MINI MAUSER 7.62x39 ZASATAVA MODEL 85

[kimberkid]

I've been looking at these for a while, does anyone know anything about them?

Accuracy?

Any frailties like a soft or brittle bolt?

Good? Bad?

I wanna know!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Well....these have been around for many years under various brand names, and at one time were the only game in town for a 7.62x39 bolt gun. But with recent offerings from Ruger, CZ, Howa, and others, the Zastava doesn't fare well, being only marginally cheaper than these.
The trigger and action just aren't as refined as the competition and, being push feed, it isn't a true Mauser action- the "extractor" is actually just a bolt guide on the Zastava.
Ive shot my Buddy's M85 a bit- its OK, but nothing special. Accuracy is so-so, we did have a few jams with 122gr. Wolfe HPs hitting the chamber mouth. FMJs worked fine.
Ive never heard of breakage issues with these.
So...if you can get one dirt cheap, go for it, but I would look at the Ruger American or Howa 1500 Mini first for a few bucks more. The CZ 527 would be the Cadillac of x39 turn bolts and are worth saving up for.

 

[JShirley]

No failure to ignites?

I have a 7.62x39mm upper that was maybe 50% on setting off Wolf, the time I took it out. I have a Rossi that fires at an even lower %, even with US ammo.

 

[<*(((><]

No failure to ignites?

I have a 7.62x39mm upper that was maybe 50% on setting off Wolf, the time I took it out. I have a Rossi that fires at an even lower %, even with US ammo.

Do you have an enhanced firing pin in your 7.62x39 upper? It has longer protrusion from the bolt face for more reliable ignition, many cheaper BCG's just include a standard firing pin which will not work reliably. If so, and still having failures to ignite then a heavier hammer spring would be the next part to look into. I assembled a 7.62x39 upper a few years ago with an enhanced firing pin and it has run flawless with 6 different types of cheap Russian ammo. I have about 700 rounds through it to date, I purposely bought several different brands and bullet types (HP, SP, FMJ) to function test it with. It's one of my favorite uppers.

@JShirley just ordered 'The Last Centurion', looks like it's up my alley. Have you read A. American 'Survivalist Series'? Something you might like.

@kimberkid if it was me I would take @NIGHTLORD40K suggestion and look into the offerings he listed before considering a Zastava. The online reviews of Zastava's offerings are a mixed bag, whereas the Ruger American, Howa, and CZ have glowing reviews.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

The CZ 527 has a legit Mauser action, and it couldn't come on a nicer gun.

If you don't care about a Mauser action and just want a 7.62x39 bolt gun, the Ruger American will probably shoot just as well as the CZ and costs $250 less. But you don't get the iron sights or the sweet set-trigger.

 

[HankC]

I had the Remington version and extractor was chipped only after 50 rnds steel case ammo. Hard to find a replacement. Common problem while the extractor is tiny. Bolt binds a bit. Beside that, I like it, but I sold it because of the weak extractor. It is not a real mouser action.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

No ignition issues with my friend's M85- we were shooting a mixed bag of Wolf, Tula, and Norinco ammo.
It was an OK gun in almost every way, but didn't shine anywhere. He was kinda disappointed considering he paid almost $400 for it....

 

[highlander 5]

Had the Remington version of the M85 100 rds down the barrel extractor broke no replacement parts. Fortunately the shop I bought it from took it back,found 2 527s and a Ruger M77 MkII in 7.62x39. The CZs are designed more for steel cased ammo than brass. The firing pin springs on all 3 needed to be replaced due to light strikes beause of the hard milspec primers

 

[greyling22]

I have the 223 version. Nice blueing, trigger can be adjusted to be very nice, and accurate with the right ammo. I have not had extractor problems. But, the bolt is stiff when opening and closing, and floppy when pulled back. It's OK, but I would recommend something else. And there is no support for spare parts.

 

[ford8nr]

Cabelas had a rack full maybe 3 yrs ago. I think they were $399 for the x39. Couple stocks had so much figure they looked like marble. Still kick myself for not buying one. Picked up the .22 version and still love shooting it - it did take some 'tuning' though.

 

[kimberkid]

The one thing I didn't say in the op is that I'd already bid on one on GunBroker ... I picked it up last week, its every bit as nice as the pictures but after reading some of the thoughts here it surprised me. The trigger could be improved but its not horrible, the bluing is nice, the bolt operates smoothly and not overly hard to close; the texture of the finish is nicer than I expected.

I took it out on my lunch hour and shot 10 rounds of old lacquered steel cased ammo, 5 hollow point and 5 FMJ which the last round did hang-up on the chamber ramp ... I didn't shoot it for accuracy as I was just shooting off the hood of my truck (it was warm), just at a gong about 100 yards out, the sights seem to be off to the left a bit.
For what it is I'm happy with it, my bid was $454 so I may have overpaid a bit if I'd bid less I'd still be looking and probably bought a CZ for a few hundred more. I found a Leupold base for $24 shipped and had a set of Leupold rings, not sure what I'll do for a scope yet.

