Andrey Shalygin: The reincarnations of AKM and SVD fill not only the Russian market, but are also very popular in Germany and America, creating a market there with a much larger capacity than the domestic one. Is there anything behind this other than the psychological aspect of the children's "game of war" and the reception "I blinded you from what was," it's hard to say for sure. But the most positive opinion of independent experts goes something like this: There is an opinion among shooters that AK-moids are only suitable for recreational shooting, not having high accuracy - and they are wrong: although the Kalashnikov system cannot compete with the accuracy of the AR-15 or AUG , however, it is in no way inferior to most of the self-loading devices common today. In addition, they are distinguished by a low price, the highest reliability (including with cartridges that other semiautomatic devices generally “do not digest”). The statement itself is also very controversial, especially about cartridges.
Therefore, let's not say everything in unison like this, but first let's take a closer look at the situation: Do we all understand what a Vepr hunting carbine is? I hope it's no secret to anyone that the Vepr is both a 12-gauge smoothbore and a 7.62 mm rifled machine gun and a Kalashnikov machine gun with both a 39 mm and a 63 mm chamber?
Strange spectacle, agree
I hope that no one will deny that automatic combat weapons, as well as weapons for firing single snipers and hunting, smoothbore and rifled, for animals and birds, should have OPPOSITE practical properties in many respects, and what to do them in one "body" is sheer stupidity? Otherwise, snipers would shoot from the hip, knock down a bear with a butt, and hunt a duck with optics and 300WinMag. Okay, let's go in order:
Initially, the Vepr hunting carbines, which are the result of a conversion production that was created in the era of the survival of the military industry in the dashing nineties, are self-loading rifled carbines that were developed on the basis of a 7.62-mm RPK light machine gun in 1995 by a team of designers of the Vyatka-Polyansky Machine-Building Plant " Hammer” (P. M. Mokrushin, V. I. Lyamin, A. I. Kabatchikov, and others). Designed for commercial and amateur hunting for medium and large animals. Carbines of the Vepr series are produced at the Vyatka-Polyansky machine-building plant Molot.
In those days, there was no question - how to make a good hunting weapon. The question was how to reorganize production at minimal cost to produce liquid products that could feed this very production and allow the work team to survive in the absence of purchases by the Ministry of Defense and foreign orders.
When creating the Vepr hunting carbine, the components and parts of the Kalashnikov light machine gun (RPK), which is produced in Vyatskiye Polyany, were used to the maximum. The carbine inherited from the machine gun a powerful receiver, a heavy barrel, a rear sight with a mechanism for introducing side corrections. The changes affected mainly the retention elements (butt and fore-end) and USM. The self-timer was excluded from the USM design, in order to prevent firing bursts, the shape and size of the sear and trigger were changed. The butt is made orthopedic, "Dragoon" type, with a rubber butt pad. The fore-end of a civilian type, without a protective lining on top, is much larger compared to the combat model of length. The height of the buttstock ridge makes it equally convenient to use both mechanical and optical sights.
The factory says: Comfortable buttstock and excellent balance are the undoubted advantages of the carbine. The heavy and long (520 or 590 mm) barrel, made by cold forging, has a chrome-plated channel and provides excellent accuracy of fire. This characteristic is also positively affected by a powerful receiver. The large length of the sighting line ensures high accuracy of shooting with a mechanical sight.The aiming bar of the Vepr series carbines allows for effective shooting at a distance of up to 300 m.
But many gunsmiths do not agree with this opinion, for example, Walter Wolf from Ukraine does not agree at all with the opinion of the plant: Hand the example of the well-known Vepr caliber .223 - In fact, this is the same Kalashnikov assault rifle. I will not say that the metal is thickened on the bolt box. No, the parameters are the same as on AKM. Its trunk has longitudinal lobes - stiffeners. Cartridge caliber.223. There is no longer a lock button on the return mechanism as on the Saiga-12k. But two protrusions in the upper part of the return mechanism prevent the cover from falling off when firing. The front sight is no longer "Kalashnikov". The fly base is stretched. But here the butt on this carbine crosses out everything that a hunter could still put up with. As I said, it is orthopedic, and at the same time, it is very heavy. At the end, as expected, a rubber shock absorber. However, its main trouble is that no matter how you aim, the upper ridge of the buttstock simply cuts into the cheekbone, and at the moment of the shot, all the vibration of the buttstock is painfully transmitted to the bone of the cheekbone. The result is black eyes, swollen cheekbones, and poor shooting performance. The problem is that the butt "Boar" does not have a lateral outlet. By the way, the Saiga-308 carbines and other similar models have the same problem. Even if a hunting stock is installed on the model, it still does not have a side outlet. I don’t understand, really at the plant no one took aim and doesn’t know about such imperfections? Its long trigger stroke is also inconvenient for hunting, which is generally extremely undesirable for rifled weapons. A very ugly, sharp trigger guard, as if it was not made at the factory, but riveted by a drunken uncle in the garage. Moreover, it should be especially noted that for some reason the prices for these weapons are far from small. What to pay for? For machine stamped boxes, rivets and spot welding? And interestingly, double-barreled shotguns are much cheaper than this rough stamping. Where is the logic here? After all, in fact, such a stamped "Boar" or "Saiga" should cost much less than double-barreled guns, since very little manual labor is spent on them.
