Century Arms has been importing a variety of Ak-style guns for a while. I have been tossing around the idea of an AK-style PCC, specifically one that accepts Glock mags, for some time. Recently I decided it was time to pull the trigger (as always, gun pun intended). CAI’s 9mm AK appeared to be the perfect match. But was it worth it? Read our Draco NAK9 review and see.

[Update] I reviewed the Draco NAK9 last year and recently took it back to the range for another round of testing. After putting more rounds through it, I have some updated thoughts on how it performs and handles. Read on to see my latest insights!

Draco NAK9: A Little Background

Century Arms has been importing weapons for the Cugir Arms Factory in Romania for some time. They produce a lot of AK-style rifles and have moved into the PCC market in recent years. Century Arms also imports the AP5 series of guns (MP5 clone) and the BP-12 (Bullpup Shotgun), both from Turkey.

Cugir has an interesting history, with the original metal factory starting in 1799. Cugir was the first Romanian company to produce a 9mm sub-machine gun. With the DAK9, AK fans can now own a rifle that shoots a pistol caliber and accepts one of the world’s most common and easy-to-find mags.

As a tactical firearms instructor, I find the DRACO NAK9 particularly intriguing. This AK-Pistol is chambered in the extremely common 9mm and accepts Glock mags.

The fact that it uses Glock-compatible mags is one reason I was drawn to the NAK9 in the first place.

The NAK9 leaves plenty of room for customization ranging from a traditional AK look to a modern tactical approach.

Draco NAK9 Review: 9mm AK Features

1 Pic rail

• A rail on the hinged dust cover allows an optic to be mounted if desired

2 Rear sling swivel mount

• Comes standard with the NAK9 but can be replaced with a rear-rail mount for a pistol brace attachment.

3 Threaded barrel

• Perfect for upgrading the muzzle break or adding a suppressor.

4 Premium wood handguards

• The wood handguards are nice but can easily be swapped out for an aluminum M-Lok handguard.

Draco 9 mm AK Variations:

There are more than a few models and configurations of the Draco 9mm AK pistol, including some that aren’t 9mm at all (they’re a more traditional 7.62×39 AK).

Draco 9 mm Review – Our Take

The NAK9 is what I would call a budget-friendly gun but still unique in that it is chambered in 9mm and accepts Glock mags.

It retails for less than $600 for the basic model. The DRACO gives you the reliability of an AK but in pistol caliber and a compact design. The first time I held one, my thought was “this has the feel of an AK-47.”

I am a big AR-15 fan, but I also love the AK rifle, its reliability, and the history that comes with it.

The NAK9 is a great PCC for those AK lovers. It features a hinged dust cover for easy access to the spring & guide rod, and the bolt carrier group. Its simple design makes it nearly dummy proof when it comes to basic care. From a simple field strip, I could tell this would be a very easy gun to clean and maintain. It uses a stamped receiver just like traditional AK47s/AKMs and has the same cling sound everyone loves when you rack the bolt.

While the NAK9 has the classic AK look out of the box, it leaves plenty of room for upgrades. This model has been transitioned to a tactical look. There are plenty of aftermarket parts for pistol braces, grips, and hand guards. The Picatinny rail on the dust cover is a great standard feature on the NAK9, allowing you to easily attach your favorite optic.

Glock mags were easy to get in and out of the magwell. I tried a few different brands as some guns can be picky on which mags they will accept. Glock branded, ETS, KCI, and P-Mag Drums all were easy to lock in. The ETS mags did not fall freely from the magwell as the rest but were not hard to pull out either.

The mag release button is on the left side of the magwell, requiring the shooter to grab the mag with their left hand and push the release button as they pull on the mag. This is not a huge deal, but it would have been nice to see some type of release on the right side for faster mag changes.

On range day I started out with some Blazer FMJ 115 grain ammo to see how it cycled and to get a feel for the trigger. I noticed right away there was very little recoil because of the weight of the NAK9. Compared to my other PCCs, the NAK9 is by far the heaviest. I do have an aftermarket flash suppressor and a flashlight attached to it, but this gun is on the heavy side.

I fired the first 50 rounds without any issue and then loaded up some Sig 115 grain V-Crown jacketed hollow point ammo. In the past, I have had a few different PCCs have trouble cycling hollow point ammo. Because of the cost of the Sig ammo, I only fired 20 rounds through it, but it cycled without any issues.

I used a few different types of FMJ in 124 grain and 147. The NAK9 handled both just fine. I was able to hit a few metal gongs at 100 yards with the iron sights but focused most of the ammo between 50 and 75 yards. I did not shoot as well as I do with my other PCCs, but I will admit I’m not the best shot with the AK-style sights. Once I started using my red dot, I could hit my targets easily.

