AK pistols have been infused with a new level of popularity.
Maybe it’s because AK pistols are a lot of fun, kind of cheap, and easy to find. Ammo, magazines, and AK parts and pieces are everywhere.
Even in times of ammunition shortages, AK ammo is still relatively easy to find, all things considered.
Or maybe it’s because AK pistols seemingly replaced the Glock, TEC, and MAC in hip-hop lyrics. (Future’s “Draco” anyone?)
Regardless, people love their AK pistols. And I don’t blame them.
With popularity booming, the next obvious question is which AK pistol is worth your money?
I love a good AK pistol, so I rounded up the best models on the market…and one wildcard option. I’d like to think Mr. Kalashnikov would most certainly approve of these selections.
So, read on to find out which AK pistols you should grab!
THE QUICK LIST
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Runner-Up Pick
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Best for Short Barrels
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Most Modern
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Best 5.56 AK Pistol
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Editor’s Pick
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Most Versatile
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Best Budget AK Pistol
Table of Contents
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How We Test & Choose the Best AK Pistols
I’ve spent a lifetime shooting that started in a family that hunted every season they legally could. From there, I joined the United States Marine Corps and spent five years as an infantryman.
In the middle of my Marine Corps career, I began writing and have never stopped. I soon earned my NRA instructor certification.
I love shooting, and I love guns — weird guns, old guns, new guns, tactical guns, and especially shotguns. I’m a continual student of firearms, and I strive to educate myself to provide the best information possible to the readers of Pew Pew Tactical.
Best 7.62x39mm AK Pistols
1. PSA AK-P
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Easy optics mounting
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Brace doesn't fold on the SBA3 version
Need something affordable with a modern flair?
The PSA AK-P MOE is what you want.
The AK-P comes with a 10.5-inch barrel, which is a real sweet spot for 7.62x39mm rounds. Loss of velocity is a mere 200 feet per second.
PSA tops the barrel with a Krinkov-style muzzle brake, and the receiver is equipped with a Picatinny rail for easy optics attachment.
Want to co-witness? The rail easily accommodates this so long as you pair it with a low-mounted red dot and stock AK iron sights.
M-LOK fans will be satisfied with the AK MOE handguard boasting lots of sweet, sweet M-LOK — great for attaching accessories and goodies of all kinds.
Pair this with the rail, and you can modernize and accessorize to your heart’s content. Another nice touch appears in the form of the dust cover, which is hinged.
Rounding out the notable features are the M4 stock adapter and SBA3 brace. This provides easy stabilization on this hefty pistol. PSA throws on a Magpul AK grip and ships it with a Magpul PMAG for good measure.
The AK-P MOE gives shooters an awesome weapon for home defense or plinking. It’s a modern option for those looking for the AK pistol experience without the 1947 features.
Check out our full review of the AK-P for more details.
2. Arsenal SAM7K-44
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Easy to convert to a SBR
Cons
- Very expensive
The Arsenal SAM7K-44 Pistol kicks our list off with a style that is easily changed into a short-barreled rifle — if that’s your thing.
And we love our long-boi SAM7SF.
Let’s be honest; it’s a pain to transfer and sell an SBR and likely a money-losing prospect. With that in mind, it’s always good to go big and pick the highest-quality pistol to convert.
When it comes to AK variants, it’s tough to beat Arsenal. The company makes some outstanding AK variants.
The SAM7K uses an 8.5-inch barrel, the same length as an AKSU 74, and comes chambered for 7.62x39mm.
The old 7.62 Russian is a sweet option for short barrels. Not to mention, it does an excellent job maintaining velocity — even when the barrel is chopped.
The SAM7K-44 pistol features a receiver that is both milled and forged. Instead of machining from bar stock, Arsenal uses hot-die hammer forging, producing a stronger overall receiver.
The SAM7K features an ambidextrous safety, a rear sight pushed back onto the dust cover for greater sight radius, and a Krinkov-style muzzle device to reduce muzzle flash.
But wait a minute. Didn’t you mention SBR earlier? Yes, yes, I did. The SAM7K-44 is superbly easy to SBR.
You can even attach Sig-style stocks. Of course, a triangle folding stock works perfectly for the AK appearance.
The SAM7K-44 ain’t a cheap gun. But, if you want an SBR, it’s the best route to take.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
3. Galil ACE Gen 2
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Left-side charging
- Most modern option
- Compatible with AK mags
Cons
- Expensive
I am throwing in my wildcard pick early this time.
