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January 8, 2011, 05:05 AM | #1 |
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Modifying a Romanian Draco AK47 Pistol ...
UNLESS I CANNOT DO THIS LEGALLY:
I would like to replace the pistol grip with a more ergonomic one, and the supplied wooden foregrip furniture, top and bottom, with Picatinny rail-equipped pieces. I'd like to be able to mount a red-dot or holographic sighting device on top and a front-end pistol grip with a tac light below. Is there any legal reason that would not allow me to do this? Remember, this is an AK pistol, not a rifle. None of this would affect the length of the weapon and it appears to me that that is the most important criteria, aside from the number of foreign parts for such assembled weapons. Does the country of origin for these parts (probably Israel) matter more than the country of purchase (USA)? Last edited by MissouriShooter; January 8, 2011 at 05:30 AM. |
January 8, 2011, 07:06 AM | #2 |
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Caveat- I am not a lawyer.
Can't do the front pistol grip, that would require papers as an AOW. Other than that, I would stick with all US made grip/parts just to play it safe, where they are from matters, not where you buy them. The 922 stuff drives me crazy, you will likely never have an issue but I wouldn't risk it since there are US made options.
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January 8, 2011, 11:30 AM | #3 |
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None of the changes you propose are illegal.
922R regulation refers to longarms, not pistols. |
January 8, 2011, 11:50 AM | #4 |
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This probably needs to be moved to the NFA forum. Lots of good folks there who are uber familiar with what can and can not be done to keep in the good graces of the ATF.
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January 8, 2011, 02:09 PM | #5 |
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None of that is illegal, BUT, you will have to register the gun as an AOW to stay legal if you add a forward pistol grip.
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January 8, 2011, 02:17 PM | #6 |
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January 28, 2011, 08:26 PM | #7 |
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Mine looks like this
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I got a fever, and the only cure is more guns. Ya wanna go shootin' tomarrow? Last edited by 10 Beers; January 28, 2011 at 08:30 PM. Reason: bad pic |
January 29, 2011, 09:28 PM | #8 |
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No doubt, these guys will know -
AK forum - Romanian |
January 30, 2011, 10:24 AM | #9 |
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Replacing the front stock with a rail system is OK; BUT it's not OK to add a front grip. Replacing the pistol grip with a nicer one is also OK.
I've got one of these and found that sighting the gun without a shoulder stock is all but imposible. Since I don't want to go Class 3 and register the pistol as a SBW (short barreled weapon) I added the laser sight. (just like 10 Beers) That seems to be the best overall solution to aiming the weapon. The front stock is so short that it is easy to roll your knuckle onto the laser switch and light up your target. These things are a real blast to shoot! |
January 30, 2011, 10:41 AM | #10 |
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Slightly off topic, but...
How LESS accurate are these than their full-sized equivalent? Could you associate a distance that these are good for, vs. full-size (i.e., full-size accurate to 300 yds, these only to 100, etc.). I always thought this was quite a good deal for a ~$300 "tweener" that has better range and accuracy than a 4 or 5" barreled pistol. Back on topic--as you were. Thanks!
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January 30, 2011, 06:43 PM | #11 |
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By the way, I wouldn't do anything invasive to the pistol that you can't undo later like grinding the muzzle cap loose to add a goofy flashider. The flash is the best part and you bought it 'cause it was short. The reason is these things are sure to be collectors items and original is best. I can't even believe they're legal. I bought a Chicom Norinco 84s in 1988 for $295 and often thought about major changes but never got around to it. Today it's worth like $1500. Just watch, down the road they'll be selling some watered down version with a can opener welded to the muzzle to satisfy some length requirement. Just like the pre-ban norinco and polytech rifles became the prize pigs of AK collecting (who knew?) these could turn gold. I'm still wondering where the ass end sling swivel is going to go but I'm leaning to a stud in the top left side of the pistol grip like a pistol grip shotgun has or even the bottom of the grip. I can buy a cheap black pistol grip for ten bucks and spare the original. The flashlight goes on the side of the 3 way pic and I'm done. A gun this small can't hold much more crap but someone will prove me wrong.
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January 30, 2011, 07:21 PM | #12 |
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You may want to write the ATF on this, and get it in writing too, but I believe someone over at ARFCOM got an approval letter from them and its allowable to use the MagPul "angled" grip on the AR pistols. If so, I dont see why the AK would be any different.
Ill look around and see if I can find you a link. ETA: heres a link to the letter. Question 7 at the bottom of page 3 addresses it. https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=...NzdhMzUx&hl=en |
January 30, 2011, 11:08 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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January 31, 2011, 08:00 PM | #14 |
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Accuracy is meaningless in a gun like this, you buy it for ******* rights and to clear the zombies off the front yard. It's also rough feeling and it smells bad. That should answer any future questions.
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I got a fever, and the only cure is more guns. Ya wanna go shootin' tomarrow? |
February 16, 2012, 07:39 AM | #15 |
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10 Beers,
Sent you a PM and an Email with a question. Smiling Bob |
February 16, 2012, 10:40 PM | #16 |
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Pretty much what everyone else said. Adding a forward pistol grip will get you into hot water. Adding rails for lights, lasers, etc is fine. You don't need to worry about 922R with it's US v. foreign parts counts if you're replacing parts (like if you want a grip that fits your hand better than the one that comes from the factory), because 922R does not apply to handguns. There are plenty of handguns being imported into the country that are 100% foreign-made.
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February 16, 2012, 11:36 PM | #17 |
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Here's a pic of my Draco C pistol:
Here's a link to the particulars and what my Draco pistol is capable of: http://www.theakforum.net/phpBB3/vie...?f=84&t=173353 Smiling (BIG TIME) Bob |
Tags |
ak47 , draco , new grips , pistol , tac light |
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