Just got my VEPR II in 7.62x39 today!

[rock_jock]

As soon as I picked it up, I played hooky from work for an hour and went to my local shooting club with a 30-rnd mag and 60 rounds of Wolf ammo. I should mention at this point that I had never fired an AK before, but handled several. Most I always felt were poorly put together and seemed rather cheap. Not so with this gun. I can confidently that this VEPR is a keeper! (ok, I couldn't help that one). Anyway, I was very impressed with the fit and finish. Everything looks in perfect condition and seems as well made as my BM AR-15. Also, accuracy was great. I was a little surprised by the recoil, which I found to be stouter than my BM but still very mangeable. I will take it out again on Saturday to better test accuracy with benchrest shooting.

Happiness is a new assualt rifle!!

[Alex Robinson]

I'm glad you like our VEPRs. You will find that the 7.62x39mm round has quite a bit more recoil than a .223. It's pure physics. Accellerating a heavyer mass down the barrel is going to create a heavier impulse in the opposite direction.

I'm glad the VEPR was good enough that you'd finally buy an AK. The VEPR disproves the myth that AKs aren't built well and cannot shoot accurately.

[TBFella1]

Hello all. Alex, I have a question for you, I would have e-mailed you but thought others here might also be interested in the info I am seeking. I would like some info on your Vepr 2 in .308. I had a chance to talk to an employee of yours the other day and was pleased with his customer service. I have been thinking about getting the full length version and would like to know what type of accuracy I should expext with it. Are spare or high cap mags available for it? What is the barrel length and rate of twist on these models? Is there anywhere I can find a review on the Vepr 2 online or in a firearms mag? Any help or additional info you can provide would of great help.

[Alex Robinson]

I've had excellent accuracy from the VEPRs. I shot three and four shots touching open sights at 50 yrds. I've shot 3 and 4 shot groups under an inch. I'm not going to begin to promise you that type of accuracy. I will say that the VEPR IIs two stage trigger make shooting it more easy. You must also sand bag the VEPR as close to the magazine as possible.

The 20.5 inch barrels are not only shorter but more accurate. That's why I don't import many of the 23.75 inchers any more. I also have a heavy barreled Yugo in .308 and a Saiga. They will only do about 3 to 4" groups at best.

I shoot the VEPR II .308 better without a scope. Our mount flexes a little. I works good on the smaller calibers .223, 7.62x39mm, and 5.45 but is less than great on the .308. We have ordered a new picatinny/weaver rail from the Russians. It is stiffer and lower. We should get them this or next month.

We don't have anything other than a 5 and 10 round magazine for the VEPRs. I can make some 20s work, but it's a lot of work. 10 is not a bad number in a .308.

When I took the VEPR II .308 to the range with the new plastic stocks, it shot like a million bucks. It's so much more comfortalbe shooting it with the pistol grip than that square thumbhole.

Some of our customers say they even like the way it shoot better than their FALs. I'll have to take some of my FALs and shoot them back to back with the VEPRs.

In any event, for $599.99 retail. I dare you to find a better made .308 autoloader. All parts are new; no surplus.

Sincerely,

AJR

[TURBO]

Are the Vepr II's in 7.62x39 using a barrel taken from another application,like the Saiga? I notice the front sight difference from the .223 and .308 in the photo. What is different about the 7.62x39 barrel? Also what is being done to raise the comb of this butstock when a scope would be mounted so a person could get a good cheekweld? Your patience and dedication to detail are appreciated.......turbo

[sloth]

alex,

i purchased one of the .308 vepr rifles from classic arms several years ago. i've found that with remington 150 grain loads i'm getting between 2-3 inches at 100 yards (with 3x9 tasco scope). that sort of accuracy isn't bad for an ak variant, but not quite as i thought it would be for the vepr.

is there anything i cn do (check headspace) or anything else to get my group sizes down to an inch or so? also, is there anything (aside from the furniture) that is different between my vepr and the new vepr II's?

thank you very much, jim

[Boogieman]

We don't have anything other than a 5 and 10 round magazine for the VEPRs. I can make some 20s work, but it's a lot of work

What kind of 20 round magazines are you getting to work? What do you have to do to them?

[Alex Robinson]

The accuracy of the VEPR is there with open sights. It's the scope mount which is the problem. It flexes a little. I've had the Russians design a new mount according to my specs. I'm to receive them later this month. They should be stiffer. Try doing some shots open sight.

As for the 20 round magazines. I think the BATF would prefer that the rifle is modified to fit the magazine instead of the magazine modified to fit the rifle.

One could use a M14 magazines. Also Yugo mags are real close.

AJR

[Southern_Shark]

Will these new scope mounts be sent out as replacements for people who have recently bought a Vepr II??? In my mind they should be a free upgrade.

[rock_jock]

I did not receive a mount with my VEPR II. Was I supposed to? If not, I'll order one of your new ones if they work as designed.

[Southern_Shark]

You don't have a mount on the side of your Vepr?? Its the rail on the left side. It should be on all Veprs.

Or were you guys talking about a "mount" that attaches to the scope rail. Obviously Rob Arms would have no obligation to give those away, since they are not included as part of the rifle. But if the rail that is attached to the rifle is defective I'd try to get a free replacement.


-SS

[This message has been edited by Southern_Shark (edited 02-10-2001).]

[coal-cracker]

Alex,
What is the average retail listing for the 7.62 VEPR II?
What kind of accuracy can I expect (?" at 100 yrds.)?
Is the scope mount similiar to those on the Romanian SAR series (will the Kobra sight easily attach)? Or is it part of the receiver cover?
I've been sitting on the fence for a month deciding whether or not to pick one up. Just need these questions answered.
Your response is appeciated.
Thanks,
Hep

[Alex Robinson]

We used to issue the scope mount with each VEPR .308 when we sold the first batch at near $700.00 We haven't sold the mounts with the rifes for a very long time.

Each VEPR has a mounting rail on the left side of the receiver. The scope mount is extra. I've ordered the new mount which will retail for about $99.99. I haven't tested them myself yet but I can tell you that they are very low with respect to the receiver cover and right over the centerline of the rifle.

The retail price of a VEPR 7.62x39mm rifle is $549.99. They are absolutely the best quality. Better than any other AK period.

Those who have already received theirs say that it's the best AK they've purchased.

[Alex Robinson]

I forgot to answer one question. What is the accuracy of the 7.62x39mm rifle. We sold a 7.62x39mm rifle to an armorer at For Dix. He told us he was getting 2" groups.

When I imported the first 7.62x39mm rifles over two years ago, I shot 2" groups myself using S&B steel case ammunition. To be honest I haven't shot any good ammunition. I do much more reliability testing.

I tell people that they'll get groups about 2" tighter than they will with other AKs of the same caliber.

With the .223 VEPR I've shot 1" groups with 1.5" being more average. The .223 is probably the most accurate of the bunch.

Also, I should note that the 7.62x39mm rifle does not have a Saiga barrel. The VEPR has an RPK type barrel. It is made in a plant which makes the RPKs for Russian. The numbers which are made are smaller and the quality is noticeably higher. One need only to put the two side by side. The accuracy seems to be related to the quality.

AJR