Bret
12-28-13, 22:57
I was able to buy a 16" 5.56x45 Vepr that came with an unfinished thumbhole buttstock and threaded muzzle covered by muzzle nut that was blind pinned in place. For those who don't know, Veprs are AK type rifles, but they're built using thicker RPK receivers, bulged front trunnions and thicker barrels.
http://imageshack.us/a/img20/3518/lw34.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img34/1452/k57q.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img14/4061/8jy8.jpg
Obviously the buttstock wasn't going to work, but I wanted to convert it in to a properly configured AK that would take hicap magazines. I decided to go with a K-Var AK74 style plastic stock set and a Yugo flash hider. To make a long story short, here are all the steps that were necessary for the conversion:
1) Buttstock: Despite what some people think, you can't simply insert an AK74 or AKM buttstock in a Vepr. I had to hand sand down the entire portion of the buttstock that goes inside the receiver. All dimensions had to be reduced proportionately. This took quite a while because I had to make sure that I didn't over do it.
2) Lower handguard: As with the buttstock, the lower handguard won't snap right in either. I had to file down the portion that goes below the front trunnion inside the receiver. I also had to grind out plastic inside the handguard itself to allow the portion of the rear sight block that's around the barrel to clear the lower handguard. In addition, I had to trim back the heat shield for the same reason. This also took quite a while, but the results were good. I a bolt on lower handguard retainer from Carolina Shooter Supply. The inside dimensions were a little small, but I was able to resolve the issue with a hand file.
3) Gas tube: I replaced the gas tube with a regular AK74 gas tube that has a retainer for the upper handguard. It took a decent amount of grinding on the bottom rear of the gas tube before it would seat low enough like the original to prevent the gas piston from binding. I also had to file the top rear of the gas tube so the gas tube lock could rotate to the closed position.
4) Magazine catch: I filed the top of the magazine catch so 5.56x45 Bulgarian waffle and Polish Beryl magazines would fit. The bottom line here is to take your time and be careful.
5) Bullet guide: This was a pretty simple operation actually. I just had to make sure that I had one for 5.56x45 that was rounded on the bottom. I practice fed some cartridges through (after removing the firing pin) and they all cycled fine.
6) Muzzle threads: I was able to remove the blind pinned muzzle nut by grinding down on the muzzle nut where I guessed the blind pin ended and then knocking it out using a punch. Good threads and a working front sight detent were revealed. I then threaded on the US made Yugo style flash hider.
Here are the final results which look pretty much like a beefed up AK to me:
http://imageshack.us/a/img689/6964/cznw.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img834/197/h661.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img20/3518/lw34.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img34/1452/k57q.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img14/4061/8jy8.jpg
Obviously the buttstock wasn't going to work, but I wanted to convert it in to a properly configured AK that would take hicap magazines. I decided to go with a K-Var AK74 style plastic stock set and a Yugo flash hider. To make a long story short, here are all the steps that were necessary for the conversion:
1) Buttstock: Despite what some people think, you can't simply insert an AK74 or AKM buttstock in a Vepr. I had to hand sand down the entire portion of the buttstock that goes inside the receiver. All dimensions had to be reduced proportionately. This took quite a while because I had to make sure that I didn't over do it.
2) Lower handguard: As with the buttstock, the lower handguard won't snap right in either. I had to file down the portion that goes below the front trunnion inside the receiver. I also had to grind out plastic inside the handguard itself to allow the portion of the rear sight block that's around the barrel to clear the lower handguard. In addition, I had to trim back the heat shield for the same reason. This also took quite a while, but the results were good. I a bolt on lower handguard retainer from Carolina Shooter Supply. The inside dimensions were a little small, but I was able to resolve the issue with a hand file.
3) Gas tube: I replaced the gas tube with a regular AK74 gas tube that has a retainer for the upper handguard. It took a decent amount of grinding on the bottom rear of the gas tube before it would seat low enough like the original to prevent the gas piston from binding. I also had to file the top rear of the gas tube so the gas tube lock could rotate to the closed position.
4) Magazine catch: I filed the top of the magazine catch so 5.56x45 Bulgarian waffle and Polish Beryl magazines would fit. The bottom line here is to take your time and be careful.
5) Bullet guide: This was a pretty simple operation actually. I just had to make sure that I had one for 5.56x45 that was rounded on the bottom. I practice fed some cartridges through (after removing the firing pin) and they all cycled fine.
6) Muzzle threads: I was able to remove the blind pinned muzzle nut by grinding down on the muzzle nut where I guessed the blind pin ended and then knocking it out using a punch. Good threads and a working front sight detent were revealed. I then threaded on the US made Yugo style flash hider.
Here are the final results which look pretty much like a beefed up AK to me:
http://imageshack.us/a/img689/6964/cznw.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img834/197/h661.jpg