The Vepr-12 is a multipurpose semi-automatic detachable-magazine shotgun, produced by
Molot-Oruzhie Ltd. It is patterned after the original
Kalashnikov rifle
A Kalashnikov (Калашников) rifle is any one of a series of automatic rifles based on the original design of Mikhail Kalashnikov. They are officially known in Russian as "Avtomát Kaláshnikova" ( rus, Автома́т Кала́шник ...
and built on the heavier
RPK light machine gun receiver.
History
Early versions of the Vepr-12 were produced by
Izhmash
JSC Kalashnikov Concern (), known until 2013 as the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant (), is a Russian defense manufacturing concern and joint-stock company headquartered in the city of Izhevsk in the Republic of Udmurtia as well as the capital c ...
, with production moving to the Molot factory where the shotgun was redesigned and mass-produced. The Vepr-12 is intended to be a direct competitor to the widely popular
Saiga-12
The Saiga-12 () is a shotgun available in a wide range of configurations, patterned after the Kalashnikov series of rifles and named after the Saiga antelope native to Russia. Like the Kalashnikov rifle variants, it is a rotating bolt, long- ...
shotgun already produced by
Izhmash
JSC Kalashnikov Concern (), known until 2013 as the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant (), is a Russian defense manufacturing concern and joint-stock company headquartered in the city of Izhevsk in the Republic of Udmurtia as well as the capital c ...
. Like the Saiga, the Vepr-12 was designed to be a versatile weapons platform, capable of being used by hunters and professional shooters alike. With these considerations in mind, Molot introduced unique features, such as the ambidextrous safety selector, the bolt hold-open mechanism and a simplified magazine feeding mechanism. See .
Features
Due to the large difference in size between the
7.62×39mm
The 7.62×39mm (aka 7.62 Soviet, formerly .30 Russian Short) round is a rimless bottlenecked intermediate cartridge of Soviet origin. The cartridge is widely used due to the worldwide proliferation of Russian SKS and AK-47 pattern rifles, as ...
cartridge
Cartridge may refer to:
Objects
* Cartridge (firearms), a type of modern ammunition
* ROM cartridge, a removable component in an electronic device
* Cartridge (respirator), a type of filter used in respirators
Other uses
* Cartridge (surname), a ...
and 12-gauge shells, the extractor port has been lengthened, allowing the shotgun to eject spent shells without risk of causing a
stovepipe malfunction.
Like all firearms with the Vepr designation, the Vepr-12 receiver is patterned after that of the
RPK light machine gun. The stamped steel receiver is reinforced, thicker (1.5 mm instead of 1 mm), and more heavily constructed than a standard Kalashnikov-pattern rifle.
The Vepr-12 also incorporates a unique
safety catch and bolt release mechanism. A side folding stock is present on most models; however, Vepr-12 shotguns are offered with fixed stocks as well.
Instead of the standard AK safety selector, some Vepr-12 shotguns have an ambidextrous safety that can be manipulated from either side of the receiver.
An unusual feature among firearms in the Kalashnikov family, the Vepr-12 sports a last round bolt hold-open mechanism. That is, the bolt locks to the rear of the receiver after the last round has been ejected. To facilitate rapid reloading of the shotgun, a bolt release lever is located inside the trigger guard, allowing the user to release the bolt without breaking grip.
The addition of a magazine well, another unusual feature for a Kalashnikov-pattern firearm, allows for "straight in" magazine insertion, as opposed to the "rock and lock" procedure required on standard AK rifles and the
Saiga-12
The Saiga-12 () is a shotgun available in a wide range of configurations, patterned after the Kalashnikov series of rifles and named after the Saiga antelope native to Russia. Like the Kalashnikov rifle variants, it is a rotating bolt, long- ...
shotgun.
The Vepr-12 is also chrome lined throughout, including the gas block, barrel, and chamber, affording the shotgun excellent corrosion resistance.
Unlike the IZ-109 manually adjustable gas regulator system used on the
Saiga-12
The Saiga-12 () is a shotgun available in a wide range of configurations, patterned after the Kalashnikov series of rifles and named after the Saiga antelope native to Russia. Like the Kalashnikov rifle variants, it is a rotating bolt, long- ...
, the gas system on the Vepr-12 is a clone of the IZ-433 unregulated fixed open port tappet system, allowing the Vepr-12 to cycle most commercially available 12-gauge loads, from 3.25 dram equivalent and up, without risking damage to the shotgun and without requiring any manual adjustment by the user. This versatile system is often erroneously characterized as a "self-regulating" gas system. However, no variable regulating mechanism is present. Also, like the IZ-433, the gas block lacks a screw in gas adjuster. Instead, the piston is accessed in a manner familiar to users of traditional Kalashnikov rifles, by removal of the gas tube. A notch on the operating rod allows the user to hook the piston and pull it out to the rear for cleaning.
