AK pistols are quite the blast. My first exposure to them left my range buddies and me with smiles on our faces. A deep, authoritative boom accompanied by giant fireballs with each shot makes them tons of fun for plinking, but there’s more to them than just that. As we demonstrated in the Nov/Dec 2020 issue of Combat Handguns, the 7.62x39mm cartridge does surprisingly well, even in short barrels, and even offers more muzzle energy from a 10” barrel than a common 5.56x45mm does from a 16” rifle.
Another advantage AK pistols have is just how short they can be. Thanks to the recoil assembly living in the receiver (no need for a buffer tube like the AR), there is mechanically no need for any parts beyond the muzzle and tail end of the receiver. This makes for some very compact packaging that can easily be tucked into a backpack, or in my case, the door cubby of my car! This design advantage is what is also making AK pistols in other calibers gain in popularity too.
The third, somewhat unexpected advantage is that AK pistols chambered in rifle calibers shorten the piston to accommodate for shorter barrels. As a result, there is less reciprocating mass slamming back and forth. For the shooter, that means less perceived recoil.
To summarize it all; the AK pistol gives you a lower-recoiling, more-compact package that still retains energy equal to or greater than some complete rifles. What’s not to love? Below are some of our favorite varietals imported from friendly nations or made right here in the USA. Speaking of imports, have you ever been irritated at 922r compliance challenges with imported AKs? That doesn’t apply to pistols, so if you want a truly Romanian or Polish AK get a pistol!
Tactical Life’s Top 7 Best AK Pistols
Dracos:
The classic AK pistol that comes to mind is the Draco. These guns are built by the storied Cugir factory in Romania, a military facility that also makes service weapons used in NATO. They’re not always the prettiest, but that’s part of their charm. The utilitarian tool is available in a few versions. They each handle differently and you’ll notice weights might not be what you’d expect thanks to internal changes in the guns.
Draco:
The original AK pistol with a 12.25” barrel that still packs nearly as much punch as its big-brother AKM rifle. Handling and weight balance feel very similar to a full-sized gun, making it an easy transition for rifle shooters to learn and one of the best AK pistols on the market.
Product page: https://www.centuryarms.com/draco-pistol.html
Details:
Weight: 5.5 LBS
Capacity: 30+1 Rounds
Front Sight: Adjustable
Cartridge: 7.62X39mm
Magazine Type: Standard AK Removeable
Rear Sight: Distance Adjustable
Muzzle: Muzzle Nut
Magazine Included: 1 X 30-Round US Palm
Overall Length: 21.50″
Barrel Length: 12.25″
Receiver: Stamped
Manufactured: Made in Romania
Mini Draco:
With a 7.75” barrel still a formidable firearm. Our shooting notes included a notable shift in weight distribution and slightly different recoil impulse. The handguard’s extensions forward of the gas block and rearward onto the receiver are a visual reminder to hold there and not let a thumb ride over top on the gas block.
Product Page: https://www.centuryarms.com/mini-draco-pistol.html
Details:
Weight: 5.65 lbs
Capacity: 30+1 Rounds
Front Sight: Adjustable
Cartridge: 7.62X39mm
Magazine Type: Standard AK Removeable
Rear Sight: Distance Adjustable
Muzzle: A2 Style
Magazine Included: 1 X 30-Round US Palm
Overall Length: 17.50″
Action Type: Semi-Automatic
Barrel Length: 7.75″
Receiver: Stamped
Manufactured: Made in Romania
Micro Draco:
The shortest of the bunch has just a 6.25” barrel, but offers features that make it easy to handle including the rear sight being moved back onto the dust cover and a unique handguard saddles nicely in the hand. Just 14.5” long, this is the most compact AK we’ve encountered.
Product page: https://www.centuryarms.com/micro-draco-pistol.html
Details:
Weight: 4.85 lbs
Capacity: 30+1 Rounds
Front Sight: Adjustable
Cartridge: 7.62X39mm
Magazine Type: Standard AK Removeable
Rear Sight: Distance Adjustable
Muzzle: A2 Style
Magazine Included: 1 X 30-Round US Palm
Overall Length: 14.50″
Barrel Length: 6.25″
Receiver: Stamped
Manufactured: Made in Romania
US Draco:
The first United States company to produce an entirely American-made AK also offers a pistol variant. The US Draco carries with it many of the features of the VSKA rifle series including nice furniture, a bolt-hold-open safety selector, and US Palm grip. Front trunnion and feed ramp made from S7 tool steel, bolt from 4140 steel, and barrel from 4150 steel. Note that the barrel is slightly shorter than the Romanian Draco. Integrated QD point at the tail end of the receiver is another nice feature.
