Looking for CQB 7.62x39 options, short barrel, legally a "pistol"

I have been interested in finding a CQB rifle, legally "pistol" for some time now, the problem is that options I like are either out of stock everywhere I look due to the ongoing crisis or others are extremely expensive while some use direct impingement which we all know causes issues for the Russian 7.62x39mm round. Let me lay out what I am looking for in detail...

I want a rifle/pistol designed for Close Quarters (CQB), which is also why I want the firearm in 7.62x39, a round that is well-suited for shorter barrel lengths and is still affordable. I am looking for a modern/tactical firearm with a good set of features and ability to attach optics, angled foregrip, and possibly a flashlight. The firearm should be as lightweight as possible, making it easier to carry and more ergonomic in a CQB situation such as clearing rooms in a building or moving from cover to cover. The firearm should have a short barrel, but NOT TOO short. A lot of people enjoy the Maxim Defense PDX, but that 5.5 inch barrel ruins the ballistics of even the 7.62x39 round. Also, the firearm doesn't seem to have been properly designed for the round and jams once in a while, not something I find acceptable in a $2200-$2500 firearm, otherwise the MDX10 in 7.62x39 may just be a contender.

I am looking for a barrel length of 9.5" to 13", and so the newer Galil Ace Gen 2 13" variant may spring to mind and in fact it is one of the options I am most considering. There are just a couple small issues. The biggest issue is the weight, with a loaded mag and optic on board, the thing will weigh over 9 lbs, putting it in the same weight class as a SCAR-17S .308. That just doesn't seem right to me, and then there is the Bren 2 MS 11", which almost seems perfect, right up to the point where you watch reviews and several people have severe issues with it, plus you cant find one anywhere. The Sig 556xi Russian seems to be the ideal option, but I can't seem to find one anywhere at all.

Of course, avoiding an NFA item would be preferable as well. And thus I have decided to join this forum, to get ideas from the community, so thanks in advance! And before you ask, yes I know that 300 BLK is a really great round. The issue is the price of the ammunition, costing more than .308 win, pretty much takes it out of the running for me.

JCooperfan1911 said:

Mini Jack:

https://atlanticfirearms.com/mini-jack-sr762c-ak47-pistol

Be patient. Polish made. Outstanding quality.

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Definitely seems decent, though looking for a more modern version with rails, actually completely forgot about the CMMG Banshee 200 series, would have everything Im looking for, and time is definitely not of the essence, I am looking to take my time and truly find what it is I am after. M+M also has the M10-X pistol variant available with 12.5" barrel, quite expensive but quite nice: https://atlanticfirearms.com/m-m-m10x-p-pistol-7-62x39-M10X-P-794504112528

Jonny2guns said:

I've walked past the same Ruger American in 7.62x39 for weeks.... not a big fan of the round.

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I have to agree that I wouldn't go for a bolt-action in 7.62x39mm. The Russian AK round was never really intended for long range, precision shooting, especially considering the ballistics. Just seems like a mis-match if you ask me. The purpose I am aiming for with semi-automatic CQB situations seems far more suited to the platform and the caliber if you ask me.

CoalCrackerAl said:

Im not after a long range shooter with it. I load light ammo for plinking. It wont cycle an AK.

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Ah makes more sense then

JCooperfan1911 said:

Make sure whatever you get is QUALITY made, otherwise it won’t be worth using for defense of your life and loved ones no matter how many cool rails it has.

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Yes of course that goes without saying, M+M definitely produces quality products, they don't even produce a rifle that doesn't use a cold-hammer forged barrel yet, seems another option may be Zastava Arms but I don't know a whole lot about them, positive reviews from what I have seen so far though: https://atlanticfirearms.com/zastav...tical-pistol-package-ZP92762TACM-685757098229

The rails are definitely NOT for cool factor, I plan on running a few accessories. Low-magnification scope or red dot, angled forgrip (for legal reasons obviously), and I am 50-50 on mounting a small, lightweight flashlight

JCooperfan1911 said:

A light would be really neat to add. I enjoy them on my defensive rifles:

View attachment 1046731

I like a proper 16” for my 7.62x39mms. Gives the cartridge the velocity it deserves and cuts down on deafening muzzle blast. But the pistols are cool, too!

