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Page AK-47 » Russian
AK Sponsor: palmetto
Posted: 4/16/2014 1:59:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: KL1CK]
I have recently acquired a VEPR in .223 with integrated sights, and I am wondering, could I convert this to a standard AKM rear sight, assuming I am able to open up the sight block to match the current barrel diameter, and get a standard length gas tube?

Thanks for any insight




Link Posted: 4/16/2014 5:31:20 PM EDT
[Last Edit: hodgescl] [#1]
You will probably need to replace the rear sight block all together because of the springs and such for the current gas tube retainer. you may be able to get a regular sight in there if you are a mill or dremmil wizard, but I don't know how it will be calibrated and i doubt you will be able to use a regular gas tube. you may need an rpk sight block if you go the replacement rout.
Link Posted: 4/17/2014 11:25:51 PM EDT
[#2]
well looks like I'm about to find out........ I'll take lots of pictures
Link Posted: 4/18/2014 1:10:32 AM EDT
[#3]
My advice is not to.  If you want a standard rear sight, buy the standard rear sight model.
Assuming that you are not a competent gunsmith who can at least perform step 2, you will have to pay someone for all the following:
1)RPK-74 rear sight block, rear sight, and RPK-74 handguard retainer from K-Var -- total cost around $150 shipped.  Also RPK handguard and gas tube/upper guard -- total cost around $75-100.
2)Press off both the integrated FSB and RSB,  Make retainer and pin cuts in barrel.  Install new FSB and RSB.  Cost guesstimate -- $250.
Minimum cost to do this: $475-500, which makes no finiancial sense at all.  It barely makes sense if you could do all the work yourself for zero cost and just had to buy parts.
Don't try to make the rifle something it isn't.  Just keep your eyes open for a standard sight model.
Link Posted: 4/18/2014 12:23:46 PM EDT
[#4]
I see your point,  but the trouble is....I'm not into this soo much that additional money to convert it would be a deterrent..... It is a square back.....and I have not been able to find a sqareback with traditional sights in months, and all the integrated sight models are $900ish
Link Posted: 4/18/2014 1:15:09 PM EDT
[#5]
Converting will cost you. But if that is what you want go for it.  I would zero your irons and get a side mount and run the optic of your choice.
Link Posted: 4/18/2014 1:45:15 PM EDT
[#6]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By avatarhammer:
Converting will cost you. But if that is what you want go for it.  I would zero your irons and get a side mount and run the optic of your choice.
View Quote


This, get a nice optic on it and use the irons as back ups.  For the price of converting you could get yourself a nice AimPoint red dot.  Also, if you were to convert the sights, it's not going to really increase the value of the rifle if you were to ever sell it.
Link Posted: 4/19/2014 7:43:36 AM EDT
[#7]
Ill echo what everyone else said, but at the same time I wish these came with standard rear sights.
If you can afford to do it not half assed, go for it. It could be sweet. If your just going to grind away with a dremmil then I'd say get a scope.
Link Posted: 4/19/2014 12:05:27 PM EDT
[#8]
I agree that it would be a travesty to ruin a sweet rifle with dremmel work. I do have access to a lathe and mill ......and probably too much time on my hands but we'll see what happens
Link Posted: 4/20/2014 11:52:38 PM EDT
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By KL1CK:
I see your point,  but the trouble is....I'm not into this soo much that additional money to convert it would be a deterrent..... It is a square back.....and I have not been able to find a sqareback with traditional sights in months, and all the integrated sight models are $900ish
View Quote

This is what you need right here:
http://www.mach1arsenal.com/index.php/products/rifles/vepr-308-caliber-23-barrel-71.html
23" Standard sight model $699.
If you absolutely had to have the standard handguard retainer, you would probably be money ahead to buy this one, have the front sight and gas block pressed off, the barrel cut and drilled and retainer installed, the barrel shortened (to 18 or 20") and the gas block & front sight re-installed.  Ask a reputable smith for a quote.
Integrated Vepr 20" -- $600 + 500 in parts&labor = $1100
Standard Vepr 23" -- $700 + $200-300 in parts&labor = $900-1000
Link Posted: 4/21/2014 1:50:17 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Capta:

This is what you need right here:
http://www.mach1arsenal.com/index.php/products/rifles/vepr-308-caliber-23-barrel-71.html
23" Standard sight model $699.
If you absolutely had to have the standard handguard retainer, you would probably be money ahead to buy this one, have the front sight and gas block pressed off, the barrel cut and drilled and retainer installed, the barrel shortened (to 18 or 20") and the gas block & front sight re-installed.  Ask a reputable smith for a quote.
Integrated Vepr 20" -- $600 + 500 in parts&labor = $1100
Standard Vepr 23" -- $700 + $200-300 in parts&labor = $900-1000
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Capta:
Originally Posted By KL1CK:
I see your point,  but the trouble is....I'm not into this soo much that additional money to convert it would be a deterrent..... It is a square back.....and I have not been able to find a sqareback with traditional sights in months, and all the integrated sight models are $900ish

