Draco Pistol

Draco Pistol

The Draco Pistol, or more commonly known as simply a Draco, named after the Dacian dragon-like battle banner^[1], is a series of Romanian-designed gas-operated semi-automatic pistols sold by Century International Arms. The weapon is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge with its design taken heavily after the AK-47. Its stockless outfit has led to its classification as a pistol, while holding a magazine of 30 rounds.

The Draco's presence in the US has grown in recent years, frequently serving as an icon in gang and/or trap and hip hop/rap scenes.^[2][3][4] It is a popular choice among criminals and gangs. Its increased usage in violent crimes and discovery through investigations and criminal seizures has led to a noted uptake of the Draco in the US as of 2023.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

Three of the four 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.^[10]

The Draco is frequently portrayed in rap songs and music videos. The online firearm retailer Gunsamerica discovered a direct correlation between Draco sales and its appearance in rap songs in 2016 and 2017.^[3] In recent years, its rising use in the commission of deadly crimes, including some against police officers, has caused a stir among authorities, with many decrying its lethality obscured under the guise of a pistol classification.^[7][6][5] The weapon has been noted by some for inaccuracy and an apparent lack of practical application,^[11][12][13] 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.^[14] It has been criticized by several police officials for its apparent lack of practical civilian application, being instead a tool of intimidation and violence.^[6][7] The Detroit Police seized around 50 in the 12 months to July 2022, noting its spread.^[7]

• Arms trafficking
• Machine pistol