PapaZorroBlog

Common Russian Muzzle Attachments for Saiga-12/Vepr-12

2012-10-30T22:03:00.000+04:00

Common Russian Muzzle Attachments for Saiga-12/Vepr-12 Review

Short review of different muzzle attachments, that are used with Vepr-12/Saiga-12 and some other shotguns by Russian shooters.

The muzzle attachments in the review: Flash hiders (FH),  Muzzle Brakes (MB), Compensators (C), Muzzle Brake-compensators (MBC), chokes & paradox (Chokes).

Efimov design MBC

The most common MBC in Russia are models based on the same idea, now well known as "Polygon Muzzle Brake-compensator", that was suggested by Russian IPSC shooter Efimov Eugeny. His device has two cambers: first one works as Muzzle Brake, second one as Compensator. Molot Chief Constructor Mr. Sergey Urzhumtsev told me that first dosen of them was made by Molot and one still used during test-shootings. Then production of Efimov design Muzzle brake-compensator was moved to "Polygon" LLC in Chelyabinsk, and became known as "Polygon MBC".

Pics of Original Efimov MBC for Saiga-12/Saga-20 made by Polygon

The pics of Original Efimov MBC, that was modified by Vsevolod Ilyn. He added the additional holes for Up and Right compensation + increased the window in the second chamber for more  Up compensation.

Later  "Guns Tuning Laboratories"  started to make their own version of MBC based Original Efimov MBC (Polygon). I talked to the owner & Technical Director of "Guns Tuning Laboratories" about their PSH-2 several years ago. Their main business is to repair Trucks engines & transmissions, making Muzzle-brakes is a kind of hobby due to the Owner has Saiga-12 and likes shooting. They told that "Polygon" design was taken for their PSH-2 but they used Computer based Math models for the Hot Gases for their design, they recalculated the volumes of the first and the second chambers, increased the "window" in the second chamber & improved the "gills" as in number as in geometry making them like nozzles. As everybody knows, nozzle are more effective then standard outlet.

The pic of Guns Tuning Laboratories PH-2

The pic of Guns Tuning Laboratories PH-4-S-12-MR

The same time Eugeny Efimov improved his own design, adding a couple of gills in the first chamber, and redesigned the second one splitting it for tree compensation chambers. Here is the pic of Improved Efimov MBC with 4 chambers.

Ilyn design MBC

One of the best MBC on the market based Efimov MBC is GK-01, designed by Vsevolod Ilyn.

This Muzzle Brake-compensator does not have a completely new design, but has the most improved "Polygon MBC" design, like Russian T-34 tank is the most improved version of American Christy tank. Using his huge IPSC practice experience for his design, Ilyn used first chamber of Polygon adding 10 similar to  PSH-2 MBC  or  Improved Efimov MBC instead of 8 on "Polygon MBC" & redesign himself the second chamber of "Polygon MBC", that now has a completely new design.  He also switched from Steel, that is used for making "Polygon MBC"  & "PHS MBC" to Aluminum for his GK-01.

Ilyn MBC GK-01 now are made in Russia in cooperation with Vsevolod Ilyn by Molot, Molot Arms, IZHMASH, and in US by CSS, as well as, NoName in China - without.  Molot Arms, as well as, IZMASH use D16T Al alloy rods for making their GK-01,  Molot , before making their GK-01, prepare Al D16T for production forging Aliminium pigs, as forged aluminium wheels maker do for changing a structure of metal and increasing its safety factor. Now this MBC is well known in US as "Molot GK-01 muzzle brake/ Molot brake",  and in Russia as "Ilyn Muzzle Brake-compensator".

The pic of Custom Ti Ilyn MBC GK-01 made by Molot

The pic of Ilyn MBC GK-01 made by Molot Arms (Al D16T)

The pic of Ilyn MBC GK-01 made by IZHMASH (Al D16T)

There are some other models of MBC based on Efimov MBC on the market in Russia, here are pics of some of them.

The pics of MBC designed & made by "Cheaply"

JP design MB

There are some models based on JP MB. This are "pure" muzzle brake. The pics of JP adapted for Vepr-12/Saiga-12.

