zastava opinion

re-drilling in line - how is that done? I envision an open, threaded #6 hole - now want to move over say 1/6 of a #8 hole - won't bigger drill bit just follow that original hole? Not saying it can't be done, just I do not know how to do that?? Do they make chucking reamers or end mills to that precise tap hole size - #28, which is 0.1405"? EDIT - just found a #28 chucking reamer in Canada - $41.83 plus taxes and shipping...

Re-drilling is maybe not the correct term. An end mill is used so it doesn't follow the existing hole.
 
I will have to find better dimension charts - I think a #28 hole as a tap hole (.1405") for 8-40 thread is not a lot different size than the major diameter on a #6-48 screw (.136?)?? Might be possible, but so far, I don't think the centre of the 8-40 tap hole is going to be moved much more than about .002" from the centre of the 6-48 hole, unless 48 tpi threads left behind in the hole?? Is that how it is done??
 
Not sure what the M85's go for now, $699 last I saw. $899 gets you a CZ 527 which is a far better piece.
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I would like to know where in Canada you can buy a new CZ 527 for 899.00. Any 527 I've seen lately is running around 1200.00
 
Hi Folks - thought I'd add my two bits....

I just picked up a Zastava LKM70 in 308 Win from Ellwood Epps and am very happy with it. It shoots well for a bone stock non-bedded, non-free floated barrel rifle, usually about 1"-1 1/2" 3-5 shot groups. Perfectly adequate for a hunting rifle. It's an oddball, as it has a blonde stock, maybe elm? I've never seen a similar one anywhere, most are decent darker walnut. As many have noted, the detail work leaves something to be desired. Machined metal surfaces show pre-USSR breakup level attention to detail, especially compared to the gorgeous old Husky Mausers (big fan) and such. But robust? Yep. It all depends what you're looking for.

I've owned (and still do) several newer composite Savages and Remingtons. They shoot great and minor mechanical problems are pretty easy to solve (I think everyone knows what a 9/64" ball bearing is used for on a Savage). It's easy to find the replacement broken plastic trigger guards for them too...and yes, you will need to find one sometime. Good value for the dollar, very serviceable tools, but do they attract your attention?

However, compare a full wood and steel rifle like the Zastava to the new composite rifles. When will you ever need to replace a floorplate/mag/trigger guard assembly on one of these? 25 years down the road when you need to replace an extractor, I'm sure you will still be able to get them easily.

My biggest complaint is the checkering on the stocks...whoever does this must be a family hire, maybe brother Bilo. With just a bit more effort, these rifles could be nice heirlooms, almost works of art. Even offering a nicely finished Turkish walnut stock in a more upmarket version would get people excited...well, weirdos like myself anyway. The hockey puck recoil pad is pretty strange too....I'm sure more advanced plastic and rubber molding tech is available somewhere in Serbia or nearby.

Anyone ever seen a blonde finished Zastava? Any ideas on what the wood may be?

Cheers Folks!


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The stocks are walnut, newer hogsback style are stained/oiled while the older versions with Monte Carlo stocks just had poly applied to them, so they look lighter.
Post a pic and we can verify what wood it is, but I've only ever seen them with walnut stocks.
^^^ yeah, older style walnut Monte Carlo stock above.
 
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Hi Folks - thought I'd add my two bits....

I just picked up a Zastava LKM70 in 308 Win from Ellwood Epps and am very happy with it. It shoots well for a bone stock non-bedded, non-free floated barrel rifle, usually about 1"-1 1/2" 3-5 shot groups. Perfectly adequate for a hunting rifle. It's an oddball, as it has a blonde stock, maybe elm? I've never seen a similar one anywhere, most are decent darker walnut. As many have noted, the detail work leaves something to be desired. Machined metal surfaces show pre-USSR breakup level attention to detail, especially compared to the gorgeous old Husky Mausers (big fan) and such. But robust? Yep. It all depends what you're looking for.

I've owned (and still do) several newer composite Savages and Remingtons. They shoot great and minor mechanical problems are pretty easy to solve (I think everyone knows what a 9/64" ball bearing is used for on a Savage). It's easy to find the replacement broken trigger plastic guards for them too...and yes, you will need to find one sometime. Good value for the dollar, very serviceable tools, but do they attract your attention?

However, compare a full wood and steel rifle like the Zastava to the new composite rifles. When will you ever need to replace a floorplate/mag/trigger guard assembly on one of these? 25 years down the road when you need to replace an extractor, I'm sure you will still be able to get them easily.

My biggest complaint is the checkering on the stocks...whoever does this must be a family hire, maybe brother Bilo. With just a bit more effort, these rifles could be nice heirlooms. With just a few minor changes, these rifles would be works of art. Even offering a nicely finished Turkish walnut stock in a more upmarket version would get people excited...well, weirdos like myself anyway. The hockey puck recoil pad is pretty strange too....I'm sure more advanced plastic and rubber molding tech is available somewhere in Serbia or nearby.

Anyone ever seen a blonde finished Zastava? Any ideas on what the wood may be?

Cheers Folks
got extra extractors and firing pins from tradeex.
 
Hi Mike:

I had a look at the Weaver base chart. It shows a 20A for front, 55 for rear for Interarms X and presumably other Yugo Mausers. Seem to work fine on mine.
 
The stocks are walnut, newer hogsback style are stained/oiled while the older versions with Monte Carlo stocks just had poly applied to them, so they look lighter.
Post a pic and we can verify what wood it is, but I've only ever seen them with walnut stocks.
^^^ yeah, older style walnut Monte Carlo stock above.

Thank you for the reply, it makes sense that it would be walnut. I'm kind of torn between leaving it alone and maybe refinishing with a darker stain. I do prefer the darker tones myself.
Either way, I for one think they are pretty darned good rifles!
 
Hi Mike:

I had a look at the Weaver base chart. It shows a 20A for front, 55 for rear for Interarms X and presumably other Yugo Mausers. Seem to work fine on mine.

Thx was looking for confirmation. I had read on another forum that guys had issues with the weaver bases being off set with height. Have a 9.3x62 coming and thinking of weaver bases with Burris rings (not inserts) and a 2-7x scope for it
 
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