It was a smooth shooting gun (for an AK) and handled well. I liked the 124 grain the best for shooting out to 75 yards. It does not have a last-round bolt hold open, which I am used to, so it was a little harder to identify when it was time for a mag change during drills.

The trigger pull was heavy and a little on the long side for me, but it did feel somewhat smooth as I took up the slack during the trigger pull.  

Overall, the NAK9 is a fun gun to shoot and offers a unique blend of AK reliability with the convenience of 9mm and Glock mags.

Draco NAK9 Pros and Cons

As you can see, they did a great job with this AK 47. However, it does have some limitations. With this in mind though, it did make our list of top ak47s – however, it did not get our #1 pick.

Gun Deals

Searching the internet to find your favorite firearm can be a big task. However, we put together a list to make things simple. Check out the links below to figure out where you can get yourself a NAK9.

Draco NAK9 – FAQ

Can I add a muzzle brake to the Draco NAK9?
Yes, the Draco NAK9 features a threaded barrel, allowing you to easily attach a muzzle brake. This can help reduce recoil and improve overall shooting comfort.

What types of ammunition work well with the Draco NAK9?
The NAK9 has been tested with various types of ammunition, including FMJ and hollow points, and has cycled them without issue. However, users should always test their chosen ammunition to ensure reliability.

What are the sight options on the Draco NAK9?
The NAK9 features front and rear adjustable sights, designed in the classic AK style, allowing for quick target acquisition. Users can also mount an optic using the Picatinny rail on the dust cover for enhanced accuracy.

Can I attach a brace to the rear block of the NAK9?
Yes, the rear block can be replaced with a rear-rail mount, allowing you to attach a pistol brace for improved stability and comfort while shooting.

Best Ammo for Your Firearm

My preferred range ammo is CCI Blazer 115gr target ammunition; for self-defense I typicaly go to Winchester’s USA Ready 9mm +P 124gr Hex-Vent hollow-points.

A couple of other options include:

Upgrades and Accessories

Below are a few suggestions for things you might find helpful (or enjoyable) when you’re shooting your WASR-10.

1. The first half of “Eyes and Ears”		Proper eye protection is critical and should always be worn Ballistic rated, not just sunglasses	Compare top eyepro
2. The second half of “Eyes and Ears”		Ear protection is also critical. Protect your hearing! Many styles (some stackable) are available	Compare best earpro
3. Appropriate cleaning kit		For cleaning, care, and maintenance Not all kits are created equal	Compare top kits
4. WOLVERINE! Pattern Camo Sling		Everything COMBLOC goes better with Red Dawn movie Russian camo.	Check price
6. Vickers AK Sling		The classic Blue Force Gear AK47 sling from LAV.	Check price
9. Aimpoint CompM5b		Quickly adjust the reticle in accordance with projectile ballistics and distance to target Wind compensation adjustment in 3 levels Compatible with the Aimpoint 3X & 6XMag-1 magnifiers	Check price
7. Surefire M600U Scout Light		Virtually indestructible ultra-high-output LED Rugged and reliable; built for conflict Mil-Spec Hard Anodized finish, and O-ring sealed to keep out the elements.	On Amazon
8. Leather AK Chest Rig		The most bespoke of possible load-bearing gear Not the most practical but boy it looks GOOD Available for a variety of loadouts	Check price
9. Dark Angel D.A.R.K. Trauma Kit		You should always have medical gear when shooting (any gun) External Tourniquet for easy access Pull handle for rapid deployment Vacuumed sealed insert to keep your contents protected Kit content scalability	Check price
10, ETS Cam Speedloader		Check price

Keep something in mind when choosing your accessories, upgrades, and furniture: apart from the basic necessities (e.g. a sling, a light, and possibly an optic), you should always budget time, resources, and money for training. All the “Gucci kit” in the world won’t help if you cannot run the gun effectively.

Loose Rounds

The Draco isn’t the first vodka blaster chambered in 9mm. ComBloc weapons can be found in a couple kinds of 9mm: both the 9×18 Makarov and 9×19 Parabellum. 

This is Igor Yakovlevich Stechkin. Stechkin isn’t as well-known a surname as Kalashnikov, but his designs are still seeing service in the Russian Federation. The weapon in this image is a Stechkin APS select-fire pistol (Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Stechkina). It is reportedly being used in the Russo-Ukrainian War – including, as you can see below, some that are equipped with current accessories.

 

How to Care for Your Firearm

Whether you’re new to the AK platform or you just want to brush up on your fundamentals, check out this video by our own Graham Baates about breaking the Kalash down.

Important Links and Manuals

Need more info on this firearm? Don’t worry. There’s plenty out there. We recommend you get started with the following resources:

• Read the US Military’s official AK47 instruction manual.
• Compare the 9mm cartridge to the 45 ACP cartridge.
• Contrast the 9mm cartridge with the 357 magnum cartridge.
• Visit the BIG Guide to Romanian AK Variants