"Vepr-12 Hammer" VPO-205-03 - carbine

"Vepr-12 Hammer" VPO-205-03 is a self-loading smoothbore type carbine , 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 a Kalashnikov machine gun were built .

"Vepr-12 Hammer" VPO-205-03 is intended for carrying out of sports actions and competitions of a various class (very often it is practical shooting). Some weapons are used by weapons as equipment for their employees.

"Vepr-12 Molot" VPO-205-03 is also used for self-defense by persons authorized to store and use this type of weapon. Interestingly, this self-loading smoothbore type carbine is a "spiteful" competitor of the Saiga-12 gun known to the general public.

Reasons for developing weapons

Every time the user sees the name "Vepr-12 Molot" VPO-205-03, he must clearly understand that the "Vepr-12 Hammer" is the name of the weapon model, and VPO 205-03 is its factory index.

Why does the name of the weapon model include the figure 12? This is the designation of the caliber of cartridges, which uses a smoothbore gun. What prompted designers to develop a carbine? The thing is that the popularity of "Saiga-12" semiautomatic devices, produced by IzhMash, grew, without exaggeration, in a geometric progression.

In the arms history, even such time periods are known, when the demand for this weapon was on top of the supply bar. However, as time passed, people bought "Saigu" in huge quantities. Accordingly, there was a mass testing. And now more and more negative comments begin to appear. According to users of the gun, "Saigu" often clinically .

The managers who worked at the Molot plant did not lose time for nothing. They fully justified the money they paid: after analyzing the statistics of sales of competitors, specialists decided that the segment of the market in which the Saiga had previously had a huge popularity, it is necessary to take away itself, since the time has come. This process took place in the 90s of the last century.

Thus, in a short time the Molot plant starts the process of mass production of new shotguns built on the basis of a Kalashnikov machine gun. From the conveyors more and more copies of the rifles "Vepr-12" come off. And they, by the way, differed from those models that were produced by IzhMash.

IzhMash's tactical error

As you know, the Izhevsk machine-building plant produced Kalashnikov assault rifles of the 1974 model. It is this fact that served as the basis for the construction of the legendary weapon in the principle of the "Saiga-12".

Well, the production of "Saiga", which had a similar appearance with the AK-74 (as well as the construction base), did not become a special event due to its predictability. But nevertheless, this weapon, intended for use and storage by civilians, turned out to be very in demand.

At the same time, the future competitors of IzhMash (and we are talking about the Molot plant, which was located in the city of Vyatskie Polyany) were engaged in the global serial production of the 1974 PKK. Why did this move stay behind them, and not behind the Izhevsk plant? Everything is very simple: IzhMash simply did not have enough potential to engage in parallel production and the production of two weapons at once.

That is why the way of production of AK-74 was chosen in Izhevsk. Indeed, it would be simply huge volumes, hence, huge costs. But this, perhaps, was the reason that the battle for this segment of the market IzhMash eventually lost.

Opposition of AK-74 and PKK

AK-74 ceded the PKK sample of the same year for many characteristics. In general, it was common to compare a number of parameters. The comparison was based on the mass-dimensional characteristics, as well as criteria relating to the power and reliability of the weapon.

Of course, machine guns in terms of strength won the first contest right at the start, without even giving a chance to their competitors. After that, they increased the gap due to the fact that the receiver was not an example more powerful. It all came to an end that the obvious advantage was fixed for the PKK due to the fact that the main working mechanisms, most often subjected to intensive loads, were manufactured with a large margin of safety.

Speaking figuratively, while the Kalashnikov rifle only crossed the starting line, the PKK had already finished.

The "Vepr Molot-12" carbine was originally positioned by the weapons design bureau as a weapon intended for conducting defensive actions, as well as for conducting sport shooting. It was intended to supply weapons to power structures for further use. But for hunting "Vepr-12 Hammer" to use is inexpedient.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ideal guns in the world today does not exist, each model has its pros and cons. It touched also the rifles "Vepr-12 Hammer". Hunters' comments about him are contradictory.

Advantage # 1: fast, accurate, powerful

Currently, the plant "Hammer" managed to produce a really large number of "Vepray". Including its modifications. For the entire model range (both main specimens and modified guns), the characteristic high enough speed of shooting.

By combining the high rate of fire of the carbine with its more than ever appropriate ammunition (we use cartridges caliber 12 millimeters), we get impressive firepower.

High rate of fire is reinforced in terms of design at once by several factors: stores can hold 8 cartridges at once, and the operation mode of the weapon is self-loading.

Advantage number 2: in the fire does not burn, does not sink in the water

"Vepr-12 Hammer", reviews of hunters that can be found both positive and not so, is really a weapon, as people who deal with it like to call it. Without any fears and omissions, it can be said that the "Hammer" is today one of the strongest smoothbore guns that were produced in the world. A certain role is played here by the design of the PKK, which was taken by engineers as a basis.

Disadvantage # 1: practicality to the detriment of comfort

Due to the fact that there is a standard lath on the lower part of the forearm, it will be extremely inconvenient to keep the rifle at the fore-end. Tuning "Vepr Molot-12" also does not allow to solve this problem.

Disadvantage # 2: large weight

Even with full discharge without installing any additional options, the weight of the "Boar" is 4.3 kg. Now imagine that the weapon is loaded and hung with tactical devices and additional optional elements. Not very convenient.

However, the users who made the tuning "Vepr Molot-12" repeatedly noted that with a large mass of weapons begin to behave more steadily. Especially if the shooting is in high-speed mode. Thus, a defect can turn into an advantage, but this is an individual matter.