The 54r Vepr: A Discussion of the Unremarkable

[GS455]

Some of you may have already seen my older and recent posts about “My 54r Vepr Woes” as well as chapter II.  If you think I’m a whiner or ignorant, well, so be it, but bedtime reading if bored (and I’m still open to suggestions).  Here, I’m only just coming to epiphanies, perhaps a decade late.

I’m honestly wondering what the craze was around these back in the day.  Obviously substantial enough and volume on the market for the likes of CSSpecs and others that invested in accessory projects for em.  This is specifically a discussion surrounding my late, 20.5”, 54r, single stack variant.  I was drawn in by all the praise and chatter, great, thicker, accurate barrels and just had to have one before it was “too late” (and now, it apparently is). I paid about $840 which, I felt, was a lot at the time. Mine is from the last batch that Atlantic was selling with the front site at the end of the barrel (not at the gas block).  A guy named Blaine Bunting (very polite) from Atlantic who was “working” the forums, hand-held me through the purchase as they were just coming in and lots of follow up emails asking what I thought and was I satisfied, etc. In fact, it was above and beyond, great pre/post customer support (AAA+ there) for a single end-user.  I didn’t really say so, partly b/c I was pretty “green” at the time (still am?) and it took so long to run it through its paces with glass but, from the day I opened the box I was somewhat disappointed.

I immediately noticed the less-than hardware of the action (bolt/carrier group and piston) all being smaller/thinner/lighter compared to a standard x39 AKM action which I thought strange considering the larger 54r caliber.  At the time I did get it out to the range immediately for function test on a HOT summer day.  After a few boxes of ammo, I was sweating quite a bit and noticed right away that the finish on the factory walnut, thumbhole, buttstock was blistering.  I parked it in the back of the safe and took a couple years before I picked up the IWD stock set, RSRegulate mount, rings, glass, mags, etc.

While the IWD stock set is gorgeous (owner a great guy but RIP) I was really disappointed to lose that major fastening point through the pistol grip into the receiver leaving only two wood screws to connect, one from the inside of the rear of receiver and one through the rear tang.  An attachment that easily loosened up over time and stripped the wood. I was able to have it filled and redrill the holes to secure (for now).

What’s better about these over other 54r or battle rifle caliber AKMs?

• Russian, as-built”, 54r semi-auto (is it better – just because?)

• Decent rear sight with windage adjustment (okay, but I’m old and don’t shoot irons anymore)

• Thicker barrel profile that folks were acknowledging as major plus (no accuracy benefit I’m realizing at this point)

• What else?

What’s not?

• Comparatively light for a “battle rifle” caliber (plus or minus?)

• Light action-hardware combined with being over gassed provides for violent recoil/impulse (at least mine) clearly necessitating a KNS piston.

• Throws spent cases up to 30’

• Loss of pistol grip screw with the IWD stock (okay, not an original design flaw, rather, an IWD non-feature)

• Slant back receiver wi rear tang (fewer aftermarket stock options?)

• Original Thumbhole stock that can’t take a bit of sweat plus it’s just Monte Carlo ugly.

• Gas tube lever is so tight mine is practically mangled from just a few removals

• Stock trigger (mine) is horribly gritty and sticks (yea this can be polished or replaced)

• Barrel nut pinned and welded (plus/minus?).  At least I could cut/remove to access standard threads so as to install a Tabuk-style flash hider

• Front handguard screws into a barrel collar (WTF !!! And why?)  Did anyone consider how this affects barrel harmonics

• Single stack mag/receiver design (blech).  Probably too much trouble to design and engineer a proper double stack mag for 54r

Okay, so, this thing is a Russian built AKM pattern rifle (oooo aaaah) but, I think, an opportunistic/sporter construct in no way approximating anything close to a military quality product. It is now, I guess, a collectible as we’ll never see em again but what is/was the appeal?

Yea, I have my personal accuracy issues with mine which REALLY grates me.  I have a decent collection of 20th century battle rifles and carbines and nothing has given me such disappointment as this.  At this point I’m wondering if I just cut losses and run or keep going.  I haven’t done the math (yet) but likely matching or exceeding the original purchase price with all I’ve chosen to do to it:

• IWD Stock

• Tabuk flash hider

• Five CSSpecs mags

• RSRegulate scope mount

• ARMS #22 rings

• I won’t count the Trijicon AccuPoint scope as it’s a floater

• Stock repair for a weakness that will probably fail again,

And now perhaps:

• a KNS piston which I’ll have to pay to have installed and will likely not help with accuracy, rather, simply keep it from shooting itself apart.

• A free float hand guard solution or replace the whole stock set?

• Trigger improvement or replacement.

This is, relatively speaking, an increasingly expensive hobby and I’ve got some disposable income at this point in life.   I pity younger guys getting into this today (a dying market I think).  Back in “the day” I horded up a bit of corrosive, milsurp 54r @ $69ish/tin and was seeking additional rifle variants to enjoy my prudent, modest investment.  Simply put I don’t mind spending money a bit at a time with a quality end in sight but this thing . . . . . ?

In summary:  Mine's seems to be a lemon in ways (maybe it’s not over yet).  At the time I REALLY wish I went wi the .308 (double stack mags).  And maybe they are a different story.  I’ve never seen one nor a x39 version, but I'm pretty disenchanted with what I feel is this sloppy, cheap, light duty, non-military grade, opportunistic construct Molot spit out upon us.  I think the Russian decision makers allowed them to come up with this clearly lesser-than-milspec, consumer product for the Western markets not really for hunter/sporting but the voracious, Combloc, wanna-have-a-Russian fanboys (like me).

 

[10-Ring]

Back around 2010 I wanted one of these like Ralphie wanted a Red Ryder. Thing was, I was pretty broke at that point and the $69 Mosin Nagant I purchased that year had me eating more ramen than usual. Sounds like I didn't miss out on much. 

[RED333]

1 minute ago, 10-Ring said:

Back around 2010 I wanted one of these like Ralphie wanted a Red Ryder. Thing was, I was pretty broke at that point and the $69 Mosin Nagant I purchased that year had me eating more ramen than usual. Sounds like I didn't miss out on much. 

I as well "wanted one" but wife and kids needed money, kind of glad things went the way it did. Still have the wife, kids grown and doing well, and I am not regretting buying something to regret.