An AK-pattern-ish rifle that takes STANAG 5.56 magazines, and does so fresh from the factory? Where do I sign?
Unfortunately they are not likely to be imported any time soon, and will not be imported in general in that configuration (specifically the presence of the pistol grip, and possibly the existence of >10-round magazines), but, still, that is a very interesting development indeed. At least to me; my Saiga-12 has shown me that there is actually a lot to appreciate on the AK platform, but not quite enough for me to abandon my rather significant investment in .223 ammunition and magazines. I still plan on pursuing a .223 Saiga in the near future (in fact, some of the profit from the t-shirt sales will probably be applied to a build from Snake Hound Machine), but I am going to see if he would be willing to shove a Magnolia State Armory AR2KU223 magazine adapter* into it, simply because AK-pattern .223 magazines are stupidly expensive.
Still, it is interesting to see Molot/Izhmash bow to the inevitable and recognize the pervasiveness of AR-15 / M-16 style magazines… especially since one of their biggest markets is America.
(* – Is that not a nifty toy? I stumbled across it while looking at the original .223 VEPR designs, and while I cannot say I am a huge fan of "adapters" when it comes to firearms, it does not make any modifications to the firearm that would prevent it from using standard AK-pattern .223 magazines in the future**, which, in turn, only increases the flexibility of the firearm. It is kind of a shame something similar could not be easily executed for the standard AK-pattern rifles in 7.62x39mm, but, as I look at case dimensions and such, it almost seems like .300 Whisper or 7.62x40mm Wilson Tactical could maybe work (the bullet diameters are about 0.1mm too narrow, and I am honestly not sure if that would matter). Why would you do such a thing? Because you could.)
(** – Apparently modifications to the trunnion – the big block at the back of the receiver responsible for holding the stock on – are necessary… which is why I want someone with a little experience in AKs doing the modifications, assuming Owen is willing to do such a bastardization.)
It’s the converse of the LAR-47!
I remember seeing a STANAG adapter for Galil rifles, no idea how well they worked though.
@ wfgodbold: Now that bastardization I have never really understood… you are trading the benefits of an AK (folding stock, piston-driven, forgiving tolerances, etc.) for… what? Just do not see the attraction, but that is me
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On the flip side, owning one of those and a VEPR-16 would be bound to blow people’s brains, so I am all for it
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@ Pyrotek85: The folks at MSA seem to make one of those too. The reviews for their models seem more-or-less positive, but other companies have not fared as well, apparently.
@ Linoge: You’re trading it for the ability to use the magazines you take off dead Communists, obviously (Use them in your genuine made in the USA homegrown apple pie and baseball loving rifle, I mean. For freedom, etc.).
Oh holy balls, I pray to Baby Jesus this thing gets imported!!!11!
I’m mildly aroused after seeing that.
The Magazine mechanics of the AK is the #1 reason why I sold mine. Even watching videos of Spetsnaz forces doing ninja moves shows REALLY slow mag changes.
The AK is a decent platform, and even better if you add an optic to make up for their crummy sights.
Fix the magazine issue and they become VERY cool!
@ Weer’d Beard:
Ooh, I just looked closer at the pictures and videos, and that full-length rail that isn’t attached to the action cover, and the left-hand charging handle REALLY makes this a winner!
@ wfgodbold: Wolverines!…. now made in the USA.
@ the dude: I think at this point finding a company here in the States to license and produce it locally would be a safer bet, but I would have no problems with being wrong in this case.
@ Weer’d Beard: Well, the good news is that a left-side charging handle and even a non-reciprocating version are available already, and Owen at Snakehound Machine recommends the Beryl rail system for optics if you want something more than a red dot mounted on a gas-rail system… But, yeah, it would be nice for all of this to come on the firearm from the factory
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You have to tell me when you say nice things about me! Not sure how I missed this, but you can expect the new VEPRs to take at minimum a year to import, and in very low quantities then. The first batch of VEPR-12s are about to hit customs, with only 1k coming in after the industry has been waiting nearly two years. No date on the next batch either. When the new models start to trickle in, I’ll have them available for pre-order.
Well, I do not want you to think I was buttering you up or something… nothing could be farther from the truth… *cough*
Anywise, that is what I was afraid of. I think we are going to have to stick to the .223 Saiga plan, with that magazine modification…