Looking for opinions on the Zastava m70. I ordered one already as it was in my price range and the calibre I wanted (9.3x62). They have a reasonably decent reputation on the net , a little rough in fit and finish is the most common complaint.
Just wondering if anyone has one , in any calibre , and could shed some light on their out-of-the-box functionality & accuracy or any other opinions observations or experiences.
I have had a very nice, used Zastava for about 6 months. It came from a good CGNer, off the EE. The blueing is deep, the sights are properly aligned, the bolt runs smoothly, and the trigger is crisp. It did come in a Boyds??? laminated stock. Maybe that was a hint of things to come. Well, I decided to try another Zastava. So I read a bit more internet poop/ drank some Kool-Aid so to speak.
Then in July, I ordered a new, left hand Zastava, paid the bill including shipping, by EMT. Before I placed the order, I spoke to the seller and explained that this was to be a shooter and used lots. I asked to have a rifle selected with a straight grain through the wrist, hoping to avoid what happened. Beware buying a rifle on the net where the sales pics are grainy or questionable as to the exact rifle. What I got was the rifle with the lowest SKU number, meaning it was the first to go in stock, therefore the first out, selection be damned. FIFO for those who understand.
The rifle arrived a couple weeks later with 3 faults I was not prepared to overlook:
First the stock, at the wrist, was a little too spooky for a large caliber. You be the judge, check out the pictures.
Second, the barrel was over rotated to nearly 11:00 o' clock, looking from the rear. Again see the pics.
Third, a check with a no-go gauge had the bolt rotating down to roughly an inch of closing. Another pic.
These and other pictures were sent explaining my dissatisfaction.
On the phone, an employee told me that there was an upcoming facility shutdown and that if I shipped it as soon as possible ($$$), they would get another rifle off to me before the closure. I was trying to be agreeable, so I sent the rifle air freight.
Well the communication stopped, the closure occurred, and I waited for a tracking number. What I got instead was an email stating:
"I received your Zastava. I inspected the other Zastava that we had put on hold for you. It has similar wood grain pattern as the one that you returned. The sights are like on the one that you sent back. So rather then sending guns back and forth, I decided just to EMT you a refund."
Without getting into numbers, the purchase price refund was in full, but the original shipping portion was only about half of what was charged initially, and of course I am out a large return air freight bill. My out of pocket is over $150.00, but I consider myself lucky as I was in the logging business since the 70s and saw some people taken for tens of thousands.
Please don't ask here or PM me as to the seller. Caveat emptor.
