Zastava M70 pistol Opinions

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KevininPa

KevininPa

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Hello folks! I'm looking for opinions and tips from OWNERS of the Zastava M70 .32 acp pistol. I've always wanted a larger .32 acp firearm to play around with. A friend of mine is selling his. He never even shot it. He's a collector of military arms and memorabilia. It's pristine.
So, Zastava M70 owners, commence.....
 
I have one of those Zastava model 70's. It impressed me as a very well designed small Tokarev. One of the good things about it is the recoil impulse is less than a straight blowback design. It's certainly accurate also.

There's only two things I don't like about it: The short length of the grip (my pinky finger has to dangle in midair) I've seen an after market magazine on sale that has an extension for your finger, however. The other thing is the weight. That pistol is built like a tank and weighs about as much for being such a small pistol.

Just for comparison on the weight, it weighs slightly more than my Beretta model 85BB pistol in .380 or my Smith & Wesson 3" barreled Model 36-1 in .38 special.
 
KevininPa said:
Hello folks! I'm looking for opinions and tips from OWNERS of the Zastava M70 .32 acp pistol. I've always wanted a larger .32 acp firearm to play around with. A friend of mine is selling his. He never even shot it. He's a collector of military arms and memorabilia. It's pristine.
So, Zastava M70 owners, commence.....
Click to expand...

One other thing about the Zastava. The looks are kind of charming; what the illicit love child of the old Colt government model .380 and a Tokarev would look like. When I first opened the shipping box I did a double take. Thought at first there'd been a mistake and they'd sent me a weirdly reworked Colt .380.
But all in all I like how it looks.
 
Condorcet said:
I have one of those Zastava model 70's. It impressed me as a very well designed small Tokarev. One of the good things about it is the recoil impulse is less than a straight blowback design. It's certainly accurate also.

There's only two things I don't like about it: The short length of the grip (my pinky finger has to dangle in midair) I've seen an after market magazine on sale that has an extension for your finger, however. The other thing is the weight. That pistol is built like a tank and weighs about as much for being such a small pistol.

Just for comparison on the weight, it weighs slightly more than my Beretta model 85BB pistol in .380 or my Smith & Wesson 3" barreled Model 36-1 in .38 special.
Click to expand...

I posted this awhile back on another forum!
https://www.gunboards.com/threads/zastava-m70-32acp-magazine-extensions.1113333/#post-9913557
 
Well, easy enough to find. Found a reddit post where someone said they need to be reworked a little. Is you experience the same?
 
Mizar said:
It's just a typical combloc pistol - ugly, not very comfortable to shoot, mediocre build quality, not quite accurate... It's nothing to write home about. If the price is right and you like it, then get it - it works. But that's it.
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Exactly what I'd have written about the M70. I'll also add that if you're a reloader you'll hate what the enormous unsupported chamber does to brass. I use all the thick wall brass I've collected through my M70 and don't even bother to pick it up as it makes Glocked brass look good.
 
BC17A said:
Exactly what I'd have written about the M70. I'll also add that if you're a reloader you'll hate what the enormous unsupported chamber does to brass. I use all the thick wall brass I've collected through my M70 and don't even bother to pick it up as it makes Glocked brass look good.
Click to expand...
I don't reload .32, but I have to agree 110%. It destroys brass.
 
If it's in good shape and not scratched, dinged, and dented like the one I got from AIM, absolutely, buy one! They are a great pistol for the money, high quality for a low price. They may not be as small and light as some would like for a .32, but that's often going to be the case for .32 ACP's that are made before the Kel Tec P-32 and LCP.

Only problem with them is the lack of spare parts and magazine availability, but those are minor issues.
 
Mizar said:
It's just a typical combloc pistol - ugly, not very comfortable to shoot, mediocre build quality, not quite accurate... It's nothing to write home about. If the price is right and you like it, then get it - it works. But that's it.
Click to expand...

Lol! That's what I like about it! For some reason I always wanted an old school .32 to play around with.
 
I have a soft spot for the .32 acp, can't explain why. The Zastava mostly because of their heritage to the Tokarev's.
Would like to find the .380 version, even though I hate the .380 round!
My 3 that are factory. One 2 tone Chrome and a brushed Nickel.
Bottom one I still have to install the sight on it. Grips are Marschalgrips.
IMG_1384.JPG
 
Just4FunOldGuns said:
I have a soft spot for the .32 acp, can't explain why. The Zastava mostly because of their heritage to the Tokarev's.
Would like to find the .380 version, even though I hate the .380 round!
My 3 that are factory. One 2 tone Chrome and a brushed Nickel.
Bottom one I still have to install the sight on it. Grips are Marschalgrips.
View attachment 1114889
Click to expand...


Pierce Tomcàt mag extensions?
 
If I didn't already have a few similar pistols I would probably buy one for cheap. The old military 32acp pistols are a cool niche.
 
MachIVshooter said:
I guess if you like it and the price is right, go for it, but if you're really wanting a nice "larger" .32 ACP, the Beretta 81BB or CZ83 are immensely superior.
Click to expand...


Had a CZ83 in .380. Beautiful gun. If the grips wouldn't have a habit of cracking, I would still have it. Went through three sets. Followed every tip read here and elsewhere.
 
I have one & I’ve really enjoyed it. For $225 right now; I think an excellent value for a piece of history from a country that doesn’t have exist anymore. I may pick up a second one just to add to collection.

Fun gun in an easy to shoot caliber. I do reload .32 but I mainly shoot factory ammo, as now I’m finding it for .40/round.

I consider it a fun gun, not a “carry gun.” For some reason I like .32 ACP better than .380. Probably Because my .380s are all modern, polymer framed “conceal carry” pistols and somewhat snappy.
 
It is nice to see so many positive comments on a cheap Yugo/Serbian pistol in a caliber that is largely disliked for anything beyond plinking. I've always liked shooting mine, I do wish mine was in better shape, but the benefit of having a scratched and dented one is I have no concerns banging it up if I chose to carry it.

Out of all the .32 ACP's that have been made, the Zastava is probably in my top 5 along with the Beretta 81, Savage, PPK and clones, and Colt 1903. When a Zastava can be put in that kind of company it would have to be a good pistol and the M70 absolutely is.
 
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