"Vepr" can be equipped with an optical sight at the factory. Usually this is a 4-fold optics of the Vologda or Vileika optical plants. If you want to install a different sight on the carbine, then buy a weapon without optics, it's cheaper. Mounting optics on the Vepr side, the same as on the AK. When zeroing in an optical sight on a separately purchased bracket, do not forget that the parts of the bracket, after rough alignment, are fixed relative to each other with four pins. Otherwise, after a few shots, the aiming point will definitely "float away".
From the factory "Vepri" with mechanical and optical (if it is included) sights come out brought to normal combat at a distance of 100 m.
The design of the hunting carbine Vepr
Vepr carbines are chambered in 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester), 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington), 7.62x54mm R, 7, 62×63 mm in several different modifications and versions. The automation of the weapon is built according to the scheme of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, it has a high degree of reliability and trouble-free operation in various operating conditions.
Automatic reloading of the carbine is carried out by using the energy of the powder gases discharged from the bore into the gas chamber when fired, and the energy of the return spring. To increase durability, the barrel bore and chamber of the carbine are chrome-plated;
To exclude a possible inertial pricking of the primer on imported cartridges, the bolt striker is spring-loaded. To increase safety, the carbines of the Vepr series are equipped with a flag-type fuse. Butt combined, with a pistol grip. On the butt, to reduce recoil, a rubber butt pad-shock absorber is installed.
Details of incomplete disassembly of the Vepr carbine.
1 - barrel with receiver, stock and forearm;
2 - bolt carrier with a gas piston; 3 - shutter;
4 - return mechanism; 5 - receiver cover
In order to ensure maximum safety in the handling of weapons since 1997 all carbines for export and some for the domestic market are equipped with a spring-loaded striker. The fact is that foreign-made cartridges have a much more sensitive primer than Russian ammunition, which can lead to its inertial pricking when a cartridge is sent into the chamber with an incompletely closed shutter (as a result, damage to the weapon and injury to the shooter).
While domestic ammunition is traditionally used in Russia, our hunters do not face such a problem, but imported cartridges will sooner or later raise the question point-blank in front of the weapons factories. The designers of the "Hammer" took care of this ahead of time.
The applied part of the Boar also causes numerous complaints from gunsmiths. For example, the opinion of the same Wolf: Separately, I would like to mention the stores. On Vepr 223 it is plastic. This plastic is called heavy-duty polyamide. What it is? Polyamide (amidoplast) in its pure form is colorless, but it is well painted in any color. Fiber is made from it - kapron, nylon, more recently, taps for water, gears, bushings for load-bearing units are stamped. At a temperature of 215°C, it melts. So think about it, if the shutter with its rammer pierces the feeder and erases a step on it that provides a staggered arrangement of cartridges, then you can safely throw the magazine into a landfill, since when erasing the step-protrusion, two cartridges from the magazine will climb into the chamber. Such a disease is also inherent in Kalashnikov assault rifles (AKS-74). As long as there were stores with metal feeders, there were no such problems. But as soon as they appeared from the “heavy-duty” polyamide, after some time of operation, the shutter of the machine already stopped, firing two cartridges at the same time. The reason is the worn out protrusion of the feeder. That's the trouble will be with boars 222-223. Pay attention to the photo of Vepr. How much stupid wood has not been removed from the butt! And the hunter will have to carry this dead weight on himself. When reading an advertisement about the Vepr, do not believe that it has a convenient stock, as it is written in its booklet. The current followers of the once famous Russian gunsmiths have long been retrained as smart PR people, skillfully mixing truth with lies, and our hunters are forced to sip this brew and refine all their sins themselves.
Variants and modifications of the hunting carbine Vepr
- SOK-94 Vepr- the first model of 1995 chambered for 7.62 × 39 mm. It is in service with the paramilitary and guard units of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Protection" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia;
- SOK-95 Vepr-308- the second model, chambered for 7.62x51 mm;
- "Vepr-Super"- the third model of 1998, is available in several versions:
- SOK-95 M "Vepr-308 Super" and SOK-95 MS "Vepr-Super-Sport"(out of production) chambered for 7.62x51 mm;
- SOK-35 Vepr-35 Super chambered for .35 Remington (out of production)
- SOK-94R "Vepr-Pioneer"- produced since 2000
- SOK-98 Vepr-5.45- export version, chambered for 5.45 × 39 mm
- Vepr-Hunter- produced in two versions:
- VPO-101 Vepr-Hunter chambered for 7.62 × 51 mm;
- VPO-102 Vepr-Hunter M chambered for 7.62 × 63 mm.
- "Vepr-1V" chambered for 5.56x45 mm.
- Vepr-K(VPO-133) - AKM converted for the Russian civilian weapons market, without the ability to conduct automatic fire (chambered for 7.62x39 mm).
