which pistol?

[sharpcoolman]

Hello folks I am interested in two of the Zastava pistols the m57 and m70a. One is in 7.62x25 which I believe is hotter if I am not mistaken than the 9mm luger that the m70a shoots. Which pistol would be best for carry? I will be getting new production to the safety is one that works reliably. I like the slim profile and the simplicity make it very attractive to me. I have researched both and I was also wondering if buying one and buying a spare barrel of another caliber would work? Simply swap barrels and I now have a caliber interchangeable pistol, does this seam feasible?

 

[UrbanFuturistic]

Ahh, the Tokarev.

The M70 has the obvious advantage of being 9mm. 9mm is everywhere. 9mm comes in ball and defensive ammo.

7.62x25 for the most part is surplus ammo. Prvi Partizan is likely one of, if not the only manufacturer that still makes it. Actually, a quick search reveals the usual players; PPU, S&B and Fiocchi with a surprising Winchester White Box entry.

Ultimately, its up to you to decide. But, the beauty is that you can likely afford both. And still not pay more than you would for one from any other manufacturer. Both would be equally cool.

 

[mgmorden]

A barrel swap should work (I don't think they use a different mag for 9mm, but if they did you'd likely need to get a new mag too). If you want to do that buy the M70a first - 7.62x25 barrels are way easier to find later than 9mm barrels.

That said, while these guns are good range guns, they're about as far from a (concealed) carry gun as you can get. Don't get me wrong, it can be done, but they're big, heavy, have bad sights, and just overall aren't a good choice for it.

 

[il.bill]

The 9x19mm M70A uses a different magazine from the M57 in 7.62x25mm.

I have each and really like them. It is a heavy pistol to be lugging around all day, but the very slim profile would certainly work if you are looking for a full size concealed carry pistol, as long as you have an appropriate holster and belt to handle the weight. The sights are only combat size, but what more would you need for defensive carry?

The Tokarev is a rugged design for a handgun. It is super easy to disassemble and clean, whether you are an illiterate peasant from the eastern European steppes, or a good old boy from southern Illinois. The modern Zastava manufactured models have a very strong safety that physically blocks the hammer from touching the firing pin.

Of the two, there is no question that the 9mm M70A would be my preference for carry. The ammo availability (oh wait - we are talking about current 9mm Luger supplies - well anyway...) is better and less expensive per round for all but old surplus corrosive cartridges. The 7.62x25mm round is very fast out of the muzzle (cracks something like a .357 magnum) and overpenetration in social situations would be a concern for me. The Tokarev round is fun at the firing range, but the 9x19mm is a better every day choice.

The Zastava M57 and M70A feel great in my hand. As you can probably tell, I like them both a lot. If you are patient and do some shopping you can find either NIB at very reasonable prices. Just be sure to handle one before buying it for carry - it is definitely not a plastic pistol.

 

[il.bill]

Zastava M70A

A couple of pictures -

 

[sharpcoolman]

thanks a lot for the info guys. it was mentioned it may not be the best choice for concealed carry well what about the Canik 55 stingray c. from what i gather it is a cz p01 without the cz stamp on the slide. would this be a better option for concealed carry or would it be too fat due to the double stack?

 

[CWL]

Concealed carry has a lot to do with YOUR body shape, not other people's.

 

[JTQ]

It has an awful lot to do with finding a holster for your gun, too.

The m57 and m70a are not common guns. I suspect you will have some trouble finding holsters for them. You may want to do a holster search for the holster you may like and see if they offer a holster for either of those guns.

Canik and CZ will be a little more common as far holsters go, but not nearly as easy to get a holster for as any Glock, Springfield XD, S&W M&P, SIG P-Series, Beretta 92, etc.

 

[mgmorden]

thanks a lot for the info guys. it was mentioned it may not be the best choice for concealed carry well what about the Canik 55 stingray c. from what i gather it is a cz p01 without the cz stamp on the slide. would this be a better option for concealed carry or would it be too fat due to the double stack?

You'd be way ahead with the Canik IMHO. Yeah its a double stack, but also remember that the Zastava's are military single stacks - they weren't made specifically to be thin like the current gen single stacks are. Just personally I also find that a longer barrel like the 5" barrel on the Zastava to be very uncomfortable to conceal. When walking its not a problem, but when sitting its terrible.

Not saying its a bad gun - I own an M57 and like it - just that I don't think its a good concealed carry choice.

 

[sharpcoolman]

mgmorden thanks for the help one other thing concerns me but i am sure it is no big deal. is the canik 55 stingray c too heavy for concealed carry or is it something i can get used to and be done with?