Considering draco AK.....got several questions...

[MIL-DOT]

(Yeah, sorry, I know, it's legally a "pistol", but it's still an AK, and this sub-forum has 4x the viewers !! )


I've had an on-again/off-again urge to get one of these for some time now, ( obviously, I'm in an "on-again" phase right now : )
Yes, I'm aware that these things are impractical in the extreme, being neither a true pistol nor true rifle, and in fact embodying the "worst of both worlds".
That being said, they are quite cool, and many owners love them dearly.
I would never consider something like this if I didn't already have my firearm bases already covered, so no need to go there.
This is only one of those self-indulgent, cool-new-toy kinda things. I'm SURE you all understand that .
Anyway, I'm looking at the standard Draco, not the mini, as I'm concerned about the loss of muzzle energy through such a short barrel,already.
That's my first question: How significant is the energy loss of the x39 round with the shorter barrel? I assume from the happy owners that it's at least enough to consistently cycle rounds ? But, does anyone know more specifically how much less ?
Also,I haven't been able to find out of these AK's still have foreign-made barrels with chromed bores ?
Also, after removing the tack-welded barrel nut, can most common U.S. made muzzle break/flash suppressors be easily screwed on ? I'm most interested in a Krink-style breaks like the ones at Copes, or the ported one from Tapco at CTD. I assume they can,as I've seen so many pics of them on-line, but I've read some conflicting reports, so I thought I should ask. I don't want to get one and find out some kind of adapter is needed.
And finally ( I think) does anyone know who has these in stock at a good price? They used to be all over at $349, but I've only found one place that has them in stock at $400, and I'm not really familiar with that operation.
As always, thanks for any useful info...........

(BTW, I'd hoped to just send these queries directly to our AK-guru "nalioth", but somehow I had trouble with PM's, and it looks like he hasn't been around in months.)

 

[Sam1911]

I can answer a few of these...

Also,I haven't been able to find out of these AK's still have foreign-made barrels with chromed bores ?

Dracos are imported as pistols, so they don't have to deal with the 922(r) problem -- thus, original barrels.

I assume from the happy owners that it's at least enough to consistently cycle rounds ?

Yes.

Also, after removing the tack-welded barrel nut, can most common U.S. made muzzle break/flash suppressors be easily screwed on ?

Yes. Now, some adapter may be needed if you want to screw on a brake intended for the AK-74 style guns as their muzzle devices have a huge 24mm thread.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Cool, thanks Sam.

(edit) BTW, I didn't think 922r had an impact on barrels.We've been getting foreign made chromed barrels for years. As I understood, they are simply running out of full parts kits, and are substituting US made barrels out of necessity. Again, any enlightenment much appreciated........

 

[Sam1911]

BTW, I didn't think 922r had an impact on barrels.

It used to not have any effect.

About four years ago the BATFE started requiring that parts kits come into the country with their barrels destroyed in the same fashion as the receiver. That's the only reason any U.S. companies started making AK barrels.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Anyway, I'm looking at the standard Draco, not the mini, as I'm concerned about the loss of muzzle energy through such a short barrel,already.

I don't know what the barrel length of the Draco is. My AK pistol's barrel is 11 inches. The MV is still high at.........

122 gr Wolf = 2214 FPS

154 gr Wolf JSP = 2054 FPS

124 gr FMJ Silver Bear = 2258 FPS

Still plenty of speed to blast right through 1/4 inch steel plate.


BTW, if you are thinking about using the gun for home protection be aware that the muzzle blast would be ear destroying inside.

 

[Leathermarshmallow]

I wanted an AK 47 pistol, but then ended up buying a Yugo M70 underfold. It is only a couple of inches longer when folded than what the regular version of the drako is. You can shoot it both with the metal shoulder stock, or in the folded position. PLUS you can put a forearm grip on it.

 

[HiWayMan]

I wanted an AK 47 pistol, but then ended up buying a Yugo M70 underfold. It is only a couple of inches longer when folded than what the regular version of the drako is. You can shoot it both with the metal shoulder stock, or in the folded position. PLUS you can put a forearm grip on it.

Yes, but an underfolder can't be carried with a CPL, a Draco can be. Think readily accessable car gun.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Thanks again guys.After a few calls, I just found a new Draco locally for a surprisingly reasonable price, and since this bug seems to be firmly up my wazzoo, I reckon I'll try and go take a look at it tomorrow .
Anyway,I'm hoping to put a Krink ( or krink-style) brake on it, but i just read an old post from AK-guru "Nalioth" who said these US made Krink clones are nothing more than a non-functional 922-compliant part ( but followed by one poster that said he was impressed with the performance).
Can anyone confirm or refute this ? Also, can I install a foreign-made brake and still be 922 compliant ? I don't know how much breathing room these guns have, part-wise.
Any info much appreciated.......

 

[Sam1911]

Also, can I install a foreign-made brake and still be 922 compliant ? I don't know how much breathing room these guns have, part-wise.

Did you miss this?

Dracos are imported as pistols, so they don't have to deal with the 922(r) problem -- thus, original barrels.

Unless you're going to turn it into an SBR, or a Title I rifle with a full-length barrel, you don't have to worry about 922(r).

 

[OARNGESI]

Get one youll love it i never go to the range without mine i got mine for 385 otd locally

 

[MIL-DOT]

Easy there,Sam Sorry for the redundant question. I was going by nalioth's post where he mentioned the only value of these US made brakes was that they were a compliant part, so I assumed ( without fully assimilating all posted info) that 922 compliance was still an issue.

 

[Sam1911]

Hey, no worries! He's right. The U.S. made flash suppressors/brakes generally don't quite do what the originals do (something about the small secondary vents and cuts most folks don't probably even notice) but they DO make for a compliance part.

However, two points are important here:

1) If your AK didn't come with a muzzle device (just a tack-welded thread cover "nut" or bare) then adding a US made brake doesn't help your parts count. You're removing foreign-made parts. Adding a US-made part in exchange for a foreign made part only helps if there WAS a foreign-made part there to begin with...

and

2) 922(r) doesn't apply to handguns. (But I already said that! )

 

[MIL-DOT]

Ah,okee-doke, we're clear. Thanks again........

 

[alex4922]

As to acccuracy, my Draco has been equipped with a Tapco grip and forearm. This allowed me to mount a Harris bipod. On paper you wouldn't be able to tell groups from my other AKs from the Draco. Very accurate AK.

I mounted a cone type AK FH on mine. Looks cool and seems to throw some of the sound and blast down range.

Function has been flawless and grapping the bipod (as opposed to a forbidden front pistol grip) makes for fun plinking.

Y'all have fun and play nice now. A