Features of the design and operation of the Vepr Super carbine

Story

The first sample of the Vepr carbine was created in 1995 at the Vyatsko-Polyansky Machine-Building Plant. In the nineties, the Vyatsko-Polyansky plant, like the entire military-industrial industry, was going through difficult times. The plant was actually left without government military orders and, for its own survival, was forced to rebuild its production to produce civilian products.

The Vepr carbine was created on the basis of the Kalashnikov light machine gun (RPK), which was also produced at the Vyatsko-Polyansky Machine-Building Plant. The development of the carbine was carried out by a team of designers from the Vyatsko-Polyansky Machine-Building Plant consisting of P. M. Mokrushin, V. I. Lyamin, A. I. Kabatchikov, and others. The design of the carbine makes maximum use of parts and components of the Kalashnikov light machine gun. From its predecessor, the Vepr carbine inherited a high degree of reliability and reliability when operating in the most difficult operating conditions.

Over the many years of production, the Vepr carbine was produced for a variety of cartridges: 7.62×39 mm, 5.45×39 mm, 7.62×51 mm (.308 Winchester), 5.56×45 mm (.223 Remington), 7.62×54 mm R, 7.62×63 mm (.30-06 Springfield), 9.6/53 Lancaster, .366 TKM, 12 smoothbore, in many modifications and versions.

Specifications

Vepr carbines have the following technical characteristics:

• Type:
  self-loading carbine, operating on the principle of using the removal of part of the powder gases from the barrel
• Calibers:
  7.62×39, 5.56×45 (.223 Remington), 7.62×51 (.308 Winchester), 7.62×54R, 7.62×63 mm (.30-06 Springfield), 5.45x39 mm, 12 gauge (12/76), 366 TKM, 9.6/53 Lancaster.
• Barrel length:
  305, 350, 420, 430, 483, 520, 550, 570, 590, 650, 680, 700 mm
  Magazine:
  detachable plastic box magazine with single-row cartridge arrangement
• Magazine capacity:
  2, 3, 5, 8 or 10 rounds
• Sighting range:
  300 m
• Total length:
  830-1227 mm
• Weight:
  3.8-4.8 kg

The overall length, barrel length and weight depend on the caliber of the barrel, modification and design of the carbine.

Design of Vepr carbines

Trunk

Different modifications of Vepr carbines have different barrel lengths, which can be from 305 to 700 mm. The barrels of Vepr carbines, depending on the modification, can be made for rifled cartridges 7.62×39, 5.56×45 (.223 Remington), 7.62×51 (.308 Winchester), 7.62×54R, 7.62 ×63 mm (.30-06 Springfield), 5.45×39 mm, as well as for 12 gauge smoothbore cartridges and 366 TKM and 9.6/53 Lancaster calibers. To increase service life, the bore and chamber are chrome-plated. To reduce flash when fired, a permanent flash suppressor is installed on the muzzle of the barrel.

Shutter and automation

The design of the Vepr carbine makes maximum use of parts and components of the Kalashnikov light machine gun. Reloading of the carbine is carried out by using the energy of the powder gases, which are discharged from the barrel bore into the gas chamber at the moment of firing, and the energy of the return spring. The barrel bore is locked by rotating the bolt around its axis by two or three lugs while moving the bolt frame longitudinally.

Many modifications of the Vepr carbine are equipped with a spring-loaded firing pin, which prevents inertial puncture of the primer on imported cartridges that have a more sensitive primer than Russian ones. In a carbine with a non-spring striker, when using imported cartridges, and the bolt is not fully closed, inertial puncture of the cartridge primer may occur while it is being chambered, as a result of which the carbine may be damaged, and the shooter may receive serious injury.

USM

The hammer-type trigger mechanism ensures the production of a single shot and the safety of the carbine. Unlike the Kalashnikov light machine gun, the Vepr carbines have a self-timer removed from the trigger mechanism, which allows firing in bursts. To increase safety, Vepr carbines are equipped with a flag-type safety lock.

Shop

The Vepr carbine is fed with cartridges from detachable plastic box magazines with a single-row arrangement of cartridges. The capacity of a standard magazine, depending on the modification, can be 2, 3, 5, 8 or 10 rounds.

