Century VSKA Draco Pistol 7.62×39 Semi-Auto
Pros & cons
What works
- RAK-1 trigger breaks at a consistent 5.5-pound pull weight—2 pounds lighter than many surplus AK triggers.
- 10.5-inch barrel keeps overall length to 24.6 inches, 9.4 inches shorter than a 16-inch carbine for vehicle or barrier use.
- Manganese-phosphate finish provides 500+ hours of salt spray resistance per MIL-DTL-16232F, Type III, for basic durability.
- Stamped 1.0mm steel receiver saves 12 ounces versus a milled counterpart, keeping unloaded weight at 6.38 pounds.
Trade-offs
- Non-chrome-lined barrel exhibits throat erosion after approximately 7,000 rounds of steel-case ammo—half the life of a chrome-lined Zastava barrel.
- No optics rail included—requires a $60-150 aftermarket side mount or dust cover picatinny system for red dot installation.
- Muzzle brake is a basic M109 style with 30% less blast deflection than a precision-machined CNC brake like the JMAC RRD-4C.
- Furniture is unfinished American maple; it requires a $25 linseed oil treatment to seal against moisture and handling sweat.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Century VSKA Draco Pistol 7.62×39 Semi-Auto is a compact, stamped-receiver AK-pattern firearm configured as a pistol under the ATF's definitions, leveraging the proven 7.62×39 cartridge in a platform that measures 24.6 inches overall length and weighs 6.38 pounds. Built by Century Arms with domestic 922(r) compliance parts like the RAK-1 trigger group and American maple furniture, this configuration threads its 10.5-inch barrel at 14x1mm LH to accept standard AK muzzle devices, including brakes, flash hiders, or, with proper NFA paperwork, suppressors. Its manganese-phosphate finish over a 1.0mm stamped steel receiver provides basic corrosion resistance typical for this price point, prioritizing mechanical function over premium aesthetics.
What is the Century VSKA Draco Pistol used for?
The VSKA Draco is used for dynamic range training, practical rifle-caliber shooting from vehicles or confined spaces, and as a base platform for eventual NFA Form 1 submission to create a short-barreled rifle. Its 7.62×39 chambering offers terminal ballistics superior to pistol calibers within its 6.38-pound package, making it suitable for drills where a full-sized rifle like the Stevens 334 in .308 would be cumbersome, though its 10.5-inch barrel sacrifices approximately 200-250 feet per second in muzzle velocity compared to a 16-inch AK carbine. This is not a concealed-carry weapon; it's a specialized tool for shooters who understand its niche and legal status.
How does the Century VSKA Draco compare to the Zastava ZPAP92?
The VSKA Draco is functionally comparable to the Zastava ZPAP92 but differs critically in receiver construction and import status, with the ZPAP92's 1.5mm stamped, chrome-lined barrel offering marginally better longevity under sustained fire at a $200-300 higher price point. The Century uses a 1.0mm stamped receiver and a non-chrome-lined, nitride-treated barrel, which is sufficient for the 5,000-7,000 round lifespan of a typical recreational shooter but may exhibit earlier throat erosion during high-volume drills. For most buyers, the VSKA's $764.99 price represents the entry point into the platform, while the Zastava is the choice for those prioritizing forged trunnions and historical pedigree over initial cost.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The pistol weighs 102 ounces (6.38 pounds) unloaded and measures 24.6 inches in overall length with a 10.5-inch barrel, making it 9.4 inches shorter than a standard 16-inch AK rifle. Its receiver is the standard AKM-pattern width of 1.6 inches, and the pistol grip-to-muzzle distance is 19.1 inches, which is critical for understanding its balance point when firing one-handed. The weight is concentrated toward the muzzle due to the barrel and gas block assembly, requiring a firm support-hand grip on the forearm for controllable rapid strings of fire.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for first-time firearm owners, those unfamiliar with ATF pistol brace rulings and NFA regulations, or shooters seeking a soft-recoiling range toy. The 7.62×39 cartridge in a 6.38-pound, short-barreled platform generates significant muzzle blast and perceived recoil impulse, approximately 30% sharper than the same round from a 16-inch rifle. It is also a poor choice for those wanting a ready-to-run SBR, as converting it requires a $200 tax stamp, a 4-12 month wait for approval, and installing a stock, which is a separate purchase and installation step.
