DRACOs

Thinking about DRACOs and whether it even makes sense to consider a mini at all. The std DRACO is basically a military model in semi auto.

The mini barrel is so short along with the gas system that it requires a buffer to keep the piston from short stroking. Do folks consider this a complete non-starter? (I did read a review in which the pistol chewed up the buffer after just 300 rounds - still funcitoned but regular replacement is likely required.

I do like the SHORT system, but maybe this is not advisable.

Thanks.

While I'm a complete AK whore, I just can't bring myself to buy a mini Draco. I do really like my SBR'd underfolding Draco.

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Originally Posted by Bret

While I'm a complete AK whore, I just can't bring myself to buy a mini Draco. I do really like my SBR'd underfolding Draco.

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I'm with Bret, but I made mine a side folder.

If you can swap out the rear underfolder trunnion for a regular rear trunnion, I think that the side folder is more functional and looks better. Here's my underfolder.

https://i.postimg.cc/fWXvp0ML/Draco-right-view.jpg

Here is a Vector semi auto AK that I bought about 9 years ago:

https://i.ibb.co/mzTnPs5/vector-SBR-short-Copy.jpg

Almost got the mini, but in the end, I could not bring myself to rely on a buffer to operate and not go with a "military version".

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Originally Posted by m4brian

Almost got the mini, but in the end, I could not bring myself to rely on a buffer to operate and not go with a "military version".

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Good call.

https://i.imgur.com/3F2K0HJ.jpg

I still think there is a sweet spot that CAI should have gone to - like 9.5 or 10" to run with no buffer reliably for their mini/mid. I looked at the M92 but another pound+ does not interest me.

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Originally Posted by m4brian

I still think there is a sweet spot that CAI should have gone to - like 9.5 or 10" to run with no buffer reliably for their mini/mid. I looked at the M92 but another pound+ does not interest me.

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I think for 7.62x39 the Draco 12.25" is as short as you can go for practical. If it was 5.45x39 then you can go to Krink lengths.

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Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

I think for 7.62x39 the Draco 12.25" is as short as you can go for practical. If it was 5.45x39 then you can go to Krink lengths.

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Hence boosters on shorter (7.62) ones?

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Originally Posted by m4brian

Hence boosters on shorter (7.62) ones?

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In theory one might be needed for a full auto, but not for a semiauto. I have literally never encountered a semiauto AK that needed a booster in order to run. The vast majority of AK's are way over gassed. If your AK will run reliably without a booster, adding one only makes the over gassing worse.

I have an old Draco that had the under folder trunnion so I had it cut. Still, I sort of wish I had installed a fixed stock. They are some cool little blasters.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...30eb63fc_k.jpg2024-03-25 02:58:11 by stoiclawyer, on Flickr

11 day turnaround in my sbr draco

I’m in the process of gathering parts and tools to chop my SAR-1 to ~12.5” on a Form 1. Turns out, the combo gas block I picked up is adjustable, so that’ll help with the can. I’ll try to let y’all know what I think when it’s done.

I’ll be keeping the fixed wood stock, solely to make a certain lawyer jealous. Well, that, and because I sanded the shellack off by hand and stained it in a barracks room 18 years ago, and I can’t let that American craftsmanship go to waste.

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Originally Posted by 1168

I’m in the process of gathering parts and tools to chop my SAR-1 to ~12.5” on a Form 1. Turns out, the combo gas block I picked up is adjustable, so that’ll help with the can. I’ll try to let y’all know what I think when it’s done.

I’ll be keeping the fixed wood stock, solely to make a certain lawyer jealous. Well, that, and because I sanded the shellack off by hand and stained it in a barracks room 18 years ago, and I can’t let that American craftsmanship go to waste.

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Gotta ask, why would you chop down a banned SAR-1 rather than buy and convert a Draco to a fixed stock trunnion? Lots of Dracs out there and still being imported for friendly prices, unlike SAR 1s.

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Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

Gotta ask, why would you chop down a banned SAR-1 rather than buy and convert a Draco to a fixed stock trunnion? Lots of Dracs out there and still being imported for friendly prices, unlike SAR 1s.

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Because I don’t know how (I’m sure I can learn, but I didn’t realize that was an easy option), and I’ve already got a rarely shot rifle that I paid $300 for, back when that was a thing.

Really, I was considering buying new, but quickly tired of trying to learn what to look for in the current market, and tired even more quickly at looking into having a pro do it. So I decided to entertain myself with a goonsmiffiin’ project instead. Anything special about the SAR-1 that should concern me? I thought it was a pretty common run-of-the-mill gun. It’s not quite original, as I had it threaded already. Took the gunsmith two deployment cycles to get it done.

I’ll look into the fixed stock conversion and see if it’s viable for me to Khyber a newish gun; thanks.

I don't think that the SAR-1 is banned. They just don't import that particular variant anymore. For that reason, it's value is above that of current imports. While you may have paid $300 for it, its current market value is what matters. Your logic is the opposite of a sunk cost fallacy, though I don't know what that would be called. I definitely agree with SteyrAUG that buying a Draco and replacing the rear trunnion is the way to go, though finding a competent AKsmith to do the rivet work in a timely manner might be problematic.

Switching from a 45 deg block to a 90 is at least as hard as installing a different (std) trunnion. Barrel journals and such aren't trivial.

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Originally Posted by m4brian

Switching from a 45 deg block to a 90 is at least as hard as installing a different (std) trunnion. Barrel journals and such aren't trivial.

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The combo FSB I bought is designed specifically to make that conversion doable for knuckleheads like myself. We’ll see if it’s really that straightforward.

Which one?

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Originally Posted by m4brian

Which one?

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Rifle Dynamics.

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Originally Posted by Bret

I don't think that the SAR-1 is banned. They just don't import that particular variant anymore. For that reason, it's value is above that of current imports. While you may have paid $300 for it, its current market value is what matters. Your logic is the opposite of a sunk cost fallacy, though I don't know what that would be called. I definitely agree with SteyrAUG that buying a Draco and replacing the rear trunnion is the way to go, though finding a competent AKsmith to do the rivet work in a timely manner might be problematic.

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Ok, not banned, but certainly not as available. WASRs have been it for almost 20 years or so. Also looks like the Romanian Dracos just got a little harder to get because now they are branding the Century Arms made vska as a Draco.

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Originally Posted by 1168

Rifle Dynamics.

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OK - a couple of things. I had one installed.

The barrel journal had to be tampered with by a very good AK Smith for it to work. Of course it was Hungarian so the Romanian might be fine.

Second - it NEEDS to be pinned. My RD GB walked. When I contacted RD, they said, "oh... yeah... we do this as a service for some customers...". Guess what RD - you NEED TO TELL FOLKS to pin it. So it went BACK to the smith and he pinned it.

If you think about it - it makes sense - the RD is only screwed on. If you have a great drill press and know what you are doing I guess this is OK.

OTOH, if you don't NEED to make it into an original with std trunion you can put on a 1913 adapter, and they come predrilled now.