Russian Molot VEPR 5.45×39 16.5” Semi-Auto Rifle AK-47 RPK Furniture
SOLD FOR: $1,536.00
WOA#: WY240531TG007
Make: Molot-Oruzhie Arms, Russia FIME Group
Model: VEPR
Serial Number: 16 V AB 2842
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Caliber: 5.45X39
Action Type: Semi-Automatic
Markings: The left side of the trunnion is marked “16 V AB 2842”. The left side of the receiver is marked “MOLOT-ORUZHIE LTD / VYATSKIE POLYANY RUSSIA”, “VEPR / 5,45×39”, “FIME GROUP / LAS VEGAS NV USA”. The trigger is marked “TAPCO USA / G2”. The right side of the bolt carrier is marked “842”. The left side of the bolt carrier is marked “208”. The bolt head is marked with “007” and a Russian Cyrillic.
Barrel Length: 16.5”. 17” with Tapco bird cage flash hider.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable post and the rear sight is an RPK 1000 meter rear sight. There is a scope rail on the left side of the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: Slant cut receiver. The stock has been custom fitted with a wood RPK furniture set with square buttstock, smooth pistol grip, two piece handguard with square lower handguard. The LOP measures 12” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttstock. The stock rates in about Good overall condition. There are scratches, scuffs, and finish loss throughout. There are no chips or cracks.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 30rd 5.45×39 East German Bakelite magazine in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Black
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear on the metal surfaces and some more notable wear around the magwell. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a total of one magazine.
Our Assessment: This Molot VEPR now resides among a special place in AK47 history. It is part of the last wave of AK47’s to make it into the U.S. With the Import Ban of 2017 MOLOT sent a final wave of AK47s to the U.S., some complete, some unfinished, and some incomplete. One of the companies to pick up the task was FIME Group. FIME did a superb job assembling the rifles to continue the high quality standard MOLOT is notorious for. If you want one of the best looking AK47’s on the market, then look no further. And it’s not just the eye candy of this gun that brings the wow factor – it’s the fact that this is arguably the best AK47 design in the world that was built off the highest quality construction. The origins of the Molot VEPR sporting rifle or “Wild Boar” in Ukrainian, was manufactured in a machine building plant in Polyany Russia where Russian craftsmanship was perfected and created a foundation for the AK world that stands out from the rest. As of June 20, 2017, VEPR rifles have been added to the long list of banned rifles no longer allowed to be imported into the U.S. making this rifle all the more difficult to get your hands on – one of the best firearms to have ever been allowed to touch U.S. soil has now been taken from us. Because of this, VEPR rifles have become extremely difficult to obtain and make this find all the more rare. The greatest asset now lies beneath the hood – in the DNA of the firearm. Open this bad boy up and you’ll find what truly makes this AK outperform the rest. The VEPR was built based on the RPK, harnessing all of its benefits and perks. The RPK was the squad machine gun version of the AK allowing it to do all of the dirty work in the trenches. The VEPR adopted the RPK’s 1.5mm thick receiver making it 50% thicker than the traditional AKM. This gives it a much longer wear life and prevents it from jamming due to heavy fire. The prize now lies in the Chrome lined, hammer forged, heavy barrel. This is by far the most durable AK barrel out on the market today creating improved accuracy and longevity. This Molot VEPR is Russia’s finest work, the racking of the slide feels like a dream and the tested ability to go through 5000 rounds and still perform without missing a beat makes it feel like this gun belongs in a fine art museum. This VEPR in all its RPK glory and AK47 functionality in light of its banned status makes this a MUST have. Grab this Russian Jewel while you can, before it’s too late. -L.S.
