The stimulus for the appearance of the Vepr-12 series of shotguns manufactured with the VPO-205 factory index was the growing popularity of Izhmash factory semi-automatic saigas with smooth barrel channels. At that time, it was on such weapons that demand exceeded supply. However, over time, the smooth-bore Saiga began to cause more and more negative reviews. Judging by them, this product of the Izhevsk plant often jammed.
Based on the needs of the market, the managers of the Molot plant from Vyatskiye Polyany concluded that it is possible to start production of the same smoothbore rifle. As a result, serial production of Vepr-12 rifles was established, which differed from the Izhmash analogs.
Prerequisites for the emergence
The Saiga family was created on the basis of a Kalashnikov assault rifle. The reason is that it was at this plant that AK weapons were made, so arranging the production of civilian structural analogues did not present any special problems. And in the town of Vyatskiye Polyany, at the same time, RPK machine guns went off the assembly line . The main differences between AK74 and RPK74 were their weight and overall characteristics, as well as structural strength. The machine gun was much stronger than the machine gun, had more powerful than the AK, the receiver and more "tenacious" mechanisms, which were made with a safety margin exceeding the similar parameters of its Izhevsk counterpart.
In the process of developing the Vepr-12 smoothbore, the main options for its use were immediately laid. Presumably, these were self-defense and sports shooting with buckshot, according to the IPSC version. It was planned to use this shotgun both as a weapon for police officers and for shooting medium beasts and big game.
Design
The layout of the Vepr-12 Hammer weapon, as well as the basic principles of operation, is closest to the corresponding parameters of the Saiga-12C or Saiga-12K models. But if more accurate parallels are drawn, the Izhevsk Tactics is the most similar to it.
The front sight on almost all models of Vepr-12 Hammer shotguns is fixed at the end of the vent pipe. The whole of them is adjustable, it has the ability to fix positions for different distances, as well as on the basis of the types of ammunition. The line of sight is relatively short.
Vepr-12 Hammer smoothbore guns, the price of which depends on the configuration, inheriting the general design and layout of the manual RPK, are equipped with a gas vent mechanism and the possibility of locking by turning the shutter. However, the latter together with the receiver are designed taking into account firing with rifle cartridges. In this case, the trigger mechanism of the shotgun is devoid of self-timer.
Automation
Vepr-12 is available with folding stocks. They have a metal frame covered with black plastic on the outside and ending with a rubber butt pad. A few tens of millimeters from the receiver there is a jumper connecting the two tubes of the butt.
In addition, today some models of weapons manufactured by VPO are equipped with a turning cheek by the manufacturer, which, rotating around the upper applied tube, changes its height. This is very convenient when shooting not only with an open sight, but also with the use of an additional Picatinny rail installed as tuning .
On the Vepr-12 Hammer shotguns, the store receiver is placed directly at the factory. This positively affects both the prevention of chamber deformation and the modification of the receiver window in the event of an accidental fall. In addition, the Vepr-12 (VPO) manufacturer also installs very convenient orthopedic handles.
Equipment
Some twelfth-caliber Veprey shotgun modifications are equipped with several Picatinny rails at once: on top of the trunk box cover, on the bottom of the forend and next to it. The upper one is usually used to fix the brackets of additional sights, for example, collimator, optical and night. The bar on the fore-end is necessary for mounting another front handle, as well as bipods on it, and the one located on the barrel is very convenient for lighting devices.
"Vepr-12" is only available in the twelfth caliber with a chamber of 76 millimeters, that is, you can shoot from it with ordinary bullets with a sleeve of seventy millimeters, as well as with the "Magnums."
