Colt LE6920 vs VEPR .308

Ludwig Von Mises · January 30, 2013, 09:37 AM

Hi guys, currently in a small dilemma, just sold a vintage guitar of mine trying to pick up a shoot-it-as-fast-as-i-can-pull-the-trigger long gun, and I have two choices in front of me right now.

1. NIB Vepr .308, never used, perfect condition, 1000 dollars even.

2. Colt (LE)SP6920 - new in box, 1100 dollars.

Now I'm well aware of the trade offs cartridgewise, having owned weapons in both calibers. I was looking for something more along the lines of specific experiences with either weapon, good or bad.

I am leaning heavily towards the Colt, simply for the fact that it is being offered at a reasonable pre-Feinstein price.

But .308 has its high points too.

What do you guys think? Discuss...

Eppie · January 30, 2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

shoot-it-as-fast-as-i-can-pull-the-trigger long gun

If that is your objective the .308 is not a choice. The recoil makes it nearly impossible to do the rapid fire you desire.

The reason the military went to a .223 was because the m-14 (a .308 rifle)was impractical to use in automatic mode. We were thaught to shoot in 3 round bursts. If look at the bullet most .223 ammo is 50 to 65 grain bullets or about 1/3 the weight of your average .308 bullet (150 to 180 grains).

With the Colt you have the option to do both, a little of "spray and pray" and after you got that out of your system, you can start aiming at targets.

Another warning, I've never owned or fired a Vepr, but generally you can forget any real accuracy with any of the eastern block type rifles. And the .308 is intended to be a medium to long range bullet.

Good luck, shooting is nothing like playing guitar.

Ludwig Von Mises · January 30, 2013, 11:26 AM

Haha thanks guy, Been shooting since before I got my first guitar in 2000... don't know which I like more.

I'm going for the Colt. Dude just needs the money. Seemed too good to be true, but has the receipt and everything. Fine by me. Im out.

Fishbed77 · January 30, 2013, 12:12 PM

Quote:

I'm going for the Colt.

You are making the choice I would have made.

Dr Big Bird PhD · January 30, 2013, 01:32 PM

Those are both really good prices for the current market.

I'd get the VEPR but that's because I already have a .223

Downeast · January 30, 2013, 07:39 PM

Buy the VEPR and send me the info on who is selling the Colt for $1,100 so I can buy it

Ludwig Von Mises · January 30, 2013, 08:13 PM

Guy with the colt flaked out halfway thru my two hour drive... someone offered him 1800 so he told me to **** myself.... drove another two hours, got the vepr, brand new, this thing is beeeeeautiful for an ak variant

chris in va · January 30, 2013, 10:57 PM

The VEPR would have been my choice too. Ironically I saw one lonely example on the rack for $780 when all the AR's had vanished. Should have picked it up.

BTW that's no ordinary AK variant you have there. Much better quality.

Ludwig Von Mises · January 31, 2013, 12:23 AM

Yeah i've been looking it over, its a beautifully built and machined gun, no tool marks as with most ak's, stamped by Arsenal in L.V. Nevada, chrome lined, for a grand, in this market, I feel like I stole it. I guess we will see how it shoots. It's the only rifle that's ever felt better in my shoulder and cheek than a Rem 700... it just fits perfectly.

bigghoss · January 31, 2013, 12:54 AM

I don't know what Veprs were/are going for but $1100 for a NIB colt was a great price before the panic buying so I'd snatch that up. $1000 for the vepr is probably fair in this market but if things calm down and prices return to normal it might not be worth what you paid while the Colt will be.

I have two AR15's an AK47 in 7.62x39 and a converted saiga in .308. They are all a blast but the AR is less punishing on the wallet an on the shoulder to shoot.

seanc · January 31, 2013, 01:40 PM

Either of these rifles are good and well regarded for their segment. Your Vepr should shoot well.

Here's a review of a 7.62x54R version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1aru...liUQ&index=104

It's sad that some folks still make blanket statements about how any Eastern Block rifle are not accurate, poorly constructed firearms out there and haven't owned or shot one.

Wasn't double/triple tap a solution to the poor stopping power of the 5.56 rounds? Is double/triple tap necessary for well placed .308 rounds? Either way, don't get caught up in the caliber wars. Your .308 Vepr will serve you well.