Sights

Vepr carbines are equipped with open sights. which consist of an aiming bar (rear sight) and a front sight. Depending on the modification of the carbine, the front sight can be installed either at the muzzle end of the barrel or at the end of the gas tube. The adjustable rear sight is located on the gas chamber block. The open sight of Vepr carbines allows shooting at a distance of up to 300 meters. Many owners of Vepr carbines equip their weapons with optical or collimator sights. To install sights, either a dovetail side mount is used, identical to the Kalashnikov assault rifle, or the Weaver rail, available on some modifications, is located on the receiver cover.

Butt

Vepr carbines, depending on the modification, can be equipped with different types of butts: wooden, wooden orthopedic, plastic or metal. Some modifications of carbines have rubber butt pads on the buttstock to reduce the feeling of recoil.

Life in the wild

Nature provides for everything, but this does not mean at all that life in this world will be without difficulties and obstacles, even for wild boars. Without a doubt, the boar's tusks are a powerful weapon and assistant throughout the entire period of their existence. But it is impossible to predict weather conditions that significantly complicate their lives. Snow makes it difficult for them to move, as a result of which the animals are able to overcome only one and a half kilometers, which threatens them with hunger and no fangs or speed of the animal will help with this.

The skin of a boar is quite thick, especially in the thigh area. Many hunters know this firsthand. An animal wounded in the thigh is worse than a healthy one, since such an angry animal is capable of fighting the offender to the last.

Everyone knows that the boar is an animal that emits a terrible roar that can put anyone into a stupor. When meeting an animal, you need to remember that it has an excellent sense of smell and hearing, but its vision is slightly impaired - this can be used in certain situations to save itself. In the wild, when this huge boar comes face to face with an opponent, he will never back down, no matter how many enemies surround him.

Modifications and versions of the Vepr carbine

Carbines of the Vepr family were and are produced in various modifications and designs:

• The SOK-94 “Vepr” carbine
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×39 mm, the very first model in the Vepr carbine family, produced since 1995. The carbine is used not only by hunters, but is also in service with paramilitary and guard units of the Russian Guard. It has several modifications with different barrel lengths and butt types.
• The SOK-95 “Vepr-308” carbine
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×51 mm (.308 Winchester), the second model in the Vepr carbine family, produced by the Vyatsko-Polyansky Machine-Building Plant.
• Carbine SOK-95M “Vepr-308 Super”
  - a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×51 mm (.308 Winchester), the third model in the Vepr family of carbines, produced by the Vyatsko-Polyansky Machine-Building Plant. Produced since 1998.

• The SOK-95MS carbine “Vepr-308-Super-Sport”
  is a carbine chambered for 7.62×51 mm (.308 Winchester), produced since 1998, currently out of production.
• SOK-35 carbine “Vepr-35 Super”
  is a hunting carbine chambered for .35 Remington, currently out of production.
• Carbine SOK-97R “Vepr-Pioneer”
  — hunting carbine chambered for 5.56×45 (.223 Remington), produced since 2000. It has several modifications with different barrel lengths and butt types.

• The SOK-97 “Vepr-223” carbine
  is a hunting carbine chambered for the 5.56×45 (.223 Remington) cartridge.
• The SOK-98 carbine “Vepr-5.45”
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 5.45×39 mm, can have a barrel length of 420, 520 or 590 mm, a carbine bolt with two lugs, and a wooden butt.
• Carbine VPO-101 “Vepr-Hunter”
  — hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×51 mm (.308 Winchester).