- Vepr-223
Rifle hunting carbines Vepr
The model chambered for 7.62x39 has been produced since 1995 and is extremely unified with the RPK. Almost all the distinguishing features of the design are mentioned above.
In the Vepr308 carbine, the locking unit has been strengthened, the bolt has three lugs, and the gas outlet unit has been improved. The use of the .308 Win cartridge brought the Vepr close in power to the Tiger carbine chambered for 7.62x54. According to CIP, the energy of a bullet fired from the Vepr308 carbine at a target at distances of 100 and 300 meters is only 10% less than that of a bullet fired from the Tiger.
Surely, some owners of the Vepr308 carbines of the first releases faced the problem of selecting ammunition for their weapons. The fact is that the 7.62x51 cartridges, produced until the mid-90s in our country, had a total length of 72 mm, while the 7.62x51M cartridge, under which the Vepr was developed, has a slightly shorter length. Because of this, filling the magazine with such cartridges and sending them into the chamber was difficult. A modified 7.62x51M cartridge (.308 Winchester) or a foreign-made cartridge that fully meets the requirements of the Vepr developers has become available to hunters in remote regions of Russia relatively recently. Since 1997, magazines with a capacity of 5, 7 and 10 rounds for the Vepr 308 can be loaded with any of the above cartridges.
In 2000, three more Boar modifications appeared chambered for 5.56x45 (.223 Remington), 5.45x39 and .35 Remington calibers.
| Characteristics | "Boar" | "Vepr-308" |
| Caliber, mm | 7,62 | 7,62 |
| Store capacity, patr. | 5 | 7 or 10 |
| Sighting range, m | up to 300 | up to 300 |
| Carabiner weight*, kg (no more) | 4,2 | 4,05 |
| Alina, mm | 1010 | 1200 |
| Width, mm | 75 | 75 |
| Height, mm | 200 | 200 |
| Alina trunk, mm | 520/590 | 520/590 |
| Muzzle velocity "bullets, m / s | 740 for cartridge 7.62x39-8 | 830 for cartridge 7.62x51M 830 for cartridge 7.62x51 (.308 Win) |
Smooth-bore hunting carbines Vepr - Vepr-12 Hammer
Self-loading smooth-bore hunting carbine "Vepr-12 Molot"
"Vepr - 12 Hammer" is a multi-purpose smooth-bore self-loading carbine designed for hunting, sports competitions, self-defense, as well as use as a service weapon. It differs from other versions by the presence of a removable flash suppressor mounted on the muzzle of the barrel and a trigger locking mechanism, which excludes the possibility of firing with the butt folded.
Carbine "Vepr - 12 Hammer" Spanish. 01 is a modification of the Vepr-12 Molot carbine and is distinguished by a barrel extended to 520 mm, a fixed flame arrester, and the ability to fire with the stock folded.
Carbine "Vepr - 12 Hammer" Spanish. 02 is a modification of the Vepr - 12 Molot-01 carbine and is distinguished by a barrel lengthened to 680 mm and the presence of a base in the muzzle of the barrel for installing internal muzzle bushings unified with shotguns of the Bekas and Bekas - Auto series.
Specifications:
The smoothbore version of the Vepr may have approximately the following set of nozzles:
Images enlarge when clicked. Photo from top to bottom:
1. a long choke attachment is installed on the carbine, with a thread, with an installed DTK,
2. long pay,
3. long Paradox,
4. long Paradox from Saiga 12 (also with thread for DTK)
4. short choke,
5. short pay,
6. cropped, to maintain a narrowing of 0.5 pay from Saiga.
7. protective nut on the thread of the barrel,
8. standard flash suppressor for the Vepr 12 carbine.
In fact, this number of interchangeable choke tubes for this carbine is more a product of marketing than any necessity. For the most part, attachments are a kind of psychological factor, akin to lengthening the penis in savages with wooden cases. Whoever has a longer muzzle is steeper.
The real combat properties of this weapon are such that all the abundance of attachments can in no way affect the practical result. Short chokes give mediocre scree. Paradoxes can be used to reduce the cost of a shot.
Private gunsmiths and firms, especially in Germany and America, intensively produce various tuned models in tactical versions from standard Boars - another area of application for Boars in the field of entertainment for men.
JSC "Vyatsko-Polyansky Machine-Building Plant "Molot" (VPMZ) is a machine-building plant in the Kirov region, the city-forming enterprise of the city of Vyatskiye Polyany.
