Mag Conversion for VEPR

Can anyone post how to convert 20 round M14 or Saiga mags to fit a .308 VEPR. NOT the gun conversion just the mag.


I KNOW SOMEONE OUT THERE KNOWS!!! :D

The 308 Saiga magazines are completely different. The 308 Galil magazines are closest and they are based on M-14 magazines.

ok, any further info??? :small_gri

I have some that are converted. However, I didnt do them. I could send detailed pics though. By the way, mine are M14 mags. Im not sure the Saigas would even work.......

The Saiga magazine can not work in the Vepr. The Saiga magazine is single feed. As in on center. The Vepr magazine feeds from left and right sides like a Galil magazine which is based on the M-14 magazine. The Vepr magazine front tab is smaller than the Galil magazine. A lot of fitting is required. Tabs can be added to M-14 magazine. Still a lot of work to get right. The Yugo M-90 copies from made from USA Magazines M-14 magazine should be able to be fitted. The rarer Valmet magazines are based on G-3 magazines and really aren't a good fit. Krebs was doing the M-14 magazine conversions are one time.

I have some that are converted. However, I didnt do them. I could send detailed pics though. By the way, mine are M14 mags. Im not sure the Saigas would even work.......

Please, thats a start at least.

I am in the process of converting M-14 mags for my VEPR. Not too difficult to do. I have been silver soldering a lug to the front of the magazine with minor file to fit work to make it right. The rear catch I cut the existing lug shorter to match the catch mechanism... I also silver solder a small riser to this to insure full engagement... The silver solder is easier to do than welding and does not need as much heat and is very effective if done right.

I also bought some FAL mags to try, but they require modifications to the gun which I do not want to do. The M-14 mags do not require gun mods.

The biggest problem I have is with proper loading of the rounds into the mags. The 25 round mags I started with would not load properly even before the VEPR modifications. I spent a lot of time reworking the lips, follower and housing to get them to cycle in the gun with dummy rounds. I now have some different M-14 mags to try and they load much better than the first ones I tried.
MrE

bump ... still looking for some assistance on this.

Hey guys,
have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWj_W0LRJ3g They have a 20rd drums... Wow!

Hello All,
MrEracer would have any pics you could share on how you modified those M14 mags to work in your vepr? I am very interested in how you did the modifications becuase I would like to have more for my own vepr.
Thanks.

I can take some pic's of my mag's... I have improved my process since I last posted. I do not know how to post pic's so I either need your email or someone to host them here...
MrE

The Saiga magazine can not work in the Vepr. The Saiga magazine is single feed. As in on center. The Vepr magazine feeds from left and right sides like a Galil magazine which is based on the M-14 magazine. The Vepr magazine front tab is smaller than the Galil magazine. A lot of fitting is required. Tabs can be added to M-14 magazine. Still a lot of work to get right. The Yugo M-90 copies from made from USA Magazines M-14 magazine should be able to be fitted. The rarer Valmet magazines are based on G-3 magazines and really aren't a good fit. Krebs was doing the M-14 magazine conversions are one time.

I don,t see why that would make a difference. I converted my Vepr to take saiga mags and it feeds better than factory. The factory setup dinged the tip of every bullet. With Saiga mags the round feeds directly into the chamber with out dinging the tip of the round. I cant figure out how to post pics. or I would!!!

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?showtopic=37541

Galil mags will work with some mods. I emailed Krebs about the M14 mag well conversion and they emailed back that he didn't do it anymore because it weakened the trunion.

7.62

I do not see how the m14 magizine would have any effect on the trunion... I have converted eight 20 round M14 magazines for my VEPR and the only modification to the gun was to polish a rivit head and the edges of the receiver for a few thousanths of clearance where they contacted forward part of the magazine.. The factory VERP mags still work perfectly.
MrE

red jacket firearms still does it (the conversion). look them up on the web.

The Krebs mod takes unmodified M-14 magazines.

Molot-produced VEPR receivers are based on RPK receivers. The receiver is 60 thousandths thick, and there are reinforcements on both sides of the front trunion.

Regular Izhmash-produced Saigas (7.62x39, .223) are based on AK-74 receivers. The receiver is 40 thousandths thick, and there are no reinforcements on the front trunion.

Izhmash-produced .308 Saigas "split the difference". The receiver is 50 thousandths thick, and there is one reinforcement on the front trunion.

Unfortunately, Saiga rifles in .308 do not lend themselves to magazine conversions. VEPR rifles have the magazine well extended to the rear. With Saiga rifles in .308, the mag well has been extended forward so there's no room to install a feed ramp. The Saiga .308 mags have the feed ramp on the magazines. Thus, conversion is infeasible.

Brian
Krebs Custom

I think the 308 Saiga has the thinner 0.040" receiver, not 0.050".

Modify .308 Galil magazines to fit your VEPR instead of altering your VEPR to fit different magazines....

7.62

I wish I knew how to modify the Galil mags. sigh........ I tinkered around on the net to see if I could find a walk-through or something. No luck yet.

The Saiga magazine can not work in the Vepr. The Saiga magazine is single feed. As in on center. The Vepr magazine feeds from left and right sides like a Galil magazine which is based on the M-14 magazine. The Vepr magazine front tab is smaller than the Galil magazine. A lot of fitting is required. Tabs can be added to M-14 magazine. Still a lot of work to get right. The Yugo M-90 copies from made from USA Magazines M-14 magazine should be able to be fitted. The rarer Valmet magazines are based on G-3 magazines and really aren't a good fit. Krebs was doing the M-14 magazine conversions are one time.

I don,t see why that would make a difference. I converted my Vepr to take saiga mags and it feeds better than factory. The factory setup dinged the tip of every bullet. With Saiga mags the round feeds directly into the chamber with out dinging the tip of the round. I cant figure out how to post pics. or I would!!!

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?showtopic=37541

Figured I'd throw this warning out there for folks want to convert their 308 VEPR to Saiga mags -- Grind down the follower of the Surefire mags to eliminate the stupid Bolt Hold Open. If you try to pull the mag while the bolt is on the follower, It will rip off the feed ramp (front of the mag) and the front catch. Ask me how I know. :cry_small It seems that the relief for the Saiga trunion allows the mag to ride up in front when removing it. This puts the front lip and catch in line with closing bolt. If you take a dremmel to the follower and curve it so the bolt doesn't catch on it your good to go. FBMG mags may be the way to go since I don't think they have this feature built into their followers. We will now find out if JB weld can hold this thing together or not. :uhoh_smal

I have a few 20 round capasity, M14 mags converted for VEPR for sale. Very minor polishing inside the magwell required. $100 ea. Includes shipping. Email if interested <mreracer@tabletoptelephone.com>
Shirl