Vigilance Rifles VR1 Precision Sniper, CA. Legal, 6 Mags, Muzzle Brake, Fluted Stainless 27” Custom Built Semi Automatic Rifle, MFD 2006

LSB#: 160412TA01

Make: Vigilance Rifles Inc.

Model: VR1 (Custom chambering in .338 Lapua Magnum.)

Serial Number: 00-025

Year of Manufacture: Approximately 2006. We contacted the manufacturer (http://www.vigilancerifles.com).

Caliber: .338 Lapua Magnum

Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine

Markings: The right side of the receiver is marked “VIGILANCE RIFLES” and with the Vigilance Rifles logo “V in crosshairs”. The “V” is made up of two large caliber “rifle cartridges”; tips at the bottom of the “V”. The left side of the rifle is marked “00-025 MOD. VR1”, “MFG. VIGILANCE RIFLES. REDLANDS CA. USA”, with the Vigilance Rifles logo and “VIGILANCE RIFLES”. The top rear of the barrel is marked “338 LAPUA”. The 2 oversized knurled screw heads on the bipod are marked “Versa-Pod / PATENT PENDING”. The top front of the bipod is marked “Versa-Pod”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 25 ¼ inches. 27 ¼ inches to the end of the removable muzzle break.

Sights / Optics: This is a custom built precision sniper rifle. There is no need for iron sights as the rifle is meant to be used with a scope. The top of the receiver has 7 inches of slotted Picatinny rail attached to it by 5 screws. It shows light scrapes on the edges from mounting an optic. The rail is in about Excellent condition.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The forearm is a black synthetic with deep checkering on the sides. A metal sling bar is attached to the left front. According to the web site the buttstock is machined from “(RUTPLY) premium wood”. A metal sling bar is attached to the left rear. The forearm and buttstock show only light handling marks. The LOP measures 13 7/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition. The recoil pad is listed below in “Box, Paperwork & Accessories”.

Type of Finish: Matte Stainless Barrel; Black Hard-Anodized Receiver

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore shines and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The right side of the receiver shows a few light thin scrapes The top of the barrel shank is scraped. The underside of the barrel shows small scrapes just above the bipod. The finish shows a few other light marks. The bolt hold open, safety and magazine release all show light thinning on the edges. The markings are deep and clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine to Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a bipod, muzzle break, 7 inches of Picatinny rail, 2 ten round magazines, 4 five round magazines, a soft cheek riser and a soft rubber recoil pad. The bipod extends from 7 to 10 inches with 6 different locking positions. Each leg has a latch that is pressed to release and lock the legs. The bipod can allow the rifle to swivel or can be tightened down using the oversized adjustment screws. The legs are pinched together to unlock the bipod and pull it down or lock it into place under the forearm. The bipod shows scrapes & some thinning from rotation and from the legs being extended. The bipod is in about Very Good to Fine condition. The muzzle break shows small scrapes and small light scratches. It is in about Very Good to Fine condition. See above for the Picatinny rail.
The magazines are all sturdily constructed. They are metal. The ten round magazine that is in the rifle shows a few scrapes and light marks. It is in about Fine condition. The second 10 round magazine shows scrapes along the bottom and rear the body. The marks on the rear of the body are most likely from locking this magazine in the rifle. This 10 round magazine is much harder to lock place than the others. The bolt must be locked to the rear while locking this magazine in the rifle. It is in about Very Good to Fine condition.
The 4 five round magazines show scrapes and some dried oil residue. One of the magazines also shows some discoloration. 3 of the five round magazines are in about Fine condition and 1 is in about Very Good to Fine condition. The black nylon cheek rest has 4 nylon straps with plastic buckles to secure it. It shows only light handling marks. It is in about Excellent condition. The soft rubber recoil pad show several small scrapes and scratches. The rear has been damaged by the cheek riser’s nylon strap. The strap has dug into the surface of the pad. The pad functions properly but the rear is aesthetically challenged (ugly). Luckily a new recoil pad is a cheap and easy fix. The recoil pad is in about Good to Very Good condition. Please see photos.