Shareholders
- Russian Technologies - 50.67%
- Concern "Izhmash" - 41.76% (2010)
Combat weapon
- Anti-tank missile systems series 9K115 "Metis"
- Machine gun NSV-12.7 "Cliff" (cartridge: 12.7x108) (GRAU index - 6P11)
- Light machine gun Kalashnikov RPK (cartridge: 7.62x39) (GRAU index - 6P2)
- Kalashnikov light machine gun RPK-74 (cartridge: 5.45x39) (GRAU index - 6P18)
- Automatic grenade launcher AGS-17 "Flame" (GRAU Index - 6G11, the index of the grenade launcher with the machine - 6G10, designation KB 216P)
Civilian sports and hunting weapons
- Smoothbore hunting weapons, main range
- Pump-action shotguns of the Bekas-M series (RP-12M, RP-16M)
- Self-loading rifles of the Bekas-M auto series (RS-12M, RS-16M, VPO-201)
- Self-loading hunting carbine "Vepr-12 Hammer" (VPO-205)
- Self-loading rifles of the Tukan series (VPO-210, VPO-211)
- Rifled hunting weapons, the main range
- Self-loading hunting carbine "Vepr" (SOK-94, SOK-95, SOK-97, VPO-123)
- Self-loading hunting carbine "Vepr-Super" (SOK-95M, SOK-97M)
- Self-loading hunting carbine "Vepr-Pioneer" (SOK-97R)
- Self-loading hunting carbine "Vepr-Hunter" (VPO-101, 101M, VPO-102, 102M, VPO-124)
- Multi-shot hunting carbine KO 91/30, KO 91/30M (cartridge: 7.62x54) based on the Mosin three-line rifle
- Self-loading hunting carbine OP-SKS (cartridge: 7.62x39) based on the Simonov Self-loading Carbine
- Self-loading hunting carbine "Vepr-1V" (VPO-125) (cartridge: .223Rem. (5.56X45) based on the Kalashnikov RPK-74 Light Machine Gun
- Self-loading hunting carbine "Vepr-1K" (VPO-133) (cartridge: 7.62x39) based on the Modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM)
- Self-loading hunting carbine "Vepr-15" (VPO-140) (cartridge: .223Rem / 5.56X45) clone AR-15 based on Waffen Schumacher GmbH components
Many hunters have dreamed for years about buying a hunting carbine. This weapon is already much more serious and clearly testifies to the professionalism of its owner, because a novice hunter does not need such a tool. Consider one of the most popular options - Vepr 308 SOK 95.
Vepr 308 (or SOK 95) - weapon features
The Vepr 308 carbine is famous for being based on the Kalashnikov machine gun. And this means that this weapon is in many ways reminiscent of combat. In particular, there is non-failure shooting, the reliability of all structural elements, the ability to work even in extreme conditions.
But the manufacturers had to make some changes to the semi-automatic carbine so that it could be used as a hunting rifle. Firstly, the locking unit has been strengthened, and now you can shoot only single shots. In addition, durability has increased (chamber, piston, bore, gas chamber elements are chrome-plated), the stock has been improved, etc.
Specifications Vepr-308
The main characteristics of Vepr-308:
- Caliber - 7.62x51
- Barrel length is 590 mm
- Overall length - 1105 mm
- Buttstock and forearm are made of beech
- The magazine holds cartridges in the amount of 5 or 10 pieces.
- Weight - 4.1 kg.
The Vepr-308 carbine is a self-loading weapon, the work of which is carried out thanks to the energy of powder gases.
As for the sights, there is a rear sight with side screws for adjustment, with which you can set the firing distance to 100, 200 or 300 m, as well as a front sight directly in front of the flame arrester, the location of which can be changed not only vertically, but also horizontally.
The fuse here is of the flag type, and fasteners for optics are fixed exclusively on the side.
Advantages and disadvantages of Vepr-308
Experienced hunters note the following advantages of the carbine:
- high shooting accuracy
- minimum return
- optimal caliber for hunting even large game
- large optimal firing range
- optimal price
- great job even in the cold
- when carrying out a large number of shots, accuracy is practically not lost
- due to the long aiming line, the shooting accuracy is higher
- chrome-plated coatings increase the life of the weapon
- the installed optics do not interfere with the use of an open sight
- optimal rifle quality
As you can see, the advantages of weapons are quite significant. And if someone is wondering which Vepr is better to buy, the answer is obvious - this one!
But there are also disadvantages in the carbine:
- weapons are heavy enough
- imperfect balance
- the gas chamber is difficult to disassemble
- wooden structural elements are not very nicely processed
- an open sight is prone to failure due to mechanical contact with plants, various surfaces, etc.
- the safety flag switches quite noisily
- butt screw and forearm swivel are periodically loosened
- the gas chamber piston is very difficult to clean
Feedback from a real user about the carbine Vepr-308
I chose this semi-automatic carbine after weighing all its advantages in terms of quality and price. I took a closer look at the 590 mm barrel, since I practice hunting from a storehouse, sometimes on a room. The carbine did not shoot at the target, so I can’t say in numbers what accuracy. But there hasn't been a single beast I've missed yet.
I tried different optics, but practice shows that the maximum firing range in Russian forests is no more than 200 m. Due to the fact that after transportation it needs to be adjusted again, I temporarily decided to abandon the optics. In order to hunt bears and wild boars from the towers, I purchased an additional night light. This element has clearly weak fastenings, so I strengthened them myself.
For all use, the carbine failed only once - then the edge of the brass sleeve was jammed, which led to the jamming of the cartridge. The cartridge was made by the Novosibirsk plant. I don’t buy them anymore (I prefer Barnaul ones with steel sleeves), so there are no failures.
Another drawback is that a crack formed on the base of the butt during operation. But these are all trifles and assembly flaws. In general, the weapon is excellent and completely satisfied. I don't regret buying it at all.
