@@petercheesely4728 lol I don't even drink. I just bought them because I wanted to be like Kennedy when he bought 1000's Cuban cigars the day before he blocked all trade with Cuba. I would shoot the russian stuff before the war because it was cheapest but now I'm going to save it cause you simply cannot get it any more:/
@@MasterKeyMagic RAS and Tula get the job done, but they are still pretty low quality, especially RAS. KUSA, PSA, and a factory in Kyrgyzstan are making new ammo that is of a higher quality. The only reason I would sit on it is if you want to put 5 in a ziplock back and sell if at gun shows as a collectable because it's "rare banned ammo"
@@MasterKeyMagic Rotfl 🤣 I can totally get behind your thinking 👍 If you ever write a book be sure to buy enough copies to make the best sellers list just like the Kennedy’s did too!
@@misha5670 not for a subject change, but I wonder if Zastava ever produced an RPK variant. The YPA didn't get the PKM until about 1984. In fact, I don't really know what they used for a squad weapon or automatic rifle, up to that point.
As always thank you Misha for another great video. I have 3 Vepr's 2 in 7.62 and 1 in 223 / 556 which I got from you! And I am forever grateful for. Thinking back I should have asked you to sign it for me:).
dayum aren't these selling for 8k? You have the best collection and information. It would be cool having a website totally dedicated to civilian arms, their design, manufacturing, and their import history... Best of luck to ya!
In ‘02 I acquired a Robinson Arms VEPR K in 7.62x39. The VEPR is easily the most robust and over built Kalashnikov variant to ever grace our shores. Those RPK-74M’s are the cat’s meow! 👍🏻
I was lucky to be able to pick one of these up a few months ago earlier this year. One fun quirk seems to be that the buttstock doesn't fold flat against the receiver, which is not what I'm used to. Just top Russian quality I guess. I currently have a bunch of Barnaul stored away, but I'm hopeful that the factory in the former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan- which recently began manufacturing 7.62x39mm for Best Value Ammunition- starts producing 5.45mm for the US market too
Has anyone tried the 7.62 coming in from Kyrgyzstan? I was wondering if it is corrosive, the place I saw it for sale said it should be treated as corrosive.
@@SW-ii5gg At this point BVA (the only importer for now, I think) has started marketing it as corrosive primed. Although I do not think they have been able to confirm everything imported is corrosive primed, or if it's just for example 5% of all boxes mixed in with noncorrosive primed cartridges. Until otherwise demonstrated I would agree it should be treated as corrosive. Otherwise, performance should be at least as good as ammo from Barnaul, Vympel, Circle 10
Really nice gun. The RPK is the one gun that can double as a light machine gun and as DMR with a scope attached. I'm hoping Zastava imports a M72 one day while not a true RPK it would still be really cool to get one.
I was able to snag a FM RPK47-33 off Gunbroker for 4k the reason I went with the 7.62x39 is because I like both calibers equally and it was 1k less at least at the time. Still haven't shot it and probably never will.
Having to do a bit of recycling lately since not a ton of new-new guns to talk about. That said, i am working on a few neat surprises for everyone later this month.
Great video as always Misha! Question for you. If one has the opportunity to pick one up today which one would you recommend between VEPR RPK74 vs. RPK47. Also considering collectability of these rifles. Would love to hear your take. Thanks
Pickup whichever one would make you most happy. Personally, i have always wanted an RPK74/RPK74M type since so few are in the USA, but there is an ammo limitation there. A 7.62x39 would be easier to feed and still neat, but also perhaps not quite as rare or unique? It really is personal choice.
Fourtyfive rounders?!? I want that on my rifle! I'd like a hopper for my Vepr12 where my... "assistant"... can dump boxes of ammo into it so I don't have to waste my time reloading magazines. 😂
Thanks to a lot of horse-trading, i got into this one for right around $1,500. I did have to sell my VEPR-1V though. I didn't exactly want to but had to make the call, 5.56 or 5.45? Couldn't keep both unfortunately/
Good afternoon Misha, thank you always for your great videos. If I could buy this RPK for $5,000 in 5.45 or in 7.62 NIB, would that be a good deal or is it too high? Coming from a guy who bought 7n6 at 11 cpr and an sgl31 for $800. Thank you very much
Misha, i was able to see one of these at smoky mountain knife works and they have had it for quite some time. Is 8k a realistic number as to what these are going for ? Are they that rare ?
Not realistic to me personally. No one knows how many were made as FIME keeps that kind of info very private, but it was at least several dozen, perhaps a couple hundred even?
Just today i was googling pics of this rifle, dreaming of owning one of these...... Mishaco: "The Final Russian Rifle Import Ever" video Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
@@donsal.t.1765 Honestly i think US companies have been burned so many times trying to import guns from Russia, that very few will be willing to take the financial risk in the future. This plus the Russian gov't would have to do a complete 180 turn, and this assuming the US gov't doesn't tighten import restrictions in the future too.
@@misha5670 ohhhhh ok makes sense now. Sigh yeahh they will become even more scarce and rare but that will hopefully hurt them and force them to play nice like never before.