Draco Product Page: https://www.centuryarms.com/draco-series
Details:
Front Sight: Adjustable
Rear Sight: Distance Adjustable
Cartridge: 7.62x39mm
Magazine Type: Standard AK
Muzzle: Loudmouth Brake
Magazine Included: 1×30-round US Palm
Barrel Length: 1.05″
Receiver: Stamped
Manufactured: Made in USA
WBP:
Ever wonder what would happen if Soviet-era machines were acquired by a private company with desire and motivation to produce a finer product? WBP is that company, making fine Polish AKs. The Lynx Tac 762 seen here offers a nicer fit and finish, and a railed gas block for mounting optics. As with many imports, availability waxes and wanes both with production and what importers decide to bring in.
Currently-available options: https://atlanticfirearms.com/ak47-pistol-for-sale?criteria%5Bmanufacturer%5D=160
Details:
Cartridge: 7.62x39mm
Manufactured by WBP Rogow Poland
Barrel Material: FB Radom Hammer Forged Chrome Lined
Tactical Rear Sight Picatinny Rail For Mounting Red Dot Optics (fully machined from 4140 bar stock steel)
Muzzle: Threaded Barrel (14x1LH) 10 inches in length capped with welded thread protector
Trunnion: Forged Barrel Trunion & fully machined bolt + carrier from forged billet steel
Accepts Standard AK Handguards
Non-Shiny Nickel-Zinc Coating on Bolt carrier
Gen 2 Picatinny railed upper handguard gas tube
Extended magazine release
Enhanced Safety Selector
SBR Ready with Under-folder Trunnion
Overall Length: 19″
Weight: 5.6lbs
PSA AK-P GF3:
Palmetto State Armory joined Century Arms as producers of 100% American-made AKs. Palmetto State Armory’s experience with AR parts comes through in special attention to fit and finish. One of the more handsome builds out there and American-made! It’s difficult to keep up with seemingly continuous rolling changes to offerings, but in our experience, the AK-P GF3 is a great shooter. The triangular brace that came on this AK pistol is a nice style nod to folding-stock AKs, but is known to have some weaknesses.
Product page: https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ak-p-red-wood-triangle-side-folding-pistol.html
Details:
Cartridge: 7.62x39mm
Barrel Length: 10.5″
Barrel Twist Rate: 1:9.5
Barrel Material: 4150 Steel
Barrel Finish: Gas Nitride
Muzzle Device: Mini Krink Brake
Muzzle Thread: M24x1.5 RH
Receiver: Stamped Steel
Front Trunnion: Hammer Forged
Bolt: Hammer Forged
Carrier: Hammer Forged
Handguard Type: Red Wood Upper/Lower Handguard
Grip: Red Wood Grip
Brace: PSA AK Picatinny Adapter with Triangle Side Folding Brace
Fire Control Group: Single Stage, Single Hook
Sights: 90 Degree Combo Sight/Gas Block, Fixed Rear Sight
Magazine: 30 Round Magazine (1); Where Allowed by Law
Includes: Picatinny Optics Mount
AKP w/ Triangle Brace Extended: 29 5/8”
AKP w/ Triangle Brace Folded: 21 1/8”
Cleaning Rod Not Included
9mm Alternative:
AK pistols chambered in 9mm may not be AK’s in action type, but the look, feel, and manual of arms all remain very “AK”. These can be a fun alternative for training or as a primary arm. Historically they’ve suffered from the same troubles all direct blowback guns have; lost of reciprocating means more recoil, but when that weight is wisely placed as in the Draco 9S they can make for a smooth shooting experience.
The Draco 9S, as seen at the Athlon Rendezvous, is manufactured in the same historical Cugir factory as the PSL, WASR rifles, and classic Draco pistols. Adapted for 9mm use, the 9S also features a polymer magazine well that accepts common Scorpion magazines. Cugir has also included a heavy-duty polymer limiter to prevent overtravel of the bolt (a problem in some other 9mm AKs) as well as dampen the recoil some. A railed and hinged top cover site is optics-ready.
Product Page: https://www.centuryarms.com/draco9s.html
Details:
Weight: 6.27 lbs
Capacity: 35+1 Rounds
Front Sight: Adjustable
Cartridge: 9X19mm Luger
Magazine Type: EV9 Scorpion Magazines
Rear Sight: Distance Adjustable
Muzzle: 1/2×28 Muzzle Nut
Magazine Included: 1 X 35-Round Magazine
Overall Length: 19.13″
Action Type: Semi-Automatic
Barrel Length: 11.14″
Receiver: Stamped
Manufactured: Made in Romania
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