What is an AK Pistol?

An AK Pistol
is a pistol that's an AK. That doesn't really answer your question though, does it? AK Pistols
exist because of the National Firearms Act. The NFA restricts what a firearm can be, and defines it arbitrarily. To be a standard rifle, a firearm must have a 16-inch barrel and a stock. A firearm with a barrel shorter than 16 inches and stock is a short-barreled rifle and subject to the full force of the National Firearms Act. If you want an AK with a shorter barrel and do not want to deal with the NFA, then an AK pistol is your only option. AK Pistols
are AK-series firearms without a stock and with barrels commonly shorter than 16 inches. Because they lack a stock and have a rifled barrel, they are defined as pistols by law. It seems silly, but it's a legal workaround to the National Firearms Act. As a pistol, these guns are regulated as pistols. This means certain states may regulate them differently than an AK rifle.

Pistol Vs. Rifle

Why choose a pistol variant of the famed AK rifle? Well, if you look at guns like the Pioneer Arms Hellpup AK pistol
, you are getting a much shorter gun that's more maneuverable and easier to wield. The Hellpup comes with a brace, still uses identical controls to an AK, and comes in the same caliber.

Pioneer Arms Polish Hellpup chambered in 7.62x39mm

The 7.62 x 39mm
round most AKs fire is great from short barrels. The Hellpup has an 11.73-inch barrel, and the ballistic difference between a 16-inch rifle barrel and the Hellpup is only about 150 feet per second. That's not to say you can't get silly short barrel lengths. The C39 Micro
has a 6.25-inch barrel, and the ballistic difference is about 600 feet per second when compared to a 16-inch barrel. While the C39 Micro is super small, light, and maneuverable, you are going to sacrifice a bit of range. On the flip side, what other rifle caliber pistol is small enough to conceal in a bag?

Century Arms C39 AK Pistol chambered in 7.62x39mm

Caliber Debate

The 7.62 x 39
is an excellent caliber that performs better than most rifle rounds with a short barrel. Guns like the famed Draco pistol have excellent ballistic performance and are light and handy, especially when braced. The problem, at least for use indoors, is the massive concussion and muzzle blast, which is bright, loud, and harsh.

With a home defense mindset, the Draco NAK9 pistol
is a 9mm
AK variant. Since it uses a pistol caliber, it does give you a light and handy package with an 11.14-inch barrel. It's also much quieter and easier to control without the large muzzle blast. An AK pistol in a pistol caliber is an excellent combination.

Century Arms Draco NAK9 chambered in 9mm

My Personal Favorite

On the subject of AK pistols, the Yugo PAP M92 pistols
are excellent AK pistols. They have a 10.25 barrel, the rear sight is pushed rearward for a longer sight radius, the safety is easier to engage, and the magazines have a built-in last round bolt hold open. It's also built on a 1.5 mm RPK receiver for extra durability. The M92 AK pistol
is fantastic, and I remain a big fan of it.

Yugo PAP M92 AK Pistol chambered in 7.62x39mm

AK Pistols And You

AK pistols are awesome firearms and excellent tools. The rounds commonly fired from the AK-47 and 74 series are excellent short-barreled rounds. With the popularity of pistol braces, AK pistols have gone from fun and loud range toys to practical home and self-defense tools. Shop All AK Pistols
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Shop All 7.62x39mm Ammunition
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