"Vepr-12 Hammer" VPO-205-03 is a self-loading carbine of smooth - bore type, developed by Russian designers and manufactured in our country. The basis for the development of the carbine was the design on the basis of which such weapons as the Kalashnikov light machine gun were built .
"Vepr-12 Hammer" VPO-205-03 is intended for sporting events and competitions of various classes (very often this is practical shooting). Some departments use weapons as equipment for their employees.
"Vepr-12 Hammer" VPO-205-03 is also used for self-defense by persons who have permission to store and use this type of weapon. It is interesting that this self-loading carbine of a smoothbore type is a "vicious" competitor of the Saiga-12 rifle known to the general public.
Reasons for developing weapons
Each time the user sees the name "Vepr-12 Hammer" VPO-205-03, he should clearly understand that "Vepr-12 Hammer" is the name of the weapon model, and VPO 205-03 is its factory index.
Why is the number 12 appearing in the name of the weapon model? This is the designation for the caliber of cartridges that a smoothbore gun uses. What prompted designers to develop a carbine? The thing is that the popularity of the Saiga-12 semiautomatic devices, which were produced by IzhMash, grew, without exaggeration, in geometric progression.
In weapons history, even such temporary periods are known when the demand for these weapons turned out to be above the supply bar. However, as time passed, people purchased the Saigu in huge quantities. Accordingly, mass testing took place. And more and more negative reviews began to appear. According to users of the gun, the Saigu often wedged.
The managers who worked at the Hammer factory did not lose time. They fully justified the money they were paid: after analyzing the statistics of competitors' sales, the experts decided that the market segment in which Saiga had previously enjoyed great popularity should be taken away, since the time had come. This process took place in the 90s of the last century.
Thus, soon the Molot plant starts the process of mass production of new shotguns built on the basis of the Kalashnikov light machine gun. More and more copies of Vepr-12 rifles are leaving the conveyors . And they, by the way, differed from those models that were released by IzhMash.
Tactical error IzhMasha
As you know, the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant produced Kalashnikov assault rifles of the 1974 model. It was this fact that served as the basis for the construction of the legendary weapon in the principle of operation of the Saiga-12.
Well, the production of Saigi, which had a similar appearance to the AK-74 (as well as the structural base), did not become any special event due to its predictability. Nevertheless, these weapons, intended for use and storage by civilians, turned out to be very popular.
At the same time, future competitors of IzhMasha (and it is a question of the Molot plant, which was located in the city of Vyatskiy Polyany) were engaged in the global serial production of a 1974 RPK. Why did this move remain precisely for them, and not for the Izhevsk plant? Everything is very simple: IzhMash simply did not have enough potential to engage in parallel production and production of two weapons at once.
That is why in Izhevsk they chose the AK-74 production route. Indeed, it would be just huge volumes, therefore, huge costs. But this, perhaps, was the reason that IzhMash finally lost the battle for this market segment.
Confrontation AK-74 and RPK
The AK-74 lost to the RPK of the same year in many ways. In general, it was customary to compare a number of parameters. Comparison was based on weight and size characteristics, as well as criteria relating to the power and reliability of the weapon.
Of course, in terms of strength, machine guns won the first competition right at the start, without even giving their competitors a chance. After that, they widened the gap due to the fact that the receiver was not an example more powerful. It ended with the fact that the obvious advantage was assigned to the PKK due to the fact that the main working mechanisms, most often subjected to intense loads, were made with a large margin of safety.
Speaking figuratively, while the Kalashnikov assault rifle only crossed the starting line, the PKK had already finished.
The Boar Hammer-12 carbine was initially positioned by the weapons design bureau as a weapon intended for conducting defensive operations, as well as for conducting sports shooting. It was supposed to supply weapons to law enforcement agencies for further use. But for hunting "Vepr-12 Hammer" it is impractical to use.
Advantages and disadvantages
Ideal guns in the world today do not exist, each model has its pros and cons. It touched the gun and "Boar-12 Hammer." Reviews of hunters about him come in contradictory.
Advantage No. 1: fast, accurate, powerful
Currently, the Hammer plant has managed to produce a really large number of Veprey. Including its modifications. For the entire model range (both the main specimens and modified guns), a fairly high speed of firing is characteristic.
Combining the high rate of fire of the carbine with its more suitable ammunition than ever (12 mm caliber cartridges are used), we get impressive firepower.
High rate of fire is supported by several factors at once in terms of design: stores hold 8 rounds at once, and the weapon’s mode of operation is self-loading.
Advantage number 2: does not burn in the fire, does not sink in water
"Vepr-12 Hammer", reviews of hunters about which you can meet both positive and not so good, is a truly unkillable weapon, as users who have dealt with it like to call it. Without any fears and omissions, the Hammer is by far one of the strongest smoothbore guns that have been produced in the world. Here, a certain role is played by the design of the PKK, which was taken by the engineers as a basis.
Drawback # 1: practicality at the expense of comfort
Due to the fact that there is a standard bar on the lower part of the forend, it will be extremely inconvenient to hold the gun over the forend. Tuning "Boar Hammer-12" also will not allow to solve this problem.
Deficiency number 2: a large mass
Even with a full discharge without installing any additional options, the weight of the Boar is 4.3 kilograms. Now imagine that the weapon is loaded and hung with tactical devices and additional optional elements. Not very convenient.
However, users who made tuning "Boar Hammer-12", more than once noted that with a large mass of weapons begins to behave more stably. Especially if the shooting is in high speed mode. Thus, a disadvantage can turn into an advantage, but this is an individual matter.