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Posted: 6/19/2010 10:50:53 AM EDT
I know that Ace makes a receiver block for the VEPR K rifle, as follows:
 
That's all well and good. However, this solution requires that the tang be cut off, thus making the new receiver block a permanent fixture. I am not afraid to cut the tang. After all, I did it on my MAK 90 and it worked out fine. However, I am a little nervous of doing it to my VEPR's because they don't make these anymore (especially my beloved KTR), and these things are masterpieces that I want to keep at that status. So before I make a decision on the Ace, I am wondering if there are any other options out there? For a bit I was excited with the VLTOR AK Stock Adapter because it doesn't require the tang to be cut, but then I remembered that the VEPRs have that unique slant-cut rear profile. I don't think the VLTOR will work with it. So..... Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. 
ETA: Apparently, DPH Arms makes this scope mount. Notice that it attaches to the tang and yet there is still a folding stock mechanism. Can anyone identify? 
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| I have been beating the same dead horse for a while as well. I send all my stuff to Will at Red Jacket firearms and he is going to put the Ace block on for me. I was hesitant as first too until he told me that all you have to do is replace the tang by putting on a new RPK trunnion. Basically with a competent gun smith putting on that Ace receiver block is reversible. I have a question for you though, dont you have a Krebs KTR-03V? What caliber is it? |
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Zaphod,
I have a Vepr and I have scoured the net for such a solution and all trails seem to end with ACE. No one appears to have interest in a Vepr. It may be a sweet AK but it is a drop in a bucket compared to the countless standard AKs floating around. Being out of production doesn't help either. The very unique design of the Vepr is also it's Achilles heel. I consider the fact Ace even makes a Vepr adaptor...lucky. The market for this part is slim compared to adaptors for a run of the mill standard AKs. You have an interesting situation. If you were a collector, you would keep it as is. (But it is not like it will ever be some museum piece so I laugh at traditionalist). But you have a KTR, a very awesome Vepr but it is simply a heavily modified Vepr so keeping it in original configuration is moot. It is not going to hurt to modify your "Vepr" more. I think it will bump up it's value and not decrease. Ever since the ban ended, folding and collapsible stocks are all the rage. I say go Ace or keep searching for a holy grail. I do not think anyone will ever make a standard looking AK stock that will be friendly to the slant cut of the Vepr reciever. Too much trouble to produce such a stock for a super small demand. You may have better luck wittling a piece of wood and make you own butt stock to fit. If your skilled, you could pull it off....... That DPH may shine a sliver of hope but you will still be stumped on getting that standard Ak design to fit the Vepr reciever. Perhaps the Ace adaptor and the DPH Arms item could be worked together somehow. It would be nice to have the rail and the Ace stock on a Vepr (like owners of the standard AK can have) but it seems it is either one or the other. I have asked this question before with no answer. |
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Zaphod,
I was just thinking, as I was checking out my Vepr w/ Ace stock. I wonder if the Ace adaptor, itself, could be modified just to allow the rear tang to remain. I assume this adaptor was designed to work with their buttstock and making the rear tang useless and obselete. I doubt they factored in someone wanting to keep the rear tang for an uncommon dog rail. I guess it is to be removed not only to allow the adaptor to fit but to clean up the area (since the rear tang would just be floating above the buttstock serving no purpose. If that could be done, you could have the Ace stock and a dog rail installed on the Vepr. Of course, it may make the rail appear awkward with the protuding rear tang hovering just above the buttstock.I am also unsure if there would be enough clearance between the protuding reat tang and the stock. It may not look clean but it may work. Not sure if this approach is doable. |
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Quoted:
I was hesitant as first too until he told me that all you have to do is replace the tang by putting on a new RPK trunnion. Basically with a competent gun smith putting on that Ace receiver block is reversible. Installing the Ace isn't that big a deal. All you need is a Dremmel with a good cutoff wheel, and it takes 5 minutes. It's good to hear, however, that it COULD be reversed if it was desired. I have a question for you though, dont you have a Krebs KTR-03V? What caliber is it?
Yes. 5.56mm. |
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Quoted:
No one appears to have interest in a Vepr. It may be a sweet AK but it is a drop in a bucket compared to the countless standard AKs floating around. Being out of production doesn't help either. The very unique design of the Vepr is also it's Achilles heel. I consider the fact Ace even makes a Vepr adaptor...lucky. Oh, I hear ya. Hell, I want to grab an Ace block (maybe two) before they change their minds and stop production altogether. Still one hell of an AK, though. 
But you have a KTR, a very awesome Vepr but it is simply a heavily modified Vepr so keeping it in original configuration is moot. It is not going to hurt to modify your "Vepr" more. I think it will bump up it's value and not decrease. Ever since the ban ended, folding and collapsible stocks are all the rage.
Yeah. I'm not looking at this from a collector standpoint, just a "this is a one-way trip" aspect. Frankly, since my goal is to create a Galil SAR clone, adding the Ace is a BIG step toward that direction. Since I have another stock VEPR, I can put the KTR ventilated stock on and still have a good mix. I say go Ace or keep searching for a holy grail. I do not think anyone will ever make a standard looking AK stock that will be friendly to the slant cut of the Vepr reciever.
I'm not looking for a standard stock for either VEPR. One will have the Ace, the other the standard Robarm stock. I'll be happy with that. That DPH may shine a sliver of hope but you will still be stumped on getting that standard Ak design to fit the Vepr reciever. Perhaps the Ace adaptor and the DPH Arms item could be worked together somehow. It would be nice to have the rail and the Ace stock on a Vepr (like owners of the standard AK can have) but it seems it is either one or the other. I have asked this question before with no answer.
Sometimes not being able to mess with a great design too much is a GOOD thing. 
I wonder if the Ace adaptor, itself, could be modified just to allow the rear tang to remain.
I thought about that, too, especially in light of the last picture above. But in reality, it's no big deal. I've done the Ace before, and it looks and works great.
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Quoted:
I really just want to put a collapsible on it, but a collapsible folder wouldnt be bad Well, if a collapsible is your prime target, then you may be able to install that top rail, too, and maybe without TOO much trouble. ETA: Looking at the first photo I posted and at the back end of my VEPRs, I think that the earlier suggested possibility of modifying the Ace receiver block to allow it to fit with the tang still in place may be possible. A little Dremmeling and presto. Granted, it wouldn't look too hot, and you have to figure a way to attach the top rail to the tang without the benefit of the stock material to screw into, but you'd have your top rail. |
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I put a collapsible ar15 style stock on my Vepr using the ace block and instead of cutting the tang I notched the block. The pig nose extension fits right below it just fine (no folding mechanism). When I'm home later I can dig up a picture if that interests you.
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Quoted:
I put a collapsible ar15 style stock on my Vepr using the ace block and instead of cutting the tang I notched the block. The pig nose extension fits right below it just fine (no folding mechanism). When I'm home later I can dig up a picture if that interests you. Please post pics of this! |
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Notching the block was pretty straight forward and I did not feel like disassembling anything so there is no how to or detail here but I can confirm it is easy, works well, and lets you keep the tang.
It is not a beauty contest winner but I needed a shorter length of pull and wanted the ability to go back to factory so it met my needs. Now with the availability of the dog leg I'm glad I did. 
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