• Carbine VPO-102 “Vepr-Hunter M”
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×63 mm (.30-06 Springfield).
• The Vepr-1V carbine
  is a carbine chambered for 5.56x45 mm (.223 Remington), equipped with a black folding polyamide stock, integral bipod, and a pseudo-drum magazine for 10 rounds.
• The VPO-123 “Vepr” carbine
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×54R mm; depending on the modification, it can have a barrel length of 520, 590 or 700 mm, a carbine bolt with three lugs, and a wooden hunting-type stock.
• The VPO-126 “Vepr-1V” carbine
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62x39 mm, can have a barrel 420 or 520 mm long, a folding frame stock with an adjustable cheekpiece, a fore-end and a polymer pad.
• Carbine VPO-127 “Vepr-1V”
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×51 mm (.308 Winchester), can have a barrel length of 420, 520 or 590 mm, a carbine bolt with three lugs, a folding frame stock with an adjustable cheekpiece and butt plate, fore-end and lining made of polymer.
• The VPO-128 “Vepr” carbine
  is a hunting carbine chambered for the 6.5 × 39 mm Grendel cartridge, a 590 mm long barrel, and a wooden hunting-type butt.
• The VPO-129 “Vepr-1V” carbine
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×54R mm, can have a barrel length of 420, 520 or 590 mm, a carbine bolt with three lugs, a folding frame stock with an adjustable cheek piece and butt plate, a forend and polymer pad.
• Carbine VPO-133 “Vepr-K”
  - a carbine made on the basis of Kalashnikov assault rifles produced from 1958 to 1980, modified to meet the requirements for civilian rifled hunting weapons, chambered for 7.62x39 mm.
• The VPO-136 “Vepr-KM” carbine
  is a carbine made on the basis of Kalashnikov assault rifles produced from 1958 to 1980, modified to meet the requirements for civilian rifled hunting weapons, chambered for 7.62×39 mm.
• The VPO-147 “Vepr-1V”
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 7.62×51 mm (.308 Winchester), a 420 mm long barrel, a carbine bolt with three lugs, a folding frame stock with an adjustable cheek piece and butt plate, a fore-end and a pad made of polymer.
• Carbine VPO-148“Vepr-1V”
  — a hunting carbine chambered for 5.45×39 mm, can have a barrel length of 350, 520, 550 or 590 mm, a carbine bolt with two lugs, a folding frame stock with an adjustable cheek piece and butt plate, a forearm and a polymer pad.

• The VPO-155 carbine
  is a hunting carbine for 5.56×45 (.223 Remington), has a barrel length of 520 mm.
• The VPO-156 “Vepr-1V”
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 5.45×39 mm, can have a barrel length of 350, 420 or 5200 mm, a carbine bolt with two lugs, a folding frame stock with an adjustable cheek piece and butt plate, a forend and polymer pad.
• SOK-243 carbine “Vepr-243”
  is a hunting carbine chambered for 6.2×52 (.243 Winchester).
• Carbine VPO-205 “Vepr-12 Hammer”
  — a hunting self-loading carbine chambered for a 12-gauge smoothbore cartridge. It has several modifications differing in a number of technical parameters.

• The VPO-212 carbine
  is a hunting carbine chambered for the .366 TKM cartridge.
• The VPO-221 carbine
  is a hunting carbine for 9.6/53 Lancaster.
• The VPO-222 carbine
  is a hunting carbine for 9.6/53 Lancaster.

"Vepr" with tusks caliber 7.62

The Vepr carbine is produced at the Vyatsko-Polyansky Molot machine-building plant in three versions: the Vepr itself chambered for 7.62x39, the Vepr-308 chambered for .308 Winchester (7.62x51M) and the Vepr-223 chambered for .223 Remington (5.56x45). Carbines, of course, are somewhat different from each other, but first we will talk about the Vepr system itself, and then we will dwell on the features of the different options.

The adjustable rear sight, inherited by the Vepr from the machine gun, allows an experienced shooter to adjust for the wind when shooting at long distances.
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, and a rear sight with a mechanism for introducing lateral corrections. The changes affected mainly the retention elements (stock and fore-end) and trigger. The self-timer was excluded from the design of the trigger, in order to prevent firing in bursts, the shape and dimensions of the sear and trigger were changed. The butt is made of orthopedic, “Dragunov” type, with a rubber butt pad. The forend is of a civilian type, without a protective lining on top, and is much longer in length compared to the combat type. The height of the butt comb makes it equally convenient to use both mechanical and optical sights.

A comfortable stock 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 bore and provides excellent shooting accuracy. This characteristic is also positively influenced by a powerful receiver.

Trigger mechanism of the Vepr carbine.
The trigger is released. The long sighting line ensures high shooting accuracy with a mechanical sight.