Benefits
The main plus of almost all product modifications of the Vyatskiye Polyany plant is its high rate of fire, which, combined with the twelfth caliber, gives decent firepower. This characteristic is provided by two factors: spacious eight-round magazines, which after emptying are easily and quickly replaced by others, as well as self-loading operation. Another advantage of the Vepr-12 Hammer smoothbore carbines is their long service life. Specialists consider this weapon to be one of the “strongest” semi-automatic shotguns not only in our country, but throughout the world. Apparently, the structural strength of the PKK, on the basis of which it was created, is affecting.
disadvantages
The disadvantages of Vepr-12 weapons, reviews confirm this, include the presence of the standard Picatinny rail located on the lower part of the forearm: it makes holding this shotgun very uncomfortable. But the main drawback is still the mass. Even without any additional options, with an empty store, the base product weighs at least 4.3 kilograms. But in some cases, this minus turns into a plus: such a heavy weapon does not "shake", it behaves more stably, especially in high-speed mode.
Modifications
The basic model in this line is Vepr-12 / VPO-205-00 /. He has a short trunk with a length of four hundred and thirty millimeters. Given the fact that this shotgun is of a folding stock type, the manufacturer was forced to introduce USM-blocking mechanisms into this model that work when the stock is folded. This made it possible to exclude shooting from weapons in this state, since it is prohibited according to the law of the Russian Federation.
Another modification - "Vepr-12 Hammer" of execution 02 - is equipped with the longest barrel in a row - sixty-eight centimeters. It does not have a DTK, although the manufacturer provides for the possibility of installing replaceable muzzle nozzles on threads with different constrictions. The latter are sold with data from the Vepr-12 Hammer shotguns, the price of which starts at thirty-five thousand rubles, and they are similar to the “chokes” from the Bekas line, which are produced by the same VPO plant. At the same time, the muzzle nozzles for VPO-201-02 and the same mechanisms of the "Snipe" of the twelfth caliber are interchangeable.
Among the other modifications, “version 03” has the shortest barrel. Its length is three hundred and five millimeters. It differs from the others by the presence of a removable arrester.
Accessories
For use on Vepr-12 smoothbore carbines, a rather large number of additional equipment has been developed and is being manufactured, for example, muzzle brakes-compensators, various types of chokes, folding telescopic bipods. In two versions, you can purchase and install a mine receiver store - welded steel and cast from duralumin. The weapon can be supplemented with one of the varieties of the forend execution - smooth or with the Weaver strap.
Many users like the sporty type of ergonomic handles necessary for the convenience of holding weapons. As for stores, you can choose from box-shaped for four, eight and ten rounds, and rotary or drum for one dozen or more. Often they are pseudo-hostile, since according to Russian law it is forbidden to use weapons with a large magazine.
For tuning, you can use various stock options, tactical lights, as well as laser or diode infrared illuminators, which greatly improve the operation of night sights.
A telescopic butt mounted through a special adapter instead of the standard one will give an additional degree of freedom when shooting under various conditions, for example, in winter clothes.
Prices
The cost of the Vepr-12 205 smoothbore shotguns of the first, second and third performance in stores, provided that the equipment is the same, does not differ. It starts with thirty seven thousand two hundred rubles. But the fourth version - the modification “Vepr VPO-205-04 L-483”, equipped with the ATI stock, is significantly more expensive. You can buy it within forty three and a half thousand rubles.
Reviews
Many of those who already own this weapon manufactured at the Molot plant unanimously note its reliability in operation. Indeed, the shotgun is made quite high quality.
Some users, when conducting a comparative analysis between Vepr-12 weapons, which are mostly positive reviews, and Izhevsk Saiga, note that their products at the plant in Vyatskiy Polyany are more thoughtful. The amenities that their twelve-caliber carbines of modification 12 VPO 205 are equipped with (for example, the possibility of setting or removing the fuse without touching the key, and by pressing the lever with a finger and many others), indicate serious constructive thoughtfulness. In addition, “Vepr” created an opportunity for the shooter to remove the shutter lag with the click of a button, which is located next to the trigger.
This assault and very brutal weapons produced in Russia, in addition to our country, gradually began to be accepted even in America. Overseas police purchased large quantities for their custodians of order, which is also an excellent indicator of the reliability and high quality of a domestic smoothbore shotgun.
Moreover, the Vepr-12, equipped with an EOTech sight, a telescopic butt and a tactical flashlight, is now armed with special police units - EKAM, which are part of the Greek Ministry of the Interior.