Vepr
The Vepr (Russian: Вепрь, meaning "wild boar") is a family of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns manufactured by Molot-Oruzhie Ltd. at the Vyatskie Polyany Machine-Building Plant in Russia, derived from the RPK light machine gun platform and engineered for civilian hunting, sporting, and tactical applications.[1][2] Introduced in the mid-1990s, Vepr firearms feature heavy-duty construction with hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrels and receivers that offer approximately 50% greater reinforcement than conventional AK-pattern rifles, utilizing a long-stroke gas piston system and rotating bolt for reliable operation under demanding conditions.[2][3][4]
Rifle variants are chambered in calibers including 7.62x39mm, .308 Winchester, 7.62x54mmR, and 6.5 Grendel, while the Vepr-12 shotgun uses 12-gauge shells, all configured as semi-automatic with fixed or folding stocks to comply with sporting firearm regulations.[1][2]
These weapons earned a reputation for durability and accuracy among shooters, particularly in the U.S. market where they were imported until 2017, when sanctions associating Molot with Kalashnikov Concern and the company's subsequent bankruptcy halted production and imports, elevating pre-ban models to collectible status due to their limited availability.[1]