This is what you need right here:
http://www.mach1arsenal.com/index.php/products/rifles/vepr-308-caliber-23-barrel-71.html
23" Standard sight model $699.
If you absolutely had to have the standard handguard retainer, you would probably be money ahead to buy this one, have the front sight and gas block pressed off, the barrel cut and drilled and retainer installed, the barrel shortened (to 18 or 20") and the gas block & front sight re-installed.  Ask a reputable smith for a quote.
Integrated Vepr 20" -- $600 + 500 in parts&labor = $1100
Standard Vepr 23" -- $700 + $200-300 in parts&labor = $900-1000



But that is a 308, the OP has a .223.  Quite different beast's really.  I was lucky enough to get a 20" 308 standard sight squareback a few weeks ago from Mach1, must have been one of the last 20" models left.  I doubt he is going to find a squareback .223 standard sight in stock new anywhere anymore.   The Squareback Veprs are finally starting to dry up, it wont be long before people selling used ones start asking more than they paid new.
Link Posted: 4/21/2014 2:50:30 PM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Halfchrome:



But that is a 308, the OP has a .223.  Quite different beast's really.  I was lucky enough to get a 20" 308 standard sight squareback a few weeks ago from Mach1, must have been one of the last 20" models left.  I doubt he is going to find a squareback .223 standard sight in stock new anywhere anymore.   The Squareback Veprs are finally starting to dry up, it wont be long before people selling used ones start asking more than they paid new.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Halfchrome:
Originally Posted By Capta:
Originally Posted By KL1CK:
I see your point,  but the trouble is....I'm not into this soo much that additional money to convert it would be a deterrent..... It is a square back.....and I have not been able to find a sqareback with traditional sights in months, and all the integrated sight models are $900ish

This is what you need right here:
http://www.mach1arsenal.com/index.php/products/rifles/vepr-308-caliber-23-barrel-71.html
23" Standard sight model $699.
If you absolutely had to have the standard handguard retainer, you would probably be money ahead to buy this one, have the front sight and gas block pressed off, the barrel cut and drilled and retainer installed, the barrel shortened (to 18 or 20") and the gas block & front sight re-installed.  Ask a reputable smith for a quote.
Integrated Vepr 20" -- $600 + 500 in parts&labor = $1100
Standard Vepr 23" -- $700 + $200-300 in parts&labor = $900-1000



But that is a 308, the OP has a .223.  Quite different beast's really.  I was lucky enough to get a 20" 308 standard sight squareback a few weeks ago from Mach1, must have been one of the last 20" models left.  I doubt he is going to find a squareback .223 standard sight in stock new anywhere anymore.   The Squareback Veprs are finally starting to dry up, it wont be long before people selling used ones start asking more than they paid new.

You are correct -- I didn't note that he was asking for a .223.  None left at Centerfire or Atlantic, and I don't know of another source.
Link Posted: 7/15/2014 4:12:52 PM EDT
[#12]
I finally had some time after getting all the parts together ....more pics and a full write up to come.....
Link Posted: 7/16/2014 8:54:12 AM EDT
[#13]
nice, looking forward to the write up.
Link Posted: 7/16/2014 4:34:46 PM EDT
[#14]
Sweet!! OP Fo'ed! Keep us updated OP! You just gave me an idea OP.
Link Posted: 8/31/2014 4:45:02 PM EDT
[Last Edit: KL1CK] [#15]
I have been working on this VEPR project for 4-5 months …. It began life as a VEPR II in .223

The problem was, VEPR II rear sights suck…..so , I decided to replace the rear sight with a standard AK pattern sight block. As I quickly learned (thanks to input on here) The barrel diameter is much too thick to use a standard sight base.  
I called Apex and they were kind enough to measure the ID of the  Romanian RPK rear sight blocks they carry.

When the sight block arrived I stripped the rifle down , and pressed off the FSB, hand guard retainer, and rear sight block.


The barrel diameter is thicker under the rear sight, but the problem is, The VEPR II sight base is shorter than a RPK, and as such the RPK base would not work as is ……
After some trial and error, I decided to machine a collar to fit between the base and barrel, some hand fitting was also required.  I decided to split the collar in order to avoid pressing the collar down the entire length of the barrel.



The RPK sight base uses the same pin hole as the original VEPR sight, however I chose to use a tapered reamer to install a tapered pin. With the collar pressed in the sight is rock solid.

Once the hard part was done, I moved on to the gas tube.  I had an extra Saiga tube lying around and all it took was a little bit of filing to make it work.    
The hand guard retainer and front sight were reinstalled in their original locations.

I have also installed a Chaos rear rail over the top cover. …..Again some hand fitting required due to the RPK’s thicker sight block.