Ludwig Von Mises · January 31, 2013, 02:44 PM

My friend has a Noveske, not sure which model, and honestly it leaves something to be desired in a weapon, I don't know why. I'd love one, if I had the money to plunk on it, but at the end of the day, neither he nor his eotech cant hang with my bedded and floated iron sighted Mosin when it comes to first shot placement, minute of soda can, at a hundred yards. Period. Now, I could have a really good mosin, he could be a crappy shot, I don't know. That's just the gist of a few frozen lake trips we've made.

Also, I kinda just like recoil. Obviously not tactically, but for going out to the range, I like to push it. But then again I started on a .357 H&H when I was like 10. Personal preference.

Forgot to mention that he is LEO. So either I'm a really really good shot, which is debatable, or Eastern Bloc weapons don't completely blow. That being said, I've shot some nasty WASRS as well as a good one. Really good Maadis vs. one bad one. It happens. I just haven't had a chance to own enough to really form an accurate opinion over it.

I have to say, this Vepr feels very solid, I can't say for sure whether it is a shooter or not, again from a lack of personal experience (not one of those internet warriors who sponges information then poops it out on you guys), but for the price I paid for it, in this state, in this market, I feel better than if I had just bought the Colt. Price seemed too good to be true, guy disappeared on me half way thru my two hour drive, I feel like I made the right decision. Besides, at that price, I probably would have succumbed to the urge to gouge someone horribly, as I have seen other identical LE or SP's going for twice that price in my area.

The only drawbacks seem to be the sling coming off the barrel (i'm a fan of ching slings because I'm used to floated barrels and the sling not changing the POI, but this is not possible here) and the magazines, which are only 10 rounds and proprietary to this gun, but I have access to a 3d printer, as well as a CNC machine shop, so I think I'll be alright, it will just take a little work. I'm gonna buy one of those hi-cap ProMag joints from the site for 40 bucks and see how it fares. I've heard mixed reviews on promag.

Definitely scored on a (hopefully) accurate semi auto 308 for a grand. Plus, the box is pretty cool, I can hang it on the wall or something.

I have the overwhelming urge to go to the range or the lake and shoot this thing right now, but I still have class and work. Ahh... first world problems.

Really, my final thought was just the stigma against black rifles right now. I'm not a fan or a detractor of them, kinda more meh, just that if some girl is wandering around my room when I'm asleep and finds the VEPR, it will probably look alot better for me than if she finds what to her looks like an M16, while this is actually a weapon with the exact same capabilities, if not more, than the average AR.

Not gonna lie though, if all this bull**** dies down, black rifles definitely next purchase. But for range or hunting or frozen lake plinking or shtf, I think i'm good to go for a while.

Greguw · January 31, 2013, 03:21 PM

I personally like the VEPR , but the Robinson Arms version , has the plastic pistol grip type rear and forward stock .
I know vepr has made a come back but I think they made a change to the magazines , not really sure about the wood but should have the same quality in the barrel and receiver .
Keep in mind if you plan on changing stocks VEPR have a weired cut on the back of the receiver , its not a standard ak cut .
Thats a pic of one of my .223 , the .308 has a larger box and some guys use a modifided m14 mag .

Ludwig Von Mises · January 31, 2013, 04:14 PM

Honestly, I love the stock on this one, if i were to change stocks it would be as simple as an adapter and paratrooper folder but I'd like to see how I do with a few hundred rounds of match ammo first before I go dicking around with the gun too much. Going to throw a side-mount and leapers scope on there for the time being to test it out.

Ludwig Von Mises · January 31, 2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

I personally like the VEPR , but the Robinson Arms version , has the plastic pistol grip type rear and forward stock .
I know vepr has made a come back but I think they made a change to the magazines , not really sure about the wood but should have the same quality in the barrel and receiver .
Keep in mind if you plan on changing stocks VEPR have a weired cut on the back of the receiver , its not a standard ak cut .
Thats a pic of one of my .223 , the .308 has a larger box and some guys use a modifided m14 mag .

Oh and, that's a nice looking gun, almost looks like a really evil 74 haha, I def wanna change the forend asap.