"Vepr" can be equipped with an optical sight at the factory. Usually this is 4x optics from the Vologda or Vileika optical plants. If you want to install another sight on your carbine, then buy a weapon without optics - it’s cheaper. The optics mount on the Vepr is lateral, the same as on the AK. When zeroing 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 several shots, the aiming point will definitely “float away”.

With mechanical and optical (if included) sights, they come out adjusted to normal combat at a range of 100 m.

In order to ensure maximum safety in handling weapons, since 1997, all carbines supplied for export, and a certain number intended for the domestic market, are equipped with a spring-loaded firing pin. The fact is that foreign-made cartridges have a primer that is much more sensitive than that of Russian ammunition, which can lead to its inertial puncture when the cartridge is chambered when the bolt is not completely closed (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 that appear on sale will sooner or later raise the issue head-on with arms factories. The designers of Molot took care of this ahead of time.

Now about the differences in the design of “Vepray” for various cartridges.

The model chambered for 7.62x39 has been produced since 1995 and is extremely unified with the RPK. Almost all the distinctive design features are mentioned above.

In the Vepr-308 carbine, the locking unit has been strengthened, the bolt has three lugs, and the gas vent unit has been improved. The use of the .308 Win cartridge brought the Vepr very close in power to the Tiger carbine chambered for 7.62x54. According to CIP data, the energy of a bullet fired from a Vepr-308 carbine on a target at distances of 100 and 300 meters is only 10% less than that of a bullet fired from a Tiger.

Surely some owners of the Vepr-308 carbines of the first releases were faced with the problem of selecting ammunition for their weapons. The fact is that the 7.62x51 cartridges, produced in our country until the mid-90s, had a total length of 72 mm, while the 7.62x51M cartridge, for 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 became 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 equipped with any of the above-mentioned cartridges.

In 2000, three more modifications of the Vepreya appeared chambered for 5.56x45 (.223 Remington), 5.45x39 and .35 Remington caliber cartridges. They are among the latest Hammer products.

Sergey Morozov

Operating principle

Reloading Vepr carbines is carried out on the principle of using part of the energy of the powder gases removed from the barrel bore into the gas chamber.

• When you press the trigger, the hammer is released and, under the action of the mainspring, hits the firing pin, the firing pin hits the cartridge primer, and a shot occurs.
• Powder gases from the barrel of the carbine are diverted into the gas chamber, pushing the gas piston, which in turn moves the bolt frame and bolt back.
• The ejector removes the spent cartridge case from the chamber and it is thrown out.
• The return spring moves the bolt frame with the bolt forward, and a cartridge from the magazine is sent into the chamber.
• The bolt rotates, locking the bore, the carbine is ready for the next shot.

Advantages

Vepr carbines have a number of undoubted advantages for which they are so valued by their owners:

• Vepr carbines are created on the basis of the Kalashnikov light machine gun, from which they inherited high reliability and trouble-free operation in a wide variety of climatic conditions.
• Thanks to the fairly large weight, the self-loading principle of operation and the rubber butt plate-shock absorber on the butt, Vepr carbines have relatively low recoil.
• Vepr carbines, thanks to their successful layout, allow the use of open sights even with an optical sight installed.
• Vepr carbines have a chrome-plated bore and chamber, as well as good quality metal from which the automatic parts are made, thanks to which the carbine has a fairly high resource of 10 thousand shots.
• Vepr carbines show good accuracy and shooting accuracy for a self-loading weapon. At a shooting distance of 100 meters, the spread of hits does not exceed 10 cm.
• Vepr carbines are presented in a wide range of modifications and calibers, which allows the buyer to choose a weapon that suits his requirements.
• Vepr carbines have a low cost compared to foreign analogues with similar technical characteristics.

Prices and reviews

The cost of the Vepr Super model can range from 29,350 to 35,400 rubles. Positive feedback from owners allows us to get a more complete picture of the shooting results and the possibilities of using the carbine.

• Thus, many note the high accuracy of fire of the Vepr Super 308 carbine, which is important for the lethality of the carbine.
• The affordability of the price in comparison with analogues increases the level of demand, and the attractive appearance makes the model the most popular.

