VEPR II's mags

[GLOCK-n-ROCK]

Hey Jimbob, I called Robinson Arms today to setup my order for my .223 VEPR II. When I asked about the mags they told me they use 5.45 mags with a modified follower/lip to ensure smooth feeding. When I asked them if they could use the Bulgarian 5.56 mags(like KVAR and others have) they said they didn't know. That they might work but had not tested them. I just ordered one of the 5 round Bulgarians from KVAR to do a little testing as soon as I get my rifle in 2 weeks as they are still waiting on the furniture to finnish up the production. Will let you know after I get the gun and run through the test.
Also, Robinson arms is offering their modified 5.45 mages(30 rd) for 20 bucks each, so thats not a bad price either....

I bet the Bulgarian 5.56's will work just fine.......

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SLR95/GLOCK21
The ultimate party duo

[SouthernShark]

Go with the steel mags. Here is what I had to say about them on the "forum."

I received a 4 pack of 5.56mm steel mags from InterOrdnance today. These fit perfectly into my SAR3. I had serious problems with the converted 5.45mm mag that the SAR3 was shipped with. The steel mags feed perfectly.

Additionally, the steel mags droped out nicely when I pressed the mag release clamp. The bakelite mags were tight fitting and had to be pulled out of the mag well. Because of the tight fit, the bakelites required more time to change mags.

The fact that the steel mags fit so perfectly and drop out so nicely, makes them superior in any situation where you need to change mags quickly, whether you are in combat or in a 3 gun shoot (or just in a hurry). Because the steel mags slide in and drop out of the mag well smoother and faster.

If all this wasn't good enough, the steel mags look stronger and more durable to me than the plastic or polymer ones. I'd bet that in a couple of years those plastic mags will break in half or something (bad considering the 1994 Crime bill).

My point, if you want good mags, buy steel ones. I'd advise the steel 5.45mm for people with SAR2's as well, especially anybody who needs/ wants to change mags quickly."


-SS


[This message has been edited by SouthernShark (edited 12-04-2000).]

[Jimbob]

I am going to walk the middle of the line here though I do agree with S.Shark fundementally the .223 Weigers are nice and probably bound to get even cheaper, also the Bulgie polys are also very nice and seemingly more pliable (impact resistence?) than the bakelites. Buy some weigers, some bulgies, and then make yourself a mess of homebrew bakelites for backups, keep loaded mags etc. Apparently the conversion is easy with a dremel (havent tried it myself yet) and should be much easier if Robinson sells their followers. Another option may be using campy modified AR followers. Good luck and keep us informed the VEPR is on my wishlist.

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[SouthernShark]

I agree about having lots of mags. I have some of the black Bulgarian 7.62x39mm polymer mags. And yes they do seem stronger than the orange bakelites. But I still wonder how the plastic holds up in the cold, the heat, and over time. In my experience plastic tends to get brittle.

I would pick up some bakelites though if I could get some reliable ones for about 6-7 bucks. Then if they broke, I wouldn't care so much.

-SS

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[GLOCK-n-ROCK]

I just bought a batch of Orange Bakelites yesterday from Inter-ord. They are selling 4 x 30rd's(5.45x39) in a case for 23.95 per set. So I bought 3 sets. Figured I would play with 2-3 and see if I can mod them or just send them into Robinson to mod. Robinson said they will be selling their mod'd ones for 20.00 each(30 rd). They also bake-paint theirs so the finnish is a little better i would think......I also still think the Bulgie Poly's in true .223(5.56) will work in the VEPR, so I bought 1 of those to experiment with. Either way, the 5.45's are so cheap, it will be worht destroying 2 or so to get the "brew" right---

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SLR95/GLOCK21
The ultimate party duo