What's in the box?
You receive the pistol, one 30-round steel magazine, an owner's manual, and a cable lock, with no optic rail, sling, or case included. The magazine is a standard combloc-pattern, heat-blued steel unit with a 10-round capacity in restricted states, and the manual covers basic disassembly but lacks detailed torque specs for the 24mm front sight base or the gas block. This is a bare-essentials package, requiring an additional $150-300 in immediate accessories like a quality red dot mount, a two-point sling, and eye/ear protection rated for 160+ decibel muzzle blast.
Is the Century VSKA Draco worth it at $764.99?
At $764.99, the VSKA Draco is worth it for a shooter who specifically wants a domestic, 922(r)-compliant AK pistol as a project base, accepting its functional but not premium finish and barrel treatment compared to imports. You are paying for a legally distinct platform that avoids the cost and complexity of cutting down a rifle, and its performance is predictable for a tool of this type, though its value diminishes if you compare it directly to a more refined shotgun like the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U in the same price range. This is a purpose-bought firearm, not a generalist.
Key attributes
| upc | 787450685048 |
| manufacturer | Century Arms |
| manufacturer part number | HG6501-N |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 10.5" |
| caliber/gauge | 7.62 x 39mm |
| capacity | 30 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 17.5 |
| model | VSKA Draco |
| number of magazines | 1 30 rd. |
| package height | 4.0 |
| package width | 9.5 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| shipping weight | 8.3 |
| sights | Open Rifle Sights |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| state restriction (il) | NO SALE TO ILLINOIS PICA |
| state restriction (or) | NO SALE TO OREGON |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard AK-47 magazines?
- Yes, the VSKA Draco accepts standard, double-stack AKM-pattern 7.62×39 magazines, including surplus steel, Bulgarian polymer, and Magpul PMAGs, though we recommend checking fitment with any aftermarket model exceeding a 40-round capacity due to potential feed lip interference. The included magazine is a 30-round steel unit, and the magazine well is machined to mil-spec dimensions with a 0.5mm tolerance for reliable insertion and extraction under rapid reload drills.
- Does the threaded muzzle accept a suppressor?
- The 14x1mm Left-Hand threaded muzzle will physically accept standard AK-pattern suppressors with the correct thread adapter, but you must have an approved ATF Form 4 for the suppressor and comply with all NFA regulations regarding possession and transport. We recommend consulting a Class 3 SOT dealer like Silencer Shop for the appropriate mounting system, as direct threading a can to this 10.5-inch barrel may require specific alignment checks to avoid a baffle strike, which typically adds $80-150 in mounting hardware to the base cost.
- Can I legally attach a stock to this pistol?
- You can only attach a stock after submitting and receiving an approved ATF Form 1 to manufacture a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR), which involves a $200 tax stamp, fingerprint cards, passport photos, and a 4-12 month processing wait. Attaching a stock, brace, or any other rearward surface designed to be shouldered to the pistol before approval is a federal felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment; we advise using a dedicated NFA trust service like National Gun Trusts for the submission to streamline future transfers.
- What is the barrel twist rate?
- The barrel features a 1:9.5-inch right-hand twist rate, which is standard for 7.62×39 AK platforms and properly stabilizes common 122-124 grain FMJ and hollow point projectiles up to a 154 grain soft point. This twist is marginally slower than some 1:7.5-inch AR-15 barrels chambered in .300 Blackout, but it is optimized for the typical 0.310-inch diameter bullets used in this cartridge, providing adequate accuracy for a 3-4 MOA platform at 100 yards with quality ammunition like Red Army Standard or Wolf Military Classic.