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Definitely can't go wrong with a full length 16" barrel, I simply choose short barrel for 7.62x39mm specifically because it is the best-suited rifle caliber for short barrels, well besides extremely expensive 300 BLK. 7.62x39 looses very little velocity dropping from a full 16" barrel to a 10" barrel. You only begin to see issues with velocity and ballistics when dropping to 8" and shorter barrels when firing the 7.62x39mm round.

FL-NC said:

The AK based pistols like the DRACO are very violent to fire, and difficult to fire quickly with accuracy. The AK in any configuration really doesn't lend itself well to "CQB", due to an inefficient safety lever (which can be somewhat corrected) and its euro magazine release (which cannot). Also, it is my understanding that there will be major challenges in the future sourcing what has long been considered the most $ friendly X 39 ammunition from overseas, not to mention other calibers sourced from eastern europe.

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Yes the russian ammo ban is a big bummer for 7.62x39, but there are already factories that are planning on manufacturing the round for the US to get around the ban. Will the price go up? Certainly, but I think prices will remain under that of more expensive ammunition such as the 300 BLK.

Jonny2guns said:

When I did my CQB gun, I went with 300 B.O. uses same projectiles as a couple others in the stable, has a pretty good range of ammo types. Just seems to fit the role a little better in my opinion.View attachment 1046761
And total, less than $700.00

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It is definitely a better round out of short barrels, my issue with it is the price of ammo. I want to practice on it, get good with it, and putting 1000 rds of 300 BLK downrange will cost you an arm and a leg. I just don't know if the 100%+ more expensive ammo is worth it

RevolvingGarbage said:

I can’t speak to it’s ability to function with lighter loaded or American produced ammo as I’ve only fired this with Russian steel cased ammo, but if I needed to reach for a gun to win a fight for my life at close range, out of anything I have available it would certainly be my M92 pistol. The barrel being 10” means it isn’t quite as much of a pain to fire quickly and accurately as the very short barreled AK’s, and it’s still small enough to use in any reasonable close quarters situation.

It’s also worth pointing out that in my experience this type of AK74 style muzzle device is the very absolute best for muzzle climb mitigation. I can shoot this gun every bit as fast as I can my 20” 5.56 AR and the muzzle simply does not climb to any significant degree. With a full or mostly full 75 round drum it just kind of sits in place during firing and makes an ungodly amount of noise.

The only aspect of your wants which this type of weapon doesn’t really fit is the “lightweight” requirements since a basic unloaded AK pistol is generally going to already over 7 pounds. If light weight is what you’re after I would pair a monolithic AR polymer complete lower with whatever 16 inch barreled 7.62x39 upper you like. Making an SBR would probably be the overall best way to go about things if it reeeaaallly needs to be short.

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I do really like the M92 as an AKM derivative and there are some nice builds available such as this version I found on Atlantic Firearms that they call the ZPAP: https://atlanticfirearms.com/zastav...tical-pistol-package-ZP92762TACM-685757098229.

I think I have narrowed down my options, I am still considering the Galil Ace Gen 2 13" in 7.62x39, The ZPAP above, the M+M M10X-P AK Pistol found here: https://atlanticfirearms.com/zastav...tical-pistol-package-ZP92762TACM-685757098229, or I could just get the same AR-AK that thousands of people already have and probably the only Direct Impinged 7.62x39 that seems to function properly - the CMMG Banshee 200 in 7.62x39 (10" barrel): https://cmmg.com/banshee-200-pistol-mk47-7-62-x-39mm. To be honest, the CMMG is looking like the best bet, it seems to have literally everything I am looking for, including lower weight, great build quality, reliability, and modern rail + M-LOK accessory mounts. I just can't seem to find anything more perfect than it, plus I can have it coated straight from the CMMG factory.