Atomic_Dog9601
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I am thinking of purchasing a Zastava M70 (their version of the Kalashnikov platform.) Does anyone have experience with these rifles? How is reliability? In field Performance? Etc.
Zastava zpap M70?
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brunowbe
Member
Current ones are the best AK for the money. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. I would love to get one to add to my stable of Kalashnikovs, but I always find something else, in this case, a Galil Ace for a fantastic price is currently on its way to me.
Ignition Override
Member
Really good results overall. Minor deformation (-quite normal-) on rear of bolt carrier/boat tail, is at 6:51.
Bolt lug wear at 7:20. Very good results.
Minor wear in the forward trunnion. Remember, all of this is
after 5,000 rds., and Rob limits barrel max. temps, and also periodically checks headspace.If I did not Already own a Maadi, Mak 90, AMD 65 (TGI) and Czechpoint VZ-58, I would have saved cash for a ZPAP.
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wiscoaster
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I have one. Haven't shot it all that much. But have no complaints. If you're looking to buy used there are some differences between recent production rifles and the original production rifles wrt to barrels you want to check in to. But significant only if such differences are material to your planned use & ammo selection. Light range toy use using non-corrosive ammo makes no diff, IMO.
brunowbe
Member
There are a lot of differences between the older ones and current ones. They are very significant. Current ones are more like the Opaps. They are over built with thicker receivers, 1.5mm compared to old Zpap 1 mm, chrome lined barrels, and bulged trunnions. OP, make sure you get a new production version, otherwise you’re better off finding a WASR.
wiscoaster
Member
I disagree. I stand by my opinion that the differences are material only by intended use. As an occasional range toy shooter shooting non-corrosive new production ammo my original production model - without the recent improvements made mostly to accomodate the demands of the American marketplace and not the reliability and functionality of the firearm - works just fine. If the OP can find a used item at a reasonable price, and if it fits his intended use, go for it.
Skeptic13
Member
I bought a current M70 ZPAP at the first of the year. After much research I came to the conclusion that it is one of the best built AKs on the market for a reasonable price. I have had no issues with mine and am very happy with the purchase.
I got a Z85 in 5.56 in December. IMO, it is very well built and functions perfectly. I have an older Yugo N-PAP that is rougher looking, but has been very reliable. Zastava USA's website has a number of accessories and upgrades also. The only CON I can think of is they are a little heavier than other AK's, but that is due to the thicker receiver and reinforced trunion (I think I got that right). The weight difference isn't much.
I did see a WASR rifle that someone else was transferring in at the gun dealer recently. It had a whole lot better fit and finish than the very rough WASR I had years ago. Never shot one of the newer ones.
Ignition Override
Member
MechAg94:
The fairly recent durability test on a WASR 10 by "Rob" at AKOU indicated excellent results, after 5,000 rds. He periodically checks headspace, wear on bolt lugs, boat tails, forward trunnion etc.
Youtube; maybe you are aware of his many evaluations.
Starting in 2008, the WASRs were manufactured by the Romanians with less sight cant, They are imported into the US with Single-Stack magwells (still?).
After magwells are widened these later WASR have less wobble than many years ago (magwells are Widened in the US-by Century contractors) etc.
The fairly recent durability test on a WASR 10 by "Rob" at AKOU indicated excellent results, after 5,000 rds. He periodically checks headspace, wear on bolt lugs, boat tails, forward trunnion etc.
Youtube; maybe you are aware of his many evaluations.
Starting in 2008, the WASRs were manufactured by the Romanians with less sight cant, They are imported into the US with Single-Stack magwells (still?).
After magwells are widened these later WASR have less wobble than many years ago (magwells are Widened in the US-by Century contractors) etc.
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wiscoaster
Member
There's actually one more con: only one company (sorry, can't think of the name right off the top) sells an adapter for the receiver side-mount optic rails; they're slightly proprietary in some way (but can't remember that detail either, yikes).
wiscoaster
Member
RS Regulate!! Yeah!! (bad memory is a great motivator to inspire one to get one's butt off one's computer chair and go to the gun closet to dig out the item and refresh one's memory.....)
Looking on the Zastava USA website, it looks like they show the rail mounts on the rifles. Not sure it is on everthing. The old Yugo I have came with the side mount. The pistol I have does not have one I believe, but I got the model with the short rail on top.
Back in the 2000's, there weren't many parts at all that weren't imported surplus. If there one quality supplier, that is great.
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