Zastava Revolvers?

[Speedo66]

I see AIM Surplus has used .357 Zastava revolvers, can’t say I’m familiar with them.

Have no interest in buying one, just curious what people’s experience has been, or what their reputation is.

Here’s a link: https://aimsurplus.com/products/zas...I02282025&mc_cid=e1cb2f66ec&mc_eid=1befdbddfa

 

[silicosys4]

No experience. They look pretty cheaply made though and for the money a Taurus has better quality machining

 

[TTv2]

For something that likely has no factory warranty and no widespread use that a good or bad track record could determine its quality or longevity, at $360 I would rather buy a Charter Arms.

When it comes to revolvers and brands with nearly no user base, don't take chances on something that costs more than what current production revolvers do. If these Zastava revolvers were under $200, then maybe you take a chance on them, but at over $300 you're better off with known problem brands like Charter vs the unknown.

 

[someguy2800]

Never heard of them before but it's a pretty cool looking revolver. I'm pretty tempted to try one.

 

[American_Fusilier]

I'm not a revolver guy, so they don't really do anything for me. But Zastava is a reputable company...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Zastava don't make junk. A little unrefined maybe, but usually very durable.

If I needed another .357 (I don't), Id buy one.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

If it had been C&R (and CA exempt), I might have bitten -- my collection could use something beginning with Z-.

Hogg and Weeks Pistols of the World just says it's styled after S&W revolvers, which is both iffy and pretty unhelpful. Apex was carrying parts kits, which give some clues to the internal construction:

Zastava M83 / 90 Revolver Parts Kit, 357 Mag, *Good*

Original Zastava M83 / 90 Revolver Parts Kit, 357 Mag, in *Good* condition. Sold as a Set.Includes the complete kit minus the frame and barrel.May show signs of wear, marring, grime, etc... Parts must be inspected and tested by qualified and competent gunsmiths or armorers before use in a...

www.apexgunparts.com

 

[TTv2]

Zastava don't make junk. A little unrefined maybe, but usually very durable.

If I needed another .357 (I don't), Id buy one.

Zastava is a fine company, but they're not known for making revolvers and if there's no warranty you're gonna have a tough time finding replacement parts for when the time comes and ain't no gunsmiths out there with any experience on Zastava revolvers.

 

[lee n. field]

.

Hogg and Weeks Pistols of the World just says it's styled after S&W revolvers, which is both iffy and pretty unhelpful.

That's what they say about the old Spanish knockoff revolvers.

 

[Tallball]

It's less than half the price of a NiB S&W.

If you buy it and it's no good, you part it out on ebay for $100and move on. That's the risk you take.

"You get what you pay for," is true but deceptive. Sometimes you're paying with specialized knowledge, sometimes you're paying by being willing to take a risk.

Military or police surplus sold from a reputable place like AIM has usually been maintained. All of the stuff I've bought from AIM has been good.

I've personally never worn out a firearm. I don't think I'll live long enough to do so, at this point. So my question about the revolver would be "Are the trigger and sights any good?" not "Is it going to fall apart in my hand?"

 

[bernie]

While I have not ever worn out a firearm, I have broken a few. Or had them break on me. I like to know there is a reasonable opportunity to find parts for them when they go down. However, I cannot fault a guy that wants to get one. If I was younger and on a budget, I might well try one.

 

[GooseGestapo]

You’ll be better off getting a new Rock Island made new in Phillipines from PSA than an early Cold War Czech revolver, unless just filling a niche in a ComBloc collection.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Good grief, what are those sideplate screws?
The internal bits don't look bad, though there doesn't appear to be a rebound slide.
I'd like to handle one, just to see how they feel mechanically.
Moon

 

[dekibg]

I have owned one when I lived in Yugoslavia. Grips are small and trigger is heavy. But overall it’s ok quality . Comparable to Taurus ( which I owned too )
$360 is a fair price …

 

[Mosin77]

I would take one of these over a RIA gun that might go out of time after a box of ammo through it. I keep hoping someone here takes the plunge on these particular ones and gives us a report.

 

[dekibg]

I would take one of these over a RIA gun that might go out of time after a box of ammo through it. I keep hoping someone here takes the plunge on these particular ones and gives us a report.

There are few YouTube videos about it where people got them from this batch of recently imported ones

 

[tark]

t's less than half the price of a NiB S&W.

And it's USED... I am a bit wary of buying any used revolver sight unseen.

 

[W.E.G.]

I’m very pleased with the one I received from AIM Surplus this week.

Have not fired it yet. Appears to be in excellent working condition.

 

[WestKentucky]

I keep bidding on the guns listed as gunsmith specials. There are parts available on ebay somewhat regularly. The ones without grips go for a song because nobody is selling replacement grips. I’m interested in the 6” or longer but I have seen videos of crates popping open with very long barreled guns occasionally. One of those is right up my alley. Too bad my alley just took an unexpected uppercut from the tax man.

As for the guns, I found a very detailed article from an eastern bloc nation, Serbia I think. I ran it through google translate a paragraph at a time and it seemed like an overall positive review. Seemed very reminiscent of the way people talk about good budget friendly guns like the old H&R or high standard revolvers.

 

[Boom Vang]

A Eastern Bloc police revolver from the 1980s, complete with Soviet-era machining and precision.

IMHO, priced at $249 it might be better "why not" purchase for the collector of the odd and unusual.

Here's one experience from 10 years ago:

I Worked on an Zastava M83 Today

 

[W.E.G.]

my interest in the gun is solely as a collector piece. Something a little different.

As to price, I appreciate a bargain as much as anyone. I would have been disappointed if they had sent me a poor specimen. I’m quite pleased with the condition for the money.

The ZASTAVA won’t be replacing my EDC. Some single action work at the range for the novelty of firing something a little different is all the utilitarian work this will ever see for so long as I own it. If I want to do my best revolver work at the range, I’ll use my no-dash 686, for which I paid exactly double the price of the ZASTAVA.

I’m satisfied for it to be exactly what it is, and as it is. I wish it could tell its story. I think the mystery and inferences we can assign it helps appreciate our own situation.

 

[DT Guy]

Is it just me, or does that make anyone else think, "If a Makarov were a revolver....?"

Larry