Gunsmithing Gouge in new VEPR 7.62x54R chamber and what to do.

[Easyrider1965]

I recently bought a new Molot VEPR 54R 23" rifle from RRC Firearms. I took it out for the first time right before Christmas. I only shot about 20 rounds of brass ammo and noticed some strange issue with the rifle. I noticed that the fired brass cases had a distinctive bulge on the shoulder. Also, if I chamber a fresh round and try to open the bolt without firing, the bolt is very hard to open. I got home and inspected the chamber and found the issues. It seemed I have a chamber gouge that was left by some sort of tool from the factory. I am thinking that the reamer might have accidentally gouge the chamber some how. I contacted RRC Firearms and they are supposedly in contact with Molot-USA about this. I've send them pictures of the chamber and the spent brass.

I am wondering what the fix should be. I am hoping that either RRC Firearms or Molot-USA will get my problem fixed. Anyone had similar issue with VEPR like mine?

 

[ugsly]

Have them set the chamber back enough to get rid of it. If I had to guess .015-.020 would clean it up and you'll be gtg

Just my thoughts,

Casey

 

[CS223]

If I'm not mistaken, the barrel & chamber are chrome lined and the AK platform has the barrel headspaced & pinned into place, that precludes setting it back and re-chambering, at least not without a good bit of work. A re-barrel would be a proper repair. At the minimum, a chamber reamer could be used by hand just to remove the burr at the risk of ruining the chamber reamer. My thoughts are the rifle is going to have to be exchanged under warranty, at least if it were mine, that's what I'd expect. As for a cause, a WAG is that someone let the bolt slam home on a headspace gage that was just loosely dropped in the chamber.

 

[Easyrider1965]

If I'm not mistaken, the barrel & chamber are chrome lined and the AK platform has the barrel headspaced & pinned into place, that precludes setting it back and re-chambering, at least not without a good bit of work. A re-barrel would be a proper repair. At the minimum, a chamber reamer could be used by hand just to remove the burr at the risk of ruining the chamber reamer. My thoughts are the rifle is going to have to be exchanged under warranty, at least if it were mine, that's what I'd expect. As for a cause, a WAG is that someone let the bolt slam home on a headspace gage that was just loosely dropped in the chamber.

I am thinking of the same thing. I think the only reasonable thing for Molot/RRC Firearms to do is to have this rifle exchanged or have a new barrel put in for me. I am still waiting for their reply as of today:-(