Design and History
While the AK design was first introduced as a military service platform, it also made its way into the domestic sporting market. With just about every former Combloc country rocking an AK factory, the fall of the Soviet Union saw a massive increase in the production of domestic sporting versions of the AK platform.
Related: Kalashnikov 101 – The History of the AK-47
One of the most successful sporting platforms came from the Molot-Oruzhie plant in Vyatskiye Polyany, Russia. Affectionately known as the Vepr (“Wild Boar” in Russian), this line of sporting AKs operates off a traditional AKM long-stroke piston action.
The line was offered in several different calibers, including the traditional 7.62x39mm and then other calibers such as the 5.45x39mm, .308 Winchester, 8mm Mauser, and 7.62x54r. Built to 922r (U.S. import restrictions), these rifles feature thumbhole stocks, bare muzzles, and single-stack magazines.
John Grüner’s Personal Touch
The Molot rifle that John previously owned is chambered for the 7.62x54r cartridge. Aesthetically, an AK-style rifle chambered in 7.62x54r conjures up images of the Romanian PSL, a designated marksman rifle fielded by COMBLOC countries during the Cold War. While the rifle and its 20-inch barrel appear similar to that of the Romanian PSL, the Molot-built rifle has a standard AK gas system and receiver.
Since the receiver is the same length as a standard AK receiver, a few minor modifications to the length of the bolt were necessary to accommodate the larger cartridge. An added spring-loaded dust cover rides against the bolt to keep the widened gap closed to prevent debris from entering the receiver. The back of the receiver features a 45-degree slant cut that prevents the addition of normal AK furniture without modification.
John added his own personal touch to this Molot, modifying the platform to be more modular and user-friendly. This rifle features custom PSL-style furniture, ditching the thumbhole sporting stock and adding vent ports to the handguard. John also had the muzzle threaded so he could add a muzzle brake and deflector cone to ease the recoil impulse.
Additionally, he took the 10-round polymer magazines and hand-painted them to mimic Bakelite-pattern magazines, adding to the visual appeal of the platform. To upgrade the accuracy potential, John added a Midwest Industries AK optic mount with Picatinny rail and Vortex 1-8x Strike Eagle.
On the Range
Aside from how it looks, what really matters is how it shoots. On the range, the Molot Vepr provides a familiar recoil impulse akin to its .308 counterpart. The rifle features all the familiar and standard AK controls, yet the custom furniture gives it more of a marksman rifle feel. The caliber is capable of much greater distances than the standard 7.62x39mm cartridge.
Shooting exclusively Spam-can surplus ammo, this AK platform performed flawlessly. The trigger is probably one of the lightest AK triggers I have ever shot. The trigger has a very clear wall and break with a short reset. The magazines are skinny and long, due to their single-stack nature, but 7.62x54r is not exactly a cartridge that you typically fire in high volumes.
As a whole, the rifle is a smooth, beefed-up version of the AK. In many ways, it is a mashup of Eastern and Western styles with the familiar manual of arms of the AK but a Western-style scope and mounting system. Easy to control, easy to get quick follow-up shots, and a whole lot of fun, there is little to dislike about the rifle.
While 7.62x54r is not as cheap as it once was, it is still an affordable round. The Molot-Oruzhie Vepr would make a great hunting rifle, as well as a great target training rifle for fans of the AK platform.
Summary
Sadly, with the war in Ukraine and a modern continuation of Cold War fears, Russian-manufactured firearms and ammunition have been banned from import into the United States. While the AK platform has plenty of non-Russian affiliated countries to continue production, there is nothing like the quality of a real Russian-built AK platform.
The restriction of Russian imports puts this rifle in a more collectible category, as there is no clear timeline on a possible lifting of the ban. Regardless of your feelings on platforms, countries of origin, or firearm designs, the most important thing to do is shoot.
Whether it is this AK platform or an AR platform, you are only as good as the time that you spend mastering the craft. So, dry fire, grab some ammo, and hit the range. The Second Amendment is not only a privilege, but a duty. Don’t squander it.
