Molot VPO-208

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A right-side photo of the Molot VPO-208, a Russian hunting "shotgun" based on the SKS.
A right-side photo of the Molot VPO-208, a Russian hunting "shotgun" based on the SKS. It is chambered for the .366 TKM cartridge.

The Molot VPO-208 is a semi-automatic "shotgun" based on the SKS and made by Russian firearm manufacturer Molot-Oruzhiye. It is chambered in the .366 TKM and features a smooth bore (specifically Paradox bore), which means that this firearm classifies as a shotgun under Russian gun laws. It appears that many (or all) of these rifles are based on surplus Russian SKS rifles, repurposed by Molot for the civilian market. They also seem to feature a paradox bore, where the majority of the bore is smooth, with the last several inches containing rifling.

Note: Although the VPO-208 as well as other Molot firearms like the VPO-209 seem to primarily feature a paradox-style bore, this webpage claims there have been variants with a Lancaster bore have been made. This is a smooth-bore that is actually oval-shaped, which can apply spin to a solid projectile, as well as effectively be used with shotshells and the like. It's unclear whether these were prototype versions of this firearm, so this needs additional verification.

The VPO-208 is much like a traditional OP-SKS hunting rifle and features a Warsaw Pact-style left-side dovetail mount but is of course chambered in a different cartridge and sold as a shotgun under Russian law.