And Bucks Co, I lived there for a good part of my childhood. Nice area, good roads with twisties, lots of places to shoot, big fan. Miss it alot.

Props.

Jimboski · January 31, 2013, 05:05 PM

That is nice! Would love to see pics of yours Ludwig!

I own an I.O. inc. ak-47, earlier model atleast 4-5 years old picked up as an on-the-spot birthday gift from my wife, and it has been more accurate than I would have thought for an ak47. But yea, I hear Vepr is one of the best ak variants as is the Valmet, I hear the Valmet may be better, I would'nt mind having either of them. Maybe one day...

tobnpr · January 31, 2013, 06:53 PM

The Vepr is a nice rifle, but the proprietary- expensive ($50)- and plastic mags scare me.

If I were to buy one, it would be with a ton of magazines...they're not likely to be making these rifles 15 years from now.

Dr Big Bird PhD · January 31, 2013, 08:19 PM

I thought VEPR rifles took standard AK mags... is this not true?

Willie D · January 31, 2013, 08:37 PM

^7.62x39 Veprs take regular AK mags after some mods. There is no standardization with .223 and .308 AKs so basically each one has it's own mags which can be a PITA (and expensive).

Willie D · January 31, 2013, 08:58 PM

Oh, and to the original question, I'd probably take the Colt if I didn't already own an AR, Vepr if I did already have one. The Colt is more versatile and cheaper to shoot. The Vepr is a top notch AK but still will have the same troubles as a cheaper .30 cal AK: namely, bad sights, harsher recoil impulse, and stringing shots as the barrel heats up.

Greguw · February 1, 2013, 06:58 AM

The Robinson Arms VEPR II 7.62x39 uses the standard ak magazines , I'm not really sure on the new veprs . I believe they use there own version .
I have .308 , 7.62x39 , 5.45x39 and .223 . The .223 and 5.45x39 use the same magazine but use different followers in the mags .
I was lucky to buy a nice pile of both follower calibers from robinson back in the day . I never had a problem with the plastic type .308 mags , the only thing your limited to 10 rounds , you can either modify the m14 mags or promag makes a modify magazine , with the hype on guns and ammo these 20 round mags have gone threw the roof if you can find them .

FALPhil · February 2, 2013, 08:05 AM

I am a fan of the Super VEPR. I don't own one - yet. I have plans, but it is still down the list. Centerfire has them for $1000.

geetarman · February 2, 2013, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Been shooting since before I got my first guitar in 2000

I think we are going to get along fine

Willie D · February 2, 2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

The Robinson Arms VEPR II 7.62x39 uses the standard ak magazines, I'm not really sure on the new veprs. I believe they use their own version.

Just like the Saiga, unconverted Veprs need you to add a bullet guide and file down the mag catch a bit in order to use .mil magazines.

January 30, 2013, 09:37 AM	#1
Ludwig Von Mises Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Nowhere in particular Posts: 52	Colt LE6920 vs VEPR .308 Hi guys, currently in a small dilemma, just sold a vintage guitar of mine trying to pick up a shoot-it-as-fast-as-i-can-pull-the-trigger long gun, and I have two choices in front of me right now. 1. NIB Vepr .308, never used, perfect condition, 1000 dollars even. 2. Colt (LE)SP6920 - new in box, 1100 dollars. Now I'm well aware of the trade offs cartridgewise, having owned weapons in both calibers. I was looking for something more along the lines of specific experiences with either weapon, good or bad. I am leaning heavily towards the Colt, simply for the fact that it is being offered at a reasonable pre-Feinstein price. But .308 has its high points too. What do you guys think? Discuss...

January 30, 2013, 01:32 PM	#5
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 779	Those are both really good prices for the current market. I'd get the VEPR but that's because I already have a .223 __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

January 31, 2013, 12:54 AM	#10
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,664	I don't know what Veprs were/are going for but $1100 for a NIB colt was a great price before the panic buying so I'd snatch that up. $1000 for the vepr is probably fair in this market but if things calm down and prices return to normal it might not be worth what you paid while the Colt will be. I have two AR15's an AK47 in 7.62x39 and a converted saiga in .308. They are all a blast but the AR is less punishing on the wallet an on the shoulder to shoot. __________________ I don't collect guns, I accumulate them.