The Galil has ties back to the original AK series of rifles, and IWI is producing modern variants with their Ace series – including the Galil Ace pistol.
Numerous improvements over the AK series include an ambidextrous safety, a left-side charging handle, a full-length optics rail, while retaining compatibility with AKM magazines.
The pistol version sports an 8.3-inch barrel and M-LOK forearm with room to attach plenty of accessories. It even comes with an SB Tactical brace that folds out of the way for a more compact package.
This build is what the AK could become if the Russians ever chose to update the platform beyond stick rails and optics.
The Galil Ace pistol is the most modern variant of the Galil and, for that reason, deserves a spot on this list.
We have a full review of the Gen II Galil rifle, too!
Best 5.56x45mm AK Pistol
4. Zastava Arms ZPAP85
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- RPK-style receiver
- Safety bolt hold-open
Cons
- Heavier than other options
- Short barrel reduces 5.56 velocity significantly
If you have a pile of 5.56 lying around for your AR-15, it can be hard to get into a new caliber. The good news is you don’t have to.
Zastava Arms’ ZPAP85 has you covered with an AK pistol design that accepts most AK magazines made for 5.56 NATO.
It’s a Serbian-made design utilizing a thick 1.5 mm RPK receiver and bolt-hold-open built into the safety. The Serbians do it differently, but they make solid AK pistols.
Zastava’s ZPAP85 uses a hinged Krinkov-style top cover and Krinkov-style sights. This is an old-school AK pistol without all the fancy do-dads.
This gun sports a 10-inch barrel and, admittedly, holds back the 5.56 round’s power and performance. 5.56 works best from a 20-inch barrel, so trimming it in half will hurt its range and velocity.
However, the massive muzzle flash and concussion it creates is so much freaking fun.
Also, the AK-like design is quite hefty. With the 1.5mm RPK receiver, the gun is even heavier. This creates an AK pistol with little recoil.
In short, the ZPAP85 is a fun banger if you just want to plink. (And share an ammo source with your main rifle.)
Best 9mm AK Pistols
5. PSA AK-V
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Affordable
- Cheap magazines
- Optics rail
Cons
- Not a direct clone of the Vityaz
I know listing two Palmetto State Armory AKs may seem a little unimaginative, but these are two very different guns.
Blending a pistol caliber subgun with an AK pistol form, the PSA AK-V is one of a few like it on the market.
The NAK-9 Draco is neat, as is the Kalashnikov USA variant, but the AK-V makes some smart design choices. Chief among them — the use of CZ Scorpion magazines.
PSA makes their own mags, but you can also grab CZ OEM, Magpul, and Manticore mags.
They’re cheap, and they feature a curved design, which really completes the AK look.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Sporting a 1913 rail, you can pop a brace on for fun. PSA includes the triangle side-folding brace that also lends itself to that Krinkov AK SMG look.
You can use basically any other fixed or side-folding MPX-style brace.
Also included are an AK MOE handguard, a Magpul pistol grip, and a railed dust cover for attaching optics.
The tanker-style two-port muzzle brake might be unnecessary for a 9mm round, but it pulls the package together.
The PSA AK-V is most certainly the most modular and affordable pistol-caliber AK.
Check out our full review here.
What’s your take on the AK-P? Rate it below!
6. Charles Daly PAK-9
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Can use multiple magazine types
- Reliable with quality magazines
- Optics rail
Cons
- Looks terrible
The Charles Daly PAK-9 is a super small, pistol-caliber AK pistol utilizing various magazine platforms. Featuring interchangeable magazine blocks, Glock and Beretta are both supported mag platforms.
It’s a Romanian-made AK produced in the Cugir facility.
Straight up, it’s ugly as sin, but it’s super cheap and ultra-reliable.
Opting for a simple blowback, it’s hard to get it not to work. Quality magazines are key, and I will say the KCI Glock drum will not serve you well with the PAK-9.
Lights, lasers, and other fun stuff attach easily, and the top of the dust cover has an optic rail for tossing on a red dot.
The gun comes with a simple set of sights with an open-type rear sight you’d more commonly see on a traditional pistol.
Oddly enough, it does work, and this 6-pound pistol handles easily enough to shoot accurately. Sporting a barrel measuring 6.3 inches, the overall length comes in at a mere 14.37 inches.
This is an affordable way to get an AK pistol in a pistol caliber that potentially takes magazines you already have. It looks silly but shoots well and is ultra-compact and cheap to boot. That’s a tough combo to beat.