Flaws

Vepr carbines have their disadvantages, which in the eyes of most owners are outweighed by their advantages:

• Vepr carbines are quite heavy. The lightest modifications weigh 3.5 kg; the weight of many modifications when charged reaches 5 kg. When using a carbine for hunting purposes, it is better suited for stand hunting than for walking hunting.
• Vepr carbines have a less-than-ideal balance, which makes it especially difficult to shoot accurately at the side. Some hunters correct the balance of the carbine using special weights or suspension elements located in the right places, but all this makes the carbine even heavier.
• Vepr carbines equipped with wooden butts quite often have poor insertion and alignment of the wooden parts with the metal ones. Many also believe that the wooden butts of many modifications of the Vepr carbine have too much wood, which further burdens the already heavy carbine.
• When switching, the fuse makes a too loud sound, which can scare the game if it is at a short distance from the hunter, for example, when hunting from a tower or a blind.
• After each use of the rifle, it is necessary to clean the gas chamber and piston from carbon deposits. The gas chamber of the carbine is difficult to disassemble and requires a tool.

Design

Today, this model is considered one of the most successful for professional hunters, as well as for those who seek to improve their own shooting skills with firearms due to its simple design and ease of operation.

The thoughtful and balanced design of any model of a modern carbine makes it possible to obtain the most accurate shots and maximum accuracy of fire. The relative simplicity of the design makes it possible not to experience any difficulties with the process of operating the carbine, which is especially important for novice shooters. Its main structural part can be considered the butt, as well as the barrel.

The presence of additional devices makes the operation process easier and adds convenience to it. For this purpose, the butt plate is made of rubber and has a high shock absorption rate. There are two stops for complete locking of the barrel, which guarantees increased safety when using the carbine.

Vepr Super disassembled

Hunting with the Vepr carbine

Vepr carbines are most often used for hunting ungulates and predators: wild boars, roe deer, moose, wolves and bears. Vepr carbines can be used both when hunting from ambush and when hunting from the approach. Although when hunting from the approach it is less convenient due to its too much weight. The main advantage of Vepr carbines is their self-loading operating principle, which makes it possible to quickly fire the next shot, which is especially in demand when shooting at fast-moving targets, for example during driven hunting.

Precautionary measures

In order not to run into such a deadly animal as a boar once again, it is recommended to act as follows:

1. Be as careful as possible and do not come close to a flock of wild boars. It's best to leave before the person is spotted.
2. If you happen to stumble upon a piglet, you should keep in mind that the mother is definitely somewhere nearby.
3. If tracks of a boar are found, it is better to go in the other direction, away from this pig trail.
4. When a boar takes a person by surprise, there is no need to attack him. The best way out of this situation is to climb a tall tree and hide for a while.

Tuning Vepr carbines

Vepr carbines are highly suitable for individual modification and provide unimaginable possibilities for tuning.

If desired and financially possible, the owner of a carbine can make the following modifications to his weapon:

• Installation of an optical sight or night vision sight, thereby increasing the range and accuracy of shooting at long distances and at night.
• Replacing wooden forends and butts with plastic ones or vice versa, installing a folding or telescopic butt.
• Installation of an ergonomic front handle for comfortable holding of the weapon, which significantly increases the comfort of holding the carbine.
• Installation on the barrel of a muzzle brake-compensator, a muzzle attachment-flame arrester, various choke constrictions, and barrel extensions.
• Installation of a tactical flashlight, laser target designator, and infrared illuminator to improve the performance of night sights.
• Installation of a larger capacity box magazine or even a drum (rotary) magazine. When installing increased-capacity magazines on the Vepr-12 carbine, you should remember that Russian legislation prohibits the use of magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds.
• Installation of folding telescopic bipods. Bipods help well when zeroing a carbine, target shooting, or when hunting from a storage shed or a blind spot.

Boar character

Most boars prefer to spend their day in gray, marshy areas, wallowing in holes. In case of danger, this huge boar is able to escape through thickets impenetrable to other animals, swim across a water obstacle, and, if necessary, attack. After all, everyone knows that the best defense is an attack. The big boar tries to avoid meeting people, but there are often cases when hunters and dogs run into trouble themselves and they can find it. A pig's hearing is quite well developed, so for everyone's safety, feeding is done at night. The behavior of females should also be noted, because for the sake of their offspring they are ready to go into fire, into water, and even into an armed man, whom they will pursue to the last.