The pic of JP MB that was modified by Vsevolod Ilyn for working as MBC. On this pic is also Efimov MBC modified by Ilyn and Compensator for Vepr-12.

Various design MBC

The pics of MBC designed by WILD

The pics of Compensator ( C ) based on Fabarm design

The pics of MBC designed by Ascer

The pic of Mossberg Road Blocker MB similar to Barrett .50 MB that is used by Jerry Mickulek on his shotgun. IMHO this MB can be adapted for Vepr-12 as JP.

The pic of MB based on idea that used by Mosberg and Barrett, and modified by Russian shooters, making MBC instead of pure MB.

There are some pics of compensators that are used with Saiga-12/Vepr-12

Various MB, MBC & C for Saiga-12/Vepr-12

Various of FH & Chokes for Saiga-12/Vepr-12

There are pics of some FH & Chokes, that are used in Russia with Saiga-12/Vepr-12

Pics of various of FH & Chokes made by Molot & IZMASH on Grizliks Vepr-12 VPO-205-03

Pics of paradox for Vepr-12/Saiga-12 made by Molot

Pics of paradox for Vepr-12/Saiga-12 made by IZHMASH

to be continued....

2011-12-08T11:47:00.001+04:00

As I wrote above, I received my Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 already painted Duracoat Snow Gray by Molot. Duracoat Snow Gray was chosen as a base color for the future Urban MirageFlage Camo project.

I posted here the pictures of my Duracoat Digital Camo Vepr-12 VPO-205-01, that I didn't post in the Duracoat Digital Camo Project topic due to Forum picture limitation.

Pictures of Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition with Original Molot handgrip, CTR Carbine Stock, RAM Saiga-12 Extended magazine release, GK-01 Muzzle brake designed by V.Ilyn and made by Molot. Vepr-12 is painted by Duracoat Snow Gray, Duracoat Matte Black and Duracoat White to Urban MirageFlage Camouflage.

Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 CE with Original Molot handgrip, CTR Carbine Stock, RAM Saiga-12 Extended magazine release, GK-01 Muzzle brake and 8 round Magazine. Vepr-12 is painted by Duracoat to Urban MirageFlage Camo.

Pictures of possible EOTech XPS2 installation on Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition. Vepr-12 is painted by Duracoat Snow Gray, Duracoat Matte Black and Duracoat White to Urban MirageFlage Camouflage.

EOTech XPS2 installation on Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 CE

Close up pictures of possible EOTech XPS2 installation on Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition.

EOTech XPS2 installation on Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 CE (close up)

Close Up Pictures of Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition internals.

Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition internals (close up)

Duracoat MirageFlage Camo GK-01 Muzzle break designed by V.Ilyn and made by Molot

In action pictures of Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition with CTR Carbine Stock, RAM Saiga-12 Extended magazine release, EOTech XPS2 and GK-01 Muzzle break designed by V.Ilyn and made by Molot.

Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition in action

Duracoat Digital Camouflage Project. How it was made to my Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition.

2011-12-06T19:31:00.000+04:00

In additions to Duracoat paint and stencils the following was prepared for the future work:

1) 3M Scotch Presure Sensitive Tape - beige
2) tesa Precision Outdoor Masking Tape - blue
3) Three different types of Tamiya masking tape (6mm, 10mm, 18mm) - yellow
4) Two different Cuttings Mats
5) Several Hobby Knives
6) ABRO Carb and Choke Cleaner
7) Aircom Eolo20 Silent Compressor
8) Hahsa 481 Set Airbrush + 0,4 mm nozzle set
9) Airbrush Cleaning Solvents for removing Duracoat
10) Surgery and heavy-duty rubber hand gloves
11) 3M Half Facepiece Reusable respirator (6000 series)
12) Syringes: 10 ml (1/12ml graduation) and 1 ml (tuberculin)
13) Working place and time;)

For making digital Camo I used the 8 step Russian Duracoat dealer instruction, several You-tube videos and images of weapons painted to Digital Camo from the web. I also recommend to use C2G Camouflage™ Frequently Asked Questions for people who want make their own Digital Camouflage stencils.

As I wrote before, I received my Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 already painted Duracoat Snow Gray by Molot. Duracoat Snow Gray was chosen as a base color for the future Camo project.