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The global arms market is represented by a wide range of different shooting models. In the United States, the Winchester.308 carbine is very popular with hunters. In Russia, a very popular similar weapon is the Vepr-308 Super carbine chambered for 7.62x51 mm. Due to the design features, the weapon is suitable for operation at very low temperatures. Judging by the feedback from hunters, the Vepr-308 Super has a robust design that ensures high shooting efficiency. In addition, this rifle model in the Russian market is relatively inexpensive. Information about the device and performance characteristics of the Vepr-308 Super is contained in the article.
Acquaintance
This weapon was developed by weapon designers of the Vyatka-Polyansky machine-building plant "Hammer". "Vepr-308 Super" is a self-loading hunting carbine (SOK). The Kalashnikov light machine gun (RPK) became the base, the elements of which were used by the creators of the carbine. Thanks to this, the SOK has high reliability and excellent combat characteristics.
About design
In the 1990s, the number of state orders for weapons enterprises sharply decreased. Therefore, they were forced to look for new sources of income. As a result, the manufacturer refocused on the needs of a civilian consumer: work began on the creation of shooting models for Russian hunters. Some weapons units were made to order for export to other countries.
One of these manufacturers was VPMZ Molot. Using the reliable RPK system, the design team (P. Mokrushin, V. Lyamin, A. Kabatchikov) created the Vepr carbine. A 7.62 mm cartridge was provided as ammunition for this model. In the technical documentation, the rifle unit is listed as "Vepr-308" SOK-94. Weapons were created specifically for hunting roe deer, elk and bear. Soon a modification of the carbine chambered for 7.62x51 mm cartridges was released. The modified carbine is known as the SOK-95.
What is the difference between Vepr-308 Super and the standard sample
In order for the new rifle unit to qualify as a hunting rather than a military weapon, the designers had to make a number of changes to some technical units. According to experts, the firing mode system has been changed in the SOK. Thus, it became impossible to fire bursts from a carbine. It has a solid stock, which is made of beech or walnut wood. In addition, the developers have changed the design of the stock, as a result of which the rifle unit has become more like a hunting unit than a combat one.
By using longitudinal grooves in the design of the weapon, the creators managed to reduce the mass of the carbine to 3900 g. In an effort to make shooting more accurate and efficient, the barrels of the SOK "308 Super" are produced more powerful. The muzzle-braking compensator is used as a flash hider. Due to the design solutions taken in the "308 Super" carbine, the recoil is significantly reduced. Judging by the feedback from consumers, when operating a hunting weapon at night, the glare of the shooter is minimized as much as possible.
In SOK "308 Super", the designers installed fasteners for optical sights on the gas chamber. As a result, the aiming line was reduced. There are no sharp and catching elements on the body that complicate the hunting process. Instead of a safety lever for the "Super. 308" carbine, a push-button safety was developed, located above the trigger guard. As a result of improvements, activation and deactivation are much quieter. To press the button, the shooter does not have to remove his hand from the butt. Ammunition can be supplied from both 10-, 5-, and 3-round magazines.
About the exterior design
SOK "Vepr-308 Super" (a photo of a hunting carbine is presented in the article) has much in common with the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle. According to experts, both shooting models have similar gas exhaust systems.
In all other respects, the engineers took advantage of their developments. In the carbine, the stock is made of wood. For the thumb in the butt of the SOK there is a special groove. The rear part became the place to place the rubber shock absorber.
"Vepr" is equipped with a pistol grip. The end of the barrel is equipped with a flash hider and a muzzle brake-compensator. In an effort to increase the operational resource, chambers and rifled barrels in carbines are subjected to a chrome plating procedure. Wood is used to make the bed.
About ammunition
The supply of ammunition is carried out from box magazines. Their capacity can be 3, 5, 7 and 10 rounds. Some owners use handicraft shops. The capacity of such homemade products reaches 20 ammunition.
According to the owners of carbines, changing magazines is easy. The weapon is equipped with a special mechanism that is triggered when the clips are unlocked. In the event that there is no magazine, in order to load the carbine, the shooter needs to retract the bolt and insert a cartridge there.
How does it work
The self-loading carbine is equipped with the same trigger mechanism as the 74th model of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. However, the weapons engineers of the Molot plant made some structural changes in the device of the hunting SOK. As a result, it became impossible to fire from a carbine in automatic mode.
The trigger mechanism works due to the energy created by the powder gases and the return mainspring. During the shot, powder gases are removed from the barrel channel into a special gas chamber. In this case, the mechanism is retracted back. This compresses the spring. In this way, the spent cartridge case is extracted. Then the compressed spring straightens and sends a new cartridge from the clip.
About sights
SOK "Vepr-308 Super" is fully equipped, which provides effective shooting at a distance of up to 300 m. In addition, the carbine is equipped with special dovetail mounts for optical sights. The place for fasteners was the left side of the receiver.
About ammunition
SOK was created specifically for the 7.62 mm caliber cartridge. Carbines are equipped with two types of ammunition:
- 7.62 x 39 mm (Russian version).
