Republic Arms RAP-401: Compact South African Steel
This video reviews the Republic Arms RAP-401, a compact all-steel pistol originally designed for the South African Police in 1990. Facing an arms embargo, the SAP sought a standardized sidearm. The RAP-401 was adopted but its production was cut short by a change in government in 1994. Republic Arms then adapted the design for the US commercial market, introducing the RAP-440 in .40 S&W alongside the 9mm RAP-401. The guns, praised for their quality and affordable price, remained in production until 2006, filling a niche for robust, steel-framed handguns.













