We review the new Ewbank Mini - Shorty AK47 pistol.
The smallest most reliable AK47 micro pistol on the planet.

      We recently had the chance to review and shoot a custom built AK47 pistol built by Ken Ewbank of Ewbank Mfg in Winslow, Arizona USA. This is a real head turner, it'll loud and accurate, fun to shoot and it attracts quite a crowd.

     I've known Ken for about a year now and when we've talked the topic inevitably turns to the new projects he's got on the custom table. But let me pause,

     If you don't know Ken, he's the owner of Ewbank Manufacturing, Ken has been one of if not the largest manufacturers of mid range US built AK47 rifles, Ak47 pistols and AK47 receivers for years now. Ken's shop handles production runs from dozens to hundreds of rifles and pistols to many of the major distributors, military and law enforcement all over the country.

    Ken is not doing this just for the money, he is an AK nut, like many of us he's happy to sit and build elaborate and detailed historic recreations and custom US versions of our favorite rifle. Ken takes some time here and there from running the production line to work on new ideas, custom jobs, and such.

     He lets us know when something new is done or when an especially fancy custom job is finished so we can post pictures on our websites. And when Ken sent us a picture of one of his newest creations I placed an order that day. I know other people did too. But having a website to publish photos and reviews on has it's perks and I received my new AK47 pistol at the Phoenix Gun Show this weekend. About two weeks later maybe three.

     The following pictures should give you a pretty good idea of what this pistol looks like and we are editing a small video to show you how surprisingly accurate these tiny AK47s shoot.

Close Up Pics of the Mini AK47 Pistol

Compared with the SAR-1

At the range - Shooting the Mini AK47 pistol

Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol Compared with a
Horns Custom "Standard Size" AK47 Tactical Pistol

Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol with bayonets

Ewbank Custom Mini AK47 Pistol with Chinese Bayonet

Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol Compared with the SAR-1

	Here are the Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol and the SAR-1 next to each other. The size difference is very apparent, the pistol looses over 3 pounds of metal and wood from the rifle
	Back to back with the receivers lined up for another perspective on the scale of this mini AK47 pistol
	With the Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol with no stock (obviously) and the SAR-1next to each other, it's obvious where a lot of the weight was.
	The front end is highly modified. This was no hacksaw and grinder job that took ten minutes. This conversation took some clever engineering. It's a unique design. The parts all fit together perfectly, there are no gaps or tool marks on this pistol.
	The elements are all there, just closer together. It's not as simple as it looks once you start to think about the various parts moving inside the AK47. The obvious items like the gas tube, barrel and handguards were simply a step in the process. Calculations needed to take into effect the pressure of the gasses that cycle the action when they are drawn from the barrel sooner than normal. Then that pressure needed to be regulated to provide enough with out too much pressure to the modified bolt carrier. But the elements of the AK47 remain, the signature front sight post and exposed gas block and gas tube are all still there, just shortened and molded into a one handed version of the AK47
	The AK47 pistol uses standard AK47 magazines
	Once field stripped it's easy to see how many parts are modified and altered to make this pistol. Again all the parts are there, just refined to make the same operation happen with less space to work in.

Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol Compared with a
Horns Custom "Standard Size" AK47 Tactical Pistol

	AK47 pistols are not brand new. They first hit the market a few years back and Ken has been one of the leading AK47 and AK47 pistols all that time. As one of the first large manufacturers of AK47 pistols, Ken has helped shape the style of Ak47 pistols on the market today.  Chris Horn of Horn's Custom Rifles has been building Ak47 pistols almost as long. Chris builds his pistols for the military and law enforcement market and they prefer the 'Tactical' styles like our sample here.
	The Horn Ak47 pistol is built from AMD-65 parts so it's barrel is the standard 14" It has standard size AK47 front grips this one has built in rails for mounting optics
	Back to back with he receivers lined up for another perspective on the scale of the mini AK47 pistol
	The front ends of the two AK47 pistols
	Another shot that just looks cool
Here it is with a Ewbank Mini Krink Pistol
	I snapped this one when I picked it up. It's the little cousin made with Krink parts, a few inches shorter than mine if you can believe it.

Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol with bayonets

	Now the best part.. Bayonets a Red Chinese Bayonet on the Mini AK47 pistol An AK47 pistol with a bayonet, this is the perk of my job. I like to think I'm the first one in history to have commissioned an AK47 pistol with a bayonet. I couldn't be prouder.
	a Bulgarian Bayonet on the Mini AK47 pistol
	Another Chinese Bayonet on the Mini AK47 pistol, this one is black
	a Polish Bayonet on the Mini AK47 pistol
	a North Korean Bayonet on the Mini AK47 pistol
	OK I think this might be German, or another black Chinese Bayonet on the Mini AK47 pistol I need to wait till it's posted to see it bigger
	Here is a Horns Custom Rifle's Fake AK47 Suppressor on the Mini AK47 pistol. This would be a great safety feature for bump firing I bet

At the range - Shooting the Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol

Sure we can all see what it looks like already, but HOW DOES IT SHOOT?? We took it out to shoot it at South East Regional Park (SERP) in Tucson, AZ.  We shot about a hundred rounds, passing it around to let a variety of shooters give it a try. Most were similing or laughing when they finished  all had nothing but good things to say about it. I wasn't selling them or asking for quotes for this article, I was simply asking their opinion of it. This little guy is loud don't assume it's quiet because it's small. It quickly gets the attention of the shooters with it's bark. Because the barrel is so short, the powder that would normally be burning inside the barrel comes out the barrel on fire, so you get these massive clouds of flame that bellow out the barrel slow enough to be seen easily in bright Arizona sunlight.

We shot it at the berm on the pistol side of the range this is about 60 yards from the firing line. All the testers were able to pick rocks and hit them while aiming. From the hip, which everyone preferred, most were able to walk the shots in on their target easily Video of the day at the range

Close Up Pics of the Ewbank Mini AK47 Pistol

	The classic side angle mug shot of the Mini AK47 pistol. It's very well built. Ken knows how to build an AK47 and when he has the time to build a custom gun like this by hand you can see his expertise in the fine details and quality
	At under 7 pounds it's not hard to hold with one hand
	Like a fine automobile, yacht or aircraft there is no detail left untouched. Either Ken found a pristine parts kit or he took the time to clean up tool marks and any flaws all over this pistol, even on the inside which is rarely seen
	The rivets on this AK47 pistol are uniform balanced and as close to perfect as I've seen on any guns. At $1200 these are not going to be a persons first AK47. But if you are like me, totally nuts over this interesting and historic rifle, this pistol is a true work of American art. Like a custom Harley these pistols are unique, tough looking, loud and just plain cool. I can't help but think when I look at it .. are there Russian website guys building websites reviewing the mini AR-15 pistols the Russian manufacturers are making there?

After a few aplications of oil to darken the parkerization