@@MW-qr9hk large volume of fire at a distance is always advantageous. And if it takes the same ammo as your other ak’s or ar’s and you have a ton of it then there would be a point
The day the war started, i dropped $200 on Russian vodka, $150 on Red Army Special and Tula 7.62x39mm. I wish i had bought more
I always preferred Swedish vodka and Ciroc, RAS and Tula is great stuff though no arguments there..
@@petercheesely4728 lol I don't even drink. I just bought them because I wanted to be like Kennedy when he bought 1000's Cuban cigars the day before he blocked all trade with Cuba.
I would shoot the russian stuff before the war because it was cheapest but now I'm going to save it cause you simply cannot get it any more:/
@@MasterKeyMagic RAS and Tula get the job done, but they are still pretty low quality, especially RAS. KUSA, PSA, and a factory in Kyrgyzstan are making new ammo that is of a higher quality. The only reason I would sit on it is if you want to put 5 in a ziplock back and sell if at gun shows as a collectable because it's "rare banned ammo"
@@MasterKeyMagic Rotfl 🤣 I can totally get behind your thinking 👍 If you ever write a book be sure to buy enough copies to make the best sellers list just like the Kennedy’s did too!
I recall preferring Ukrainian Stolichnaya to the Russian import.
I must say, Zastava has certainly benefited from Russia's subsequent inaccessibility.
As well as WBP
@@misha5670 hopefully more and more countries/companies will start producing for the American market
@@misha5670 not for a subject change, but I wonder if Zastava ever produced an RPK variant. The YPA didn't get the PKM until about 1984.
In fact, I don't really know what they used for a squad weapon or automatic rifle, up to that point.
@@O8V2a1 M72
Now! If only they'll bring it back..
As always thank you Misha for another great video. I have 3 Vepr's 2 in 7.62 and 1 in 223 / 556 which I got from you! And I am forever grateful for. Thinking back I should have asked you to sign it for me:).
Thank you much for everything, cheers
Give me his site so I can buy from him
dayum aren't these selling for 8k? You have the best collection and information. It would be cool having a website totally dedicated to civilian arms, their design, manufacturing, and their import history... Best of luck to ya!
Mine sure isn't hehe. Its not going anywhere for at least a couple decades.
In ‘02 I acquired a Robinson Arms VEPR K in 7.62x39. The VEPR is easily the most robust and over built Kalashnikov variant to ever grace our shores. Those RPK-74M’s are the cat’s meow! 👍🏻
I was lucky to be able to pick one of these up a few months ago earlier this year. One fun quirk seems to be that the buttstock doesn't fold flat against the receiver, which is not what I'm used to. Just top Russian quality I guess. I currently have a bunch of Barnaul stored away, but I'm hopeful that the factory in the former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan- which recently began manufacturing 7.62x39mm for Best Value Ammunition- starts producing 5.45mm for the US market too
Another oddity is with the gas block, or rather under it.
@@misha5670 Yeah the milled-off cleaning rod ring is an "interesting" choice
Has anyone tried the 7.62 coming in from Kyrgyzstan? I was wondering if it is corrosive, the place I saw it for sale said it should be treated as corrosive.
@@SW-ii5gg At this point BVA (the only importer for now, I think) has started marketing it as corrosive primed. Although I do not think they have been able to confirm everything imported is corrosive primed, or if it's just for example 5% of all boxes mixed in with noncorrosive primed cartridges. Until otherwise demonstrated I would agree it should be treated as corrosive. Otherwise, performance should be at least as good as ammo from Barnaul, Vympel, Circle 10
I bought mine just before the ban, it is hands down my favorite rifle! I have the 47 version of this rifle. Great investment!
Same here, I got three of the folders 762x39, 5.45x39 and 308. Fantastic rifles
Really nice gun. The RPK is the one gun that can double as a light machine gun and as DMR with a scope attached. I'm hoping Zastava imports a M72 one day while not a true RPK it would still be really cool to get one.
Agreed, I'd be all over a ZPAP M72.
I Love My VEPR FM-47 AKM, My Best AK I own..👍👌🏼
I was able to snag a FM RPK47-33 off Gunbroker for 4k the reason I went with the 7.62x39 is because I like both calibers equally and it was 1k less at least at the time. Still haven't shot it and probably never will.
You should shoot it, at least once a year. They are fun and hey, how can you 100% know if a gun functions properly until you fire it yourself? hehe
I love my 545 stuff
The look of those 45 round Molot mags are bad ass I wish Molot had made that style for 7.62 30 or 40 rounders.
They did have a modernized mag for the RPKM/RPK203, but yeah was a bit different.
@@misha5670 cool 👍🏻 I’ll have too keep an eye out for one of those
I just picked one of these up December 2022 and I paid $8200 but hey I’m not getting rid of it anytime soon and I’m sure it will on go up in price 😅
Seen one of these for sale a few weeks ago for $5000.00!
That was basically the retail price on these when K-Var did release some....2-3 years ago.
Glad i got 2 veprs in 2018. my best panic buys ever lol
What did they run, if you don't mind?
@@rdh5961 vepr 12 was $700. And my FM-01 was $900
Still think the aes 10b is the best bag for the money gotta have a handle on it to be my top pick.
