"Ermine" is a family of light and compact carbines from the Russian . Carbines are available in several rifled calibers with barrel lengths of 420, 520 and 600 mm. The first models were presented back in 2022, and at the Arms & Hunting 2022 exhibition they also showed a version in caliber 366TKM with a paradox drill. The “under-rifled” version is marked VPO-215 and can be purchased under a smoothbore license. This year, the Molotovites brought an updated modification to Gostiny Dvor - with a short barrel only 360 mm long and a tactical stock. This new product is another reason to talk in more detail about both the tactical and classic versions of the carbine.
The Ermine family attracted attention even at the stage of announcements and the first prototypes. Many hunters wanted to have such a lightweight bolt-action carbine. And the version with a 420 mm barrel made the Vyatka novelty perhaps the only relevant expeditionary weapon of its kind, a “traveler’s gun.” The TOZ-106, which occupied this niche, is no longer produced (by the way, the Tula plant has already announced the return of the legendary model), and other alternatives are not yet visible. Apparently, having seen the potential in this segment, in 2022 Molot presented a super-compact version with a folding stock and a short barrel.
Ermine in caliber 366TKM
The version with the “paradox” is produced under the marking VPO-215. In its original modification, it is not very different from full-fledged rifles - the same classic wooden stock and traditional design based on a rotary sliding bolt with three lugs.
In its most compact version, the carbine has a barrel length of 420 mm with a total length of only 912 mm and a weight without cartridges of 2.6 kg. This option is perfect as a weapon for self-defense - both from intruders and wild animals. Hunters will most likely be more interested in the version with a more standard barrel length of 520 mm. There is also an option with an extended 600 mm barrel, which in theory should provide better bullet speed and accuracy. But since the drill length on all trunks is the same - limited by law to 140 mm - the increase in accuracy is not so noticeable.
Free-floating barrels are made by cold forging, the chamber and bore are chrome-plated. The muzzle has a thread for installing various DTK and other devices - initially it is hidden by a protective sleeve. There are open sights (rear sight and front sight) and a Weaver rail for mounting optics. The magazine is designed for 4 rounds of 366TKM caliber. So far, the weapon is supplied only with a “paradox” drill, but the factory does not rule out the appearance of a “Lancaster”.
Family of carbines "Ermine"
It is worth noting that this carbine was released relatively recently. A couple of years ago, the Molot-Weapon company gave the go-ahead to update, refine and expand the line of carbines of popular calibers. New models of hunting rifles with high shooting performance saw the light.
One of the key advantages of the entire Ermine line is ease of use. Based on this indicator, any shooter will be able to choose a weapon that is suitable for him. Experienced hunters dote on these wonderful guns, appreciating them for their outstanding performance and technical characteristics.
Hunters value Ermine for its high reliability
Among the most outstanding examples from the entire Ermine line, it is necessary to highlight:
- VPO-190 - caliber 5.45 x 39;
- VPO-191 - 7.62 x 39;
- VPO-192 - 6.5 x 39 Grendel;
- VPO-193 - .223 Rem.
VPO-193 carbine chambered for Remington cartridges
As can be seen from this list, this line offers a solution for almost any popular caliber of hunting rifles. Here it is necessary to take into account the difference in technical terms. For example, the barrel length of the VPO-192 carbine reaches 590 mm, which provides increased accuracy and excellent stopping power.
“Molot-Weapons” did not limit itself to producing only the above-mentioned models, and the world saw the light of a truly stunning hunting rifle - the VPO-215 with the popular caliber .366 TKM. With a barrel length of only 420 mm, this “Ermine” helps a skilled shooter hunt almost any game.
The handling of this hunting weapon is also enhanced by the classic longitudinally sliding rotary bolt. The mechanism of the Ermine carbine is extremely simple, but this is its peculiarity. A minimum of mechanical components and a well-thought-out design ensure a long service life even in the harshest conditions.
The gun is equipped with a simple and reliable bolt
This model brought huge profits and restored credibility in the eyes of experienced shooters, which had been shaken after the release of several not very successful samples. This prompted the company to further develop the entire series, and there are rumors that a 9 × 39 mm carbine will soon be presented to the public.
Carbine Ermine VPO-215, tactical version
In 2022, they also showed a tactical version, intended more for self-defense and recreational shooting. It features a lightweight aluminum stock, an ergonomic folding stock and a short 360mm barrel. The total length of the weapon is only 825 mm, and with the butt folded - 620 mm. Naturally, in the latter case, according to Russian laws, a shot from a carbine is impossible - when the butt is folded, the trigger is blocked. Another cool feature is that the stock stock has a connection that is compatible with any standard AR-15 stock. This opens up enormous possibilities for tuning.
Despite the interest in the new model, there are dissatisfied people among the owners of the first batches of weapons. They criticize the build quality and coating of metal parts, many have difficulty extracting cartridges, and sticking occurs when feeding cartridges from the magazine. But the main complaint is complaints about spontaneous shots when the safety is engaged.
