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Draco Pistol

Draco Pistol

The Draco is a series of Romanian-designed gas-operated semi-automatic pistols sold by Century International Arms.

Origin

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Most Draco models available are built in Romania by Cugir Arms Factory and imported to the United States. Century Arms produces its own US-built variant using fully American components.[1]

Design

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Main article: Kalashnikov rifle

The Draco is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge with its design taken heavily after the AK-47. Although mechanically a rifle, its stockless configuration allows it to be legally sold as a pistol, while holding a magazine of 30 rounds chambered in an intermediate rifle cartridge. 9x19mm variants are also available.[2]

The weapon has been noted by some for inaccuracy and an apparent lack of practical application,[3][4][5] though to some extent this could be explained by the large potential for operator error due to high recoil of a 6-inch barrel firing a rifle round without a stock.[6]

Variants

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  • Draco - original version with 12.25" barrel and standard AK sights[7]
  • VSKA Draco Pistol - US made variant of the original. [7]
  • Mini Draco - 7.75" barrel, standard AK sights.[7]
  • Draco Tactical - 7.5" barrel, with linear compensator, Strike Industries bi-Folding pistol brace, US Palm free-floating M-LOK handguard and rail system with picatinny rail integrated rear sight. Also sold in a version with no brace included. [7]
  • Micro Draco - 6.25" barrel, non-standard sights (non-adjustable rear sight, and adjustable front sight post). [7]
  • Draco 9S - 9x19mm pistol-caliber carbine variant using Scorpion magazines, 11.14" barrel, blowback action, hinged dust cover and rail system[2]
  • Draco NAK9 - 9x19mm pistol-caliber carbine variant using Glock magazines, 11.14" barrel, blowback action, hinged dust cover and rail system[8]


Presence in the United States

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The Draco is referenced or shown in several American rap songs and music videos. The online firearm retailer Gunsamerica discovered a direct correlation between Draco sales and its appearance in American rap songs in 2016 and 2017.[9]

The Draco has been criticized by Detroit law enforcement officials.[10][11][12] Detroit police chief James White has stated that he considers the Draco pistol an "assault rifle" and that it should not be sold in the city.[11][13] The Detroit Police seized around 50 Draco Pistols in 2021-2022.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Century Arms Draco". Faktory 47. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  2. ^ a b "Century Arms DRACO 9S". www.centuryarms.com. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  3. ^ Pike, Travis (2022-09-27). "Century Arms Draco Review: OG AK Pistol". Pew Pew Tactical. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  4. ^ Dumbest Gun I’ve Ever Bought #shorts, retrieved 2023-08-18
  5. ^ Manning, Robb (2022-05-06). "Mini Draco Review: The Romanian Candle". Gun Digest. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  6. ^ Micro Draco AK accuracy test, retrieved 2023-08-18
  7. ^ a b c d e "Century Arms DRACO Series". www.centuryarms.com. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  8. ^ "Century Arms NAK9". www.centuryarms.com. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  9. ^ Blannelberry, S. H. (2017-05-03). "Who Knew? These Rappers Are Selling This Gun like Hotcakes". Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com/Digest. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  10. ^ Lange, Amy; producer, David Komer online (2022-07-07). "Detroit chief decries assault weapon accessibility after Officer Courts murder". FOX 2 Detroit. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  11. ^ a b c Jones, Ross (2022-07-07). "Draco pistol used to kill Detroit officer appearing more on city streets". WXYZ 7 News Detroit. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  12. ^ Hutchinson, Derick (2022-07-07). "'They were ambushed': Detroit police describe events that led to officer's murder, praise partner's heroism". WDIV. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  13. ^ "The Draco semi-automatic used in fatal ambush of Detroit cop: 'It's there to do carnage'". Archived from the original on 2025-06-07. Retrieved 2025-08-16.