Did a video dedicated to the AES10B back in January.
@@notgoingtousemyname6921 Really 6k vs 2k please.
@@ts440s I meant aes is a better deal for the money but Molot is a better rifle.
@@notgoingtousemyname6921 Now it makes sense, true i wish I would've could've should've bought 😫 one years ago.
Wonder if that's the same Robinson Arms that did the E German 545 bake mag followers to except 556 that century arms imported for the SAR 3 🤔
Argh, so niiice...
NEEDS!!!!
If you didn’t snag Russian items up a long time ago there’s no hope so give up
ya ! new misha VID
Having to do a bit of recycling lately since not a ton of new-new guns to talk about. That said, i am working on a few neat surprises for everyone later this month.
Great video as always Misha!
Question for you. If one has the opportunity to pick one up today which one would you recommend between VEPR RPK74 vs. RPK47. Also considering collectability of these rifles. Would love to hear your take.
Thanks
Pickup whichever one would make you most happy. Personally, i have always wanted an RPK74/RPK74M type since so few are in the USA, but there is an ammo limitation there. A 7.62x39 would be easier to feed and still neat, but also perhaps not quite as rare or unique? It really is personal choice.
Fourtyfive rounders?!? I want that on my rifle!
I'd like a hopper for my Vepr12 where my... "assistant"... can dump boxes of ammo into it so I don't have to waste my time reloading magazines. 😂
Super greatful I have 2 vepr1vs in 556/223
Would love a molot rpk in 545
Very Very good from lraq
❤️
When I finally win the lottery that will be the first gun I buy.
Thanks to a lot of horse-trading, i got into this one for right around $1,500. I did have to sell my VEPR-1V though. I didn't exactly want to but had to make the call, 5.56 or 5.45? Couldn't keep both unfortunately/
Awesome 😮😲😮😀
I wonder what they would have cost if the ban didnt take place? Super cool rifle imo.
$1,995.95 was the original concept price before everything. That includes before inflation & the weakening of the USD$.
@@misha5670 Oh what could have been. For that price I would have been all over that deal.
@@mattmorrison9379Just remember, back then, the fixed stock, 16" barrel FM-47 (74) was retailing at $999.95.
Last unless we see regime change*
Many, many things would have to change and happen before we might see new Russian firearms in the USA again. Sad, very sad.
Good afternoon Misha, thank you always for your great videos. If I could buy this RPK for $5,000 in 5.45 or in 7.62 NIB, would that be a good deal or is it too high? Coming from a guy who bought 7n6 at 11 cpr and an sgl31 for $800. Thank you very much
If you have the cash, it will only ever go higher. There will never be Russian imports again. I say get it.
Misha, i was able to see one of these at smoky mountain knife works and they have had it for quite some time. Is 8k a realistic number as to what these are going for ? Are they that rare ?
Fuck 8k
Not realistic to me personally. No one knows how many were made as FIME keeps that kind of info very private, but it was at least several dozen, perhaps a couple hundred even?
Did you forget to add in footage on the 7.62 NATO version or was that a teaser attempt at humor?
Turns out I wasn't wearing pants in that footage. Sad, very sad but good AC that day.
@@misha5670 🤣🤣🤣...did you post it on your Onlyfans?
Just today i was googling pics of this rifle, dreaming of owning one of these......
Mishaco: "The Final Russian Rifle Import Ever" video
Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
I keep wondering what that would look like with a chopped down 12.5" barrel an a gas block combo an a Bulgarian flash hider 👹
so you have a rifle you can't shoot, lack of ammo??
More lack of time that day. Took the SGL31 out instead. Next time might bring the VEPR but onl y so many hours in the day.
molot>saiga
Probably most would say so. Only real downsides to Molot over Izhmash were weight and cost.
Glad I still have my vepr 54r still... she thumps
Never say ever😏
Sticking by 'ever'. Time will tell if my prediction is correct or not.
@@misha5670 *nod*
@@donsal.t.1765 Honestly i think US companies have been burned so many times trying to import guns from Russia, that very few will be willing to take the financial risk in the future. This plus the Russian gov't would have to do a complete 180 turn, and this assuming the US gov't doesn't tighten import restrictions in the future too.
@@misha5670 ohhhhh ok makes sense now. Sigh yeahh they will become even more scarce and rare but that will hopefully hurt them and force them to play nice like never before.
Is that for sale?
Would you get rid of it if you were me? hehe
Going to do a black box on Biden's newest bans?
Hey hey, don't diss Uli, lol.
I'm sure it will all come up. I did post that video last week talking/warning about possible new restrictions for imports too.
Meh what’s the point in a heavy 5.45 gun? I
Then what would be the point in a heavy 5.56 or 7.62x39 gun?
@@RosaParksWasWyt there definitely isn’t,specially when it’s in semi auto there is no point
It gives me the tingles
@@MW-qr9hk large volume of fire at a distance is always advantageous. And if it takes the same ammo as your other ak’s or ar’s and you have a ton of it then there would be a point
@@RosaParksWasWyt sure carry two guns and one a copy of a light machine gun only in semi auto real advantageous lol