There have been cases, and not isolated ones - the trigger block is attached to the receiver with just one screw. When fired at a certain point, it becomes loose, the block warps, and when the safety is engaged, a release occurs. The plant assures that the situation has been studied and modification of the design is not required. The problem can be solved by seating the mounting screw on a thread locker - quite quickly and simply. But the situation itself is unpleasant. Whether this problem will persist for tactical versions is not yet known.
Many were not pleased with the price - the carbine costs 50-60 thousand rubles, but the mass consumer is accustomed to more affordable prices for Russian weapons.
Material prepared by Arkady Bobrovsky, editorial photo
More on the topic:
Characteristics of VPO-215
It’s time to move on to the most interesting part: an overview of the key parameters of Ermine. VPO-215 goes on sale with 3 different barrels, differing in length:
- 420 mm;
- 520 mm;
- 600 mm.
VPO-215 carbine with a set of interchangeable barrels
The Ermine carbine has an interesting feature. The engineers used the rear location of the lugs, which helped:
- reduce the weight of the receiver;
- minimize the ammunition feed angle;
- eliminate the possibility of “sticking” the cartridge.
All this was reflected in increased ease of use. The Ermine VPO-215 carbine can easily be called an example of a hunting weapon, thought out to the smallest detail.
Trunk
The barrel itself deserves no less attention. It is produced by rotary cold forging. For greater reliability, the designers chrome-plated the channel and chamber. The installation of muzzle devices was made possible thanks to the cut and left-hand thread type M14x1.
The use of the paradox barrel helped improve the shooting performance of this weapon. The designers also used the Lancaster oval screw drill.
Barrel chambered for .366 TKM
Mechanism
Smooth and smooth running is the main feature of the mechanism of the VPO-215 carbine. A nice bonus is the ability to adjust the trigger mechanism by changing the stroke length and trigger force. So the shooter can customize the Ermine gun to suit himself, achieving excellent results.
The four-round, double-stack magazine is another very nice addition. This allows for targeted shooting without wasting precious time changing ammunition.
Ermine VPO-193 with a 4-round magazine
For greater reliability, a fuse is provided. It has two positions and is located on the right side of the body. The trigger box is made using all-metal technology, and therefore has a high degree of reliability and wear resistance. For greater convenience, the lever has a transverse groove.
Large and friendly family
For a long time now, Molot Weapon LLC from Vyatskiy Polyany has been delighting customers with a family of carbines codenamed Ermine. Believe me, these “fluffies” will appeal to both beginners and experienced hunters! In general, the Ermine is a representative of a light hunting weapon for catching small and medium game. A characteristic feature of the series is a longitudinally sliding rotary bolt and a “classic” exterior.
In 2022, at the annual metropolitan presentation “Arms&Hunting”, new “Ermine” saw the light. Since the exhibition, as usual, took place in the fall, mass sales of copies began only in 2022.
The new product was presented in five versions:
- VPO 215 caliber .366 TKM (barrel length 420 mm);
- VPO 193 caliber .223 Rem.;
- VPO 190 with 5.45x39;
- VPO 191, more familiar to domestic hunters, 7.62x39 (with a 52-centimeter barrel);
- VPO 192 is the tallest model with a 590 mm barrel and caliber 6.5x39 Grendel.
The pre-production exhibition received rave reviews and six months later it successfully “stormed” the arms market.
Hunting rifles Hammer model “Ermine”
Every hunter knows that the choice of weapon is paramount in this matter. First of all, it is necessary to determine the required technical characteristics and features of various manufacturers and types of weapons, on which the final cost will depend. Approach to purchasing a hunting rifle Hammer model “Ermine”
it is necessary with all responsibility, carefully selecting the right model.
The most common among hunters are smooth-bore rifles, which do not have a long firing range like rifled carbines, but have other advantages. To purchase them, you only need a weapons permit; you can use ammunition such as shot, buckshot or bullet. Rifled carbines allow you to hunt large animals due to the possibility of using large-caliber cartridges; they can also be used to conduct targeted shooting over long distances.
Smoothbore guns can be divided into several types:
- single-barreled (single-shot and multi-shot models, with the possibility of manual or automatic reloading);
- double-barreled (models with horizontal and vertical barrels).
Hunting weapon Hammer
can be classified as follows:
- smoothbore - the first stage for every hunter, with their help you can shoot at a target at a short and medium distance;
- rifled - will be needed for long-distance shooting and for hunting large animals;
- combined - combines all the advantages of the above types of weapons, since it can be used with various ammunition.
Before purchasing a hunting weapon, you should carefully study the features of each of the types presented above, pay attention to their features, capabilities and characteristics, and only after that make your final choice. It is also worth noting that to begin with, in any case, you need to purchase a smoothbore gun, and after 5 years of owning it, you will be able to obtain a license for a rifled carbine.
To select the most suitable model of Hammer hunting weapon, you can use a filter by parameters such as series, model, caliber and operating principle. After choosing, you will be able to order a hunting rifle Hammer model “Ermine”
in the World of Hunting online store.
The product is sold only in accordance with the established requirements of Federal Law No. 150 of December 13, 1996. “On Weapons”, as well as other requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation.