- 7.62 x 51 mm. This ammunition is a foreign analogue.
About fine-tuning
According to the owners, despite the high quality of workmanship, the carbine can be made almost perfect with a little intervention. In hunting weapons, flaws can occur at the junctions of the receiver boxes with butts. Judging by the reviews, the screw in the shank can slightly reduce accuracy.
To fix this problem, the owner needs to drill a hole in the butt. It is important that it is transparent. Then you need to insert a screw into it and, using a conical washer, install the butt. There are frequent cases when the details in the trigger mechanism are not sufficiently processed, which adversely affects the accuracy of shooting.
You can fix this flaw using sandpaper. Owners of carabiners need to carefully clean the hooks and triggers. According to experts, the result will be much better if you work with a diamond file. Judging by the numerous reviews, the replacement of butts, bed and internal mechanisms is quite common. Owners refine and improve their hunting weapons in a variety of ways: they equip devices for silent shooting, optical sights and other accessories. Various weapon elements are available for free sale.
On the performance characteristics of the SOK
The weapon in question has the following features:
- With full ammunition and without an optical sight, the carbine weighs no more than 4.1 kg.
- Shooting is carried out with cartridges of 7.62 mm caliber.
- The total length of the carbine is 1105.5 mm, the barrel is 590 mm.
- The shooting model has been produced since 1995.
- Aimed shooting is possible at a distance of no more than 300 m.
- Store type ammunition.
About the strengths of weapons
Judging by the numerous reviews of the owners, Vepr-308 Super has the following advantages:
- Due to its high accuracy, it is possible to hit the target at a distance of 300 m.
- With the cartridges used in the Vepr-308 Super shooting model, you can successfully hunt medium and large animals.
- The carbine has a high accuracy of combat, which does not decrease even after seven shots fired in a row.
- By increasing the sighting line, the manufacturer significantly improved the accuracy of the Vepr-308 Super carbine. Consumer reviews indicate that optics can be additionally installed to the basic sighting mechanism.
- There is no recoil during shooting, which has a positive effect on the accuracy of the shot.
- Judging by the reviews, "Vepr-308 Super" has a high operational resource.
- The shooting model functions stably in very cold climatic conditions.
About weaknesses
Despite the presence of undeniable advantages, the Vepr-308 Super is not without some drawbacks. The disadvantages of this shooting model include:
- Big mass. In addition, the carbine is quite large.
- Judging by some consumer reviews, Vepr-308 Super has poor balance.
- Insufficiently processed wooden parts.
- Owners have to spend a lot of time dismantling the gas chambers of carbines and cleaning the pistons.
- If the weapon is dropped on a hard surface, the open sight may break.
How to care for SOC
Many owners appreciate the quality of automation. Carabiners have a fairly high operational resource. According to the hunters, having completed 500 shots, the SOK mechanics function properly and do not misfire.
Experts advise to thoroughly clean the gas piston after each use. This recommendation is due to the fact that after time it will be problematic to remove carbon deposits.
The barrel channel is also made quite high quality. However, according to some hunters, there are times when after 200-300 shots the protective chrome layer begins to peel off. This can be prevented by regular cleaning of the barrel. According to hunters, it is inconvenient to use the factory ramrod that comes with the carbine. It is best to purchase a ramrod separately. It is desirable that it has a spinning head.
It is easy to remove dirt and deposits with white cotton tape, which is used to insulate the windings in electric motors. First, the tape must be cut into several strips. Then they wrap the ramrod. The bore can be considered clean if the color of the tape remains consistently white.
Experienced hunters do not recommend using too many lubricants. The mechanical components of the carbine are processed with a clean rag, moistened and carefully wrung out. This is especially important in cases where the weapon is planned to be used at sub-zero temperatures. If you have to shoot in the summer, then you can put less lubricant on the rag. It is best to clean the carbine with oil that is intended for diesel engines.
The history of the appearance of the Vepr gun began with the fact that the Russian Ministry of Defense reduced state orders for the production of military types of weapons. Because of this, almost all domestic arms manufacturers had to retrain their industrial capacities to create civilian weapons. One of these factories was the machine-building "Hammer", which launched the production of the hunting carbine "Vepr". Hunting self-loading carbines "Vepr" were created on the basis of the popular Kalashnikov machine gun, and the caliber of ammunition for weapons is 7.62x39 mm.
Description
The release of this type of weapon is based on the caliber of ammunition that is used in the weapon. Each weapon model uses its own type of cartridges, which is why a lot of models of this type of weapon have appeared. However, all modifications of this type of weapon have some common characteristics.
Specifications "Vepra":
- To increase the service life, the chamber and bore are chrome-plated.
- Optics for the Vepr carbine can be used, and it is possible to conduct aimed shooting from an open sight at a distance of up to 350 m.
- Reloading "Boar" occurs automatically due to the fact that the energy of the exhaust gases and the force of the return of the spring are used.
- Almost all models are equipped with an orthopedic buttstock, which has a cutout for the thumb and a pistol grip.
- To reduce flashes of flame, a non-removable flame arrester is located on the body.
- To increase safety, the carbines have firing safety levers.
