 7.62x54R do, maybe the .223, but do the 5.45x39 and 7.62x39?
armakraut, could you explain what you mean by ‘more practical’? Is it a cost-benefit thing (meaning, are newer ones overpriced)? Comparing to the SGL, are they as likely to match the accuracy potential shown by MilitaryArms and another guy on YouTube with the new VEPRs? < 1.5 MOA without match ammo puts it squarely within AR accuracy territory.
Just to add my 2 cents. Veprs are great rifles. They have a proprietary stock and require a vepr specific adapter to work with the vast majority of stocks out there.
CsSpecs manufactures high quality steel magazines that are very reliable. Unfortunately the Vepr requires modification to use standard double stack ak magazines, requiring a special bullet guide. I believe robarms modified them to take ak mags when they were previously imported.