January 31, 2013, 01:40 PM	#11
seanc Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1998 Posts: 590	Either of these rifles are good and well regarded for their segment. Your Vepr should shoot well. Here's a review of a 7.62x54R version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1aru...liUQ&index=104 It's sad that some folks still make blanket statements about how any Eastern Block rifle are not accurate, poorly constructed firearms out there and haven't owned or shot one. Wasn't double/triple tap a solution to the poor stopping power of the 5.56 rounds? Is double/triple tap necessary for well placed .308 rounds? Either way, don't get caught up in the caliber wars. Your .308 Vepr will serve you well. Last edited by seanc; January 31, 2013 at 01:45 PM.

January 31, 2013, 03:21 PM	#13
Greguw Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2006 Location: Bucks County , Pa Posts: 519	I personally like the VEPR , but the Robinson Arms version , has the plastic pistol grip type rear and forward stock . I know vepr has made a come back but I think they made a change to the magazines , not really sure about the wood but should have the same quality in the barrel and receiver . Keep in mind if you plan on changing stocks VEPR have a weired cut on the back of the receiver , its not a standard ak cut . Thats a pic of one of my .223 , the .308 has a larger box and some guys use a modifided m14 mag . Last edited by Greguw; December 24, 2013 at 01:28 PM.

January 30, 2013, 11:26 AM	#3
Ludwig Von Mises Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Nowhere in particular Posts: 52	Haha thanks guy, Been shooting since before I got my first guitar in 2000... don't know which I like more. I'm going for the Colt. Dude just needs the money. Seemed too good to be true, but has the receipt and everything. Fine by me. Im out.

January 30, 2013, 07:39 PM	#6
Downeast Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 24	Buy the VEPR and send me the info on who is selling the Colt for $1,100 so I can buy it

January 30, 2013, 08:13 PM	#7
Ludwig Von Mises Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Nowhere in particular Posts: 52	Guy with the colt flaked out halfway thru my two hour drive... someone offered him 1800 so he told me to **** myself.... drove another two hours, got the vepr, brand new, this thing is beeeeeautiful for an ak variant

January 30, 2013, 10:57 PM	#8
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	The VEPR would have been my choice too. Ironically I saw one lonely example on the rack for $780 when all the AR's had vanished. Should have picked it up. BTW that's no ordinary AK variant you have there. Much better quality.

January 31, 2013, 12:23 AM	#9
Ludwig Von Mises Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Nowhere in particular Posts: 52	Yeah i've been looking it over, its a beautifully built and machined gun, no tool marks as with most ak's, stamped by Arsenal in L.V. Nevada, chrome lined, for a grand, in this market, I feel like I stole it. I guess we will see how it shoots. It's the only rifle that's ever felt better in my shoulder and cheek than a Rem 700... it just fits perfectly.

January 31, 2013, 02:44 PM	#12
Ludwig Von Mises Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Nowhere in particular Posts: 52	My friend has a Noveske, not sure which model, and honestly it leaves something to be desired in a weapon, I don't know why. I'd love one, if I had the money to plunk on it, but at the end of the day, neither he nor his eotech cant hang with my bedded and floated iron sighted Mosin when it comes to first shot placement, minute of soda can, at a hundred yards. Period. Now, I could have a really good mosin, he could be a crappy shot, I don't know. That's just the gist of a few frozen lake trips we've made. Also, I kinda just like recoil. Obviously not tactically, but for going out to the range, I like to push it. But then again I started on a .357 H&H when I was like 10. Personal preference. Forgot to mention that he is LEO. So either I'm a really really good shot, which is debatable, or Eastern Bloc weapons don't completely blow. That being said, I've shot some nasty WASRS as well as a good one. Really good Maadis vs. one bad one. It happens. I just haven't had a chance to own enough to really form an accurate opinion over it. I have to say, this Vepr feels very solid, I can't say for sure whether it is a shooter or not, again from a lack of personal experience (not one of those internet warriors who sponges information then poops it out on you guys), but for the price I paid for it, in this state, in this market, I feel better than if I had just bought the Colt. Price seemed too good to be true, guy disappeared on me half way thru my two hour drive, I feel like I made the right decision. Besides, at that price, I probably would have succumbed to the urge to gouge someone horribly, as I have seen other identical LE or SP's going for twice that price in my area. The only drawbacks seem to be the sling coming off the barrel (i'm a fan of ching slings because I'm used to floated barrels and the sling not changing the POI, but this is not possible here) and the magazines, which are only 10 rounds and proprietary to this gun, but I have access to a 3d printer, as well as a CNC machine shop, so I think I'll be alright, it will just take a little work. I'm gonna buy one of those hi-cap ProMag joints from the site for 40 bucks and see how it fares. I've heard mixed reviews on promag. Definitely scored on a (hopefully) accurate semi auto 308 for a grand. Plus, the box is pretty cool, I can hang it on the wall or something. I have the overwhelming urge to go to the range or the lake and shoot this thing right now, but I still have class and work. Ahh... first world problems. Really, my final thought was just the stigma against black rifles right now. I'm not a fan or a detractor of them, kinda more meh, just that if some girl is wandering around my room when I'm asleep and finds the VEPR, it will probably look alot better for me than if she finds what to her looks like an M16, while this is actually a weapon with the exact same capabilities, if not more, than the average AR. Not gonna lie though, if all this bull**** dies down, black rifles definitely next purchase. But for range or hunting or frozen lake plinking or shtf, I think i'm good to go for a while.