- To mitigate recoil, a rubber shock absorber is located at the end of the butt.
- The temperature at which you can shoot in the range from -50 to +50 degrees Celsius.
Design
Carabiners are available in several modifications, which depend on the type of cartridges used. If we talk about the automation of this type of weapon, then it is built on the basis of Kalashnikov's automation, which ensures great reliability and the ability to fire in the most extreme situations. The design features of reloading weapons, the presence of a flash suppressor and the durability of weapons were written above.
When using imported ammunition, inertial pricking of the primer is possible. In order to avoid such a problem, the striker of the carbine bolt is spring-loaded.
An additional security measure for this weapon was that since 1997, all modifications of the Vepr-308 export version, as well as some modifications for domestic sales, also received a spring-loaded drummer. In the case of using domestic-made cartridges, there will be no problems.
Pros and cons
The advantages include:
- the large caliber of the bullet makes it possible for hunters to hunt large animals;
- recoil is weak;
- quite a large distance of firing;
- high accuracy of fire;
- there is the possibility of long-term shooting without loss of accuracy;
- a long aiming line improves the accuracy of the weapon;
- optical sights for the Vepr-308 carbine can be installed;
- there is the possibility of firing from an open sight even with the optics installed;
- even at low temperatures, the weapon will be fully functional;
- the overall quality of the weapon is at a fairly high level;
- the best cost among weapons with similar parameters.
The disadvantages include:
- large weight of the gun.
- Weak weapon balance.
- processing of wooden parts of weapons is weak.
- a loud sound is produced when the fuse is switched.
- open sights often get lost when crossing thickets or falling.
- difficulties in disassembling the gas chamber.
- difficulty in cleaning the piston of the gas chamber.
The lineup
The Vepr-308 carbine SOK 95 is a self-loading hunting carbine that has been modified for imported caliber 7.62 .308 Winchester ammunition.
Vepr-308 has the following characteristics:
- bullet caliber 7.62 mm;
- used cartridges 7.62x51; 308Win;
- barrel length 520 mm; 590 mm;
- projectile speed 830 m/s;
- firing range 300 m;
- magazine capacity - 7 rounds.
The design of the carbine "Vepr-308" is almost the same as that of the conventional "Vepr" with a caliber of 7.62x39 mm. However, improving the caliber of the bullet increased the performance of the SOK-95.
"Super"
The Vepr-308 super carbine is an even newer modification of the previous type of weapon. The main difference in the appearance of this variety was that it has a solid stock. The "Vepr-super" carbine has a structural assembly that is closest to that of an AK. Cartridges for weapons in this series are .308 Winchester and .35 Remington.
The lineup
- Vepr-Super / SOK-95-M / k.308Win
- Vepr-Super / SOK-97M-01 / k.223Rem
"Super-Sport"
"Vepr -308 - super-sport" is the latest modification of this type of weapon.
Vepr-Super-Sport weapons have the following stats:
- bullet caliber 8.89 mm;
- type of ammunition. 35 Remington;
- barrel length 550 mm;
- ammunition flight speed 830 m/s;
- clip capacity 3, 5 or 10 rounds;
- the weight of the weapon with a full magazine is 4kg.
"Pioneer"
The Vepr-Pioneer carbine is a modification designed for a smaller bullet caliber.
"Vepr-Pioneer" has the following characteristics:
- bullet caliber 5.56 mm;
- ammunition used in weapons 5.56x43 (.222Rem); 5.56x45(.223Rem);
- barrel length 550 mm;
- effective range of firing 300 m;
- clip capacity 5 or 10 rounds;
- the weight of the weapon with an empty clip is 3.6 kg.
Recently, the main-barreled younger brother of the rifled version of the Vepr-Pioneer VPO-212 in .366 TKM caliber has also appeared on sale.
Smoothbore carbine
Smoothbore weapons include a carbine " Vepr 12 - Hammer". The Vepr smoothbore carbine has two types of flame arrester - removable or non-removable. In addition, models of this type may also have a different barrel length. The use of this type of carbine is not limited to hunting. They can be used for self defense or in sports.
The volume of the clip is either 4 or 8 rounds. The weight of the gun is 4.5 kg, which is considered heavy, but many reviews indicate that this drawback is hardly noticeable.
Rifled carbines Vepr 1B
Vepr 1B is made in a military military style with a plastic machine-gun forend, a folding metal butt with a rubber shock absorber. The carbine has different barrel lengths from 360 mm to 590 and is available in the most popular calibers:
- VPO-125 / k.223Rem
- VPO-126 / k.7,62x39
- VPO-127 / k.308Win
- VPO-129 / k.7,62x54R
- VPO-147 / k.308Win
- VPO-148 / k.5,45x39
Of the pluses can be noted:
- Terrible military look
- Reinforced machine gun box
- Thick barrel for more accurate shots
- Easy to upgrade the carbine for your tasks
Of the minuses:
- Big weight
"Hunter"
The Vepr-Hunter carbine has a solid stock, which strongly resembles a classic one, and also has a semi-pistol grip. "Vepr-Hunter-308" has two types of front sight location, either in the middle of the barrel, or next to it near the muzzle.