First of all I reassembled my shotgun. I removed: hand guards, all internal parts from the receiver, but stock, rubber but pad, bolt and bolt carrier, buffer with spring and buffer tube, hand grip, flash hider and gas tube.

Before applying Duracoat paint I thoroughly cleaned and degreased all the surfaces of each part of my shotgun, because grease or dirt on the surface of the shotgun will damage the lay of the paint and even prevent it from adhering to the surface. For that purpose I used ABRO Carb and Choke Cleaner, IMHO it prepares the surface for applying a Duracoat paint the same as Duracoat True Strip, but costs much cheaper. As Duracoat strongly recommend to use only True Strip for degrease and cleaning, it's possible to use True Strip after ABRO Carb and Choke Cleaner will done the most work, the finish degrease will need very small amount of True Strip, that can be sprayed thue an airbrush 20-30 min before painting. To avoid the Duracoat will not adhere correctly make sure the surface is completely dry of degreaser before you apply it (IMHO 20-30 min is enough). Because True Strip and ABRO Carb and Choke Cleaner are harmful - degreasing is most safely done outside in a well-ventilated area. If you have to work inside, open windows and doors and wear a respirator to avoid breathing in chemical fumes. I also strongly recommend to use rubber gloves to avoid getting harmful chemicals on the skin!

I started preparing for painting about 1 hour after my shotgun was completely dry after cleaning/degreasing. I used several type of masking tape (Tamiya, 3M, tesa) to cover all areas of my Vepr-12 I didn't want to paint. These masking tapes cover areas very well without damaging any of the finish of the shotgun, IMHO Tamiya is the best for these purposes.

The Duracoat templates will cover areas so that you can make the proper designs with the paint. Two Duracoat digital stencils ware not enough to cover all details of my shotgun and tree magazines, so I decided to make hand made stencils. For that purpose I used Tamiya masking tape, hobby knife, flexible metal ruler and cutting mat. I used ONLY hand made stencils for all magazines and hand-guards. I tried to use Duracoat stencils to cover the hand-guards and found them useless for this, due to Vepr/RPK hand-guards have ribs and paint during spaying is getting under the Duracoat stencils. To avoid such Bug I used different widths strips, that I made from Tamiya masking tape. These strips of different widths were pasted across the ribs edges, skirting all the edges of the ribs, extra length were cut off by hobby knife. I also used some hand made stencils on my shotgun also.

When make your own stencils, cut and keep both male (positive) and female (negative) stencils, the female stencils are the small background pieces cut out of the male stencils. Repeat cutting stencils, making more than needed for lots of variations to select from while stenciling, male stencils are best for the majority of Digital Camo stenciling, while female counterparts are best for blending.

Pictures of painting accessories were used for making Duracoat Urban MirageFlage Camouflage (Cuttings Mat, Hobby Knive, Tamiya masking tapes, 3M Scotch Presure Sensitive Tape, tesa Precision Outdoor Masking Tape, used Urban MirageFlage Template, used Self-made Stencils and flexible metal Ruler)

Painting accessories for Duracoat Urban MirageFlage Camo

For preparing Duracoat for use (12 to 1 proportion) I recommend buy two type of medical syringes: 10 ml that has 12 ml scale and 1 ml Tuberculin that has 1ml scale. These two type of syringes has ideal volume for mixing Duracoat paint (12 parts) with Duracoat hardener (1 part). If you need small amount of paint, for example, 6 ml you use half of big and half of small syringes. Easy go for any amount of paint.

IMHO one of the best for Duracoat projects is Paasche VL-SET or Paasche VLS-SET. The VL/VLS airbrush is made in the US and includes the following: VL#3 Double-Action Airbrush (or VLS#3 Double-Action Airbrush), size 1 and 5 spray heads, 1/4oz metal cup, 1oz bottle assembly, 1oz storage bottle, hanger, wrench, 6' braided hose, lessons booklet and manual. Very important that VL/VLS Airbrush nozzles doesn't have rubber O-rings that are usually killed by Duracoat paint and solvents!

