In this era of rifle-caliber pistols and SBRs, AKS-74U clones such as the Draco are popular as personal defense weapons. They are certainly more handy inside an automobile and easier to fit into a backpack or briefcase than longer carbines and rifles. If you own one, this article may help you appreciate the history and lore of your chosen system. It offers some lesser known details about the development and Western discovery of the AKS-74U, which we erroneously called a “Krinkov” for years.

This article outlines the history of long guns in police service during the past century or so, especially the last 50 years, comparing and contrasting the different types. Although there are some important lessons for the long gun armed citizen throughout, the article concludes with information specifically for rifle armed citizens (or those who are wondering if they ought to be). Originally published in February, 2021, this article was significantly revised in September 2021.