VPO-209

Overview

VPO-209
General Information
Type	Civilian Firearm Shotgun (by Russian law)
Place of Origin	Russian Federation
Designer Companies	Molot-Oruzhiye
Period Designed	~2015
Manufacturer	Molot-Oruzhiye
Period Produced	~2015 - Present
Developed From	AKM AKMN (rarely)
Characteristics
Cartridge	.366 TKM
RoF, Cyclic	600rpm
Expected Muzzle Velocity	600m/s
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Firemodes	Semi, safe
Feed System	Detachable box magazine
Ammunition Loading	• SOK-94 Sb. 29: 10-rnds AK and AKM compatible magazines: • 6L9: 30-rnd • 6L10: 30-rnd • 6L33: 40-rnd • 6P2 Sb.11: 40-rnd • (More)
Effective Range	350m
Maximum Range	300m
Dimensions
Weight	~3.60kg
Barrel Length	415mm
Length	882.5mm
Height	265mm
Width	75mm
Stock
Stock Type	Fixed
Sights
Sight Ranges	300m
Universal Attachments
Rail Type	None by default, rarely produced with Warsaw Pact Rail, dependent on pre-converted model.

The VPO-209 is a Russian civilian rifle developed from the AKM, it has almost identical appearance, weight, and dimensions.

The VPO-209 is chambered in .366 TKM, which classifies the firearm as a shotgun in Russian law. Smoothbore firearms are easier to obtain a licence for than rifled firearms, which makes the weapon commercially appealing.

Development

The first development, or notion, of such civilian "shotgun" had at least been present by parent-retailer and manufacturer, Molot-Oruzhiye. Pre-production prototypes emerged in 2014, and were simply surplus-purchased AKM assault rifles that were converted to only feature safe, or semi-automatic firing. Further development arose by the rifles recieving a rechambering to feed .366 TKM, and then the barrels would be made smooth-bore to adjust for qualifications of being a 'shotgun' under Russian law. Retail for the VPO-209 would emerge in early 2015, and sales have been active since the debut.

Design

The VPO-209 does not adhere to a specific make of AKM, as Molot-Oruzhyie uses demilitarized models of all compatible kinds, by simply converting the weapon to use .366 TKM and limiting the weapon to semi-automatic fire. Further development is seen in the process of making the original AKM-manufactured barrel smooth-bore to fit shotgun classifications under Russian law. Despite external apperance, Molot-Oruzhyie still puts distinctive "ВПО-209" markings on the reciever of the firearm, rendering a notable difference from the original AKM counterparts.

However, since the success of the platform with sales, more organization has been put into newer VPO-209 models. The most notable difference is that the firearm no longer consists of a plethora of surplus AKM, or AKMNs, but rather their own production-grade parts. Many pieces such as handguards, magazines, and dustcovers are still taken from demilitarized AKM's.

Magazines

Magazines from other AK, or AKM platform firearms will feed properly into the VPO-209, however the original 7,62x39mm cartridge will not fire out of the rifle. Furthermore, most magazines are based on the 6L10 design, and can be purchased additionally. The ammunition, .366 TKM, is almost exclusively manufactured in the Russian Federation, and is rare in other nations.

Modifications

Further modifications can be undertaken by the owner, such as the replacement or adding of AKM-compatible aftermarket accessories. This allows for the platform to seek ultimate-modularity to the owner, and allows for mainstream customization on the firearm to be possible.

As most VPO-209 are based on the AKM with the rare AKMN, most VPO-209 lack the Warsaw Pact Rail. Aftermarket components can be fitted with provide similar attachment capabilities, including replacement dust covers, handguards, or other parts with integrated rail interfaces.

Gallery

VPO-209 receiver markings.

VPO-209 with an owner's manual.

A VPO-209 featuring many modifications.

A standard production VPO-209, as of 2019. Note the early AK 6L4 magazine.

Russian Federation Weapons Modern Period (1991 — Present)

Infantry Equipment
Optics, Detection and Surveillance	Man-Portable Radar	1L227 Sobolyatnik • Aistenok • PSNR-8M Kredo-M1
	Mine Detectors	Korshun
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Autocannons	23mm 2A14
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Anti-Tank Guided Missile Systems	9K111 • 9K113 • 9K115 • 9K135
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Mountain Guns	76mm GP-58
Recoilless Guns	B-10 (N)
Rocket Artillery	9K51 (-1 • M)
Siege Artillery	[[]]

Aircraft Weapons & Munitions
7.62mm Machine Guns	GShG-7,62 • ShKAS
12.7mm Machine Guns	Berezin UB
23mm Cannons	GSh-6-23 (M) • GSh-23 (L) • NR-23 • NS-23
30mm Cannons	2A42 • 2A72 • GSh-6-30 • GSh-301 • NR-30
37mm Cannons	N-37
Rocket Pods	B-8 (M1) • B-13 • O-25 • ORO-57K • UB-16 (UB-16-57) • UB-32 (A)
Rockets	S-5 • S-8 (BM • KOM • OM) • S-13 (OF • T) • S-24 (B) • S-25 (L • LD • OFM • OFM-PU) • S-80
AAM	K-5 • K-8 • K-13 (A) • R-27 (EP • ER • ET • P • R • T) • R-33 (E) • R-40 (RD • TD) • R-60 (M • MK) • R-73 (A • E) • R-77 • RVV-AE
ASM	Kh-31 (A • AD) • Kh-35 (E • U) • Kh-41 • P-800
AGM	Kh-23 • Kh-25(ML • MT) • Kh-29 (D • L • ML • T) • Kh-31 • Kh-38 (MAE • ME • MKE • MLE • MTE) • Kh-59 (ME • MK • MK2) • Kh-66
Anti-Radiation Missiles	Kh-25MP • Kh-27 (PS) • Kh-28 • Kh-31 (P • PD) • Kh-58 (UShKE)
Cruise Missiles	Kh-36 • Kh-65 (S • SE)• Kh-SD
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Naval Weapons & Munitions
7.62mm Machine Guns	[[]]
12.7mm Machine Guns	[[]]
23mm Cannons	[[]]
30mm Cannons	[[]]
37mm Cannons	70-K
100mm Cannons	AK-100
Rockets	[[]]
Air-to-Air Missiles	[[]]
Air-to-Ship Missiles	[[]]
Air-to-Surface Missiles	[[]]
Anti-Radiation Missiles	[[]]
Cruise Missiles	[[]]
Bombs	[[]]

Sources
Books	Online	Documents
	molot.biz (RU)	VPO-209 user manual