I addition, I strongly recommend to clean your airbrush and airbrush bottles carefully from Duracoat after use with proper solvents - spray several airbrush bottles with solvent. After that reassemble your airbrush and clean it with brushes from Airbrush Cleaning Set with paint solvent also clean carefully your airbrush nozzle inside, assemble your airbrush and spray several bottles of solvent again. Don't put cleaning work for the next day - Duracoat could kill your airbrush!

After spraying several layers of one Duracoat color by Hansa 481 airbrush I left my shotgun to dry for a one day covering it by big garbage plastic bag to avoid dust applying to the paint. The next day I repeated for the another Duracoat color. One day later I removed all the stencils and most masking tape from my Vepr-12, and let it dry for the three weeks for complete dry of Duracoat.

Pictures of Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition that was drying after it was painted by Duracoat Snow Gray, Matte Black and White to Urban MirageFlage Camouflage

Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 CE is drying after it was painted to Urban MirageFlage Camo

Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 CE is drying after it was painted by Duracoat Snow Gray, Matte Black and White to Urban MirageFlage Camo

After tree weeks I assembled my shotgun. The results of my Duracoat Digital Camo project you can see on the following pictures.

Pictures of Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition with Hogue AK-47 / AK-74 Rubber Grip, CTR Carbine Stock, RAM Saiga-12 Extended magazine release, GK-01 Muzzle brake designed by V.Ilyn and made by Molot. Vepr-12 is painted by Duracoat Snow Gray, Duracoat Matte Black and Duracoat White to Urban MirageFlage Camouflage.

Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 CE with Hogue AK-47 / AK-74 Rubber Grip, CTR Carbine Stock, RAM Saiga-12 Extended magazine release, GK-01 Muzzle brake and 8 round Magazine.

EOTech XPS2 installation on Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 CE

Close up pictures of possible EOTech XPS2 installation on Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition.

EOTech XPS2 installation on Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 CE (close up)

Close Up Pictures of Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition internals.

Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition internals (close up)

Duracoat MirageFlage Camo GK-01 Muzzle break designed by V.Ilyn and made by Molot

Duracoat MirageFlage Camo Molot Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 Custom Edition in action

Duracoat Digital Camo Project. How it was made to my Vepr-12 VPO-205-01.

2011-12-06T15:46:00.001+04:00

for Saiga-12.com

The late spring most preparations for making Duracoat Digital Camo was done. The weather was good for the opening the windows during paint work, much better then it was in winter ;).

I bought two sets of Urban MirageFlage Template Duracoat digital stencils (TP15) from Russian Duracoat dealer in addition to Duracoat paint I had for the Duracoat Urban MirageFlage Camo. The difference to suggested colors was that I selected the Duracoat White, that used in Duracoat Urban Camo instead of Duracoat Urban Mirage White that used in Duracoat Urban MirageFlage Camo. As a result three following colors ware used for my Vepr-12 Digital Camo: Duracoat White, Duracoat Matt Black and Duracoat Snow Gray.

In additions to Duracoat paint and stencils the following was prepared for the future work:

1) 3M Scotch Presure Sensitive Tape - beige
2) tesa Precision Outdoor Masking Tape - blue
3) Three different types of Tamiya masking tape (6mm, 10mm, 18mm) - yellow
4) Two different Cuttings Mats
5) Several Hobby Knives
6) ABRO Carb and Choke Cleaner
7) Aircom Eolo20 Silent Compressor
8) Hahsa 481 Set Airbrush + 0,4 mm nozzle set
9) Airbrush Cleaning Solvents for removing Duracoat
10) Surgery and heavy-duty rubber hand gloves
11) 3M Half Facepiece Reusable respirator (6000 series)
12) Syringes: 10 ml (1/12ml graduation) and 1 ml (tuberculin)
13) Working place and time;)

For making digital Camo I used the 8 step Russian Duracoat dealer instruction, several You-tube videos and images of weapons painted to Digital Camo from the web. I also recommend to use C2G Camouflage™ Frequently Asked Questions for people who want make their own Digital Camouflage stencils.

As I wrote before, I received my Vepr-12 VPO-205-01 already painted Duracoat Snow Gray by Molot. Duracoat Snow Gray was chosen as a base color for the future Camo project.

