Krebs Custom KV-13 (7.62x39 Version) Review

[plouffedaddy]

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Ever since I saw the KV-13 last year I wanted to get my paws on one but there was a waiting list (of course). Well, it showed up at my FFL a couple months ago and I've been dutifully shooting the crap out of it for a while and here's what I've found…


Pros:
-100% reliability with any ammo/mag combination to date
-Accurate. My Krebs 103K has previously held the title of my most accurate 7.62x39 variant but this one is giving it a run (test in video below)
-Keymod handguard. Allows for all keymod attachments and gives a lot more room to work with than most AK variants. Top cover has a the front sight out front for a longer sight radius and retains zero when removed/installed (demo in video as well)
-A VEPR is the base of the rifle. CHF CL barrel, RPK receiver and action are a great system to start with.
-Crowned barrel pinned to 16'' OAL with a Krebs 4 prong flash hider
-Rear sight built into the top cover which is re-enforces by steel plates welded on to the trunnion and rear of the top cover itself to give it rigidity to maintain zero when removed/replaced.
-Trigger is smoothed and tuned for a smooth pull with a crisp reset
-Krebs coat finish inside and out
-The action is buttery smooth
-ACE folder and Krebs adaptor for a left side folding stock option. It has come with both Vltor and Magpul CTR stocks since production has started. CTR is the current standard.
-Krebs enhanced safety lever for easy manipulation of the safety


Cons:
-Cost. It comes to market around $1800-1900
-There is a wait for these rifles as they can't make enough to satisfy demand
-Weight. It weighs in at 8 lbs. I don't mind it as I'm not personally a weight junkie but I know some folks out there are.

All in all the KV-13 may be the most impressive 7.62x39 AK variant I've laid my hands on to date. It's exactly what you'd expect a Krebs rifle to be---great in pretty much every way.

Here's the video review with some plinking, accuracy testing, testing of the top cover's retention of zero, and a demonstration of the features of the rifle followed by my thoughts on it overall:

Krebs Custom KV-13 HD Video Review Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkE8HDowG3c)

Edit: Let's try this embedder….


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkE8HDowG3c

[Moose-Knuckle]

Does the Keymod handguard heat up, is there a heat shield in there?

Nice review and pics btw.

[graffex]

That's one sweet looking AK. I don't think I would ever pay that much for a any AK though ;)

[scooter22]

Where can I pick up one of these bad boys?

Also, how is using the CTR on an AK?

[gun71530]

Where can I pick up one of these bad boys?

Also, how is using the CTR on an AK?

Pretty sure I saw one in the EE.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[96 SS]

No heat shield in mine - but I've not shot enough to heat them up enough to say if there is a problem or not.

[Heavy Metal]

How do you get the gas tube out?

[Belloc]

How do you get the gas tube out?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzJZzT-pbR4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp3LeQOYDKs

[Heavy Metal]

I wil let the market cool for about a year or so and buy one of these. Looks neat! Fixes a bunch of things I don't like about he AK.

[PatrioticDisorder]

I wil let the market cool for about a year or so and buy one of these. Looks neat! Fixes a bunch of things I don't like about he AK.

Definitely brings the AK into the modern era of rifles. I'd love to see Kreb's make this rifle with the Saiga, to reduce weight a little bit. Definitely a little pricey, but good work is never cheap.

[Belloc]

The Vepr receiver is 50% thicker than the receiver on a Saiga, and that might mean that the Vepr dust cover is also 50% thicker.

[redone13]

Great review. My Speed Load Tactical #88 is still my favorite AK but maybe I'll have a new favorite in the not so distant future. The quality of workmanship and attention to detail present in all his rifles is unequaled.

[plouffedaddy]

Does the Keymod handguard heat up, is there a heat shield in there?

Nice review and pics btw.


No shield but it's pretty well ventilated. I don't do mag dumps but I've never noticed any heat. It's got more room than say a Noveske keymod AR rail which I have noticed some heat from. Not sure if that helps….

[plouffedaddy]

Where can I pick up one of these bad boys?

Also, how is using the CTR on an AK?

Krebs site or Circle10AK. Both have wait lists as I understand it currently.

[plouffedaddy]

Great review. My Speed Load Tactical #88 is still my favorite AK but maybe I'll have a new favorite in the not so distant future. The quality of workmanship and attention to detail present in all his rifles is unequaled.
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Agreed. I have a 103K from Krebs as well and it's just a flawless gun.

[96 SS]

Yeah - I've dumped all my non-Krebs AK's and somehow ended up with 3. . .

I'm not sure I don't have some type of mental defect ;)


And I want at least two more :D

[LHS]

Is Krebs planning on selling just the handguard? That'd be the heat for some of my AKs.

[Vgex2]

Is Krebs planning on selling just the handguard? That'd be the heat for some of my AKs.

They make a variant for Saigas, seen here:

http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt230/Vgex/Def%20Arms%20AK/9a67aff9-66d5-4b40-83dc-8cd21fad52f9_zpsce5eccb6.jpg

Purchased separately, installed locally.

[CFII]

I played with one the other day. Slick rifle. Awesome handguard. I was bummed, however, that it didnt have the Galil style (but corrected) safety lever that my old KTR-03V had.

[scooter22]

Anyone know anything about the .308?

[Kain]

Possibly one of the nicest AKs I have seen period. Am interested, and must say with the price of Arsenal AKs and ARs I would say that the price is reasonable.

[peashooter76]

I really like these but, I'm curious as to why he chose to use the slant back receiver version as oppossed to the straight? Are they just more plentiful?

[Moose-Knuckle]

One more question for anyone who has dealt with Krebs directly. I have a NIB Rob Arms VEPR K, will Mark and his crew build me one if I supply the rifle?

[96 SS]

No, they only use their own stock.

[promiseofwar]

Circle 10 is coming out with another AK version from Krebs. I believe built on a Saiga receiver.

[plouffedaddy]

Circle 10 is coming out with another AK version from Krebs. I believe built on a Saiga receiver.


It's out:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL2e3ZX-gGU

[plouffedaddy]

Circle 10 is coming out with another AK version from Krebs. I believe built on a Saiga receiver.


There's also a SLR107 based rifle (103K-S) that Circle10AK, Copper Customs, and Atlantic are all offering.

[promiseofwar]

There's also a SLR107 based rifle (103K-S) that Circle10AK, Copper Customs, and Atlantic are all offering.

Thanks for doing the review. I ordered a KV-13A yesterday and can't wait to get my mitts on it. The OP-14 looks like another horse for the stable in the future.

[Benito]

It's out:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL2e3ZX-gGU

Wow. That's a very nice AK. Is that KeyMod handguard a two piece? I have seen some strange KeyMod handguards for AK's, which have 10 pieces and are held by numerous screws. I would imagine that Krebs has a much more solid setup, but am curious about details.

[plouffedaddy]

Wow. That's a very nice AK. Is that KeyMod handguard a two piece? I have seen some strange KeyMod handguards for AK's, which have 10 pieces and are held by numerous screws. I would imagine that Krebs has a much more solid setup, but am curious about details.


It is.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2kZ9bE9Vfg