RPK variety - US available models

[BattleRifleG3]

I see all kinds of stuff claiming to be RPKs at a variety of prices.
I'm familiar with the VEPR, and NHM-91, and those bastard conversions done by Hesse on Saigas that have no right to call their products guns, much less an RPK just because they shove on a clubfoot stock.
But I see others out there. Can anyone describe the variety, where they come from, where the parts come from, and what's good among them?

[Kalashnikov Krazy]

VEPR is a true RPK receiver (which has been angle cut at the back so "regular" stocks wont go on right, it can be fixed but costs $$$) but they dont offer the 23" barrel length of an RPK on them :( True RPKs have a "hump" at the front trunnion, which the VEPR has. It is also made at an RPK plant in Russia.

NHM is a chinese AK with a little longer barrel, 20" as opposed to regular AKs 16". The barrel is not a heavy version like it would be on a real RPK. Basically a cheap route for a decent mock up, but to put the RPK wood on you need to follow the US parts thing.

Arsenal inc. http://www.arsenalinc.com/ has a new US made RPK with a milled receiver, not sure any country really used a milled one though. It has the heavy 23" barrel, military bipod, blonde wood and is very nice but cost anout $900. You can get them from FAC, less than 300 made, get a move on if you want one. I got #58.

Hope that helps, Im no expert.

[BattleRifleG3]

What about the rifle advertised as an RPK by InterOrdnance?
And what does the "trunion hump" mean on the Saiga 308?

Presently the VEPR II looks like the best RPK variant out there to me, even if its configuration is very different.

[WildWes]

Just a small correction.;)

The NHM91 does have a heavy bbl. Much larger diameter than a standard Chinese AK, makes an SAR (akm) bbl. look puny.

For what it's worth, from what I've read comparing AK's to SKS', the 4" difference in bbl. length only makes an approximate difference in velocity of 50fps. Doubt the extra 3" on a true RPK changes that aspect much. Krebs can make the Vepr look right but it is costly.

[Kalashnikov Krazy]

Damn it wild wes, owning an NHM myself youd think I would have caught that. Thats why the no expert disclaimer goes in my post.

[jeff brown]

hey guys...i did buy a I/O bilt RPK. got it from .florida gun works. (ther last one)i should get it by the 17th of oct..in 2 more days.:D i asked all sorts of stuff..it has a new hamr forgd barl(bulgry).and new wood.it has no cleaning rod..but has the suport ring for it.it has muzel threds.and a slant brake tack welded on in one spot....thay told me it looks just like the photo in ther add:eek: ..well that photo is of a real RPK .so i spent $42.00 more bucks. and got ..1. muzel nut...1 RPK cleaning rod...and the spring and pin for the front sight base...the gun came to $706.00 with shipping:...total$748.00:p ....ill test fire it if it works like it should it will get all the parts put on it like it should have...jeff

[WildWes]

Originally posted by CookieCrisp
Damn it wild wes, owning an NHM myself youd think I would have caught that. Thats why the no expert disclaimer goes in my post.

I think we all should have a similar disclaimer, just in case...:D

[jeff brown]

.........I CANT THINK HOW TO PUT THIS.....IT IS BETTER THEN I COULD WISH FOR......I HAVE TO SWITCH OUT THE SLANT BRAKE FOR A MUZL NUT BUT THATS IT ALL NEW FRONT END..BRAND NEW...AS SOON AS I GET MY WEB CAM.ILL PUT UP PHOTOS....OF THE RPK..by .inter ordnance.the last new one out ther:D im going too shoot it in 12 hrs...lol ..ill let you know what i think......jeff......happy happy joy joy:jump:.......p/s yes cleaning rop set up is all ther.........

[jeff brown]

............all the parts on in the right spot....now it LOOKS JUST LIKE THE PHOTOS.IN ALL THE BOOKS ON THE RPKs:D.......in 7.62X39..:D

[Lesley]

I got a cool RPK too....

[jeff brown]

.hey lesley....your up late...? just got a new toy....i have a nhm91 also..it took some work..and parts..to get the thing to look like a chicom rpk..but it too has all the chicom rpk parts on it ..i have a photo albm.from norinco.from. ther compny.back in 1988.and so i had to make some stuff from barstock..and to think i paid $230.00 for my norinco RPK back in 1989....the new toy is as close as you can get to a real sovet rpk .right now!.the bbl is thicker then the gas tube.... :eek: 20% thicker then the nhm91s.

[timkel]

OK here are a pair of RPK's
RPK built on a NHM-91 receiver
RPK-74 built on a Romak II receiver.
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/timkel/Erpk-74rpk1.jpg

[WildWes]

Sweet!:cool:

I gotta ask...how does the RPK '74 shoot?

[recon]

And the cost and who did the work? Really nice! :cool:

[jeff brown]

how did you get the RPK74 parts or who did you get them from..and mine looks just like yours on the right..(no scope mt):) ........just got back from shooting hows 1.1/2 inch groops at 100 yards with norinco ball fmj....it would be better if i benchrest it.i was siting,with my elbows on my knees...it shoot left 5in ..and high 3 inch.moved front sight centr....and up just a tad.then moved back sight.left just a tad in the x box the size of a book of matches....woo hoo runs GRATE!!! the bolt carrier did stick to the rear about 4 times on the first mag.not a jam..just stuck to the back open.. tap if forward.and keep going...it is brand new..the rest was hollow point .and it ran fine...(ill put a buffer in it nexed time )....so it dont go back like that...norinco ball is hot....:) going back in the am to shoot some more....:bye:

[Kalashnikov Krazy]

KVar use to have RPK 74 kits....I missed out:(

[jeff brown]

just got my new RPK...MINE LOOKS JUST LIKE THE 7.62 TIMKEL has a photo of...it took some time to track one down.. fownd one.. the last one thay had.....:) .........now the NHM91 that i also have... looks just like the chicom RPKs..TOo you HAVE TO REMEMBER..THEM GUYS ONLY GET 5' 5" TALL so thay keep ther RPK bbl a tad bit shorter...by 3 inches.....if you have a norinco catlog.from the late 80s (I DO)you will see what im talking about....I HAD TO MAKE SOME OF THE GOODYS ON THE BBL TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE IT SHOULD....what thay cut off i put back!and it matches the 1989 preban RPK.(ATF LET IN )..TO A TEE..AS SOON AS I GET THE PHOTO THING UP ILL SHOW YOU GUYS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT....:)

[LIONHART]

Well guys, I just purchased a "New" unfired IO RPK out of Florida. Just like what Jeff purchased. (I'm in Washington State too). Should have it in a week or so. No Cleaning Rod came with the Gun, so I'll need one of those. Sure looks like a beauty in the pics I received from the Seller. I'll post Pics when I receive it!