Draco Pistols

The Century Arms Draco is the most iconic AK-pattern pistol in the American market — a 7.62x39mm semi-automatic pistol built on Romanian AK tooling with the reliability the AK platform is known for, in a legally pistol-classified compact format. Available as the standard Draco (7.5” barrel), Mini Draco (7.75”), and Micro Draco (6.25”), the Draco family covers every size preference in the AK pistol segment. Also called an “ARP gun” or “ARP pistol” in common usage, the Draco delivers AK reliability and 7.62x39mm terminal performance in a platform requiring no NFA paperwork.

Read our full Draco Pistol Buying Guide ↓

Draco, Mini Draco, Micro Draco: Choosing Your Configuration

Century Arms produces three Draco configurations at different barrel lengths. The standard Draco runs a 7.5” barrel for the best balance of velocity and compactness in the lineup. The Mini Draco at 7.75” with a threaded barrel is nearly identical to the standard but adds the threaded muzzle for suppressor or compensator mounting. The Micro Draco at 6.25” is the most compact — the shortest legal pistol barrel in the AK family, with a corresponding velocity reduction. For most buyers the standard Draco or Mini Draco is the practical choice. The Micro is for buyers who want the absolute most compact AK pistol format available.

Hellpup: The Romanian Full-Size AK Pistol

The Hellpup is a full-length AK pistol variant also popular in the Draco market — a Romanian-made AK pistol with a longer 12.25” barrel that produces more velocity and a sight radius closer to a carbine while remaining legally classified as a pistol. The Hellpup’s longer barrel produces meaningfully better 7.62x39mm ballistic performance than the shorter Draco barrel lengths, and the added length makes suppressor mounting more practical. For buyers who want AK pistol format without the velocity penalty of sub-8” barrels, the Hellpup is the correct choice. Buyers searching “Hellpup Draco” are typically looking at both platforms as alternatives — see all configurations in stock above.

7.62x39mm: The AK Cartridge Advantage

The Draco family’s 7.62x39mm chambering delivers the AK’s proven intermediate cartridge in pistol format. 7.62x39mm produces significantly more energy than 5.56 NATO at typical pistol barrel lengths, where 5.56’s velocity-dependent terminal performance is most compromised. At 7.5” barrel length, 7.62x39mm retains more of its terminal performance than 5.56 loses from the same velocity reduction. For buyers who want maximum effectiveness from a short-barreled AK pistol, the 7.62x39 chambering is a meaningful practical advantage over AR pistols in 5.56. See our 7.62x39mm ammo page for defensive and practice load options.

Draco vs. AR Pistol: AK vs. AR Platform

The Draco and AR pistols represent the two dominant AK and AR platforms in the pistol segment. The Draco’s advantages: AK mechanical simplicity and reputation for reliability across adverse conditions, 7.62x39mm cartridge performance at short barrel lengths, and the distinctive AK aesthetic that has made the Draco one of the most recognized pistols in American retail. AR pistols counter with more caliber options, a larger aftermarket, and better optics mounting options on the flat-top receiver. For buyers who prefer the AK platform and want it in pistol format: Draco. For buyers who want more caliber flexibility and aftermarket depth: AR pistol. Both are excellent compact platforms.

Braces and Accessories

The Draco family accepts AK-pattern pistol braces that convert the platform from bare pistol to braced pistol, substantially improving control during rapid fire and one-handed operation. AK pistol braces from SB Tactical and other manufacturers attach to the Draco’s rear trunnion. The Mini Draco and Micro Draco’s threaded barrels accept suppressor mounts — the 7.62x39mm caliber is effective suppressed with subsonic loads. For AK accessories and parts see our AK-47 rifles page and for suppressors see our suppressors page.