AK-47 Pistols
AK-47 pistols bring the familiar AK platform into a shorter, pistol-classified configuration, combining the proven 7.62x39mm cartridge with a compact overall package. You’ll also see these firearms described as AK47 pistols, AK 47 pistols, Draco pistols, or Micro Draco variants, depending on the manufacturer and configuration. The platform traces its origins to Mikhail Kalashnikov’s Avtomat Kalashnikova, developed for the Soviet Union and adopted in 1947. Its simple operating system, rugged construction, and reputation for reliability made the AK one of the most recognizable firearm designs in the world, and modern AK pistols retain much of that same character in a significantly shorter format.
Impact Guns carries AK-pattern pistols from manufacturers including Century Arms, Zastava, Pioneer Arms, and others. Popular configurations include the Century Arms Draco family and the Zastava ZPAP M92. If you’re looking for a traditional full-size AK configuration, see our AK-47 Rifles page.
Read our full AK Pistol Buying Guide ↓
What Is an AK Pistol?
An AK pistol is an AK-pattern firearm manufactured and configured as a pistol rather than a rifle. Barrel lengths are commonly well below the 16-inch threshold associated with the federal definition of a short-barreled rifle, although the firearm’s original configuration and subsequent modifications matter when determining its legal classification. Federal firearms law can be particularly important when changing a pistol’s configuration, so owners should verify current federal, state, and local requirements before making modifications. (ATF)
What makes the AK pistol appealing is straightforward: you get the familiar AK operating system and, in many models, 7.62x39mm chambering in a considerably more compact package. Most AK pistols use short barrels and are built around the same basic operating principles as their rifle counterparts, although individual models can differ substantially in construction, weight, controls, and magazine compatibility.
The Draco: Century Arms AK Pistols
The Century Arms Draco has become one of the best-known AK pistol configurations in the United States. Built around the Romanian AK pattern and chambered in 7.62x39mm, the Draco family has been offered in several barrel-length configurations, including the standard Draco, Mini Draco, and Micro Draco.
The standard Draco provides a more traditional AK-pistol format, while the Mini Draco and Micro Draco use progressively shorter configurations. That makes the Draco name particularly familiar to buyers looking specifically for a compact Romanian-pattern AK pistol.
For those comparing AK pistols, the Draco family is worth considering alongside other established AK-pattern designs. See also: Century Arms Draco.
Zastava ZPAP M92: Serbian Quality
The Zastava ZPAP M92 takes a different approach to the AK pistol. Manufactured by Zastava Arms in Serbia, the M92 is a 7.62x39mm AK-pattern pistol with a 10-inch barrel and a cold hammer-forged barrel.
Zastava has built a strong reputation for producing robust AK-pattern firearms, and the M92 carries many of the features associated with the company’s larger ZPAP series into a shorter configuration. Its distinctive Serbian pattern and solid construction make it one of the more recognizable alternatives to Romanian AK pistols such as the Draco.
If you prefer the Zastava pattern and want a compact 7.62x39mm AK configuration, the M92 is one of the models worth comparing. See also: Zastava ZPAP M70.
Caliber Guide: 7.62×39 vs. 5.56 AK Pistols
Most AK pistols are chambered in 7.62x39mm, the cartridge most closely associated with the traditional AK platform. It remains widely available and gives these compact firearms the classic AK combination of a relatively large projectile and intermediate-cartridge performance.
There are also AK-pattern pistols chambered in 5.56 NATO. The Zastava M85 is one example, giving shooters who already use AR-15-pattern firearms another way to standardize their ammunition.
For someone who wants the traditional AK experience, 7.62x39mm is the obvious starting point. A 5.56 AK pistol makes more sense for shooters who place a higher priority on ammunition commonality with their other 5.56 platforms.
See: 7.62×39 Ammo and Zastava M85.
Pistol Braces on AK Pistols
Brace configurations have been an important part of the AK-pistol market, but federal rules surrounding stabilizing braces have changed considerably in recent years. In 2026, the ATF has proposed rescinding the 2023 stabilizing-brace rule, while also stating that a firearm meeting the statutory definition of a short-barreled rifle remains subject to NFA requirements. (ATF)
That makes it important not to assume that adding or removing a brace automatically determines the legal status of a particular firearm. Configuration, receiver history, stock installation, barrel length, and applicable federal and state law can all matter. Anyone modifying an AK pistol should check the current ATF requirements and applicable state and local laws before doing so.
Frequently Asked Questions: AK-47 Pistols
What is an AK pistol?
An AK pistol is an AK-pattern firearm manufactured and configured as a pistol rather than a rifle. Popular examples include 7.62x39mm configurations such as the Century Arms Draco and Zastava ZPAP M92, as well as other AK-pattern pistols chambered in 5.45x39mm, 5.56 NATO, and 9mm. The exact configuration and legal classification depend on the firearm and how it is configured.
How does an AK pistol compare to an AR pistol?
The biggest differences are the underlying platforms, operating systems, and commonly available chamberings. AK pistols are frequently chambered in 7.62x39mm and tend to have the handling characteristics associated with the AK design. AR pistols, meanwhile, are available in a much wider range of configurations and calibers and generally have a larger aftermarket.
The better platform ultimately comes down to what the shooter values in terms of configuration, controls, ammunition, ergonomics, and familiarity.
Do AK pistols require NFA registration?
An AK pistol that is legally manufactured and configured as a pistol is not automatically an NFA firearm simply because it has a short barrel. However, changing the configuration can affect its legal classification. Federal law defines a short-barreled rifle in part by reference to a rifle with a barrel under 16 inches, and the ATF continues to state that NFA requirements apply when a firearm meets the statutory SBR definition. (ATF)
Because firearm configurations can produce different legal outcomes, owners should verify the current federal requirements as well as state and local law before installing a shoulder stock or otherwise changing an AK pistol’s configuration.
See Also: AK-47 Rifles • AR-15 Pistols • 7.62x39mm Ammo • Pistol Caliber Carbines • SBRs