Zastava M85 in 7.62x39

I've had a CZ-527, a Ruger 77 with a canoe paddle stock, and a Zastava all in 7.62x39. The only one I would buy again is the 527. The Ruger was fine, but it seems pointless to build a 7.62x39 on a .308 length action. The Zastava was rough as a corn cob - the build quality between the CZ and the Zastava was not even in the same league.
Maybe they have improved since I owned one.
 
CZ for me thanks. The Ruger I owned shot great, but I just don't have a fancy for stainless/synthetic
rifles. The Zastavas are a tad rough in final finish, but can be tuned easily enough with careful work.
:)
 
I've owned a few Zastava rimfires and centerfires... The metal work finish is pretty nice actually, the bolt and action can often be gritty, but smooth out with use or polishing... My two biggest "beefs" were the overall clunky feel and the seriously bland wood... They are usually pretty fine shooting though... At a good price they are pretty decent. But for my 7.62 I'm either getting the CZ 527 or the MVP if I can scare one up...
 
Got my little carbine today from Martin at Cor-Win. Very nicely figured wood. Finish is oil based and is Ok but a light 000 steel wool and some BLO would make it perfect. Action is a little gritty but 1/2 hour of working the bolt and it has smoothed considerably. A quick run over with a cotton swab revealed a few burrs that need to be smoothed. I have a fat face and big chest short arms and I can still get a decent sight picture with the open irons. It is a delight to handle and I feel it will make a great little whitetail rifle. Pic to follow.









Darryl
 
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madtrapper143 said:
weak extractors.
Click to expand...

I had one years ago, that was the problem, regardless of ammo. POS, that rifle still makes me angry today. Handled another not long ago, same issue, even with some brass casings. If they were more of a true Mauser design it might be different, but they are not the premium rifle you would hope they are.
I never did try Sako or Lapua brass, maybe that would have done the trick.
 
I feel the standard of factory fit/finish quality is around 80% for Zastava rifles with acceptable accuracy for hunting. Here's an image of my M85, performance validation pending.....


 
They are solid rifles. In Europe they are entry level so is CZ, for more discriminating hunters they go for more expensive german, austrian or French rifles. While Zastava and CZ are entry level most of American stuff savage, remmington and even Ruger are considered novelty or ersatz
 
Zastava update. Yes the bolt handle is tiny and really works the palm of your hand over while breaking the rifle in. After about 15 hours of polishing and smoothing I have mine working as it should. I would not refer this carbine to anyone who is afraid to spend a little time on a rifle with a polishing wheel and some emery cloth. It was really rough to a point that I feel lots of normal shooting would have taken years to smooth it up. Upside is that mine is now good and the trigger was good right from the hop. No shooting yet still too cold.

Darryl
 
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