Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present a semi-automatic pistol that is the exact clone of the Astra A-75 for a penny-start auction; this is the Republic Arms of South America R.A.P. 401!
The Republic Arms 401 has an interesting history. In 1994, the newly elected government in South Africa ended the purchase of new firearms, including the RAP401. This left Republic Arms looking for a market, and with the end of the arms embargo, they decided to see if they could succeed in the US commercial market. In addition, they realized that the RAP401, which begins stronger and heavier than really necessary for 9x19mm, would be an excellent candidate for the new and popular .40 S&W cartridge. They adapted the design for the .40 caliber and exported it as the RAP440, alongside the 9mm RAP401. The guns sold reasonably well in the US thanks to their low price point but good quality, and remained in production until 2006.
According to the owner, this example is in “Preowned - Never Fired” condition, and we see no evidence to suggest otherwise!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Republic Arms of South America
Model: R.A.P. 401
Serial: US00416
Caliber: 9x19mm
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 3 ½"
Optics/Sights: Fixed 3-White Dot Sights
Stock/Grips: Black Textured Synthetic
Action: Semi-Automatic Pistol
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Republic Arms RAP-401 is a compact, all-steel double-action semi-automatic pistol developed in South Africa in response to a late-Cold War-era domestic requirement for a rugged service pistol for detectives and plainclothes officers. Designed by Walter Niermann and Erich Mickelat as “Project 401,” the RAP-401 was intended to replace a mix of small pistols in South African Police use and was officially adopted into service around 1990. Its designers consciously drew on proven European patterns (notably the Astra A-75 family in terms of layout and dimensions) while meeting a South African specification that favored steel construction over emerging polymer designs. Mechanically the RAP-401 is a Browning-tilting-barrel, recoil-operated pistol available in 9×19mm (and later offered in .40 S&W variants), with a roughly 3.5" (89 mm) barrel, overall length near 165 mm (6.5") and an unloaded weight in the low-900 g (32 oz) range — noticeably beefy for a compact — and it uses a single-stack magazine (8 rounds in 9mm; 7 in .40). The action is DA/SA with a frame-mounted decocking/hammer-drop safety and firing-pin block; sights are simple fixed three-dot units and the slide/frame finishes and ergonomics emphasize utility and durability rather than boutique fit and finish. In service and in private-ownership evaluations, the RAP-401 earned a reputation for reliability and a stout, controllable feel due to its all-steel mass, while that same mass made it less attractive as the market shifted toward lighter polymer-framed carry pistols in the 1990s and 2000s. Importation into the U.S. market (mostly via Century/other importers) exposed the model to civilian shooters; reviewers and collectors today tend to view the RAP-401 as a solid, no-nonsense design with limited parts interchangeability and modest aftermarket support — strengths for users who value durability and a traditional DA/SA manual of arms, but drawbacks for those seeking light weight, modularity, or a broad accessory ecosystem. Overall, the RAP-401 occupies the niche of a late-20th-century police compact built to a conservative specification: a compact, all-steel service pistol that prioritized reliability and standardized serviceability over market trends toward polymer carry pistols. For collectors and shooters who appreciate South African small-arms history or robust, older-school defensive pistols, the RAP-401 remains an interesting and practical example; for buyers seeking modern carrying convenience, lighter weight, or plentiful spare parts, its heavier construction and relative rarity make it a less obvious choice.
Contents:
Model: R.A.P. 401
Serial: US00416
Caliber: 9x19mm
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 3 ½"
Optics/Sights: Fixed 3-White Dot Sights
Stock/Grips: Black Textured Synthetic
Action: Semi-Automatic Pistol
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Republic Arms RAP-401 is a compact, all-steel double-action semi-automatic pistol developed in South Africa in response to a late-Cold War-era domestic requirement for a rugged service pistol for detectives and plainclothes officers. Designed by Walter Niermann and Erich Mickelat as “Project 401,” the RAP-401 was intended to replace a mix of small pistols in South African Police use and was officially adopted into service around 1990. Its designers consciously drew on proven European patterns (notably the Astra A-75 family in terms of layout and dimensions) while meeting a South African specification that favored steel construction over emerging polymer designs. Mechanically the RAP-401 is a Browning-tilting-barrel, recoil-operated pistol available in 9×19mm (and later offered in .40 S&W variants), with a roughly 3.5" (89 mm) barrel, overall length near 165 mm (6.5") and an unloaded weight in the low-900 g (32 oz) range — noticeably beefy for a compact — and it uses a single-stack magazine (8 rounds in 9mm; 7 in .40). The action is DA/SA with a frame-mounted decocking/hammer-drop safety and firing-pin block; sights are simple fixed three-dot units and the slide/frame finishes and ergonomics emphasize utility and durability rather than boutique fit and finish. In service and in private-ownership evaluations, the RAP-401 earned a reputation for reliability and a stout, controllable feel due to its all-steel mass, while that same mass made it less attractive as the market shifted toward lighter polymer-framed carry pistols in the 1990s and 2000s. Importation into the U.S. market (mostly via Century/other importers) exposed the model to civilian shooters; reviewers and collectors today tend to view the RAP-401 as a solid, no-nonsense design with limited parts interchangeability and modest aftermarket support — strengths for users who value durability and a traditional DA/SA manual of arms, but drawbacks for those seeking light weight, modularity, or a broad accessory ecosystem. Overall, the RAP-401 occupies the niche of a late-20th-century police compact built to a conservative specification: a compact, all-steel service pistol that prioritized reliability and standardized serviceability over market trends toward polymer carry pistols. For collectors and shooters who appreciate South African small-arms history or robust, older-school defensive pistols, the RAP-401 remains an interesting and practical example; for buyers seeking modern carrying convenience, lighter weight, or plentiful spare parts, its heavier construction and relative rarity make it a less obvious choice.
Contents:
This example will ship with a case (non-matching serial number) and all other contents as pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