January 31, 2013, 04:14 PM	#14
Ludwig Von Mises Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Nowhere in particular Posts: 52	Honestly, I love the stock on this one, if i were to change stocks it would be as simple as an adapter and paratrooper folder but I'd like to see how I do with a few hundred rounds of match ammo first before I go dicking around with the gun too much. Going to throw a side-mount and leapers scope on there for the time being to test it out.

January 31, 2013, 05:05 PM	#16
Jimboski Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 32	That is nice! Would love to see pics of yours Ludwig! I own an I.O. inc. ak-47, earlier model atleast 4-5 years old picked up as an on-the-spot birthday gift from my wife, and it has been more accurate than I would have thought for an ak47. But yea, I hear Vepr is one of the best ak variants as is the Valmet, I hear the Valmet may be better, I would'nt mind having either of them. Maybe one day... Last edited by Jimboski; January 31, 2013 at 05:27 PM.

January 31, 2013, 06:53 PM	#17
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	The Vepr is a nice rifle, but the proprietary- expensive ($50)- and plastic mags scare me. If I were to buy one, it would be with a ton of magazines...they're not likely to be making these rifles 15 years from now.

January 31, 2013, 08:19 PM	#18
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 779	I thought VEPR rifles took standard AK mags... is this not true? __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

January 31, 2013, 08:37 PM	#19
Willie D Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2007 Posts: 1,149	^7.62x39 Veprs take regular AK mags after some mods. There is no standardization with .223 and .308 AKs so basically each one has it's own mags which can be a PITA (and expensive).

January 31, 2013, 08:58 PM	#20
Willie D Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2007 Posts: 1,149	Oh, and to the original question, I'd probably take the Colt if I didn't already own an AR, Vepr if I did already have one. The Colt is more versatile and cheaper to shoot. The Vepr is a top notch AK but still will have the same troubles as a cheaper .30 cal AK: namely, bad sights, harsher recoil impulse, and stringing shots as the barrel heats up.

February 1, 2013, 06:58 AM	#21
Greguw Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2006 Location: Bucks County , Pa Posts: 519	The Robinson Arms VEPR II 7.62x39 uses the standard ak magazines , I'm not really sure on the new veprs . I believe they use there own version . I have .308 , 7.62x39 , 5.45x39 and .223 . The .223 and 5.45x39 use the same magazine but use different followers in the mags . I was lucky to buy a nice pile of both follower calibers from robinson back in the day . I never had a problem with the plastic type .308 mags , the only thing your limited to 10 rounds , you can either modify the m14 mags or promag makes a modify magazine , with the hype on guns and ammo these 20 round mags have gone threw the roof if you can find them .

February 2, 2013, 08:05 AM	#22
FALPhil Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2007 Location: Racoon City Posts: 934	I am a fan of the Super VEPR. I don't own one - yet. I have plans, but it is still down the list. Centerfire has them for $1000.