If the front sight is located on the middle part of the barrel, then the length of the aimed fire increases. If the front sight is installed near the muzzle, then the cantileverness and radial oscillations are reduced.
The lineup
- Vepr-Hunter / VPO-101 / k.308Win
- Vepr-Hunter / VPO-101-M / k.308Win
- Vepr-Hunter / VPO-102 / k.30-06Spr
- Vepr-Hunter / VPO-102-M / k.30-06Spr
- Vepr-Hunter / VPO-124 / k.7,62x54R
SOK-94
"Vepr SOK-94" is one of the first models of weapons of this type, which has 7.62x39 caliber cartridges. Such weapons are used by military and guard units.
"Vepr-5.45" / SOK-98
"Vepr-5.45" or as it is also called SOK-98 is a rifle intended for export. The bullet caliber of this type of weapon is 5.45x39 mm.
Hunting use
Hunting with "Boar" is most often carried out on medium or large game. This became possible due to the fact that the caliber of the bullet, the firing range and the power of the shot are very large.
Due to the high performance, weapons of this type are quite capable of piercing the thick skin of a boar or elk, and a hit, even if not fatal, most often leads to the fact that the animal cannot go far, since these weapons leave very deep wounds.
Tuning the Vepr carbine may consist in installing powerful optics with a high approximation rate.
Video
See our video for an overview of the carbine and the features of its sighting.
Rifle Vepr caliber 7.62 × 39
"Vepr" - self-loading rifled and smoothbore carbines, which were developed on the basis of the 7.62-mm RPK light machine gun in 1995 by a team of designers of the Vyatka-Polyansky machine-building plant "Molot" (P. M. Mokrushin, V. I. Lyamin, A I. Kabatchikov, and others). Designed for commercial and amateur hunting for medium and large animals. Carbines of the Vepr series are produced at the Vyatka-Polyansky machine-building plant Molot.
Vepr carbines are chambered in 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester), 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington), 7.62x54mm R, 7, 62×63 mm in several different modifications and versions. The automation of the weapon is built according to the scheme of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, it has a high degree of reliability and trouble-free operation in various operating conditions.
Automatic reloading of the carbine is carried out by using the energy of the powder gases discharged from the bore into the gas chamber when fired, and the energy of the return spring.
To increase durability, the barrel bore and chamber of the carbine are chrome-plated;
To exclude a possible inertial pricking of the primer on imported cartridges, the bolt striker is spring-loaded.
To increase safety, the carbines of the Vepr series are equipped with a flag-type fuse. Butt combined, with a pistol grip. On the butt, to reduce recoil, a rubber butt pad-shock absorber is installed.
To mount the optical, a dovetail-type side mount is used, identical to the Kalashnikov assault rifle
The aiming bar of the Vepr series carbines allows for effective shooting at a distance of up to 300 m.
Variants and modifications
- SOK-94 "Vepr" - the first model of 1995 chambered for 7.62 × 39 mm. It is in service with the paramilitary and guard units of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Protection" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia;
- SOK-95 "Vepr-308" - the second model, chambered for 7.62x51 mm;
- "Vepr-Super" - the third model of 1998, is available in several versions:
- SOK-95 M "Vepr-308 Super" and SOK-95 MS "Vepr-Super-Sport" (out of production) chambered for 7.62x51 mm;
- SOK-35 "Vepr-35 Super" chambered for .35 Remington (out of production).
- SOK-94R "Vepr-Pioneer" - produced since 2000.
- SOK-98 "Vepr-5.45" - export version, chambered for 5.45 × 39 mm.
- "Vepr-Hunter" - is produced in two versions:
- VPO-101 "Vepr-Hunter" chambered for 7.62 × 51 mm;
- VPO-102 "Vepr-Hunter M" chambered for 7.62 × 63 mm.
- "Vepr-1V" chambered for 5.56x45 mm.
- VPO-133 "Vepr-K", VPO-136 "Vepr-KM" - AKM (or AK) converted for the Russian civilian weapons market, without the ability to conduct automatic fire (chambered for 7.62x39 mm).
- "Vepr-223" - modification chambered for 5.56 × 45 mm.
- VPO-205 "Vepr-12 Molot" - smooth-bore carbine chambered for 18.5 × 76 mm (12 gauge).
Specifications Vepr
- Caliber: 7.62×39, 5.56×45 (.223 Remington), 7.62×51 (.308 Winchester), 7.62×54R, 5.45×39
- Weight without cartridges: 4.3 kg.
- Magazine capacity: 2, 3 or 5 rounds (for 5.56x45 and 7.62x51 - 2, 3, 5 or 10, for 7.62x54R - only 5, for 5.45x39 - 5 or ten)
- Specifications Vepr-223
- Caliber: 5.56×45 (.223 Remington)
- Weapon length: 1035 / 1105 / 1215 mm
- Barrel length: 520 / 590 / 700 mm
- Weight without cartridges: 4.3 kg.
- Magazine capacity: 2, 3, 5 or 10 rounds
civilian weapons
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