7. Century Arms Draco NAK-9
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Takes Glock magazines
- Optics rail
Cons
- Harder to attach a brace
How about another tiny 9mm contender for the best AK pistol? Check out the Century Arms Draco NAK-9.
And yes…it takes Glock mags.
Though it has a lackluster trigger, it’s tons of fun to shoot.
We shot it all day from the hip, and even with the iron sights, it shot accurately. Definitely a contender to add a red dot on top of there (and a pistol brace).
And since it’s still an AK, we expected reliability to be flawless. However, we had trouble with KCI mags. Official Glock mags, though…100%.
We have a full review of the NAK-9 where we go over everything.
8. Kalashnikov USA KP-9
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Close to clone-correct
- Good build quality
- Optics rail
Cons
- Proprietary magazines
No list would be complete without the closest thing you’ll get to the Russian special forces 9mm PP-19 Vityaz.
The KUSA KP-9 is a direct clone of the Vityaz, while the PSA AK-V is more of an homage.
And it might be the most fun we’ve had shooting a pistol caliber in an AK platform!
Yes…we also upgraded ours a little with Zenitco furniture and K-USA’s selector. Yay to finally be able to lock the bolt back as well as an easier time going between Safe and Fire.
Magazine-wise, it takes proprietary ones, and though we tried a PUF version…the KUSA ones still worked the best.
Again…words can only go so far in showcasing how fun and awesome the KP-9 is…so check out our full review.
Final Thoughts
AK pistols are an area worth exploring.
Though some are designed for more serious use while others are downright silly, these itty, bitty Kalashnikovs continue to rise in popularity for good reason. SBRed, braced, or even fired from the hip…these tiny AKs are meant for fun!
Who else is into AK pistols? Let us know which ones you rock and roll with and why. Dipping your toes in the AK arena? Check out our Complete Buyer’s Guide to the AK-47.
17 Leave a Reply
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Have a NAK9, fully decked out with brace, light, dot, etc. I LOVE IT! Just scored a Draco pistol in 7.62X39....and so it begins.
forget everything you just read here
go to bear creek arsenal dot com
getcha a 10.5 7.62x39 pistol upper - complete with mlok rail bcg ch and enhanced firing pin - $225
then go to palmetto state armory dot com and getcha any complete pistol lower - $175
then go to joe bob outfitters dot com and getcha a couple cproducts 28 round 7.62x39 magazines - $25 each
add some 45 sights and a sig red dot for $150
for $600 all in its going to run like a top and it will be 10 inch steel plate capable at 300 yards with tula ammo
i did this exact setup in and i love it
and you will too
Bear creek is shit. Complete garbage
What the hell is wrong with your webpage ?
Hey Tadd, we're having some technical difficulties, but we're working on it! Hang tight! Thanks!
Hi Jackie, where you show the two PSA guns, you have the (left) and (right) mixed up.
Great catch! It's been corrected. Thanks!
I rock the Charles Daly Chiappa PAK 9 with the pistol tube and fin brace. It’s red skeletonized with a red skeletonized pistol grip and red skeletonized angled foregrip. It really helped the overall look of the gun!! I do plan to cerakote with a red and black camo. The Glock mag conversion is a must!! Ilso went for the threaded barrel version with 1/2-28 threads and flash can. It quickly became one of favorite guns to shoot!!! I highly recommend one!!!!
How about USA made? Daniel Defense or Geissele 5.56 Pistols?
Review some other higher end options.
DD and Geissele do not make AK pistols, in any caliber. Arsenal is widely considered to be the higher-end option for AKs in the USA.
Running a Century arms C9v32 pistol with a milled reciever and the return to zero mount on the side this gun wont miss, wont break, and damn sure wont jam! Love AKs and Century arms I own CZ pistols a scorpion evo, and was even able to get ahold of a Canik tp9sfx whiteout only 2000 made and with the reflex sight I haven't had anyone including police officers beat me in shooting. Love my AKs so much my most recent AR builds have even been piston operated!
I'm running a NAK9 with a blade brace, custom right side mag release and magwell, and Obsidian 9 suppressor. I LOVE IT! Also yeah, it takes Glock mags.
Prices at time of writing. So, you wrote this in 1984? None of these guns have even been available for ages, let alone at such prices.
If you follow the big AK sellers, you can generally find them. They go quickly though. Atlantic Firearms is my preferred, they send e-mails and notifications when they're going on sale.
Ok, weird thought, but wouldn't a great name for the Galil pistol be the Ga-lil? Then you could nickname the rifle size the Ga-large.
7.62x39 = 7.62 Soviet
7.62x54R = 7.62 Russian