Our Assessment: The top of each page of the Vigilance Rifles website has the following header:
“Vigilance Rifles, Inc. —————————– The most badass rifles on planet earth. ——————————————-“.
That is quite a statement, but they do offer serious rifles to the civilian (& military) market that can back it.
This Vigilance Rifles VR1 is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. The rifle is in great shape with a strong shinny bore. Its stainless fluted barrel & muzzle break look great set into the black receiver & stock. The rifle looks both distinctive and impressive. Very few VR1 rifles were made in .338 Lapua. According to the web site the VR1 has only been offered in .408 CT since 2014. We spoke to Vigilance Rifles. They seem like very nice people who will happily build you a Custom VR1 in .338 Lapua, if you throw enough cash at them. This VR1 comes with a bipod, muzzle break, 7 inches of Picatinny rail, 2 ten round magazines, 4 five round magazines, a soft cheek riser and a soft rubber recoil pad. All you need is a scope, ammo and a really l-o-n-g distance rifle range.
The Vigilance Rifles website describes the VR1 best: “Designed and developed to be light and mobile and inspired by several of the finest autoloading rifles in the world, we have taken the best features and incorporated them into a larger than life autoloading rifle… Reliability of the VR1 is due to the gas port being optimally located to the chamber. The gases are cleaner and hotter up front and result in more reliable cycling and less fowling, the best autoloading rifles in the world use this system. Our upper receiver is made from 17-4 PH Stainless Steel and certified Heat Treatment for high-pressure operation with such large calibers. The upper receiver-barrel locks securely into a lightweight hard-anodized lower receiver. The rifle uses a three-lugged rotary screw bolt for sure lockup, and a fixed ejector for high rate fire. Using a 11/4 Bull Barrel for extreme accuracy and incorporating a proven Muzzle Brake for taming the Beast, makes the VR1 easy to shoot…Our exclusive Pendulum Two Stage Trigger (PTST) at the heart of the gun supplies crisp reliable trigger pull…Incorporated within the trigger system is a heavy engagement (FAIL PROOF) traditional push safety…New VR1 Rifles sport an auto check gas piston system that can shoot with or without suppressor, no intervention from the shooter, just screw on the suppressor – no thinking required. Older rifles can be sent in for upgrade gas system.”
Here are some basics on the .338 Lapua Magnum from Wikipedia: “The .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70mm or 8.58×70mm) is a rimless, bottlenecked, centerfire cartridge developed for military long-range sniper rifles. The United States used it in the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War. As a result of this, it is now widely available. The .338 Lapua is a dual-purpose, anti-personnel and anti-materiel round, but its anti-materiel potential is limited, due to the bullet’s lower kinetic energy compared with that of the .50 BMG’s 35.64-to-55.08-gram (550.0 to 850.0 gr) projectiles. The loaded cartridge is 14.93 mm (0.588 in) in diameter (rim) and 93.5 mm (3.68 in) long. It can penetrate better-than-standard military body armor at ranges up to 1,000 meters (1,090 yd) and has a maximum effective range of about 1,750 meters (1,910 yd). Muzzle velocity is dependent on load and powder temperature, and varies from 880 to 915 m/s (2,890 to 3,000 ft/s) for commercial loads with 16.2-gram (250 gr) bullets, which corresponds to about 6,525 J (4,813 ft•lb) of muzzle energy…British military issue overpressure .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges…from a L115A3 Long Range Rifle were used in November 2009 by British sniper Corporal of Horse (CoH) Craig Harrison to establish a new record for the longest confirmed sniper kill in combat, at a range of 2,475 m (2,707 yd).”
For detailed instructions on the rifle’s disassembly and care see the owner’s manual at http://www.vigilancerifles.com/images/OwnersManual.pdf . It includes lots of color photos to help with disassembly.