I could have gotten the Anerican Ranch but I don't care fort their synthetic stock and lack of irons ... picitinny rail is convenient as I could have thrown a scope off another rifle on it, but with the threaded barrel I'd HAVE to buy a QD mount for my suppressor; that would be another $80 and just look goofy!

Anyway, when it warms up I'll punch some paper and see how she shoots ... Meanwhile it can sit in the safe with my Zastava PAP M85 (AK)

Here's the one of the GunBroker pix:

 

[chicharrones]

Looks nice.

 

[crcr29683]

Hey, I think you outbid me.....
Seriously, I was considering the M85 or a 527.
Then Ruger came out with the American Ranch in 7.62x39 and I liked the idea of Mini-14 magazines.
So I just bought the Ruger and put in the timney trigger.
It's a hoot to shoot.

 

[kimberkid]

The detachable mag was the another thing I didn't want, I like the sleek profile of the Mauser.

I agree, it is a fun shooter!
Although we got a couple inches of fresh snow last night, it's pretty nice out now ... and a neighbor boy came over and shoveled our drive and walkways ... And wouldn't let me pay him! He said he needed a few more hours for his community service badge for Scouts!

I'm thinking of asking him if he wants to go shoot it, and if he's a new shooter I'm sure I can dig up a 22!

 

[crcr29683]

I do wish the RAR had irons like your M85. Even if I can't see them that well anymore.

 

[kimberkid]

Just a quick update, I got a Leupold VX-1, 3-9x40 with the ranging dots on the bottom cross-hair leg ... Hope to sight it in tomorrow.

 

[TTv2]

The CZ 527 has a legit Mauser action, and it couldn't come on a nicer gun.

If you don't care about a Mauser action and just want a 7.62x39 bolt gun, the Ruger American will probably shoot just as well as the CZ and costs $250 less. But you don't get the iron sights or the sweet set-trigger.

I fully agree on the Ruger American, but for the trajectory of the 7.62x39, I don't think a perfect trigger is needed because I wouldn't shoot any further than 250 yards. Beyond that the drop is... extreme and the muzzle energy is 1000 ft-lbs less than it was at the muzzle.

 

[chicharrones]

Just a quick update, I got a Leupold VX-1, 3-9x40 with the ranging dots on the bottom cross-hair leg ... Hope to sight it in tomorrow.

View attachment 776775

Nice scope.

 

[<*(((><]

Let us know how it works out for you. Looks real nice from the pictures you posted. I'm sure you'll find that the 7.62x39 is better than most make it out to be.

 

[Newtosavage]

I have two of those same scopes and I'm very happy with them. On my Savage bolt action 7.62x39 I have a 2-7x33, and it suits the smaller cartridge very well IMO. I'm not afraid to take 300-yard shots at the range (do it all the time in fact) but for hunting I have a 200-yard limit for that caliber, and that's a simple 6" holdover when zero'd at 100.

That rifle looks fantastic btw. I'm sure it's a hoot to shoot.

 

[kimberkid]

In hind-sight (which we all know is 20-20) I kind of wish I'd gone for the CZ, but when I saw this one it tripped my trigger! For my plinking purposes I think this one will be fine ... I'll know later this afternoon, it's still only up to 25 but this afternoon it's supposed to get up to a balmey 32!

 

[TTv2]

In hind-sight (which we all know is 20-20) I kind of wish I'd gone for the CZ, but when I saw this one it tripped my trigger! For my plinking purposes I think this one will be fine ... I'll know later this afternoon, it's still only up to 25 but this afternoon it's supposed to get up to a balmey 32!

Don't feel bad, the Zastava Mini Mauser will shoot just fine and it looks very nice. I've made stupider purchases that I ask myself every time I look at it, "What was I thinking?"

Cobray .410 derringer if you're wondering.

 

[kimberkid]

Don't feel bad, the Zastava Mini Mauser will shoot just fine and it looks very nice. I've made stupider purchases that I ask myself every time I look at it, "What was I thinking?"

Cobray .410 derringer if you're wondering.

Well, let's just say you're not the only one that's brought a Cobray .410 derringer!

I took it out to my friends farm on Thursday even though it was only about 25 degrees and windy, I'd been waiting all week. I put up 4 targets at 100 yards and was planning on shooting some 5 shot groups ... I got there and realize I didn't have any ammo, but I found a box in the back of the truck. I bore sighted it and shot 5 getting it sighted in, 2 were duds. I don't know how long the box had been in the back of my truck and it looked like it had been wet but there wasn't any corrosion on; I know the ammo is cheap but I can't believe I had so many duds I had, only 8 of the 20 fired

I took the two targets and marked where the 3 rounds from the other shots impacted and measured the spread ... It's about 2.5" + or - an 1/8" ... All things considered I think it was ok for its first time out but I'm hopeing the scope just wasn't settled in ... and maybe after tearing down the bolt I won't have so many duds.

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