Description
The FIME VEPR 12 Ga Semi-Auto Shotgun, 5rd, Folding Stock, 19″ Barrel, 3″ Chamber is a robust, Russian-origin combat shotgun built on a heavy RPK-style receiver. It’s designed for reliable, high-volume fire with a long-stroke gas piston system and a side-folding polymer stock, making it a formidable tool for tactical applications and serious home defense where immediate, decisive firepower is required.
Key Features
- RPK-Style Receiver: Built on a heavy, milled receiver derived from the RPK light machine gun for exceptional durability and reduced felt recoil.
- Long-Stroke Gas Piston: Proven Kalashnikov-style operating system ensures reliable cycling with a wide range of 12-gauge loads, from light target to 3″ magnum shells.
- Side-Folding Polymer Stock: Provides compact storage and transport without sacrificing a solid cheek weld and shoulder placement when deployed.
- Adjustable Gas System: Two-position regulator allows you to tune the action for heavy or light loads, enhancing reliability and shooter comfort.
- Integrated Picatinny Rail: Top-mounted rail is ready for optics, red dots, or ghost ring sights, offering immediate customization. This platform is a known host for optics like the Aimpoint Micro series.
- Last Round Bolt Hold-Open: The bolt locks back on an empty magazine, signaling the need to reload and allowing for faster magazine changes.
Specifications & Details
| Gauge: | 12 Gauge |
| Chamber: | 3″ |
| Barrel Length: | 19″ |
| Overall Length (Stock Folded): | Approx. 28.5″ |
| Magazine Capacity: | 5 Rounds (Detachable Box Mag) |
| Operating System: | Long-Stroke Gas Piston |
| Stock: | Side-Folding Polymer |
Weighing in at roughly 9.5 pounds unloaded, the VEPR 12’s mass is a feature, not a bug—it soaks up recoil, making follow-up shots faster and more controlled. The 19″ barrel provides a good balance between maneuverability in tight spaces and necessary velocity for defensive loads. Its 3″ chamber handles everything from low-recoil buckshot to powerful slugs, giving you versatility in ammunition choice. At $1065.57, it represents a significant investment in a duty-grade firearm that’s built to last.
Who This Shotgun Is For
This is not a field gun for chasing pheasants. The VEPR 12 is for the shooter who needs a defensive tool that prioritizes absolute reliability under stress. It’s for the home defender who understands that when it comes to home defense, a semi-auto shotgun offers a decisive advantage in capacity and speed. It’s for the tactical enthusiast who appreciates rugged, overbuilt engineering and the practicality of a folding stock for vehicle or safe storage. It also serves as a formidable platform for 3-gun competition in the heavy metal division.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Legendary Kalashnikov reliability in a shotgun format. The adjustable gas system and robust build eat any ammunition you feed it. The folding stock is a huge benefit for storage. The optics rail is drop-in ready for your preferred sighting system. It’s a simple, brutal, effective tool.
Cons: That said, it’s heavy. The proprietary magazines, while robust, are an additional expense compared to tube-fed systems. The manual safety, while positive, is not ambidextrous. Its aesthetic is purely functional—this is a working firearm, not a showpiece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are additional magazines available, and are they expensive?
A: Yes, proprietary steel 5, 8, and 10-round magazines are available from several manufacturers, including SGM Tactical. They are an investment, typically ranging from $40 to $60 each, but they are built to the same durable standard as the shotgun itself.
Q: Can the folding stock be replaced with an AR-style buffer tube adapter?
A: Yes, aftermarket adapters exist that allow you to mount standard AR-15 stocks and pistol grips, offering greater customization for length of pull and grip angle. Installation usually requires some mechanical aptitude.
Q: How does it handle low-power ammunition?
A: With the gas regulator set to the appropriate setting (typically marked for light loads), the VEPR 12 reliably cycles standard 2 3/4″ target loads and low-recoil buckshot. This tunability is a key advantage over many fixed-gas system shotguns.
Ready to add this benchmark of reliability to your collection? The FIME VEPR 12 is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide. An FFL transfer is required for firearm purchases, and our team can guide you through the straightforward process.
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