Out back I installed the Rifle Dynamics AK-M4 adapter( you guessed it, minor fitting)  


I almost talked myself out of doing any of this, when the ban was announced, but I’m ecstatic with the way it turned out.
Link Posted: 8/31/2014 9:44:17 PM EDT
[#16]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By KL1CK:
I have been working on this VEPR project for 4-5 months …. It began life as a VEPR II in .223

The problem was, VEPR II rear sights suck…..so , I decided to replace the rear sight with a standard AK pattern sight block. As I quickly learned (thanks to input on here) The barrel diameter is much too thick to use a standard sight base.  
I called Apex and they were kind enough to measure the ID of the  Romanian RPK rear sight blocks they carry.

When the sight block arrived I stripped the rifle down , and pressed off the FSB, hand guard retainer, and rear sight block.
<a href="http://s871.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Peterson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0871_zpssgnkadv2.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/Steve_Peterson/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0871_zpssgnkadv2.jpg</a>

The barrel diameter is thicker under the rear sight, but the problem is, The VEPR II sight base is shorter than a RPK, and as such the RPK base would not work as is ……
After some trial and error, I decided to machine a collar to fit between the base and barrel, some hand fitting was also required.  I decided to split the collar in order to avoid pressing the collar down the entire length of the barrel.

<a href="http://s871.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Peterson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/vepr%20project%20002_zpsu8r37naf.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/Steve_Peterson/Mobile%20Uploads/vepr%20project%20002_zpsu8r37naf.jpg</a><a href="http://s871.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Peterson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/vepr%20project%20002_zpsu8r37naf.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/Steve_Peterson/Mobile%20Uploads/vepr%20project%20002_zpsu8r37naf.jpg</a><a href="http://s871.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Peterson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/vepr%20project%20006_zpsdgwssaf1.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/Steve_Peterson/Mobile%20Uploads/vepr%20project%20006_zpsdgwssaf1.jpg</a>

The RPK sight base uses the same pin hole as the original VEPR sight, however I chose to use a tapered reamer to install a tapered pin. With the collar pressed in the sight is rock solid.
<a href="http://s871.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Peterson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/vepr%20project%20007_zpssrvo74cl.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/Steve_Peterson/Mobile%20Uploads/vepr%20project%20007_zpssrvo74cl.jpg</a>
Once the hard part was done, I moved on to the gas tube.  I had an extra Saiga tube lying around and all it took was a little bit of filing to make it work.    
The hand guard retainer and front sight were reinstalled in their original locations.

I have also installed a Chaos rear rail over the top cover. …..Again some hand fitting required due to the RPK’s thicker sight block.
<a href="http://s871.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Peterson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0516_zpsysh5e9v5.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/Steve_Peterson/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0516_zpsysh5e9v5.jpg</a>

Out back I installed the Rifle Dynamics AK-M4 adapter( you guessed it, minor fitting)  
<a href="http://s871.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Peterson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0515_zpskoszlr9f.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/Steve_Peterson/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0515_zpskoszlr9f.jpg</a><a href="http://s871.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Peterson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0523_zps2ga1sstr.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/Steve_Peterson/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0523_zps2ga1sstr.jpg</a>

I almost talked myself out of doing any of this, when the ban was announced, but I’m ecstatic with the way it turned out.
View Quote

It did turn out pretty bad ass sir
Link Posted: 8/31/2014 11:55:31 PM EDT
[#17]
Wow that turned out nice, Im a little jealous OP

Link Posted: 9/3/2014 5:44:27 PM EDT
[#18]
What scope mount is that?
Link Posted: 9/4/2014 3:43:32 PM EDT
[#19]
Chaos
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By chadweasel:
What scope mount is that?
View Quote

Link Posted: 9/4/2014 6:18:00 PM EDT
[#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By KL1CK:
Chaos
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By KL1CK:
Chaos
Originally Posted By chadweasel:
What scope mount is that?



How do you like the Chaos top cover rail so far?
Link Posted: 9/5/2014 6:20:39 PM EDT
[#21]
I haven't had any trouble holding zero....I have fired 2000 rounds.with one  on my 74. And I love it
Link Posted: 9/5/2014 7:32:00 PM EDT
[#22]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By KL1CK:
I haven't had any trouble holding zero....I have fired 2000 rounds.with one  on my 74. And I love it
View Quote


Great to hear, thanks for the info, I have one , not mounted to anything.. but it looks very sturdily built, steel hinge, steel rear locking plate and substantial , rigid body. Cant wait until the MD2 gets in.
Link Posted: 10/3/2014 11:44:01 AM EDT
[#23]
A bit of an update, I was finally able to stretch out to 500 yds,  This abomination of a thing held its own against a .223 AR and a 22-250 bolt gun....I will upload pics ASAP
Link Posted: 11/1/2014 11:15:34 PM EDT
[#24]
Cool
would love to see target pics  
Link Posted: 12/15/2014 6:53:32 PM EDT
[Last Edit: MRW] [#25]
<This is a spam advertisement and not relevant to the thread.  Warning sent--MRW>



nevermind- user banned
 
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