American Rifleman — As AK-pattern rifle enthusiasts here in the U.S. can attest, imported AKs are not all created equal. Mikhail Kalashnikov’s battle-proven combat rifle design has been borrowed, cloned and modified by countries around the world without the benefit of uniform production standards.
Among some of the best imported AKs on the market today are the Russian made VEPR semi-automatics. They are manufactured by Molot Firearms LLC at the Vyatskie Polyany Machine-Building Plant, which has been in operation for more than 50 years. VEPRs are manufactured to the same standards as the rugged Russian military RPK design and sport many of the same features. The stamped receivers are 1.5 mm thick, making them 50 percent thicker than standard receivers for added strength and rigidity. The bore of the hammer forged heavy barrel is chrome lined along with the chamber, gas block and gas piston resulting in a much longer working life than standard barrels.
This year the FIME Group of Las Vegas, Nev., has teamed up with Molot to offer its customers a brand new folding-stock version of the VEPR chambered in .308 Win. called the VPR 308-22. Once the Russian rifles arrive, FIME installs high-quality American-made components to meet 922r regulations while maintaining the integrity of the original platform. The following review is a closer look at one of the first rifles to arrive.
The Molot VEPR VPR 308 -22 (referred to hereafter as the VPR for brevity) is a long-stroke gas-piston-operated semi-automatic that feeds from a removable box magazine. The steel components are all treated with a matte-black finish that matches the polymer of the stocks. The 20.5″ long chrome-lined barrel is cut with 1:12.5″ right-handed 4-groove rifling. The muzzle is 14 x 1 mm left-hand threaded and fitted with a thread protector secured by a spring-loaded detent. The RPK sight system includes a thinner protected adjustable post in the front and a fully adjustable rear tangent calibrated for 100 to 1000 meters. The square notch rear sight blade features a click-adjustment knob so that no tools are required to adjust for windage.
The ribbed, glass-reinforced polymer gas tube cover, grooved handguard and diamond checkered pistol grip are all RPK style but manufactured here in the United States. The handguard is lined with a corrosion resistant stainless steel heat shield and inlayed with a metal locking ring which prevents it from touching the barrel.
The stamped receiver cover is fitted tightly to the RPK front trunnion and receiver to prevent it from rattling. Removing the cover reveals a bolt carrier with a chromed gas piston and a 3-lug rotating bolt that locks into the front trunnion. It’s not uncommon for AK bolt carriers to feel rough or gritty when manually cycled. The VPRs bolt assembly cycled smoothly right out of the box.
The square-backed stamped receiver is properly shaped with clean spot welds and nicely rounded rivet heads. The left side of the receiver has a rail for mounting optics. The controls are standard AK fare with the reciprocating charging handle and safety lever both located on the right side of the receiver and the magazine release lever mounted to the front of the sheet metal trigger guard. This version of the VPR arrives with a pair of sturdy polymer magazines, one 5-round and one 10-round. Aftermarket magazines in larger capacities are available.
Specifications:
U.S. Distributor: FIME Group
Manufacturer: Molot Firearms LLC
Model: VEPR FM-AK308-22
Action: Semi-Automataic, Long-Stroke Gas System
Breech Type: 3-Lug Rotating Bolt
Caliber: .308 Win
Finish: Matte Black
Receiver: Stamped, Straight Cut
Trigger Group: 2-Stage
Trigger Pull: 6 lbs. (As Tested)
Sights: RPK Fully Adjustable
Optics: Receiver-Mounted Sight Rail
Hand Guard: RPK Ribbed Black Polymer, Stainless Steel Heat Shield
Shoulder Stock: Tubular Steel Folding Stock with Rubber Recoil Pad and Cheek Rest
Grip: Black Polymer
Barrel Length: 20.5″
Muzzle: 14 x 1mm LH Threading, Removable Thread Protector
Overall Length (Stock Extended): 39.5″
Overall Length (Stock Folded): 29″
Weight: 8 lbs. 15 oz. Unloaded, With 5-Round Magazine
Capacity: 5+1 or 10+1 Removable Box Magazines
Twist: 1:12.5″ RH
Rifle Grooves: 4
Accessories: One 10-round Magazine, One 5-round magazine, Owner’s Manual
MSRP: $1,249.99
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