Nearly two months ago, I purchased a Zastava M85 in 7.62x39 mm caliber from CanadaAmmo. Principally, for target shooting/plinking with still not so expensive surplus ammo. I paid $549.99+tax which is their present price. My M85 is a September 2014 production. IMHO the rifle is worth every penny I spent on it. The quality is very good, deep bluing on steel is perfect and it shoots like a dream. After about 100 cycles of the bolt with a few drops of Ballistol on it, it now moves like a knife in a butter. The initial slight roughness in the action is gone. The rifle is extremely handy. I also have a SKS and the M85 is half lighter than the SKS. Despite the total short length of the M85 its LOP is full 14” in contrast to barely 12" for the SKS.
I was also considering the CZ527 in the same caliber and I’m happy that I didn’t buy it. The 527 is twice as expensive as the M85 but, definitely, not twice as good. One thing I like in the M85 is its iron sights. I have not mounted any optics yet. The rear sight is very easily adjustable for elevation. Windage is set up perfect. In contrast, the CZ 527 has a fixed rear sight which in my opinion is cheap.
So far, I’ve been only shooting a NON-CORROSIVE, Chinese surplus 7.62x39 mm military ammo (their 1980’s export) without any issues. During ejection I’m pulling the bolt back gently without any jerking. With this technique it’s hard to imagine that the ejector would crack. I’ve never shot any “lacquered cartridges” so I don’t know how they work. With the iron sights and my aging eyes, I can manage (if I do my part) a 2-2.5” grouping at 100 yards (90 m) bench rest. I’m rather average shooter.
To provide my M85 a companionship I also bought the Zastava M22/Z5 in .22 cal. Excellent rifle. Verry happy with that one, too.