The Vepr-12 lacks the standard AK side mounting rail, instead using a
Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail ( or ), or Pic rail for short, also known as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, 1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail (cancelled), is a military standard rail interface system that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. It was o ...
incorporated into the dust cover for optic mounting. The dust cover is hinged to the shotgun, allowing the user to open and close the cover without losing the zeroing of a mounted optic.
Purpose
The Vepr-12 was conceived for the Russian military and law enforcement market, with civilian applications ranging from hunting to self-defense and competition use.
In particular, the shotgun has carved out a niche among
IPSC competition shooters, one of the Vepr-12's target audiences.
With its fixed open port gas system, the Vepr-12 can effectively cycle a multitude of 12-gauge loads, making it a highly versatile semi-automatic shotgun.
Much like its cousin the
Saiga-12
The Saiga-12 () is a shotgun available in a wide range of configurations, patterned after the Kalashnikov series of rifles and named after the Saiga antelope native to Russia. Like the Kalashnikov rifle variants, it is a rotating bolt, long- ...
, the Vepr-12 is ideal for
clay shooting, with appropriate optics.
Variants
The Vepr-12 is manufactured in numerous variations, each with a unique designation.
The Vepr-12 can use the same magazines as the Saiga-12 with modifications, but the Saiga-12 cannot use Vepr-12 magazines and drums.
ВПО-205 (VPO-205)
The VPO-205 series is chambered for 12 Gauge
8.5x70mmRand 12 Gauge Magnum
8.5x76mmRshells. It has a side-folding two-strut folding stock with a buttpad and reversible cheekpad.
*ВПО-205-00 - Stock model with a 16.92-inch
30mmbarrel with detachable muzzle brake. It weighs 8.59 lbs.
.9 kg
*ВПО-205-01 - Sporting model with a 20.4-inch
20mmbarrel. Includes a permanently fixed muzzle-brake and can be fired with the stock folded. It weighs 8.81 lbs.
.0 kg
*ВПО-205-02 - Competition model, includes a 26.77-inch
80mmbarrel with interchangeable chokes. It weighs 9.25 lbs.
.2 kg
*ВПО-205-03 - Compact model, includes a 12-inch
05 mmbarrel with detachable muzzle brake. It is 34.13 inches
67 mmoverall in length with the stock fixed and 23.66 inches
01 mmlong with the stock folded. It has short Picatinny rails on the sides of the forend and under the end of the barrel and long Picatinny rails on the top of the receiver and the bottom of the forend. It weighs 9.25 lbs.
.2 kg
*ВПО-205-00-СП - Sporting model for IPS
ВПО-206 (VPO-206)
The VPO-206 series is chambered for 12 Gauge
8.5x70mmRshells. It has a collapsible Colt M4-style Magpul sliding stock.
*ВПО-206-00 - Stock model with a 16.92-inch
30mmbarrel with detachable muzzle brake. Weighs 9.47 lbs.
.3 kg
*ВПО-206-01 - Sporting model with a 20.4-inch
20mmbarrel with a fixed muzzle brake. Weighs 9.7 lbs.
.4 kg
*ВПО-206-02 - Competition model with a 26.77-inch
80mmbarrel with interchangeable chokes. Weighs 10 lbs.
.55 kg
Export and legal status
The Vepr-12 is exported worldwide. Ownership in Russia requires only a smoothbore-gun license.
Due to Russian law, domestic and many export versions of the shotgun are equipped with a disconnector that will render the gun unable to fire while the stock is folded (only if the length of the weapon gets less than 800 mm).
The shotgun is also imported into the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
. Early American export models have no muzzle brake and have a fixed stock rather than a folding stock. Later models included a fully functional folding stock.
See also
*
Saiga-12
The Saiga-12 () is a shotgun available in a wide range of configurations, patterned after the Kalashnikov series of rifles and named after the Saiga antelope native to Russia. Like the Kalashnikov rifle variants, it is a rotating bolt, long- ...
*
Akdal MKA 1919
The Akdal MKA 1919 is a gas operated, semi-automatic shotgun that resembles the M16 rifle and mimics the layout and placement of some of the controls. It was created by Turkish company Akdal Arms. The MKA 1919 uses a conventional gas-operated a ...
*
Origin-12
The Origin-12 is a semi-automatic magazine-fed combat shotgun, developed by Fostech Outdoors, which has been noted for its very high rate of fire.
Like the Saiga-12 and Vepr-12, the Origin-12 is primarily based on the AK action.
Design
The O ...
References
External links
The Vepr 12 "Molot" old official page snapshot"Army News" NATO putting Vepr-12 "Molot" in service
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vepr-12 Molot
Semi-automatic shotguns of Russia
Vyatskiye Polyany Machine-Building Plant products