Feat of the Week: VEPR 12
The Gunsmithing Story
This week’s gunsmithing feat is a fully customized VEPR-12. We’ve been working on a lot of VEPRs lately, but this one definitely takes the cake. We did almost everything possible to this shotgun, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the VEPR-12 and why they are banned from import in the United States, please read our blog here.
This customer, after seeing some of the work we did on our friend’s VEPR, brought his to us too. He wanted it to be one of the coolest ones out there. He gave us creative license to do anything and everything to it—including the Cerakote. There were no limits with this project. Other than his request for a Dissident Arms Handguard and a J-Mac Customs Muzzle Brake, we called all the shots on this custom VEPR-12.
We started by cutting down the barrel from 18 inches to 15 ¾ inches. Then, after threading the barrel, we pin and welded the muzzle device on—bringing the shotgun back to the overall fixed length requirement of 18 inches.
Next, we bobbed the front sight by cutting it off and blending the profile back into the gas block. Because we added an optic to his VEPR, he wouldn’t need the front sight anymore. Plus, a front sight wouldn’t fit the new look we were giving this gun. We also milled down the old iron post sight and welded on a picatinny rail from Dissident Arms.
Then, we tuned the gas system on this VEPR. With a newly shortened barrel, the gun needed a larger gas port in order to function properly. Because the barrel is shorter, the gas is acting on the piston for less space and time. Thus, the gas ports needed to be larger so that more gas can enter in order to allow the gun to cycle.
We also changed out the gas tube, eliminating the upper handguard, and installed the new Dissident Arms handguard—which required us to remove the old handguard retaining ring. Additionally, we replaced the triangle folder stock with an M4 Stock Adapter. This allowed us to put a more comfortable and ergonomic stock on. These accessories fit well with the VEPR’s new aesthetic and streamlined the look of the gun.
To perfect the action and the cycling on this VEPR-12, we dehorned, reprofiled, and polished the bolt and carrier. This service alone was a day’s worth of work. We used a file and sandpaper to take off the sharp edges. While it’s a ton of work, reprofiling the bolt carrier makes the action smoother—a noticeable difference in racking the gun. In addition, it allows the user to shoot less powerful ammo like cheap bird shot (because it enables the gun to require less gas to function).
We also reprofiled the hammer which also enables the gun to cycle with less gas. By rounding out the contact points, eliminating ninety-degree angles, and removing any extra material, we were able to minimize any unnecessary friction and thus improve recoil.
After optimizing every other part of this gun, we also decided to reform the magazine to optimize feeding.
And finally, we did a trigger job to make it crisper and smoother. Before returning it to the customer, we test fired the gun to make sure it was just right. And after making a few more adjustments to the trigger, everything was perfect.
First test fire of the VEPR. Dialed in a few issues before returning to customer.
The Cerakote Story
We decided to do a subtle two-toned gray camo Cerakote job. To make this gun perfect, we designed a custom camo pattern that we are calling Ghost Camo.
But the gray was still missing something. It needed to pop—to be more flashy. So we decided to add red accents. We painted the barrel, controls, screws, and pins red. And finally, upon the customer’s request, we stenciled our logo onto the dust cover.
This custom VEPR-12 was a ton of work—several days of gunsmithing and Cerakote—but it was worth it. We absolutely love any opportunity to work on a VEPR and the customer couldn’t be happier.
Special thanks to 541outdoors for the awesome professional photos!
Next Up
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