First of all I reassembled my shotgun. I removed: hand guards, all internal parts from the receiver, but stock, rubber but pad, bolt and bolt carrier, buffer with spring and buffer tube, hand grip, flash hider and gas tube.

Before applying Duracoat paint I thoroughly cleaned and degreased all the surfaces of each part of my shotgun, because grease or dirt on the surface of the shotgun will damage the lay of the paint and even prevent it from adhering to the surface. For that purpose I used ABRO Carb and Choke Cleaner, IMHO it prepares the surface for applying a Duracoat paint the same as Duracoat True Strip, but costs much cheaper. As Duracoat strongly recommend to use only True Strip for degrease and cleaning, it's possible to use True Strip after ABRO Carb and Choke Cleaner will done the most work, the finish degrease will need very small amount of True Strip, that can be sprayed thue an airbrush 20-30 min before painting. To avoid the Duracoat will not adhere correctly make sure the surface is completely dry of degreaser before you apply it (IMHO 20-30 min is enough). Because True Strip and ABRO Carb and Choke Cleaner are harmful - degreasing is most safely done outside in a well-ventilated area. If you have to work inside, open windows and doors and wear a respirator to avoid breathing in chemical fumes. I also strongly recommend to use rubber gloves to avoid getting harmful chemicals on the skin!

I started preparing for painting about 1 hour after my shotgun was completely dry after cleaning/degreasing. I used several type of masking tape (Tamiya, 3M, tesa) to cover all areas of my Vepr-12 I didn't want to paint. These masking tapes cover areas very well without damaging any of the finish of the shotgun, IMHO Tamiya is the best for these purposes.

The Duracoat templates will cover areas so that you can make the proper designs with the paint. Two Duracoat digital stencils ware not enough to cover all details of my shotgun and tree magazines, so I decided to make hand made stencils. For that purpose I used Tamiya masking tape, hobby knife, flexible metal ruler and cutting mat. I used ONLY hand made stencils for all magazines and hand-guards. I tried to use Duracoat stencils to cover the hand-guards and found them useless for this, due to Vepr/RPK hand-guards have ribs and paint during spaying is getting under the Duracoat stencils. To avoid such Bug I used different widths strips, that I made from Tamiya masking tape. These strips of different widths were pasted across the ribs edges, skirting all the edges of the ribs, extra length were cut off by hobby knife. I also used some hand made stencils on my shotgun also.

When make your own stencils, cut and keep both male (positive) and female (negative) stencils, the female stencils are the small background pieces cut out of the male stencils. Repeat cutting stencils, making more than needed for lots of variations to select from while stenciling, male stencils are best for the majority of Digital Camo stenciling, while female counterparts are best for blending.

Painting accessories for Duracoat Urban MirageFlage Camo

Some important remark according Airbrushes, for my paint work I used Hansa 481 Set airbrush with additional 0,4 mm nozzle set, I also tried to use tree different Chinese airbrush replicas: two of Paasche (Jas 1110 and Jas 1111) and one of Aero-pro (Jas 1115). My German Hansa with 0,4 mm nozzle have bigger spray pattern then Chinese replicas with 0,8 mm nozzle set!!! I strongly recommend - don't buy Chinese replicas - buy only Original Brand made airbrushes, spend more money, but you can get the expected result.

IMHO one of the best for Duracoat projects is Paasche VL-SET or Paasche VLS-SET. The VL/VLS airbrush is made in the US and includes the following: VL#3 Double-Action Airbrush (or VLS#3 Double-Action Airbrush), size 1 and 5 spray heads, 1/4oz metal cup, 1oz bottle assembly, 1oz storage bottle, hanger, wrench, 6' braided hose, lessons booklet and manual. Very important that VL/VLS Airbrush nozzles doesn't have rubber O-rings that are usually killed by Duracoat paint and solvents!

I addition, I strongly recommend to clean your airbrush and airbrush bottles carefully from Duracoat after use with proper solvents - spray several airbrush bottles with solvent. After that reassemble your airbrush and clean it with brushes from Airbrush Cleaning Set with paint solvent also clean carefully your airbrush nozzle inside, assemble your airbrush and spray several bottles of solvent again. Don't put cleaning work for the next day - Duracoat could kill your airbrush!